Abstract: A stiffening device useful for orthopedic stabilization assemblies. The present disclosure provides an apparatus and methods for stiffening the rods and screws typically used for correction of orthopedic defects, such as curvature of the spine. An out-of-plane stiffener is attached to the rods and screws in a plurality of locations, thus reducing the tendency of the rods to move. A stiffener is located in a plane posterior to the rods and screws. The stiffener connects to the rods with adjustable but rigid connections and prevents the rods from bending in the sagittal and coronal planes. This prevents rotation and twisting of the rods and thus the vertebrae into which they are implanted. The stiffeners of the present disclosure may also be attached to pedicle screws only. This helps to correct lordosis and kyphosis bending, as well as scoliosis-type bending. The stiffeners may also be used for cranial and facial applications.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of preparing cutin-derived monomers, oligomers, or combinations thereof from cutin-containing plant matter. The methods can include heating the cutin-derived plant matter in a solvent at elevated temperature and pressure. In some preferred embodiments, the methods can be carried out without the use of additional acidic or basic species.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter pertains to a shoe comprising of a firmly embedded fastening device between multiple layers for attachable and detachable upper components and sole components such that the face of the socket may be flush with the side of the sole, allowing for an economical manufacturing process to produce truly fashionable shoes in many different styles. The fastening device comprises a locking, stabilizing, and actuating mechanism comprising of a socket and plug. A socket comprises a stabilizing lever, pawl, flexible joint, aperture, and aligning tabs. A plug comprises overhangs and at least one prong further comprising teeth complementary to teeth on a pawl. Utilizing advancement in materials with a layering design to implant a fastening device, manufacturing may be consistent and more economical and also reduce cost and inconveniences for fashion consumers in several ways.

Abstract: A system for treating a diverticulum in a body lumen includes a tubular member including a lumen and an elongate member in an elongated state within the lumen of the tubular member. The elongate member is configured to form a coiled state when removed from the tubular member.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device having condensing and non-condensing vaporization functionality is provided. The aerosol delivery device may comprise at least one housing, and a first element and second element contained within the at least one housing. The first and second element may be configured to activate and vaporize components of an aerosol precursor composition, and thereby form respectively a condensing vapor and non-condensing vapor. In response to a flow of air through at least a portion of the at least one housing, the condensing vapor or non-condensing vapor may be combinable with the air to form an aerosol.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an aerosol delivery device filling system. The system includes multiple source containers each respectively including a differing aerosol precursor composition. The system further includes a mixing container configured to engage the source containers to receive and mix the aerosol precursor compositions to form a mixed aerosol precursor composition. An aerosol delivery device may engage the mixing container to receive at least a portion of the mixed aerosol precursor composition. A related method for customizing an aerosol precursor composition is also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of sanitizing and preserving produce and other agricultural products, for example for consumption as Ready-to-Eat. The methods can comprise treating the products with a sanitizing agent and forming a protective coating over the products.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to plant extract compositions and methods to isolate cutin-derived monomers, oligomers, and mixtures thereof for application in agricultural coating formulations, and in particular, to methods of preparing plant extract compositions that include functionalized and non-functionalized fatty acids and fatty esters (as well as their oligomers and mixtures thereof), which are substantially free from accompanying plant-derived compounds (e.g., proteins, polysaccharides, phenols, lignans, aromatic acids, terpenoids, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, alcohols, alkanes, and aldehydes) and can be used in agricultural coating formulations.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a substrate is provided. A processing chamber is provided. A substrate support for supporting the substrate is within the processing chamber. A gas inlet provides gas into the processing chamber. An exhaust pressure system exhausts gas around a periphery of the substrate, wherein the periphery around the substrate is divided into at least three parts, wherein the exhaust pressure system controls exhaust pressure to control a velocity of the gas over the substrate, wherein the exhaust pressure system provides at independent exhaust pressure control for each part of the periphery for the at least three parts.

Abstract: The implementations described herein generally relate to a process kit suitable for use in a semiconductor process chamber, which reduces edge effects and widens the processing window with a single edge ring as compared to conventional process kits. The process kit generally includes an edge ring disposed adjacent to and surrounding a perimeter of a semiconductor substrate in a plasma chamber. A dimension of a gap between the substrate and the edge ring is less than about 1000 ?m, and a height difference between the substrate and the edge ring is less than about (+/?) 300 ?m. The resistivity of the ring is less than about 50 Ohm-cm.

Abstract: Discussed herein is an adjustable control arm that includes a first arm and a second arm that may be independently adjustable relative to one another. The first arm and the second arm may have intersecting axes that pass though the kinematic center of joints located at both ends of each arm. The control arms are adjustable allowing for variable positioning of the joint located at the intersection of the axes. The control arms may pivot relative to one another at the intersection of their axes. The connection of the control arms may also house a ball joint minimizing the height of the connection with the ball joint.

Abstract: In order to minimize traffic on a Zigbee network, a gateway of the Zigbee network represents end devices in communications with peripheral networks. The gateway receives messages, such as status request messages, from the peripheral network intended for an end device on the Zigbee network. The Zigbee network generates a response message by retrieving stored data for the end device instead of communicating the received message to the end device.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate generally to plant extract compositions and methods to isolate cutin-derived monomers, oligomers, and mixtures thereof for application in agricultural coating formulations, and in particular, to methods of preparing plant extract compositions that include functionalized and non-functionalized fatty acids and fatty esters (as well as their oligomers and mixtures thereof), which are substantially free from accompanying plant-derived compounds (e.g., proteins, polysaccharides, phenols, lignans, aromatic acids, terpenoids, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, alcohols, alkanes, and aldehydes) and can be used in agricultural coating formulations.

Abstract: A surgical connection device for a spine is disclosed including a stabilization member, compression arms and traction arms, the device being used in conjunction with first anchor points fixed to vertebrae at a first lateral side of the spine and second anchor points fixed to vertebrae at a second lateral side of the spine. A first spinal rod may be attached to the first anchor points and a second spinal rod may be attached to the second anchor points. The compression arms connect the stabilization member to the first and second anchor points or rods and bear compressive forces. The traction arms connect the stabilization member to the first and second anchor points or rods and bear tensile forces. Application of both tensile and compressive forces via the device may serve to straighten, change a direction of bending or increase a degree of bending of the rods and/or spine. The use of the traction arms may also provide for a more flexible construct.

Abstract: A transistor includes a sub-collector, a base, a collector between the sub-collector and the base, and an emitter on the base opposite the collector. The collector includes a first region adjacent to the base and a second region between the first region and the sub-collector. The first region has a graduated doping profile such that a doping concentration of the first region decreases in proportion to a distance from the base. The second region has a substantially constant doping profile. By providing the collector with a doping profile as described, the linearity of the transistor is significantly improved while maintaining the radio frequency (RF) gain thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device with multiple heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) that have different emitter ballast resistances. The disclosed semiconductor device includes a substrate, a first HBT and a second HBT formed over the substrate. The first HBT includes a first collector, a first base over the first collector, a first emitter over the first base, and a first cap structure over the first emitter. The second HBT includes a second collector, a second base over the second collector, a second emitter over the second base, and a second cap structure over the second emitter. Herein, the first cap structure is different from the second cap structure, such that a first emitter ballast resistance from the first cap structure is at least 1.5 times greater than a second emitter ballast resistance from the second cap structure.

Abstract: A fiducial marker and method for use in the navigation of a surgical procedure is described. The fiducial marker includes a means to readily guide a navigation probe and includes an upper surface with a sloped guide surface for guiding the probe, the upper surface further including a substantially centrally positioned well to receive at least part of the probe. The guide surface may alternatively be configured to align with a complementary portion of part of the navigation probe.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for relocating a meniscus horn in a knee. The invention may be deployed during an arthroscopic procedure to apply external forces to a meniscus horn to pull the meniscus into a load bearing area of the knee, which may reduce contact stresses on articular cartilage in the knee and thereby ameliorate pain associated with an osteoarthritic joint. In one embodiment, the system includes a guide needle, suture thread, plug, elongate member, and bone anchor.