Abstract: Novel direct thrombin inhibitors are provided herein, along with methods for their use as anticoagulants. The direct thrombin inhibitors described herein are useful in treating and/or preventing thromboembolism and bleeding or clotting disorders. Also provided herein are methods for inhibiting thrombin in a cell using the compounds and compositions described herein.

Abstract: A beverage container packaging assembly is disclosed. The beverage container packaging assembly includes a bottom tray, center support, and a top tray. The bottom tray includes a plurality of cup-shaped elements each configured to accommodate a bottom portion of a beverage container. Each cup-shaped element includes at least a first deformable element comprising one or more wide portions and one or more thin portions. The center support is disposed between the bottom tray and the top tray. The top tray includes bottle neck accommodating spaces each bounded by a set of vertical posts.

Abstract: According to an aspect, an inflatable penile prosthesis includes a fluid reservoir configured to hold fluid, an inflatable member, and an electronic pump assembly configured to transfer the fluid between the fluid reservoir and the inflatable member. The electronic pump assembly includes a pump, an active valve, a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the inflatable member, and a controller configured to control at least one of the pump or the active valve based on the measured pressure.

Abstract: One variation of a self-locking tie cord comprises a) a linear series of a plurality of nodules coupled together by a connective stem; b) a planar lock coupled to one end of the connective stem and comprising a valve configured to allow the nodules to pass through the planar lock in only a first direction orthogonal to the plane of the planar lock; and c) an unlocking mechanism disposed within the planar lock and configured to unlock the valve when activated, such that the nodules are allowed to pass through the planar lock in both the first direction orthogonal to the plane of the planar lock and a second direction orthogonal to the plane of the planar lock and opposite to the first direction orthogonal to the plane of the planar lock.

Abstract: An intelligent item receptacle, system, and method for providing supplemental media content in response to depositing an item having media indicia disposed thereon. An intelligent item receptacle includes an item receptacle securely enclosing an interior volume, an item sensor configured to detect an inserted item, a camera within the interior volume configured to capture an image of the item, and an output configured to play audio or visual content to bystanders outside the item receptacle. Processing circuitry within the item receptacle analyzes the image to determine if the media indicia are present on the item and, if present, causes the output to play the audio or visual content associated with the media indicia.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for supporting an image rendering using ray tracing. For at least some elements (e.g. pixels), ray tracing results for previously evaluated elements are used to predict ray tracing results for the current element. These previously evaluated elements can be elements which are proximate to the current element. Feasibility testing and prediction can be performed to determine whether a prediction can be made, and the ray hit test and the opaqueness testing can determine whether the prediction is valid. If testing fails, a full ray tracing operation can be performed for the current element. The operations can be implemented using multithreading. Ray tracing patterning and resolution of elements used for prediction purposes can be adjusted based on prior performance.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions that comprise negatively charged particles and methods of making and using the same. Also provided are methods of reducing or treating Cytokine Storm Syndrome (CSS) or Acute Rcspiratoiy Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

Abstract: A positive airway pressure device is disclosed herein. The positive airway pressure device includes a blower, a buffer chamber, a gas manifold, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The buffer chamber is downstream of the blower. The buffer chamber configured to receive gas generated by the blower and output the gas to a patient. The gas manifold is fluidly coupling the blower to the buffer chamber. The first sensor is at least partially disposed in the gas manifold. The first sensor is configured to measure a first pressure in the gas manifold. The second sensor is at least partially disposed in the buffer chamber. The second sensor is configured to measure a second sensor in the buffer chamber.

Abstract: Multispecific antibody having a binding site for ICOS and a binding site for a second antigen, e.g., an immune checkpoint molecule such as PD-L1. Use of the multispecific antibody in immuno-oncology, including for treatment of solid tumours.

Abstract: A chargeable atomic battery (CAB), such as a fully ceramic encapsulated radioactive heat source, includes a plurality of CAB units and a CAB housing to hold the plurality of CAB units. Each of the CAB units are formed of a precursor compact including precursor material particles embedded inside an encapsulation material. The precursor material particles include a precursor kernel formed of a precursor material that is initially manufactured in a stable state or an unstable state and convertible into an activated material via irradiation by a particle radiation source. The precursor material particles can include one or more encapsulation coatings surrounding the precursor kernel. The precursor material can include Neptunium-237 and the activated material can include Plutonium-238. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator can include thermoelectrics coupled to the CAB units to convert radioactive emissions of the activated material into electrical power.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an arm control path, a deploy control path and a communication module. The arm control path maybe configured to trigger an arm signal. The deploy control path may be configured to trigger a deploy signal. The communication module may be configured to communicate a remote signal to/from an end device, generate a bypass signal in response to the remote signal and generate the remote signal in response to detecting the arm signal. An activation signal for an actuator may be generated in response to the arm signal and the deploy signal. The arm signal and the deploy signal may be generated independently. The communication module may enable the remote signal to activate the end device. The bypass signal may be compatible with the arm control path and ensure an independent and parallel path for the arm control path to generate the arm signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting live weather data to a weather index for offsetting weather risk. Weather data source systems generate one or more weather data streams that include weather forecast model and observations data. A data distribution system receives a weather index request, identifies at least one instrument and at least one location associated with the request. Weather risk indication data is extracted among the weather data streams associated with the identified location based on predefined parameters associated with the identified instrument. The extracted data is converted into a set of weather index values corresponding to the location, based on a predetermined algorithm associated with the identified instrument. A weather index presentation package is generated that includes the set of weather index values for distribution to at least one user device. The weather index presentation package being distributed is updated concurrent with changes to weather risk indication data.

Abstract: Embodiments of a reamer device for removing tissue from a patient, including a shaft, a cutting head having at least four cutting blades, and a depth-limiting flange extending radially outwardly away from the at least four cutting blades. Some embodiments of the reamer device can have a shaft, a cutting head coupled with the shaft, and a depth limiting element. The cutting head can have at least four cutting blades. In some embodiments, the depth limiting element can have a distal surface configured to contact a surface of the patient's tissue to limit a depth into the patient's tissue that the at least four cutting blades can advance to, and/or can be configured to extend radially outwardly of the at least four cutting blades so that the depth limiting element contacts a surface of the patient's tissue adjacent to a cutout created by the at least four cutting blades.

Abstract: Systems and methods for energy storage system are provided. The system includes a particle regeneration subsystem for applying electrical energy to regenerate metallic particulate fuel; a fuel storage subsystem for storing metallic particulate fuel, the fuel storage subsystem in fluid communication with the particle regeneration subsystem; and a power generation subsystem for producing electrical energy from the metallic particulate fuel, the power generation subsystem in fluid communication with the fuel storage subsystem; a bearer electrolyte for transporting the metallic particulate fuel through the particle regeneration subsystem, the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem; and a control unit configured to independently control flow of the bearer electrolyte between the particle regeneration subsystem and the fuel storage subsystem, and the fuel storage subsystem and the power generation subsystem.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides protein-enriched, tobacco-containing products, suitable for use as oral formulations. Products of the present disclosure typically include at least one tobacco material (e.g., a particulate tobacco material or a tobacco-derived extract), at least one protein-enriched material (e.g., a tobacco-derived protein-enriched material), and at least one sugar alcohol.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides high bulk tissue products, as well as an apparatus and methods for manufacturing the same. The tissue products provided herein not only have high bulk, but they also have improved surface smoothness, particularly compared to tissue products of similar basis weights.

Abstract: It has been demonstrated that certain compounds bind to TNF and stabilise a conformation of trimeric TNF that binds to the TNF receptor. Accordingly, these compounds can be used as modulators of TNF. Anew assay for identifying compounds with this mechanism of action is also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a computing apparatus having a hardware platform, including a processor circuit and a memory; a web-enabled application; and stored instructions within the memory to instruct the processor circuit to: determine that an input field of the web-enabled application has requested a password or personal data from a user; receive an input value; apply a deterministic function to the input value to create an obfuscated value; and provide the obfuscated value as an input to the input field.

Abstract: A topical preparation for use in treating dermatological ailments is prepared from a mixture comprising salicylic acid or a salt thereof, zinc or a salt thereof, iodine or a salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier vehicle. The preparation comprises any one or more of anti-inflammatory properties, keratolytic properties, anti-pruritic properties, anti-carcinogenic properties. Methods of treatment involving topical application of the preparation are also described.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a system and an associated method to retrieve information related to marketplace items within an electronic environment are disclosed. A network architecture comprises a listing module to store the information related to the marketplace items. The related information includes one or more user-created items such as an image of a model with one or more tagged items worn by the model. Each of the one or more tagged items has associated descriptive metadata. A communications module is arranged to receive a query including search terms related to social fashion items from an end-user. A query engine is coupled to the communications module to match the search terms contained within the query to the associated descriptive metadata of the tagged items in the listing module. A processing module then displays to the end-user the model and the one or more tagged items.