Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies and related methods are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation of a primary bone anchor. A bone anchor assembly can include a base rotatably received within a rod-receiving member. The base can have a toroid body with a radially-extending portion including at least one auxiliary bone anchor opening that can receive an auxiliary bone anchor to augment fixation of a primary bone anchor of the bone anchor assembly. The base can be rotated relative to the rod-receiving member and the primary bone anchor such that the at least one auxiliary bone anchor opening can be placed in a desired position for supplemental fixation.

Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation as compared with traditional bone anchor assemblies. An exemplary assembly can include a bracket or wing that extends down from the receiver member. The distal portion of the wing can define a bone anchor opening through which one or more auxiliary bone anchors can be disposed to augment the fixation of the assembly's primary bone anchor. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to a proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a caudal direction or a cephalad direction. A distal surface of the distal portion of the wing can be obliquely angled relative to the proximal-distal axis of the spanning portion to face one of a medial direction or a lateral direction. Surgical methods using the bone anchor assemblies described herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fiber optic networks, optical network units, and methods of configuring a fiber optic network and an optical network unit using a variable ratio coupler are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic network includes a feeder optical cable. The first optical network unit and the second optical network unit each includes a variable ratio coupler operable to selectively set a split-ratio among a plurality of split-ratios, and a fiber optic transceiver module. The fiber optic network further includes a first drop cable optically coupling the first optical network unit to the feeder optical cable at a first position, and a second drop cable optically coupling the second optical network unit to the feeder optical cable at a second position. A first split-ratio of the first optical network unit is based on the first position and a second split-ratio of the second optical network unit is based on the second position.

Abstract: Devices and methods that allow a rod to be offset in a relatively small amount of space are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, first and second offset rods can be joined by a plate-type connector having a reduced thickness suitable for insertion into a small space, e.g., between adjacent bone anchors. In some embodiments, first and second offset rods can be joined by a curved connector that conforms to adjacent bone anchors and likewise has a reduced thickness.

Abstract: Genetically modified microorganisms that have the ability to convert carbon substrates into chemical products such as isobutanol are disclosed. For example, genetically modified methanotrophs that are capable of generating isobutanol at high titers from a methane source are disclosed. Methods of making these genetically modified microorganisms and methods of using them are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising growing a shim by disposing a mandrel having an optional textured surface in an electrolytic bath, where the shim contains a negative image of the optional textured surface formed by electrolytic deposition of a metal; affixing the shim working-side down on a reference plane using a fixture; optically scanning the shim to reverse engineer a geometry of a non-working surface, where reverse engineering a geometry of the non-working surface includes developing a profile of the non-working surface and the thickness of the shim; and adding a material to the non-working surface of the shim via additive manufacturing to form a tool insert.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for efficient fabrication of memory structures are described. A multi-deck memory device may be fabricated using a sequence of fabrication steps that include depositing a first metal layer, depositing a cell layer on the first metal layer to form memory cells of the first memory deck, and depositing a second metal layer on the cell layer. The second metal layer may be deposited using a single deposition process rather than using multiple deposition processes. A second memory deck may be formed on the second metal layer such that stacked memory cells from the first and second deck share the use of the second metal layer. Using a single deposition process for the second metal layer may decrease the quantity of fabrication steps used to fabricate the multi-deck memory array and reduce or eliminate the exposure of the cell material to metal etchants.

Abstract: Genetically modified microorganisms that have the ability to convert carbon substrates into chemical products such as 2,3-BDO; 1,4-BDO; isobutyraldehyde; isobutanol; 1-butanol; n-butanol; ethanol; fatty alcohols; and fatty acid methyl ester are disclosed. For example, genetically modified methanotrophs that are capable of generating 2,3-BDO; 1,4-BDO; isobutyraldehyde; isobutanol; 1-butanol; n-butanol; ethanol; fatty alcohols; and fatty acid methyl ester at high titers from a methane source are disclosed. Methods of making these genetically modified microorganisms and methods of using them are also disclosed. These microorganisms and methods make use of molecular switches to regulate gene expression.

Abstract: Some examples of the disclosure are directed to systems and methods for presenting content in a shared computer generated environment of a multi-user communication session. In some examples, an electronic device displays an indication that a location in the shared computer generated environment corresponding to the electronic device is further than a threshold distance from a respective location associated with the multi-user communication session. In some examples, an electronic device presents a representation of a user of a multi-user communication session moving away from a point of reference of the multi-user communication session. In some examples, the electronic device presents content associated with a user of a multi-user communication session moving away from a point of reference of the multi-user communication session.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical fiber, the method including heating a forming region of the optical fiber preform within a pressure device while exposing the forming region to a total pressure of about 500 atm or greater, directing the optical fiber preform in a downstream direction along a process pathway to form the optical fiber, and traversing the optical fiber through an aperture of a nozzle to maintain the total pressure of about 500 atm or greater within the pressure device.

Abstract: Some examples of the disclosure are directed to systems and methods for managing locations of users in a spatial group within a communication session based on the display of shared content in a three-dimensional environment. In some examples, a first electronic device and a second electronic device are in communication within a communication session. In some examples, the first electronic device displays a three-dimensional environment including an avatar corresponding to a user of the second electronic device. In some examples, in response to detecting an input corresponding to a request to display shared content in the three-dimensional environment, if the shared content is a first type of content, the first electronic positions the avatar a first distance away from the viewpoint, and if the shared content is a second type of content, the first electronic device positions the avatar a second distance away from the viewpoint.

Abstract: Bone anchor assemblies and related methods are disclosed herein that can provide for improved fixation of a primary bone anchor. A bone anchor assembly can include a base rotatably received within a rod-receiving member. The base can have a toroid body with a radially-extending portion including at least one auxiliary bone anchor opening that can receive an auxiliary bone anchor to augment fixation of a primary bone anchor of the bone anchor assembly. The base can be rotated relative to the rod-receiving member and the primary bone anchor such that the at least one auxiliary bone anchor opening can be placed in a desired position for supplemental fixation.

Abstract: Provided herein are cosmetic compositions for increasing the integrity of the skin or hair a subject or for reducing irritation of the skin of a subject and methods of using the cosmetic compositions. The cosmetic compositions contain a combination of a occlusive compound and an osmolyte compound. The occlusives of the combinations are squalane, hemisqualane, isosqualane, squalene, or isosqualene. The preferred osmolyte is ectoine. The cosmetics or pharmaceuticals may be used to increase the barrier of the skin or hair, increase the integrity of skin or hair, reduce inflammation of the skin, or prevent aging of the skin of a subject.

Abstract: Fiber optic networks, optical network units, and methods of configuring a fiber optic network and an optical network unit using a variable ratio coupler are disclosed. In one embodiment, a fiber optic network includes a feeder optical cable. The first optical network unit and the second optical network unit each includes a variable ratio coupler operable to selectively set a split-ratio among a plurality of split-ratios, and a fiber optic transceiver module. The fiber optic network further includes a first drop cable optically coupling the first optical network unit to the feeder optical cable at a first position, and a second drop cable optically coupling the second optical network unit to the feeder optical cable at a second position. A first split-ratio of the first optical network unit is based on the first position and a second split-ratio of the second optical network unit is based on the second position.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system changes visual appearance of visual representations of participants moving within a simulated threshold distance of a user of the computer system. In some embodiments, a computer system arranges representations of users according to templates. In some embodiments, a computer system arranges representations of users based on shared content. In some embodiments, a computer system changes a spatial arrangement of participants in accordance with a quantity of participants that are a first type of participant. In some embodiments, a computer system changes a spatial arrangement of elements of a real-time communication session to join a group of participants. In some embodiments, a computer system facilitates interaction with groups of spatial representations of participants of a communication session. In some embodiments, a computer system facilitates updates of a spatial arrangement of participants based on a spatial distribution of the participants.

Abstract: Peptoids, compositions thereof, and methods of using the peptoids. The peptoid may be an antimicrobial peptoid. In some embodiments, the peptoid may be used to treat or prevent a fungal infection, a biofilm produced from a fungal infection, or a combination thereof, in a vertebrate, such as a human or an animal, or in a plant. In some embodiments, the peptoid may be used to treat or prevent a bacterial infection, or biofilm produced from a bacterial infection, or a combination thereof, in a vertebrate, such as a human or an animal, or in a plant.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a first vertebra and a second vertebra includes implanting a first bone anchor into the first vertebra, implanting a second bone anchor into the second vertebra, connecting a first anchor connection instrument to the first anchor, connecting a second anchor connection instrument the second anchor, positioning a cement delivery tube into a passage provided through the first anchor, delivering bone cement from a bone cement delivery system coupled to the bone cement delivery tube through the passage in the first anchor to the first vertebra, removing the cement delivery tube from the first anchor connection instrument and the first anchor, connecting the cement delivery tube to second anchor connecting instrument connected to the second anchor, delivering bone cement through a passage in the second anchor to the second vertebra, connecting a spinal connection element to the first anchor and the second anchor.