Abstract: Robotic gripping devices and methods for performing a picking operation. The methods described herein may involve positioning a gripping device with respect to an item to be grasped and then executing a first picking operation using the gripping device to obtain a grasp on the item. The methods may then involve executing at least two of a force detection procedure to detect a force applied to a portion of the gripping device, a grasping space detection procedure to detect an item in grasping range of the gripping device, a pressure detection procedure configured to detect pressure in an airflow path, and an item load detection procedure to detect force in a mechanical load path of the gripping device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for local network public notification negotiation. A local network includes a plurality of neighborhood media nodes and each neighborhood media node is configured to project a plurality of n media message per a first time period to a general public. The media messages can be public service announcements, such as traffic or weather conditions, or public library hours to name a few examples. An interface associated with the neighborhood media nodes accepts local network program choices including neighborhood media node selections cross-referenced to media message selections. A local arbitrator arranges media messages for each node, resolves local network program choice conflicts, and supplies a local network selection decision to the neighborhood media nodes. The neighborhood media nodes project media messages in response to the local network selection decision. The media nodes can also be enabled to project messages from intra-neighborhood and remote sources.

Abstract: A satellite system may have a constellation of communications satellites that provides services to users with electronic devices such as portable electronic devices and home/office equipment. A network operations center may use gateways to communicate with the satellite constellation. The satellite constellation may include sets of satellites with different orbits such as circular orbits with different inclinations, sets of satellites with elliptic orbits, sets of satellites with circular orbits of different altitudes including low earth orbits, medium earth orbits, and/or geosynchronous orbits, sets of satellites with sun synchronous orbits, and/or sets of satellites with other orbits. The orbits of the satellites in the constellation may be selected to provide coverage to desired user population concentrations at different locations on the Earth, while reducing the amount of capacity that goes unused (e.g., is idle) at one or more times of day.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptide and peptide vaccine compositions and methods that reduce methane and/or hydrogen production in animals. The present invention also relates to the treatment of diseases that are associated with methanogens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell-based vaccine compositions and methods that reduce methane and/or hydrogen production in animals. The present invention relates to the treatment of diseases that are associated with methanogens. The present invention also relates to methods of growing hydrogenotrophs in safe anaerobic conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems of maintaining, evaluating, and providing therapy to a lung ex vivo. The methods and systems involve positioning the lung in an ex vivo perfusion circuit; circulating a perfusion fluid through the lung, the fluid entering the lung through a pulmonary artery interface and leaving the lung through a left atrial interface; and ventilating the lung by flowing a ventilation gas through a tracheal interface. Maintaining the lung for extended periods involves causing the lung to rebreath a captive volume of air, and reaching an equilibrium state between the perfusion fluid and the ventilation gas. Evaluating the gas exchange capability of the lung involves deoxygenating the perfusion fluid and measuring a time taken to reoxygenate the perfusion fluid by ventilating the lung with an oxygenation gas.

Abstract: Robotic device configuration methods and systems. The methods described herein may involve operably positioning a robotic device with respect to a storage rack, wherein the storage rack holds at least one first coupling member configured with a first tool, and the robotic device includes a second coupling member; operably connecting the second coupling member to the first coupling member; and removing the first coupling member configured with the first tool from the storage rack.

Abstract: The invention provides, in various embodiments, devices and methods relating to ex-vivo organ care. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to aortic cannulas for use in perfusion systems to return perfusate to the heart or delivering perfusate from the heart while the organ is sustained ex vivo at physiologic or near-physiologic conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides, in various embodiments, devices and methods relating to ex-vivo organ care. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to aortic cannulas for use in perfusion systems to return perfusate to the heart or delivering perfusate from the heart while the organ is sustained ex vivo at physiologic or near-physiologic conditions.

Abstract: An ice bag for a cooler that include a bag with an open top. A flap having a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the top edge of the flap is coupled to a portion of a periphery of the open top of the bag. A hand sleeve has an opening for a hand, wherein a rear periphery portion of the hand opening is coupled to the bottom edge of the flap. A user can insert a hand into the hand sleeve to grab ice cubes in the ice bag and transfer the ice cubes into a container.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a system for perfusing an ex-vivo liver including a pump configured to pump a perfusion fluid through a perfusion circuit, the pump in fluid communication with a hepatic artery interface and a portal vein interface; an oxygenator; a heater; an inferior vena cava interface in fluid communication with an inferior vena cava of the ex-vivo liver; and a reservoir configured to receive the perfusion fluid from the inferior vena cava of the ex-vivo liver and store a volume of fluid.

Abstract: Machine learning model performance may be determined on unlabeled out of distribution data. A source data set may be obtained for training a machine learning model. Unbiased estimates may be determined for baseline performance indicators of the machine learning model applied to a target dataset without ground truth labels using importance sampling weights. Performance metrics may then be determined using the baselined performance indicators and provided.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems, methods, and devices for ex vivo organ care. More particularly, in various embodiments, the invention relates to caring for a liver ex vivo at physiologic or near-physiologic conditions.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to a system for perfusing an ex-vivo liver including a pump configured to pump a perfusion fluid through a perfusion circuit, the pump in fluid communication with a hepatic artery interface and a portal vein interface; an oxygenator; a heater; an inferior vena cava interface in fluid communication with an inferior vena cava of the ex-vivo liver; and a reservoir configured to receive the perfusion fluid from the inferior vena cava of the ex-vivo liver and store a volume of fluid.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for local network public notification negotiation. A local network includes a plurality of neighborhood media nodes and each neighborhood media node is configured to project a plurality of n media message per a first time period to a general public. The media messages can be public service announcements, such as traffic or weather conditions, or public library hours to name a few examples. An interface associated with the neighborhood media nodes accepts local network program choices including neighborhood media node selections cross-referenced to media message selections. A local arbitrator arranges media messages for each node, resolves local network program choice conflicts, and supplies a local network selection decision to the neighborhood media nodes. The neighborhood media nodes project media messages in response to the local network selection decision. The media nodes can also be enabled to project messages from intra-neighborhood and remote sources.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a pedestrian thoroughfare portable media projection kiosk. The method provides a portable kiosk chassis located in a pedestrian thoroughfare. A media projection subsystem attached to the kiosk projects a media message and creates a media enablement signal. The media message may be a visual display, an audio broadcast, or both. The method verifies that media has been projected in response to receiving a media enablement signal. Verification information is supplied that includes the media enablement signal, and the verification information is communicated to a server. The verification information may be communicated using a cellular telephone, an IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) device, an IEEE 802.15 Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) device, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, or in addition, the kiosk may provide a publically accessible cellular telephone booster, a WLAN access point (AP), WPAN AP, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An ice bag for a cooler that include a bag with an open top. A flap having a top edge and a bottom edge, wherein the top edge of the flap is coupled to a portion of a periphery of the open top of the bag. A hand sleeve has an opening for a hand, wherein a rear periphery portion of the hand opening is coupled to the bottom edge of the flap. A user can insert a hand into the hand sleeve to grab ice cubes in the ice bag and transfer the ice cubes into a container.

Abstract: A SCBI useful in ambient air pressure systems is disclosed. The SCBI includes a body which serves as the culture tube, a glass media ampoule, an inoculated stainless steel disc positioned on the top of the glass media ampoule so that the spores are close to the top/opening of the SCBI, filter paper on the top of the body and overlying the disc, and a cap.

Abstract: A system provides interactive and automated features to aid in planning, management, and execution of events within venues. Venue hardscapes are geolocated, parsed, and stored to be used when configuring events. During event configuration a venue softscape may be automatically generated and applied to the venue hardscape to produce an initial layout. The initial layout may be modified to create and assign booths to exhibitors by multiple coordinators in parallel. Geolocation of hardscaped may be extended into softscapes, such that location data may be maintained for temporary structures such as booths. Conflicts may be avoided by implementing one or more conflict prevention features, including enforcement of universal layouts, booth locking, synchronous session management, automatic identifier assignment to preserve locational correspondence, booth and layout validation, and others.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a pedestrian thoroughfare portable media projection kiosk. The method provides a portable kiosk chassis located in a pedestrian thoroughfare. A media projection subsystem attached to the kiosk projects a media message and creates a media enablement signal. The media message may be a visual display, an audio broadcast, or both. The method verifies that media has been projected in response to receiving a media enablement signal. Verification information is supplied that includes the media enablement signal, and the verification information is communicated to a server. The verification information may be communicated using a cellular telephone, an IEEE 802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) device, an IEEE 802.15 Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) device, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, or in addition, the kiosk may provide a publically accessible cellular telephone booster, a WLAN access point (AP), WPAN AP, or combinations thereof.