Abstract: A fastener for securing drywall to a framing member includes an elastomeric sleeve that reduces the transmission of sound through the drywall to the framing member and vice versa.

Abstract: The tape incudes a water vapor-permeable air and water barrier article and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The air and water barrier article includes a fibrous layer having first and second major surfaces and a polymeric layer on a first major surface of the fibrous layer that penetrates into the fibrous layer but leaves at least some fibers exposed on the second major surface. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer is on the polymeric layer of the air and water barrier article. The tape can retain greater than 50 percent by weight of mortar applied according to the Vertical Mortar Receptivity Evaluation. The article includes a substrate, the tape, and a composite layer comprising at least one of gypsum, lime, or cement. The composite layer is at least one of dried or cured on the second major surface of the fibrous layer. Methods of making the article are also described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for adversarially generated communication. In some implementations, first information is used as input for a generator machine-learning network. Information is taken from both the generator machine-learning network and target information that includes sample signals or other data. The information is sent to a discriminator machine-learning network which produces decision information including whether the information originated from the generator machine-learning network or the target information. An optimizer takes the decision information and performs one or more iterative optimization techniques which help determine updates to the generator machine-learning network or the discriminator machine-learning network.

Abstract: A test and measurement device includes an input configured to receive an analog signal from a Device Under Test (DUT), an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) coupled to the input and structured to convert the analog signal to a digital signal, a receiver implemented in a first Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and structured to accept the digital signal and perform signal analysis on the digital signal, a transmitter implemented in a second FPGA and structured to generate a digital output signal, and a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) coupled to the transmitter and structured to convert the digital output signal from the transmitter to an analog signal, and structured to send the analog signal to the DUT. The receiver and the transmitter are coupled together by a high speed data link over which data about the current testing environment may be shared.

Abstract: An adjustable collimator includes pairs of knobs configured to adjust an aperture size by manipulating one or both of the knobs. A pair of knobs configured to adjust different dimensions of the aperture may be disposed at opposite sides of the collimator. Another pair of knobs configured to adjust different dimensions of the aperture may be disposed on a same side of the collimator.

Abstract: Provided is a method for treating hair damage by contacting the hair with an effective amount of an epoxysilicone. The method may be used for treating hair damage caused by a hair altering process that is capable of damaging hair, for example, hair lightening/bleaching procedures, hair relaxing procedures, hair dyeing procedures, hair permanent waving, and hair smooting. Also provided is a composition and a product, which include a hair damage treating effective amount of the epoxysilicone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing the carriage of antibiotic resistance genes.

Abstract: A measurement probe for producing a test signal for a measurement instrument includes a probe head structured to be connected to at least a first testing point and a second testing point of a Device Under Test (DUT), a current detector in the measurement probe structured to determine a current flowing between the first testing point and the second testing point of the DUT, a first selectable signal path that causes a voltage signal from the first testing point or a voltage signal from the second testing point to be routed to the measurement instrument as a selected voltage test signal, and a second selectable signal path that causes a current signal from an output of the current detector to be routed to the measurement instrument as a selected current test signal. Methods of testing a DUT using the measurement probe are also described, as well as a system for measuring signals from a DUT using the measurement probe.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which changes in the position and/or orientation of an anatomical structure or of a surgical tool can be measured quantitatively during surgery. In some embodiments, a surgical electronic module can be configured to attach to a surgical device, to continually detect changes in a position and/or orientation of the surgical device during surgery, and to communicate the changes to a user. In this way, where the surgical device is attached to a portion of a patient's anatomy and/or is used to manipulate the patient's anatomy, the surgical electronic module can detect changes in the position and/or orientation of said anatomy. In embodiments where more than one module is used during surgery, the modules can continually detect changes in their positions and/or orientations relative to one another, which correspond to changes in relative positions and/or orientations of the surgical devices to which the modules are attached.

Abstract: Apparatuses including spark gap structures for electrical overstress (EOS) monitoring or protection, and associated methods, are disclosed. In an aspect, a vertical spark gap device includes a substrate having a horizontal main surface and a plurality of pairs of conductive layers over the horizontal main surface. Different ones of the pairs are separated by different vertical distances such that each pair serves as an arcing electrode pair and different ones of the arcing electrode pairs are configured to arc discharge at different voltages.

Abstract: Electric vehicle charging scheduling includes receiving repeated sensor readings of a battery of an electric vehicle, the readings monitoring a charge of the battery while the electric vehicle proceeds along a contemporaneously scheduled route. Then, a geolocation of the electric vehicle is determined and a database queried with the geolocation. A charging station is then identified within geographic proximity of the geolocation of the electric vehicle. As well, a route scheduled for the electric vehicle after the contemporaneously scheduled route is determined. Thereafter, a threshold charge is computed that is requisite to complete both the contemporaneously scheduled route and also at least a portion of the route scheduled after the contemporaneously scheduled route. Finally, in response to a determination that the monitored charge on the battery is below the threshold level, an alert is displayed indicating to charge the battery at the identified charging station.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for altering tryptamine levels in a subject are provided. In general, the compositions comprise microorganisms.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to various ways of improving the functioning of computer systems, information networks, data stores, search engine systems and methods, and other advantages. Among other things, provided herein are methods, systems, components, processes, modules, blocks, circuits, sub-systems, articles, and other elements (collectively referred to in some cases as the “platform” or the “system”) that collectively enable, in a single database and system, the development and maintenance of a set of universal contact objects that relate to the contacts of a business and that have attributes that enable use for a wide range of activities, including sales activities, marketing activities, service activities, content development activities, and others, as well as improved methods and systems for sales, marketing and services that make use of such universal contact objects.

Abstract: A technique for real-time trailer utilization measurement includes a three-dimensional depth monitor operable to monitor loading of a trailer and a processor operable to determine trailer utilization in real-time during loading of the trailer using image information from the monitor. A graphical user interface can receive utilization information from the processor and display a visual representation of real-time loading of the trailer. Utilization is a ratio of cumulative package volume to currently loaded volume of the trailer, wherein the cumulative package volume is determined from dimensional scans of packages to be loaded in the trailer and the currently loaded volume is determined by the monitor.

Abstract: One implementation of the present disclosure is a system including one or more memory devices having instructions stored thereon, that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive a selection including a context and a twin function and generate an operation to monitor a graph based on the context, the operation identifying whether one or more new events are added to the graph, the one or more new events affecting a processing result. The instructions cause the one or more processors to cause the twin function to execute responsive to identifying the one or more new events added to the graph that affect the processing result, execute the twin function based on the one or more new events and the context to generate the processing result.

Abstract: A scalable, real-time, label-free, electrode- or optical-based cell monitoring system for integration into a cell culture incubator is described herein. An example system includes (1) cell culture consumables with integrated electrodes and/or optics for growing and monitoring cells, (2) incubator trays for consumable organization and recording, and (3) a system console, external to the incubator, for connecting multiple incubator trays. Without perturbing the cell culture, the system is capable of monitoring multiple culture attributes for each cell culture consumable simultaneously. These attributes can include, but are not limited to, cell growth, proliferation, morphology, media pH, or media oxygen. The system can support multiple trays, which permits monitoring dozens to hundreds of consumables simultaneously, including a mixture of consumables of various sizes. In addition to monitoring adherent cells, the disclosed technology can be readily adapted for monitoring of cell suspensions.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, such as a sensor for monitoring a selected internally detectable physiological parameter of a patient, is attached to a fixation assembly that is deployable within the patient to position and orient the sensor to enable it to perform its function. The fixation assembly is formed having at least one flexible asymmetric connector where each fixation member includes a plurality of loops, wherein a first loop of the plurality of loops has a maximum pitch that is different from a maximum pitch of a second loop of the plurality of loops. The attachment of the housing and the fixation assembly includes providing a tubular member that is welded to the housing and crimped over a section of the fixation assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for permitting DOCSIS 3.1 equipment to operate at higher frequencies than specified in the DOCSIS 3.1 standard. Exemplary systems may be capable of alternating between a first mode of operation that provides DOCSIS 3.1 compatible services and a second mode of operation providing a higher level of service than DOCSIS 3.1.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to self-synchronizing devices that can connect and self-synchronizes voltage, frequency and phase of two or more power sources. The disclosed embodiments enable a modular power system to serve as the primary or secondary source of power for applications requiring loads from a few kilowatts (kW) to the scale of megawatts (MW). The modular system is generalized to use either a single or multiple power generation sources at once, with the ability to connect and self-synchronize voltage, frequency, and phase of a variety of different types of power sources. Power control systems designed to function with self-synchronizing technology enable a modular power system to satisfy a wide variety of needs, simplifying the existing method of achieving synchronization and enabling new features of resiliency and expandability. The self-synchronization can be implemented into a wide variety of electronics including but not limited to inverters and generator controllers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed in which changes in the position and/or orientation of an anatomical structure or of a surgical tool can be measured quantitatively during surgery. In some embodiments, the systems and methods disclosed herein can make use of inertial motion sensors to determine a position or orientation of an instrument or anatomy at different times and to calculate changes between different positions or orientations. In other embodiments, such sensors can be utilized in conjunction with imaging devices to correlate sensor position with anatomical landmarks, thereby permitting determination of absolute angular orientation of a landmark. Such systems and methods can facilitate real-time tracking of progress during a variety of procedures, including, e.g., spinal deformity correction, etc.