Abstract: A valve for use in an endoscope may comprise a proximal valve stem member having a first lumen extending from a proximal opening at a proximalmost end of the proximal valve stem member to a distal opening at a distalmost end of the proximal valve stem member. A distal valve stem member may have a second lumen with a proximal opening at a proximalmost end of the distal valve stem member. The proximalmost end of distal valve stem member may be received within the distal opening of the first lumen. The distal valve stem may be movable relative to the proximal valve stem.

Abstract: Hybrid analog-digital processing systems are described. An example of a hybrid analog-digital processing system includes photonic accelerator configured to perform matrix-vector multiplication using light. The photonic accelerator exhibits a frequency response having a first bandwidth (e.g., less than 3 GHz). The hybrid analog-digital processing system further includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) coupled to the photonic accelerator, and a plurality of digital equalizers coupled to the plurality of ADCs, wherein the digital equalizers are configured to set a frequency response of the hybrid analog-digital processing system to a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth.

Abstract: Methods and configurations for melting silicon by induction using tantalum as a heat-delivery seed are presented. The tantalum supports induction-generated electrical eddy currents and resultantly heats to relatively high temperatures. The heat of the tantalum then conducts into surrounding silicon, which melts. Because the tantalum does not melt at the relatively low melting temperature of silicon, the tantalum will not contaminate the molten silicon, which may thus have a high purity. The melted silicon may then be used in processes that form thin films on a substrate or ingots.

Abstract: A method of preparing a film comprising contacting a recycled polypropylene with a cavitating agent and an optional virgin polypropylene to form a mixture; extruding the mixture to form an extrudate; and biaxially orientating the extrudate to form a biaxially oriented film.

Abstract: A method comprises a portable device obtaining a graphical encoded information item which is displayed on a display of a computing apparatus, decoding the encoded information from the encoded information item, and transmitting a first message to first server apparatus, the first message including the decoded information and a first identifier identifying the device or a user of the device, wherein the decoded information includes an apparatus identification information item for allowing identification of the computing apparatus, and the first server apparatus receiving the first message from the device, establishing the identity of the user of the device, wherein establishing the identity of the user comprises using the first identifier to determine if the user is registered with the first server apparatus in response to establishing the identity of the user, authorising the user to access a service, and providing the service to the user via the computing apparatus using the apparatus identification informati

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for adaptive beamforming and interference mitigation using a time synchronized scalable cohered on-array processing system (“system”). The system may be a phased array implementing a software-defined radio using multi-input-multi-output antenna elements. The system includes multiple subarray elements which are configured into a tiered array of scalable subarrays that performs intermediary collation, coherence, noise reduction, and adaptive beamforming operations through processor nodes disposed between tiers. The intermediary collation operations process discrete portions of node excitation data to enable the phased array to generate an adaptive beam profile that directs high-directionality beams toward desired targets while adaptively partitioning interference sources between subarray elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods for evaluating a gravel pack, a frac-pack, or cement in a wellbore. In at least one embodiment, a method for evaluating a gravel pack, frac-pack or cement in a wellbore, includes pumping a first material into the wellbore, wherein the first material comprises a first tracer that is not radioactive. The method includes pumping a second material into the wellbore, wherein the second material comprises a second tracer that is not radioactive. The method includes obtaining a set of data using the downhole tool in the wellbore after the first and second materials are pumped into the wellbore. The method includes obtaining a baseline using the downhole tool in the wellbore in a depth interval without the first or second material. The method includes comparing the set of data with the baseline.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for pre-processing image data to generate improved training data for training a machine learning system to automatically classify imagery. One or more images of a geographic region are captured and processed to obtain a plurality of labelled samples (also referred to as patches) for training the machine learning system. To do this, the amount that each class is contained within each area image relative to the whole dataset is measured, with the distribution of classes being weighted according to this measurement and normalised to determine how many patches per class and per area should be taken.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for pre-processing image data to generate improved training data for training a machine learning system to automatically classify imagery. One or more images of a geographic region are captured and processed to obtain a plurality of labelled samples (also referred to as patches) for training the machine learning system. Training data can then be selected from these labelled samples using a method based on simulated annealing, which iteratively searches through subsets of the available patches to identify a solution that is as close to the most optimal solution as possible.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a method to embed planar field-effect transistor (FETs) with fin field-effect transistors (finFETs). A semiconductor substrate is patterned to define a mesa and a fin. A trench isolation structure is formed overlying the semiconductor substrate and surrounding the mesa and the fin. A first gate dielectric layer is formed on the mesa, but not the fin. The trench isolation structure recessed around the fin, but not the mesa, after the forming the first gate dielectric layer. A second gate dielectric layer is deposited overlying the first gate dielectric layer at the mesa and further overlying the fin. A first gate electrode is formed overlying the first and second gate dielectric layers at the mesa and partially defining a planar FET. A second gate electrode is formed overlying the second gate dielectric layer at the fin and partially defining a finFET.

Abstract: A liquid transport element for a vapor provision system includes a layer of wicking material and a layer of substrate material rolled together to form a spiral.

Abstract: A setting key for attaching a plane iron to a tapering plane at a specific desired tapering angle, the setting key comprising: a first edge shaped to fit into a setting key function slot with an opening along a circumference of a mortise of the tapering plane; and a second edge positioned opposite to the first edge, wherein when the setting key is inserted into the setting key function slot: the first edge is nested in the setting key function slot, and the second edge protrudes into and radially bisects the mortise of the tapering plane, such that the second edge provides a surface spaced from the mortise edge and positioned at an orientation that differs from a mortise longitudinal axis by the specific desired tapering angle to hold the plane iron so that it is configured to be attached to the tapering plane at the specific desired tapering angle.

Abstract: A digital health solution system includes: a virtual pharmacy comprising one or more processors configured to operate a web portal for user devices via a network, the web portal serving as a marketplace for products and services available from vendors for consumption by users; a transaction processing module configured to: receive, via a network, a transaction from a vendor regarding one or more of the products and services consumed by one or more users via the virtual pharmacy for payment to the vendor; adjudicate the transaction using adjudication rules stored in memory; bill an entity for the use of the one or more of the products and services associated with the one or more users when the adjudication of the transaction passes; and transmit, via a network, a response regarding the transaction to the vendor.

Abstract: A system for deploying needles in tissue includes a controller and a visual display. A treatment probe has both a needle and tines deployable from the needle which may be advanced into the tissue. The treatment probe also has adjustable stops which control the deployed positions of both the needle and the tines. The adjustable stops are coupled to the controller so that the virtual treatment and safety boundaries resulting from the treatment can be presented on the visual display prior to actual deployment of the system.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controllers, dual power inverter modules, and electric vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller includes one or more processors associated with a first and second power inverter for the drive unit. Computer-readable media for the one or more processors are each configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to apply a same fault action to the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to a fault associated with an inverter chosen from the first power inverter and the second power inverter, wherein the same fault action includes applying equalized torque to each axle operatively coupled to the drive unit.

Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of receiving, by a server, vehicle identification data from at least two components in a vehicle and device data from a device associated with the vehicle, sending, by the server, the vehicle identification data to the device and the device data to the at least two components in the vehicle, and pre-pairing the vehicle and the device, based on the sending.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a composition including a factor H binding protein (fHBP) and a Neisseria meningitidis non-serogroup B capsular polysaccharide, and methods of use thereof. The disclosure further relates to uses of a composition that includes fHBP, such as, for example, uses to elicit an immune response against N. meningitidis serogroup B strains and non-serogroup B strains. The compositions and methods described herein are directed to administration in humans, including adults, adolescents, toddlers, and infants.

Abstract: Polyoxazoline (POZ) conjugates wherein the conformation of the POZ conjugate and the release rate of an agent from the POZ conjugate can be controlled by selecting one or more characteristics of the POZ polymer and methods of controlling the conformation of a POZ conjugate and the release rate of an agent prior are provided as well as methods of treatment using such POZ conjugates and methods. Pharmaceutical compositions including a POZ conjugate are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument including a signal interference detection system.

Abstract: A plurality of sensors are configured to provide a corresponding output that reflects a sensed value associated with engagement of a robotic arm end effector with an item. The respective outputs of one or more sensors comprising the plurality of sensors are used to determine one or more inputs to a multi-modal model configured to provide, based at least in part on the one or more inputs, an output associated with slippage of the item within or from a grasp of the robotic arm end effector. A determination associated with slippage of the item within or from the grasp of the robotic arm end effector is made based at least in part on an output of the multi-modal model. A responsive action is taken based at least in part on the determination associated with slippage of the item within or from the grasp of the robotic arm end effector.