Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatuses for creating or using a fibrous cell substrate that is formed in a mold using temperature and wettability gradients and that upon which cells can be grown. The disclosed method can include utilizing a temperature gradient and a wettability gradient within a mold to form a porous cell substrate. In particular, the temperature and wettability gradients control nucleation and growth of crystals within the cell substrate solution to form parallel layers of cell substrate. The crystals can be sublimated by freeze drying and the porous cell substrate is seeded. More specifically, the disclosed method includes using pressure and an increased cell mixture viscosity to seed cells deep within the cell substrate. This disclosure also describes an apparatus for forming the structured porous cell substrate.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatuses for creating or using a fibrous cell substrate that is formed in a mold using temperature and wettability gradients and that upon which cells can be grown. The disclosed method can include utilizing a temperature gradient and a wettability gradient within a mold to form a porous cell substrate. In particular, the temperature and wettability gradients control nucleation and growth of crystals within the cell substrate solution to form parallel layers of cell substrate. The crystals can be sublimated by freeze drying and the porous cell substrate is seeded. More specifically, the disclosed method includes using pressure and an increased cell mixture viscosity to seed cells deep within the cell substrate. This disclosure also describes an apparatus for forming the structured porous cell substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a structural frame for a body of a motor vehicle, the structural frame defining, at least in part, an occupant compartment of the vehicle, the structural frame comprising a pair of spaced pillars joined together at an upper region of each pillar to a roof crossmember and further joined together at respective points below the roof crossmember to a structural cross-brace, the structural cross-brace is further arranged to support a pair of spaced apart vehicle suspension connectors and, wherein the structural cross-brace projects from the pillars beyond the suspension connectors so that the space in the occupant compartment between the pillars is substantially unobstructed by the structural cross-brace and, at least a portion of the structural cross-brace is accommodated within the occupant compartment.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatuses for creating or using a fibrous cell substrate that is formed in a mold using temperature and wettability gradients and that upon which cells can be grown. The disclosed method can include utilizing a temperature gradient and a wettability gradient within a mold to form a porous cell substrate. In particular, the temperature and wettability gradients control nucleation and growth of crystals within the cell substrate solution to form parallel layers of cell substrate. The crystals can be sublimated by freeze drying and the porous cell substrate is seeded. More specifically, the disclosed method includes using pressure and an increased cell mixture viscosity to seed cells deep within the cell substrate. This disclosure also describes an apparatus for forming the structured porous cell substrate.

Abstract: A ladder safety mechanism comprises at least one clamp, preferably a pair of spaced apart clamps, attachable part way along a ladder, to secure the ladder to part of a structure. In some embodiments, the mechanism includes at least one manually operated actuator, such as a rope or cable, coupled to the at least one clamp to enable a user located at the bottom of the ladder to open the at least one clamp to receive the part of a structure. In some embodiments, the at least one clamp is automatically secured to the part of the structure by placing the clamp onto the structure. The at least one manually operated actuator also enables a user located at the bottom of the ladder to open the at least one clamp to release the part of the structure. The at least one clamp is oriented substantially perpendicularly to a part of the structure to which the ladder is to be attached.

Abstract: Gyroscope data can be used to generate upsampled signal. Multiple mobile devices are spaced apart from each other in a spatial arrangement. Each mobile device includes a gyroscope sensor to detect mechanical vibrations caused by signals originating within a vicinity of a mobile device that includes the gyroscope sensor. Each mobile device includes one or more respective processors to receive representations of the mechanical vibrations sensed by the gyroscope sensor at a sampling frequency, and transmit the representations received at the sampling frequency as a respective vibration signal associated with sampling times. The signal processor is coupled to the multiple mobile devices. The signal processor generates a processed upsampled signal by interleaving the vibration signal received from each mobile device and processing the interleaved signal using one or more machine learning filters, and transmitting the processed upsampled signal.

Abstract: A medical lead includes a lead body, an electrical connector, an electrical conductor, and a sleeve. The lead body includes a distal end and a proximal end defining a longitudinal axis of the lead body. The electrical connector is positioned near the proximal end of the lead body. The electrical conductor extends about the longitudinal axis of the lead body. The sleeve is coupled to an insulative material of the lead body and positioned around the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the electrical connector. The sleeve is not fixed to the electrical conductor. In response to bending of the medical lead, the conductor may move within the sleeve to relieve strain created by the bending.

Abstract: A medical lead includes a lead body, a connector, an electrical conductor, and a sleeve. The lead body includes a distal end and a proximal end defining a longitudinal axis of the lead body. The connector is positioned near the proximal end of the lead body. The electrical conductor extends about the longitudinal axis of the lead body. The sleeve is coupled to an insulative material of the lead body and positioned around the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the connector. The sleeve includes a fixed portion that is fixed to the electrical conductor and an unfixed portion that is not fixed to the electrical conductor. In response to bending of the medical lead, the conductor may move within the unfixed portion to relieve strain created by the bending.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a structural frame for a body of a motor vehicle, the structural frame defining, at least in part, an occupant compartment of the vehicle, the structural frame comprising a pair of spaced pillars joined together at an upper region of each pillar to a roof crossmember and further joined together at respective points below the roof crossmember to a structural cross-brace, the structural cross-brace is further arranged to support a pair of spaced apart vehicle suspension connectors and, wherein the structural cross-brace projects from the pillars beyond the suspension connectors so that the space in the occupant compartment between the pillars is substantially unobstructed by the structural cross-brace and, at least a portion of the structural cross-brace is accommodated within the occupant compartment.

Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable, prefilled syringe comprising a barrel having a mounting member and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. The replaceable needle assembly comprises a needle fitted to a retractable needle mount and a needle retainer. The needle mount is removably, screw-threadedly mountable to the mounting member of the barrel. The needle retainer comprises a plurality of fingers that releasably engage the retractable needle to thereby prevent inadvertent retraction of the retractable needle before engagement by the plunger. The plunger comprises a plunger seal comprising an outer member and an inner member that engages the needle for spring-driven retraction. At the end of retraction, a lock is formed between the plunger and barrel to prevent re-use of the syringe.

Abstract: A medical lead includes a lead body, an electrical connector, an electrical conductor, and a sleeve. The lead body includes a distal end and a proximal end defining a longitudinal axis of the lead body. The electrical connector is positioned near the proximal end of the lead body. The electrical conductor extends about the longitudinal axis of the lead body. The sleeve is coupled to an insulative material of the lead body and positioned around the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the electrical connector. The sleeve is not fixed to the electrical conductor. In response to bending of the medical lead, the conductor may move within the sleeve to relieve strain created by the bending.

Abstract: Provided herein are nanocrystal assemblies comprising quantum dots, a dopant (e.g., an organic compound dopant), and a ligand bridging the quantum dots. Also provided are methods of preparing the assemblies and devices comprising the assemblies (e.g., field effect transistors, thermoelectric generators).

Abstract: A ladder safety mechanism comprises at least one clamp, preferably a pair of spaced apart clamps, attachable part way along a ladder, to secure the ladder to part of a structure. In some embodiments, the mechanism includes at least one manually operated actuator, such as a rope or cable, coupled to the at least one clamp to enable a user located at the bottom of the ladder to open the at least one clamp to receive the part of a structure. In some embodiments, the at least one clamp is automatically secured to the part of the structure by placing the clamp onto the structure. The at least one manually operated actuator also enables a user located at the bottom of the ladder to open the at least one clamp to release the part of the structure. The at least one clamp is oriented substantially perpendicularly to a part of the structure to which the ladder is to be attached.

Abstract: A medical lead includes a lead body, a connector, an electrical conductor, and a sleeve. The lead body includes a distal end and a proximal end defining a longitudinal axis of the lead body. The connector is positioned near the proximal end of the lead body. The electrical conductor extends about the longitudinal axis of the lead body. The sleeve is coupled to an insulative material of the lead body and positioned around the electrical conductor. The electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the connector. The sleeve includes a fixed portion that is fixed to the electrical conductor and an unfixed portion that is not fixed to the electrical conductor. In response to bending of the medical lead, the conductor may move within the unfixed portion to relieve strain created by the bending.

Abstract: A ladder safety mechanism comprises at least one damp, preferably a pair of spaced apart damps, attachable part way along a ladder, to secure the ladder to part of a structure. In some embodiments, the mechanism includes at least one manually operated actuator, such as a rope or cable, coupled to the at least one clamp to enable a user located at the bottom of the ladder to open the at least one clamp to receive the part of a structure. In some embodiments, the at least one clamp is automatically secured to the part of the structure by placing the clamp onto the structure. The at least one manually operated actuator also enables a user located at the bottom of the ladder to open the at least one damp to release the part of the structure. The at least one clamp is oriented substantially perpendicularly to a part of the structure to which the ladder is to be attached.

Abstract: A system is provided for transporting, handling and monitoring samples in a temperature-controlled storage environment. The system includes a handheld carrier configured to transfer samples to and from a temperature-controlled storage station and a temperature-controlled container for receiving and housing one or more carriers. The carrier includes an integrated sample identification and temperature sensing capability configured to monitor a thermal history of one or more samples during transport, handling and storage including as the samples are conveyed between the temperature-controlled storage environment and the temperature-controlled container. That is, the carrier is adapted to be held in the hand during use. A carrier for conveying and monitoring samples during transport, handling and storage is also provided.

Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable, prefilled syringe comprising a barrel having a mounting member and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. The replaceable needle assembly comprises a needle fitted to a retractable needle mount and a needle retainer. The needle mount is removably, screw-threadedly mountable to the mounting member of the barrel. The needle retainer comprises a plurality of fingers that releasably engage the retractable needle to thereby prevent inadvertent retraction of the retractable needle before engagement by the plunger. The plunger comprises a plunger seal comprising an outer member and an inner member that engages the needle for spring-driven retraction. At the end of retraction, a lock is formed between the plunger and barrel to prevent re-use of the syringe.

Abstract: A method of forming an organic light-emitting device comprising the steps of: forming a first light-emitting layer over an anode; forming a layer comprising a compound of formula (I) on the light-emitting layer to form a partially formed device: Formula (I) wherein Ar in each occurrence is independently a C6-20 aromatic group; m is at least 1; n is at least 1; and X is a group of formula (II): wherein Y is O or S; R1 in each occurrence is independently a substituent; p is 0 or a positive integer; and * is a bond to Ar; forming a cathode over the compound of formula (I); and heating the partially formed device before and/or after formation of the cathode.

Abstract: A replaceable needle assembly is provided for a retractable, prefilled syringe comprising a barrel having a mounting member and a plunger, whereby the retractable needle can be replaced by a user without affecting the retraction mechanism. The replaceable needle assembly comprises a needle fitted to a retractable needle mount and a needle retainer. The needle mount is removably, screw-threadedly mountable to the mounting member of the barrel. The needle retainer comprises a plurality of fingers that releasably engage the retractable needle to thereby prevent inadvertent retraction of the retractable needle before engagement by the plunger. The plunger comprises a plunger seal comprising an outer member and an inner member that engages the needle for spring-driven retraction. At the end of retraction, a lock is formed between the plunger and barrel to prevent re-use of the syringe.

Abstract: A composition suitable for use in an organic light-emitting layer (103) of an organic light-emitting device having an anode (101) and a cathode (105), the composition comprising a fluorescent light-emitting material, a first triplet-accepting material and a second triplet-accepting material that is different from the first triplet-accepting material. The fluorescent light-emitting material may be a repeat unit of a light-emitting polymer, and the first and second triplet-accepting materials may independently be repeat units of the light-emitting polymer or may be mixed with the fluorescent light-emitting material.