Abstract: Sterilization tray fasteners are disclosed herein. The disclosed sterilization tray fasteners may be formed to join sterilization tray bases stacked directly on top of one another together. In some embodiments, sterilization tray bases may be formed to have slots or apertures to accommodate features of the disclosed fasteners. For example, in some embodiments, the disclosed sterilization tray fasteners include an elongate body and two curved arms that can extend into apertures of the sterilization tray bases. In many embodiments, the disclosed fasteners can be attached to and detached from sterilization tray bases without tools.

Abstract: A machine, program product, and method for enabling interoperable and low-latency networking among service devices.

Abstract: Elevator car (6) comprising an interior space (10) for accommodating passengers and/or cargo, a structural ceiling (20) arranged at the top of the elevator car (6) and comprising at least one rescue opening (21), and a decorative ceiling (22) arranged below the structural ceiling (20) within the interior space (10). The decorative ceiling (22) is movable between a closed position in which it extends basically parallel to the structural ceiling (20) and at least one open position in which it extends into the interior space (10). The elevator car (6) further comprises a control element (30) which is selectively attachable to the structural ceiling (20) and to the decorative ceiling (22), respectively. The control element (30), when attached to the decorative ceiling (22), allows moving the decorative ceiling (22) between its closed position and an open position in a controlled manner.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for detecting and acquiring one or more in-focus images of one or more barcodes within the field of view of an imaging device. A measurement process measures depth-of-field of barcode detection. A plurality of nominal coarse focus settings of a variable lens allow sampling, in steps, of a lens adjustment range corresponding to allowable distances between the one or more barcodes and the image sensor, so that a step size of the sampling is less than a fraction of the depth-of-field of barcode detection. An acquisition process acquires a nominal coarse focus image for each nominal coarse focus setting. A barcode detection process detects one or more barcode-like regions and respective likelihoods. A fine focus process fine-adjusts, for each high-likelihood barcode, the variable lens near a location of the barcode-like regions. The process acquires an image for decoding using the fine adjusted setting.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds useful in treating or preventing inflammation acne, bacterial conditions and promoting the appearance of healthy skin and compositions including these compounds.

Abstract: Compositions containing natural and botanical extracts for use in inhibiting one, two, or three of (a)-(c): (a) demethylation of PP2A by PME-1 methylesterase; (b) formation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species; and/or (c) inflammation. These compositions include an extract of one or more botanicals selected from the group consisting of: juniper berry fruit, schisandra fruit, strawberry fruit, avocado seeds, black raspberry seeds, blueberry seeds, celery seeds, cranberry seeds, fennel seeds, grape seeds, guarana seeds, red raspberry seeds, maca root, goldenseal root, turmeric root, magnolia bark, pygeum bark, red raspberry leaf, almond, cocoa powder, Echinacea angustifolia, prickly pear cactus and walnut.

Abstract: Systems and methods interconnect cell culture devices and/or fluidic devices by transferring discrete volumes of fluid between devices. A liquid-handling system collects a volume of fluid from at least one source device and deposits the fluid into at least one destination device. In some embodiments, a liquid-handling robot actuates the movement and operation of a fluid collection device in an automated manner to transfer the fluid between the at least one source device and the at least one destination device. In some cases, the at least one source device and the at least one destination device are cell culture devices. The at least one source device and the at least one destination device may be microfluidic or non-microfluidic devices. In some cases, the cell culture devices may be microfluidic cell culture devices. In further cases, the microfluidic cell culture devices may include organ-chips.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improved flow properties in fluidic and microfluidic systems are disclosed. The system includes a microfluidic device having a first microchannel, a fluid reservoir having a working fluid and a pressurized gas, a pump in communication with the fluid reservoir to maintain a desired pressure of the pressurized gas, and a fluid-resistance element located within a fluid path between the fluid reservoir and the first microchannel. The fluid-resistance element includes a first fluidic resistance that is substantially larger than a second fluidic resistance associated with the first microchannel.

Abstract: An elevator car (6) defining an interior space (12) for accommodating passengers comprises a support frame (22) positioned on a top side of the interior space (12); a support structure (30) pivotably mounted to the support frame (22); and a working platform (28) pivotably mounted to the support structure (30). The support structure (30) is pivotable with respect to the support frame (22) and the working platform (28) is pivotable with respect to the support structure (30) between a retracted position, in which the working platform (28) and the support structure (30) are oriented close to the support frame (22), and a deployed position, in which the support structure (30) extends away from the support frame (22) towards the interior space (12) and the working platform (28) extends away from the support structure (30).

Abstract: EHT extract including a mixture of late eluting tryptamides and early eluting tryptamides in a weight ratio of at least about 7:1 late eluting tryptamides:early eluting tryptamides, wherein the EHT extract includes at least 30% eicosanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamide, based on the total weight of the tryptamides in the EHT extract.

Abstract: An electronic system for a fluid property sensor comprises a fluid printed circuit board adapted to analyze a property of a fluid, an external connector, and an intermediate printed circuit board. The intermediate printed circuit board is electrically connected between the fluid printed circuit board and the external connector.

Abstract: A combined guide rail for an elevator system includes a car guide rail portion to guide an elevator car along an elevator car travel path and a counterweight guide rail portion to guide a counterweight of the elevator system along a counterweight travel path. A connecting portion extends from the car guide rail portion to the counterweight guide rail portion. The car guide rail portion, the counterweight guide rail portion and the connecting portion are formed together as a single unitary structure from a single piece of material.

Abstract: An elevator car (4) comprises at least two maintenance openings (14, 16): an overhead maintenance opening (14) provided in the ceiling of the elevator car (4) for providing access to at least one component arranged on top of and/or above the elevator car (4) and a lateral maintenance opening (16) provided in one sidewall (18) of the car for providing access to at least one component arranged besides the elevator car (4).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for acquiring images of a code at variable distances. The systems and methods utilize variable focus lenses to provide operating conditions where acquisition of images of the code at shorter distances provides a wider viewing angle and lower magnification than acquisition of images of the code at longer distance. In some cases, the distances for code image acquisition can be predefined. The predefined distances can have corresponding predefined variable focus lens settings to facilitate image acquisition.

Abstract: An air nozzle for guiding a cut steel strip at the exit from a shearing device for a moving steel sheet is provided. The nozzle is made in one piece and extends along a main plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of the steel strip. The air nozzle includes an air inlet channel with a free end connected to a compressed air generator and an opposite end divided at a deflection junction into a first and a second air discharge channel facing each other on either side of the main plane. The free end of the first air discharge channel is located close to the exit and includes a plurality of first air discharge orifices orientated towards the second air discharge channel.

Abstract: A method for determining the complex amplitude of the electromagnetic field associated with a scene, comprising a) capturing a plurality of images of the scene by means of a photographic camera, the images being focused in planes of focus arranged at different distances, wherein the camera comprises a lens of focal length F and a sensor arranged at a certain distance from the lens in its image space, taking at least one image pair from the plurality of images and determining the accumulated wavefront to the conjugate plane in the object space corresponding to the intermediate plane with respect to the planes of focus of the two images of the pair.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions for inhibiting transmission of a sexually transmitted infection that contain one or more polyanionic microbicides, such as carrageenans, including lambda carrageenan, as well as water-soluble metal salts and specified lectins. Also disclosed are methods for making and using the compositions.

Abstract: A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body. A method for pressure control is contemplated to allow the control of flow rate (while perfusing cells) despite limitations of common pressure regulators. The method for pressure control allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly, so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.

Abstract: A culture module is contemplated that allows the perfusion and optionally mechanical actuation of one or more microfluidic devices, such as organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices comprising cells that mimic at least one function of an organ in the body. A method for pressure control is contemplated to allow the control of flow rate (while perfusing cells) despite limitations of common pressure regulators. The method for pressure control allows for perfusion of a microfluidic device, such as an organ on a chip microfluidic device comprising cells that mimic cells in an organ in the body, that is detachably linked with said assembly, so that fluid enters ports of the microfluidic device from a fluid reservoir, optionally without tubing, at a controllable flow rate.

Abstract: A drill bit for improving performance of a drilling machine is provided. The drill bit includes a drill bit body with a rear end adapted to be connected to a drilling machine, and a leading end with a flat face perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (X-X) of the drill bit body. The drill bit body includes a first tapered portion with diameters increasing from the flat face of the leading end to a maximum diameter (Dmax), a second tapered portion with diameters decreasing from the maximum diameter (Dmax) to the rear end of the drill body, at least three partly-circular recesses formed in the drill bit body thus delimitating as many tapered drilling faces, each of them extending from the flat face of the leading end to the maximum diameter (Dmax). The flat face and the tapered drilling faces have a plurality of protruding teeth and the teeth are cylindrical and have a longitudinal axis (Y-Y) forming an angle with the face supporting the teeth which is less than or equal to 90°.