Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for processing an optical fiber includes: drawing an optical fiber through a draw furnace, conveying the optical fiber through a flame reheating device downstream from the draw furnace, wherein the flame reheating device comprises one or more burners each comprising: a body having a top surface and an opposing bottom surface, an opening within the body extending from the top surface through the body to the bottom surface, wherein the optical fiber passes through the opening, and one or more gas outlets within the body; and igniting a flammable gas provided by the one or more gas outlets to form a flame encircling the optical fiber passing through the opening, wherein the flame heats the optical fiber by at least 100 degrees Celsius at a heating rate exceeding 10,000 degrees Celsius/second.

Abstract: A sample preparation blister pack can include a plurality of reservoirs formed as blisters. The reservoirs can have an actuatable barrier layer and a seal barrier layer with contents of the reservoirs between the actuatable barrier layer and the seal barrier layer. The contents can be to facilitate isolating a biological component from a biological sample. The individual reservoirs can be adapted to release the contents through the seal barrier layer upon actuation of the actuatable barrier layer. The blister pack can have a width and a length and the reservoirs can be lined up along the length. In this example, a first reservoir contains an inert mechanical fluid and a second reservoir contains a reagent, a buffer, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method for a first UE to perform sidelink communication with a second UE is provided. The method receives a first resource set from a cell to establish a first sidelink channel with the second UE, the first resource set indicating at least a first distance between the first and second UEs. The method establishes the first sidelink channel with the second UE based on the first resource set and transmits a set of parameters associated with the first sidelink channel to the cell. The method also sets a first timer based on at least the first distance, the first timer for determining when to establish a second sidelink channel with the second UE. When the first timer is expired and no second resource set is received from the cell, the method establishes the second sidelink channel with the second UE based on the first resource set.

Abstract: Pre-connected analyte sensors are provided. A pre-connected analyte sensor includes a sensor carrier attached to an analyte sensor. The sensor carrier includes a substrate configured for mechanical coupling of the sensor to testing, calibration, or wearable equipment. The sensor carrier also includes conductive contacts for electrically coupling sensor electrodes to the testing, calibration, or wearable equipment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for recognizing speech using a spiking neural network acoustic model implemented on a neuromorphic processor are described. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, a trained acoustic model implemented as a spiking neural network (SNN) on a neuromorphic processor of a client device, a set of feature coefficients that represent acoustic energy of input audio received from a microphone communicably coupled to the client device. The acoustic model is trained to predict speech sounds based on input feature coefficients. The acoustic model generates output data indicating predicted speech sounds corresponding to the set of feature coefficients that represent the input audio received from the microphone. The neuromorphic processor updates one or more parameters of the acoustic model using one or more learning rules and the predicted speech sounds of the output data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for separating an object, such as a lead, from formed tissue are provided. Specifically, a tissue slitting apparatus is configured to engage formed tissue at a slitting engagement point. While the object is subjected to a first traction force, the tissue slitting apparatus is caused to move further into the engaged tissue and slit the tissue past the point of engagement. The slitting apparatus causes the tissue to separate along an axial direction of the length of the formed tissue and releases at least some of the force containing the object. The slitting apparatus is supported by a distal end support device configured to lock onto the lead. While supported, a slitting element of the apparatus places fibers of the formed tissue under tension and performs a lifting cut operation. The methods and systems are well suited for use in cardiac pacing or defibrillator lead explant procedures.

Abstract: In flow cytometry, particles (2) can be distinguished between populations (8) by combining n-dimensional parameter data, which may be derived from signal data from a particle, to mathematically achieve numerical results representative of an alteration (48). An alteration may include a rotational alteration, a scaled alteration, or perhaps even a translational alteration. Alterations may enhance separation of data points which may provide real-time classification (49) of signal data corresponding to individual particles into one of at least two populations.

Abstract: A food-processing system having a metering pump for filling a casing with food material, a linker for forming links in the filled casing and depositing a linked strand on a conveyor, and a plurality of servo motors arranged to drive each of a plurality of driven components of the processing system. The food-processing system being implemented according to a two-step ramp-up method that enables increased control of a first end and a second end of the linked strand using a first speed, and enables faster processing of the linked strand between the ends at a second speed higher than the first speed.

Abstract: A device and method of controlling a device. The device may include a controller for controlling operation of a pumping device to producing a flow of fluid in the pump set, the controller including a processor and a memory, the controller being adapted to store in the memory, syringe size data, the controller configured to execute in the processor a syringe detection program to determine a presence and size of the syringe loaded onto a flow control apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for nerve conduction block. The systems and methods can utilize at least one renewable electrode. The methods can include delivering a first direct current with a first polarity to an electrode proximate nervous tissue sufficient to block conduction in the nervous tissue. Delivering the first direct current can place the nervous tissue in a hypersuppressed state at least partially preventing conduction of the nervous tissue after cessation of delivering of the first direct current. The nervous tissue can be maintained in the hypersuppressed state for a desired period, such as at least about 1 minute.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using stratigraphic heat maps to steer a well being drilled. Data from one or more offset wells can be provided to a computer system and used with data from a well being drilled to generate one or more stratigraphic heat maps during the drilling of the subject well. The stratigraphic heat maps can be displayed and used to determine the location of the wellbore relative to one or more geological formations, including one or more target formations or within a target formation. Based on the use of the heat maps and the location of the wellbore relative to a target, the drill plan can be adjusted or updated and/or one or more drilling parameters or operations may be adjusted to drill the wellbore, such as to drill the wellbore to the target or to maximize the length of the wellbore within a target zone.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and pharmaceutical formulations for treating dry eye disease.

Abstract: A method for restoring a contaminated site comprising the steps of: undertaking an amendment of a contaminated site by applying a first catalyst and a second catalyst to the contaminated site; and incorporating the first catalyst and the second catalyst into a soil on the contaminated site to form an amended contaminated site, wherein the contaminated site has excessive acidity, alkalinity and/or sodic contamination, wherein amending the contaminated site with the first catalyst and the second catalyst assists in the restoration of the amended contaminated site by transferring a biological energy generation mechanism to the amended contaminated site which improves the capacity of the amended contaminated site to balance a hydrogen cycle and hydrogen exchange between biotic and abiotic sources.

Abstract: A discrimination system that forms a fluid column and interrogates objects within the fluid column with an excitation source. An optical arrangement collects output electromagnetic radiation emanating from the excited objects disposed within the fluid column and directs the output electromagnetic radiation to a detector. An analyzer reduces the positional dependency of the detected intensity by normalizing the value based on the position of each object.

Abstract: A solvent-free composition contains the following components: 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol, ethoxylates thereof, and polyethylene glycols, wherein the composition contains water and wherein the concentration of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol is greater than 40% by weight, based on the composition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nozzle assembly may include the step of over molding a nozzle housing, or a portion of a nozzle housing, onto at least one nozzle component, such as an injection tube. Nozzle assemblies and flow cytometers incorporating nozzle assemblies may include any combination of straight smooth injection tubes, improved features for securing a nozzle assembly, improved features for debubbilng a nozzle assembly, and aggressive orienting geometries. A method of sorting cells may include the step of magnetically coupling a nozzle assembly with a flow cytometer.

Abstract: NASA, ESA, and Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) have undertaken studies (e.g., “Lunar Ice-Trap ISRU Mining, Processing and Storage Infrastructure: An infrastructure that mines and breaks down lunar ice into oxygen and hydrogen fuel”) to determine likely sources of water and oxygen for human colonies on Mars or Moon. Some of these studies are university-level research through fund allocations for departmental research, or through student interest in space exploration. Other studies are conducted at national levels through space agencies and through privately funded space probes. One of these studies was executed by the JAXA determined the source of the lunar-ice on the Moon (from the Kaguya/ZELENE lunar probe). JAXA estimated that 90 metric tons of Earth's atmosphere escapes per day with oxygen ions reaching energies of between 1 keV and 10 keV.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for holding an impeller of a pump assembly in place axially with an impeller locking collar by loading the collar against a ring element. In a centrifugal pump assembly, one side of the shaft has a larger diameter for the impeller to abut against. The other side of the shaft may be fitted with an impeller locking collar comprising two portions that can be threaded together and hold the impeller in place by tightening against a ring element such as a split ring or spiral lock. Anti-rotation to avoid loosening of the impeller locking collar may be achieved by providing counter threads against a shaft rotation. Secondary anti-rotation may be provided by one or more set screws in the impeller locking collar.

Abstract: Systems and methods for virtual vehicle parking assistance are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining a current vehicle position and vehicle dimensions of a vehicle, determining parking space dimensions of a parking space, receiving a desired parking position for the vehicle through an augmented reality interface, the augmented reality interface including a three-dimensional vehicle model based on the vehicle dimensions, the augmented reality interface being configured to allow a user to virtually place the three-dimensional vehicle model in the parking space to determine the desired parking position, determining a virtual parking procedure for the vehicle based on the desired parking position selected by the user and the parking space dimensions of a parking space and causing the vehicle to autonomously park based on the virtual parking procedure.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods for reducing the proportion of sperm cells with abnormal morphology, and unviable sperm cells, in a sperm cell population.