Abstract: A flavor or aroma charcoal material, such as charcoal briquets, which is formulated to include a flavor or aroma component. The charcoal material may include a smoldering agent (e.g., limestone), wood particles (e.g., sawdust), a binder, and the flavor or aroma component (herbs and/or spices). The flavor or aroma charcoal material may not be configured as a fuel charcoal material, for example, it may be substantially void of char and/or coal. In an embodiment, the flavor or aroma charcoal material may be provided as part of a blend of different charcoal materials that includes both flavor or aroma briquets in combination with fuel briquets (e.g., which fuel briquets include char and/or coal, while the flavor briquets do not). The flavor briquets provide enhanced aroma and/or flavor to the grilling experience.

Abstract: A sensor component includes a sensor including a sensor surface and a reaction site in cooperation with the sensor and exposing the sensor surface. The reaction site including a reaction site surface. A surface agent is bound to the reaction site surface or the sensor surface. The surface agent includes a surface active functional group reactive with Bronsted base or Lewis acid functionality on the reaction site surface or the sensor surface and including distal functionality that does not have a donor electron pair.

Abstract: Dental appliances and methods for expanding the lower dental arch. The appliances may be removable mandibular expander devices for efficient arch expansion while being comfortable to wear and easy to use. The appliances may include a lingual portion that is shaped and sized to apply an expansion force to lingual surfaces of one or more teeth. The shape and size of the lingual portion may be configured to distribute the forces among posterior and/or anterior teeth.

Abstract: A surface cleaning device includes a nozzle and an odor dial assembly. The nozzle includes a nozzle housing and a dirty air passageway. The odor dial assembly include a fragrance member and a dial body configured to be removably coupled to the nozzle housing. The dial body at least partially defines a fragrance cavity configured to at least partially receive the fragrance member and a fragrance passageway extending therethrough. The odor dial assembly is configured to transition between a plurality of user-selectable positions to adjust an amount of fragrance particles released by the fragrance member into the dirty air passageway.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing model-less measurements of semiconductor structures based on scatterometry measurement data are described herein. Scatterometry measurement data is processed directly, without the use of a traditional measurement model. Measurement sensitivity is defined by the changes in detected diffraction images at one or more non-zero diffraction orders over at least two different illumination incidence angles. Discrete values of a scalar function are determined directly from measured images at each incidence angle. A continuous mathematical function is fit to the set of discrete values of the scalar function determined at each incidence angle. A value of a parameter of interest is determined based on analysis of the mathematical function. In some embodiments, the scalar function includes a weighting function, and the weighting values associated with weighting function are optimized to yield an accurate fit of the mathematical function to the scalar values.

Abstract: Apparatuses (e.g., distalizers) and methods for distalizing a subject's teeth while preventing or reducing undesirable tipping and/or rotation of the teeth. The distalizer apparatuses may include tooth engagement regions shaped to accommodate molars, canines and/or premolar teeth, may include a transpalatal region extending between engagement regions having an anterior edge that is posterior to a premolar region of the first tooth engagement region, and may include an attachment site for an elastic band on the outer buccal surface.

Abstract: Provided herein are MAPT RNAi agents and compositions comprising a MAPT RNAi agent. Also provided herein are methods of using the MAPT RNAi agents or compositions comprising a MAPT RNAi agent for reducing MAPT expression and/or treating tauopathy in a subject.

Abstract: As described above, one or more aspects of the present disclosure provide articles having structural color, and methods of making articles having structural color. The present disclosure provides for articles that exhibit structural colors through the use of an optical element, where structural colors are visible colors produced, at least in part, through optical effects. The optical element (e.g., a single layer reflector, a single layer filter, a multilayer reflector or a multilayer filter) can include the reflective layer(s), constituent layers, and an optional textured surface. The optical element has a minimum percent reflectance in a wavelength range within the wavelength range of about 380 to 625 nanometers. The optical element imparts a structural color that corresponds substantially to the range of wavelength range.

Abstract: A connector comprises an insulation housing, a shielding shell, an inner sheath, and an outer sheath. The shielding shell is sheathed on the insulation housing. The inner sheath is formed on the shielding shell by injection molding. The inner sheath includes a front end wrapped on the shielding shell and a retaining portion formed on the front end of the inner sheath and spaced from the shielding shell to form a gap therebetween. The outer sheath is formed on the shielding shell and the inner sheath by injection molding. The outer sheath includes an engaging portion embedded in the gap between the retaining portion and the shielding shell. The retaining portion holds the engaging portion on the shielding shell to prevent the formation of a gap between the front end of the outer sheath and the shielding shell.

Abstract: Methods for removing contaminants from aqueous media using polyelectrolyte complexes having a heterogeneous charge distribution are provided. The polyelectrolyte complexes are formed from an amphiphilic anionic random copolymer and a cationic random copolymer are provided. The polyelectrolyte complexes absorb cationic, anionic, or hydrophobic organic molecules and can be easily removed from water.

Abstract: A modular mask including a first module including a frame having two or more openings, and an attaching mechanism lining one or more edges of the two or more openings; and a second module including: a mask body having a first attaching element allowing the attaching mechanism to temporarily hold the mask body in place completely covering a first opening of the two or more openings, and a filter component having a second attaching element allowing the attaching mechanism to temporarily hold the filter component in place completely covering a second opening of the two or more openings.

Abstract: Provided herein are a kit and method for detecting mutations in CTNNB1 and hTERT, and their use in detection and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The kit comprises a first pair of primers, configured to specifically bind sequences flanking the genomic region for amplifying the genomic region in a first PCR reaction; and at least one clamp, each configured to bind to one first allele but not any second allele at an annealing temperature in the first PCR reaction to thereby selectively suppress amplification of the one first allele but still allow amplification of other second allele(s). Kits and methods for detecting mutations in CTNNB1 and hTERT are also provided. A method for detecting or monitoring recurrence of HCC is further disclosed, which comprises determining levels of five DNA markers, including CTNNB1 mutations, hTERT mutations, TP53 mutations, RASSF1A methylation, and GSTP1 methylation.

Abstract: A technique for managing a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)-controlled computing device from a separate mobile computing device is discussed.

Abstract: A mechanism for making more memory available in a computing device featuring dual operating systems uses the device firmware to save the contents of overlapped memory locations being used by the operating systems to non-volatile storage when switching operating systems while speeding up the switching process.

Abstract: Provided herein are a kit and method for detecting mutations in CTNNB1 and hTERT, and their use in detection and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The kit comprises a first pair of primers, configured to specifically bind sequences flanking the genomic region for amplifying the genomic region in a first PCR reaction; and at least one clamp, each configured to bind to one first allele but not any second allele at an annealing temperature in the first PCR reaction to thereby selectively suppress amplification of the one first allele but still allow amplification of other second allele(s). Kits and methods for detecting mutations in CTNNB1 and hTERT are also provided. A method for detecting or monitoring recurrence of HCC is further disclosed, which comprises determining levels of five DNA markers, including CTNNB1 mutations, hTERT mutations, TP53 mutations, RASSF1A methylation, and GSTP1 methylation.

Abstract: A mechanism for allowing a user to prove their identity on touch-based devices employing the use of a touch surface in firmware-controlled environments is discussed. The user may prove his or her identity by entering a series of strokes on the touch-based device to form a word or image. Characteristics of the entered strokes such as stroke order and stroke direction are compared to stored stroke characteristics that were gathered from a drawing of the same word or image during a user enrollment process. If the stroke characteristics comparison is acceptable, the user identity is verified.

Abstract: A mechanism for making more memory available in a computing device featuring dual operating systems uses the device firmware to save the contents of overlapped memory locations being used by the operating systems to non-volatile storage when switching operating systems while speeding up the switching process.

Abstract: A technique for managing a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)-controlled computing device from a separate mobile computing device is discussed.

Abstract: A mechanism for allowing a user to prove their identity on touch-based devices employing the use of a touch surface in firmware-controlled environments is discussed. The user may prove his or her identity by entering a series of strokes on the touch-based device to form a word or image. Characteristics of the entered strokes such as stroke order and stroke direction are compared to stored stroke characteristics that were gathered from a drawing of the same word or image during a user enrollment process. If the stroke characteristics comparison is acceptable, the user identity is verified.

Abstract: A method for performing a quick boot and a general boot at a basic input output system (BIOS) stage is described. A computer is powered on. An embedded controller firmware or a BIOS determines whether a quick boot key is pressed. If the quick boot key is not pressed, a boot flag is changed from Quick Boot to General Boot. If the quick boot key is pressed, the BIOS determines whether the boot flag is set to Quick Boot. If it is determined that the boot flag is set to Quick Boot, an initialization of drivers preset by the quick boot is performed, and uninitialized drivers are initialized at a stage when an operating system is started. If it is determined that the boot flag is set to General Boot, an initialization of all drivers is performed.