Abstract: The present disclosure provides reagent compounds, reactive biopolymeric compounds, and methods of making and using these materials for the rapid and efficient synthesis and purification of biopolymeric compounds at low cost. The materials and methods yield highly pure synthetic biopolymeric compounds, including synthetic oligonucleotides and polypeptides, and reduce or eliminate the need for toxic solvents in the synthetic process.

Abstract: A method for spoofing detection in a biometric object can include receiving an image pair representing two different viewpoints of the biometric object, and inputting the image pair into a disparity encoder of a trained neural network configured to map the image pair to an encoded signal conveying disparity information associated with the image pair, wherein the disparity encoder was trained for disparity map estimation together with a disparity decoder, the disparity encoder and the disparity decoder forming a disparity branch of the neural network during training. The method can also include inputting the encoded signal into a classification branch of the trained neural network configured to map the encoded signal to a probability that the biometric object is genuine or spoofed, wherein the classification branch was trained for spoofing detection together with the disparity branch. Techniques of training a neural network to perform image-based biometric anti-spoofing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A current collector can include an electrically conductive layer. The electrically conductive layer can be configured to electrically couple to a first battery cell and a second battery cell with an interstitial area between the first battery cell and the second battery cell. The current collector can include an isolation layer. The isolation layer can define an aperture. The aperture can form a path through the isolation layer to the interstitial area.

Abstract: Methods, data storage devices, and computer-readable media for setting the flying height of a recording head are disclosed. A method may set a value of a control parameter of the recording head to force a predetermined location of the recording head to be a touchdown location. The method may involve incrementally moving the recording head toward a surface of a recording media, and, using a temperature sensor of the recording head, detecting an onset of touchdown at the touchdown location as the recording head is incrementally moving toward the surface of the recording media. The method may set the fly-height control power by backing off from an initial fly-height control power value, which may be a sum of a power level at which the onset of touchdown at the touchdown location was detected and a power corresponding to the value of the control parameter.

Abstract: Described herein are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) signatures and methods of detecting the same in a sample from a subject. Also described herein, are methods of methods of diagnosing, prognosing, and/or treating PDAC in a subject that can include detecting one or more of the PDAC signatures.

Abstract: A vaso-occlusive treatment system includes a delivery assembly and a vaso-occlusive device detachably coupled to the delivery assembly by a delivery assembly junction. The vaso-occlusive device includes a braided portion formed out of one or more wires, the braided portion including a packed end bundle. The vaso-occlusive device also includes a coiled portion coupled to the braided portion. The vaso-occlusive device further includes an intra-device junction coupling the braided portion to the coiled portion, the intra-device junction including a stretch-resistant member spanning from the packed end bundle to the delivery assembly junction.

Abstract: A method may include receiving at a receiving system an electronic request to transfer assets, included in an account of a user at a delivering system, to the receiving system; generating an electronic transaction record, the electronic transaction record identifying the user, the assets, and transfer information related to the assets; adding the electronic transaction record to a shared ledger data structure; in response to the adding: transmitting an indication to the delivering system that the electronic transaction record was added; and transmitting a notification to computing nodes associated with the shared ledger data structure that the shared ledger data structure was updated; after transmitting the indication, receiving confirmation from a third-party system that the assets were successfully transferred; and in response to the confirmation, updating an account database at the receiving system indicating a transfer of the assets.

Abstract: An air filter apparatus includes at least one frame that is configured to receive a filter media, and at least one sensing mechanism for sensing contamination of the filter media. The sensing mechanism can include a wave emitter and a wave detector. The wave emitter and the wave detector can be arranged so that the wave travels along a path that is substantially parallel to outer faces of the filter media. The wave detector can be located at a first edge of the frame, and the wave emitter can be located spaced apart laterally from the wave detector at a second edge of the frame, so that waves from the emitter can travel along the path through and laterally across the filter media towards the detector. The path can be substantially perpendicular to the general direction of air flow within the filter media.

Abstract: Various illustrative aspects are directed to a data storage device, comprising one or more disks; an actuator mechanism configured to position a selected head among one or more heads proximate to a corresponding disk surface among the one or more disks, wherein the selected head comprises a magnetic write element and a laser generating component; and one or more processing devices. The one or more processing devices are configured to measure a magnetic saturation responsiveness of the corresponding disk surface to heat-assisted write operations using a range of values of write laser current applied to the laser generating component. The one or more processing devices are further configured to calibrate a nominal write laser current of the selected head for the corresponding disk surface based on the measured magnetic saturation responsiveness of the corresponding disk surface.

Abstract: We found mutations of the R132 residue of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in the majority of grade II and III astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas as well as in gliblastomas that develop from these lower grade lesions. Those tumors without mutations in IDH1 often had mutations at the analogous R172 residue of the closely related IDH2 gene. These findings have important implications for the pathogenesis and diagnosis of malignant gliomas.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for sanitizing logged data packets in a distributed system prior to storing them in a remote or third-party data server. Interactions with an application are monitored and values in a data packet are extracted from the interaction. The values are classified based on a classification configuration and respective labels of the values. The values are then sanitized based on the classification to prevent exposure of secure or private data. The sanitized data packets are then logged into the remote data server. The logged data can be used to help resolve events occurring in the application. The classification configuration can be iteratively updated and the interactions repeated to capture data that was previously sanitized to aid in resolution of events. The logged data can also be used in research or analysis, such as for identifying potential improvements to the application.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing a portion of a vehicle battery assembly incudes a tray. The tray is configured to receive the portion of the vehicle battery assembly. The tray defines a floor, a front wall, a rear wall, and a pair of sidewalls extending from the front wall to the rear wall. The tray includes a first steel material and a second steel material. The first steel material is joined with the second steel material to form a single contiguous part. The first steel material defines a substantial majority of the floor. The second steel material is disposed at two or more corners of the tray.

Abstract: A device is disclosed. The device may include a storage device to store a content stream, and a network interface device to transmit a filtered content stream. A processing circuit may be connected to the storage device and the network interface device. The processing circuit may apply a filtering policy to the content stream to produce the filtered content stream.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include establishing a virtual boundary for a virtual-world environment in reference to a real-world environment, and determining whether the virtual boundary requires a correction. The method may include providing, in response to determining that the virtual boundary requires the correction, and alert and, in response to the alert, receiving a request from a user to modify the virtual boundary. The method may further include monitoring, in response to the request from the user, an orientation of a direction indicator to generate orientation data, and modifying the virtual boundary based on the orientation data. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for providing operator support over a pallet is disclosed. The system includes: an upright support brace, a first pivot member, a rotatable support bracket, a second pivot member, a rotatable arm, a seat support member, and a seat. The upright support brace is connected to one or more primary bearing hubs. The first pivot member is rotatably connected to the upright support brace by the one or more bearing hubs. The rotatable support bracket is connected to first pivot member at a first end and is connected to one or more secondary bearing hubs at a second end. The second pivot member is rotatably connected to the rotatable support bracket by the one or more secondary bearing hubs. The rotatable arm is connected to the second pivot member. The seat support member is operatively connected with the rotatable arm. The seat is operatively connected to the seat support member.

Abstract: Devices detect and assist in the avoidance of blood vessels during a surgical procedure—to avoid rupturing these blood vessels. Devices may be any penetration sensor device (such as a dilator sensor device, hollow needle sensor device, or trocar sensor device) that penetrates the skin and subcutaneous layers to reach a target location inside the body. The device includes a sensor probe which can make optical measurements to determine various parameters of the tissue at the tip of the sensor probe. These parameters may include an optical signal level returned from tissue contacting the tip of the sensor probe, an oxygen saturation level of the tissue, a total hemoglobin concentration, a blood flow, and a pulse. Based on these parameters, the presence or absence of a blood vessel at the tip of the device can be determined while the device travels towards the target location for surgery.

Abstract: A cranial plug includes a cranial plug housing having a window recess with an access hole. A window is shaped and dimensioned for positioning with the window recess of the cranial plug housing.

Abstract: A surgical elevator medical instrument has an oximeter sensor at its tip. The oximeter sensor allows measuring of oxygen saturation of a tissue. The tip has a blade including a first side and a second side. Optical or electronic components of the oximeter sensor are mounted or attached to the first or second side, or both. In an implementation, openings can pass from the first side to the second side. The openings can be unconcealed on one side of the blade.

Abstract: A rocker panel for use in a vehicle, the rocker panel includes an outboard plate, an inboard plate, and a reinforcement structure. The reinforcement structure is disposed between the inboard plate and the outboard plate. The reinforcement structure includes one or more discrete steel tubes extending longitudinally between the outboard plate and the inboard plate.