Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for improving the manufacturing of silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silkworm cocoons. The systems include a reactor vessel to degum, rinse, and dissolve the silk fibroin protein from silk inputs to obtain a purified silk fibroin-based solution. The reactor vessel may include a combination of inputs and outputs for introducing and removing different components used or generated during the disclosed processes. The systems may include any combination of heat exchangers, holding tanks, filtration modules, and post-treatment equipment as necessary to obtain the silk powder. The solutions and powders can be used to improve the post-harvest preservation of perishables and to improve the performance of packaging, including biodegradable packaging.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a platen, a light source system, an ultrasonic receiver system and a control system, the light source system being configured for providing first light and second light having first and second wavelengths to a target object on an outer surface of the platen and including one or more light guides configured to convey light parallel to a surface of the platen. The control system may be configured to: cause the light source system to provide the first light and the second light to the target object at a first time and a second time, respectively; receive first and second ultrasonic receiver signals from the ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to photoacoustic responses of the target object to the first light and the second light, respectively; and estimate one or more blood vessel features based on at least one of the first or the second ultrasonic receiver signals.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a platen, a light source system, an ultrasonic receiver system and a control system, the light source system configured for providing first light of a first wavelength and second light of a second wavelength to a target object along a first axis. The control system may be configured to: cause the light source system to provide the first light to the target object at a first time and to provide the second light to the target object at a second time; receive first ultrasonic receiver signals and second ultrasonic receiver signals from the ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to photoacoustic responses of the target object to the first light and the second light, respectively; and estimate one or more blood vessel features based on at least one of the first ultrasonic receiver signals or the second ultrasonic receiver signals.

Abstract: In some implementations, a device may obtain, via a visual element of a user interface, a request to filter a location element of the user interface by a function, wherein the visual element indicates the function, and wherein the device is associated with a device location. The device may search, based on obtaining the request, first information associated with a set of locations to identify one or more locations that are: one or more physical locations at which the function is performable and that are within a threshold distance from the device location, or one or more digital locations at which the function is performable. The device may provide, for display, the user interface including the location element depicting second information associated with the one or more locations.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a platen, a light source system, an ultrasonic receiver system and a control system, the light source system configured for providing first light of a first wavelength and second light of a second wavelength to a target object on an outer surface of the platen. The control system may be configured to: cause the light source system to provide the first light to the target object at a first time and to provide the second light to the target object at a second time; receive first ultrasonic receiver signals and second ultrasonic receiver signals from the ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to photoacoustic responses of the target object to the first light and the second light, respectively; and estimate one or more blood vessel features based on at least one of the first ultrasonic receiver signals or the second ultrasonic receiver signals.

Abstract: Some disclosed methods may involve providing first light of a first wavelength to a target object at a first time, receiving first ultrasonic receiver signals from an ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to photoacoustic responses of the target object to the first light, providing second light of a second wavelength to the target object at a second time, receiving second ultrasonic receiver signals from the ultrasonic receiver system corresponding to photoacoustic responses of the target object to the second light and differentiating a desired signal from one or more background signals based, at least in part, on the first ultrasonic receiver signals and the second ultrasonic receiver signals. The desired signal may correspond to at least a portion of a blood vessel within the target object. A light source system may be configured for providing the first light and the second light to the target object along the same axis.

Abstract: A space antenna may include an extendible boom movable between stored and deployed positions. An extendible hoop may surround the extendible boom and is movable between the stored and deployed positions. A front cord arrangement may be coupled to the extendible hoop and defines a curved shape in the deployed position, and a reflective layer may be carried thereby. A rear cord arrangement may be behind the front cord arrangement and coupled between the extendible hoop and the extendible boom. The rear cord arrangement may include a rear plurality of interconnected cords defining rear polygons. Tie cords may extend between the front cord arrangement and the rear cord arrangement. A top cord arrangement may be above the reflective layer and coupled between the hoop and the extendible boom.

Abstract: A liquid-tight fitting includes a connector, a seal, and a fastener member. The connector has a first and a second end, a shoulder located between the first and second ends, and a segment that extends from the shoulder to the first end. The segment has an outer surface. The seal has an inner surface in contact with the outer surface of the segment, an outer edge, and first and second seal ends joining the inner surface and the outer edge. The seal surrounds a portion of the segment such that the first seal end abuts against the shoulder. The fastener member is moveably secured to the first end of the connector, and has an end that engages the second seal end to cause the seal to compress between the shoulder and the fastener member. The seal member is adapted to deform toward the segment when compressed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for predicting therapeutic responsiveness of a subject suffering from cognitive impairments or dysfunctions, psychotic and/or neurodegenerative disorders to an alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activator treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of using a naproxen fill formulation suitable for encapsulation into a soft gel dosage unit to treat inflammation and pain. Methods include administering naproxen to a subject in need thereof to treat pain and inflammation. Methods can include administering naproxen together with another medicament to a subject in need thereof to treat an additional condition such as a cough, cold, allergy, congestion, etc.

Abstract: This invention relates to a naproxen formulation suitable for encapsulation into a soft gel dosage unit by increasing the stability, concentration, and bioavailability of naproxen. Fill formulations of the invention may include other active pharmaceutical ingredients and combinations of two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients. This invention also provides for adjusting pH values of fill formulations without additional process steps. A process for increasing the achievable concentration of an active NSAID pharmaceutical ingredient, such as naproxen, relative to fill composition for dosage units is also provided. The highly concentrated formulation of this invention permits a reduction in the fill volume or dosage unit size, or an increase in concentration of the active pharmaceutical ingredient per dosage form. The invention also relates to a formulation of optimal stability suitable for supporting a fill composition compatible with the soft gel dosage unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for cutting dielectric or semiconducting material with a laser. The method includes the following steps: emission of a laser beam including at least one burst of N femtoseconds laser pulses; spatial separation of the laser beam into a first split beam having a first energy, and respectively, a second split beam having a second energy; spatial concentration of energy of the first split beam in a first zone of the material, respectively, of the second split beam in a second zone of the material, the first zone and the second zone being separate and staggered by a distance dx; and adjustment of the distance between the first zone and the second zone in such a way as to initiate a straight micro-fracture oriented between the first zone and the second zone.

Abstract: An applanation device designed to be positioned between the eye of a patient and a laser system, to hold the eye in position and create a reference plane for an ophthalmological laser surgery operation, the device comprising: an applanation cone defining an inner space, an upper opening and a lower opening; the applanation cone comprising an upper portion configured to be secured to a projecting portion of a focusing optical unit of the laser system and a lower portion comprising suction means; the lower opening being defined by a lower rim; an applanation glass that is transparent to the laser beam generated by the laser system and is positioned and held by the suction means against the lower rim so as to close the lower opening.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an ophthalmic surgery apparatus for making an incision in ocular biological tissue such as a cornea or a crystalline lens. The apparatus includes: a laser source suitable for delivering a beam of laser pulses; an optical focusing system for focusing the beam of laser pulses on a focal point in the ocular biological tissue; an optical system for moving the beam of laser pulses, configured to move the focal point along a predetermined three-dimensional trajectory; a control unit configured to control the laser source, and the optical system for moving the beam of laser pulses, in such a way that the parameters of the beam of laser pulses and the parameters of the optical system for moving the beam of laser pulses are adjusted according to the position of the focal point in the trajectory during the incision.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes for preparing stable 1-amino-1- cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (“ACC”) water-soluble granules comprising the steps of mixing a composition comprising ACC and water at a concentration ratio at about 2.0:1 or less to create a wet mass, extruding the wet mass to create an extrudate and drying the extrudate to create the water-soluble ACC granules, wherein the concentration of ACC and water is weight by total weight of the wet mass. The present invention is further directed to ACC granules produced by processes of the present invention.

Abstract: Markers, microwave probes, and related systems and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The marker includes an energy converter e.g., one or more photodiodes, for transforming energy pulses striking the marker into electrical energy, a switch, e.g., FET, coupled to the photodiodes such that light from a probe cause the switch to open and close. A pair of antenna wires are coupled to the switch to provide an antenna, the switch configured to open and close when light strikes the photodiodes to modulate signals from the probe reflected by the antenna back to the probe to identify the location of the marker. The marker also includes an electro static discharge (ESD) protection device coupled to the switch to provide protection against an electrostatic discharge event.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the operational conditions of a method for high-repetition rate femtosecond laser ablation including a first step of determining a set of parameters of a burst of laser pulses adapted to generate an ablation crater in the material, the set of parameters including an intra-burst repetition frequency f between several hundred MHz and 100 GHz, a number N of pulses of the burst of laser pulses equal to a number Nc of heating and ablation pulses, with Nc being defined by the equation Nc=(L2·f)/D, where L represents a test depth and D represents a thermal diffusion coefficient of the material to be ablated, with Nc being greater than or equal to 10, a characteristic total fluence FTchar of the burst of pulses and a characteristic fluence per pulse Fchar=FTchar/Nc below an ablation threshold fluence Fs1 of the material by a single laser pulse.

Abstract: Markers, microwave probes, and related systems and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The marker includes an energy converter e.g., one or more photodiodes, for transforming energy pulses striking the marker into electrical energy, a switch, e.g., FET, coupled to the photodiodes such that light from a probe cause the switch to open and close. A pair of antenna wires are coupled to the switch to provide an antenna, the switch configured to open and close when light strikes the photodiodes to modulate signals from the probe reflected by the antenna back to the probe to identify the location of the marker. The marker also includes an electro static discharge (ESD) protection device coupled to the switch to provide protection against an electrostatic discharge event.

Abstract: Markers, microwave probes, and related systems and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The marker includes an energy converter e.g., one or more photodiodes, for transforming energy pulses striking the marker into electrical energy, a switch, e.g., FET, coupled to the photodiodes such that light from a probe cause the switch to open and close. A pair of antenna wires are coupled to the switch to provide an antenna, the switch configured to open and close when light strikes the photodiodes to modulate signals from the probe reflected by the antenna back to the probe to identify the location of the marker. The marker also includes an electro static discharge (ESD) protection device coupled to the switch to provide protection against an electrostatic discharge event.

Abstract: This invention relates to a naproxen formulation suitable for encapsulation into a soft gel dosage unit by increasing the stability, concentration, and bioavailability of naproxen. Fill formulations of the invention may include other active pharmaceutical ingredients and combinations of two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients. This invention also provides for adjusting pH values of fill formulations without additional process steps. A process for increasing the achievable concentration of an active NSAID pharmaceutical ingredient, such as naproxen, relative to fill composition for dosage units is also provided. The highly concentrated formulation of this invention permits a reduction in the fill volume or dosage unit size, or an increase in concentration of the active pharmaceutical ingredient per dosage form. The invention also relates to a formulation of optimal stability suitable for supporting a fill composition compatible with the soft gel dosage unit.