Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions comprising insoluble alpha-glucan particles having a high degree of crystallinity and small particle size. For example, the alpha-glucan particles can have a degree of crystallinity of at least about 0.65, and/or an average size of less than a micron. At least 50% of the glycosidic linkages of the insoluble alpha-glucan in the disclosed particles are alpha-1,3 glycosidic linkages. Further disclosed are methods of producing insoluble alpha-glucan particles, as well as their use in various applications and products.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pumping milk from a breast, wherein the milk is expressed from the breast under suction and milk is expulsed from the pumping mechanism to a collection container under positive pressure.

Abstract: A urine collection assembly includes a container; a funnel removably coupled to the container, the funnel in fluid communication with the container; a first collection chamber in selective communication with the funnel; a valve configured to allow selective communication between the first collection chamber and the funnel; a second collection chamber in selective communication with the funnel; and a lid removably coupleable to the funnel. A saddle may be removably coupleable to the funnel and configured to guide urine into the container.

Abstract: A urine collection assembly includes a container; a funnel removably coupled to the container, the funnel in fluid communication with the container; a first collection chamber in selective communication with the funnel; a valve configured to allow selective communication between the first collection chamber and the funnel; a second collection chamber in selective communication with the funnel; and a lid removably coupleable to the funnel. A saddle may be removably coupleable to the funnel and configured to guide urine into the container.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for applying a phase-agnostic stimuli are disclosed herein. Certain embodiments include methods and apparatus that are configured to receive a detected signal from a subject and transmit a stimulation signal that is configured to optimize a response signal without regard to the phase of the detected signal.

Abstract: A system is described that observes a signal from a subject of interest, converts the signal to an electrical representation, uses the electrical representation to compute a synthetic control signal, and applies the synthetic control signal to control some aspect of operation of the subject. The procedure used to generate the synthetic control signal involves subjecting the electrical representation of the observed signal to random noise, allowing the extrema of the electrical representation to move, and obtaining a converged solution as the synthetic control signal.

Abstract: A system is described that observes a signal from a subject of interest, converts the signal to an electrical representation, uses the electrical representation to compute a synthetic control signal, and applies the synthetic control signal to control some aspect of operation of the subject. The procedure used to generate the synthetic control signal involves subjecting the electrical representation of the observed signal to random noise, allowing the extrema of the electrical representation to move, and obtaining a converged solution as the synthetic control signal.

Abstract: A laser beam generating device is provided for generating multiple mutually orthogonal light beams. The device includes a laser light generator that generates at least three output beams. A beamsplitter of the laser light generator has two incident surfaces orientated at forty-five degrees in relation to an optical axis. A first portion of a light from a light source is incident on a first of the two incident surfaces and output as a first output beam in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis. A second portion of the light is incident on a second of the two incident surfaces and output as a second output beam in a second direction opposite the first direction. The light source is arranged in relation to the beamsplitter such that a third portion of the light bypasses the beamsplitter and forms a third output beam projected parallel to the optical axis.