Abstract: A ladder system includes a ladder, a tray, and a mode-independent attachment unit. The ladder is changeable between a step-ladder mode and a straight-ladder mode. The tray is configured to be attached to any step included in the ladder. The mode-independent attachment unit detachably couples the tray to any step.

Abstract: Examples include a cargo container for carrying items in an aircraft. The cargo container includes a first sidewall including a first length and a second sidewall including a second length extending transversely from the first sidewall. The first length is greater than the second length. The cargo container further includes a base sidewall extending from the first sidewall and the second sidewall, where the base sidewall is configured to support the cargo container on a cargo support surface of the aircraft. The cargo container further includes a lid configured to couple to the first sidewall, the second sidewall, or the base sidewall to at least partially cover a cavity formed by the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the base sidewall.

Abstract: The present invention provides nonionic cleavable surfactants (NCS), specifically n-Decyl-disulfide-?-D-maltoside (DSSM), suitable for MS-based proteomics and analysis. These surfactants are designed to mimic the properties of a commonly used surfactant in structural biology, n-dodecyl-?-d-maltoside (DDM), but contain a disulfide bond that allows for facile cleavage and surfactant removal before analysis. DSSM and other NCS are compatible with native mass spectrometry, top-down and bottom-up proteomics, ESI-MS and other analytical techniques, and reduce signal suppression typically observed with other surfactants. DSSM and other NCS provide versatile surfactants that can facilitate protein sample preparation under non-denaturing conditions for a myriad of proteomic and structural biology applications and act as a general replacement for DDM.

Abstract: A method of tuning an electrically small antenna comprising a radiating element and a support structure comprises applying a force to the support structure to change a shape or a dimension of the radiating element to increase or decrease a frequency at which the electrically small antenna resonates.

Abstract: A lumber cutting and delivery system for use in assembling trusses on a truss table includes a saw for cutting a piece of material into pieces of a truss. A trunk conveyor system receives the pieces cut from the saw. The trunk conveyor system has a first conveying element to transport the pieces over a distance in a travel direction and an ejector for discharging the pieces from the first conveying element in a first discharge direction. A branch conveyor system is configured to receive the pieces discharged from the trunk conveyor system in the first discharge direction. The branch conveyor system has a main conveying element to transport the pieces.

Abstract: A system for enhanced conveying of flexible packages includes a packaging system, an inflation system, and a conveying system. The packaging system is configured to place an object in a flexible package. The inflation system is configured to insert a gas into the flexible package. The packaging system is further configured to seal an edge of the flexible package in an inflated state with the object and the inserted gas inside the flexible package. The conveying system is configured to convey the flexible package while the flexible package is substantially in the inflated state. The flexible package is configured to permit gas to escape the flexible package at a controlled flow rate such that the flexible package remains substantially in the inflated state while being conveyed by the conveying system and the flexible package transitions to being substantially in a deflated state after being conveyed by the conveying system.

Abstract: A lumber cutting and delivery system for use in assembling trusses on a truss table includes a saw configured to receive a piece of material therein. The saw is configured to cut the piece of material into one or more pieces and at different lengths and angles so that at least some of the one or more pieces are the components of at least one truss. A trunk conveyor system is positioned to receive the one or more pieces cut from the saw. The trunk conveyor system has a first conveying element to transport the one or more pieces over a distance in a travel direction and an ejector configured to discharge the one or more pieces from the first conveying element in a first discharge direction. A branch conveyor system is configured to receive the one or more pieces discharged from the trunk conveyor system in the first discharge direction. The branch conveyor system has a main conveying element to transport the one or more pieces.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for implanting an intraocular lens into an eye are described. For example, an intraocular lens injector may include a passage formed in a distal end portion of the intraocular lens injector. The passage may define an interior surface, and a ramp may be formed on the interior surface so as to cause a leading haptic of an intraocular lens (IOL) being advanced through the passage to lift above a surface of an optic of the IOL to ensure proper folding of the IOL.

Abstract: The present invention provides photo-cleavable anionic surfactants, particularly 4-hexylphenylazosulfonate (Azo) and sodium 4-hexylphenylazosulfonate derivatives, which can be rapidly degraded upon UV irradiation, for top-down and bottom-up proteomics. These surfactants can effectively solubilize proteins and peptide fragments with performance comparable to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and are compatible with mass spectrometry analysis of the solubilized proteins and peptide fragments. Top-down proteomic studies using the present photo-cleavable anionic surfactants has allowed the detection of 100-fold more unique proteoforms as compared to controls and has enabled the solubilization of membrane proteins for comprehensive characterization of protein post-translational modifications.

Abstract: Exosomes are a small type of extracellular vesicles containing nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins that are implicated in tumorigenesis, metastasis, and cardiac regeneration, and therefore serve as potentially useful biomarkers from fluids or as vehicles for drug delivery. Global bottom-up mass spectrometry-based proteomics has been previously used to profile exosome cargo for diagnostic purposes. However, the current protocols for MS analysis of extracellular vesicles and exosome proteomics are challenging due to labor-intensive sample preparation, including lengthy digestion times and removal of MS incompatible reagents, and the need for high sensitivity. To address these challenges, the present invention provides a novel, high-throughput strategy for extracellular vesicle analysis and exosome proteomics using a photo-cleavable, anionic surfactant, preferably 4-hexylphenylazosulfonate (Azo).

Abstract: The disclosure provides an automated container resizing apparatus and system, an automated method of resizing a container, and a cutting tool that can be used for the resizing. In one example, the system includes the cutting tool, a controller, a conveyor, and a moveable support that can be a robotic arm. The controller can operate the conveyor to position a container in a cutting zone. The dimensions of the box and product fill height within the container are obtained and translated by the controller into a programmed cutting pattern. The controller then operates the robotic arm to perform the programmed cutting pattern on the box with the cutting tool. The cutting tool can be mounted on the robotic arm that rotates about its axis to cut side walls of the container for resizing.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided, comprising: a volatile memory; a non-volatile memory; a first electronic circuit that is configured to operate as a wireless access point, the first electronic circuit including a wireless controller for accessing a wireless network; and a second electronic circuit that is operatively coupled to the first electronic circuit, the second electronic circuit including at least one processor configured to execute: (i) a first virtual machine that includes a wireless network authentication server, and (ii) a second virtual machine that includes a virtual private network (VPN) server, wherein the wireless network authentication server is configured to authenticate devices that attempt to join the wireless network; wherein the VPN server is arranged to encrypt data that is received at the apparatus to produce encrypted data, and forward the encrypted data to the wireless controller for transmission over the wireless network.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for implanting an intraocular lens into an eye are described. For example, an intraocular lens injector may include a passage formed in a distal end portion of the intraocular lens injector. The passage may define an interior surface, and a ramp may be formed on the interior surface so as to cause a leading haptic of an intraocular lens (IOL) being advanced through the passage to lift above a surface of an optic of the IOL to ensure proper folding of the IOL.

Abstract: The present invention provides photo-cleavable anionic surfactants, particularly 4-hexylphenylazosulfonate (Azo) and sodium 4-hexylphenylazosulfonate derivatives, which can be rapidly degraded upon UV irradiation, for top-down and bottom-up proteomics. These surfactants can effectively solubilize proteins and peptide fragments with performance comparable to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and are compatible with mass spectrometry analysis of the solubilized proteins and peptide fragments. Top-down proteomic studies using the present photo-cleavable anionic surfactants has allowed the detection of 100-fold more unique proteoforms as compared to controls and has enabled the solubilization of membrane proteins for comprehensive characterization of protein post-translational modifications.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be used to generate and use intent predictions to enhance user experience. The intent predictions may describe the data required to resolve a user request included in a user input (e.g., question, search query, and the like) submitted by a user. The intent predictions may be generated using a machine learning model that comprises a model framework for extracting features and classifying user inputs into intent classes based on the extracted features. The intent predictions may be integrated into an information service to improve business metrics including contact rate, transfer rate, helpful rate, and net total promoter score.

Abstract: A fluid cleaning device includes a spheroid-shaped member defining an internal void. The spheroid-shaped member further includes a wall defining a plurality of apertures and at least partially surrounding the internal void and an inlet orifice that receives a cleaning fluid under pressure. A tubular nozzle projects from the inlet orifice and into the internal void to mitigate fluctuation of one of the internal pressure and flow velocity of the cleaning fluid within the spheroid-shaped member.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided, comprising: a volatile memory; a non-volatile memory; a first electronic circuit that is configured to operate as a wireless access point, the first electronic circuit including a wireless controller for accessing a wireless network; and a second electronic circuit that is operatively coupled to the first electronic circuit, the second electronic circuit including at least one processor configured to execute: (i) a first virtual machine that includes a wireless network authentication server, and (ii) a second virtual machine that includes a virtual private network (VPN) server, wherein the wireless network authentication server is configured to authenticate devices that attempt to join the wireless network; wherein the VPN server is arranged to encrypt data that is received at the apparatus to produce encrypted data, and forward the encrypted data to the wireless controller for transmission over the wireless network.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for implanting an intraocular lens into an eye are described. For example, an intraocular lens injector may include a plunger and an injector body that includes an insertion depth guard and a nozzle extending therefrom. The insertion depth guard is disposed at a distal end of the injector body to limit a distance that the nozzle penetrates the eye. The intraocular lens injector may also include a biasing element configured to generate a counterforce to distal movement of the plunger through the injector rod. An example intraocular lens injector may include a biasing element to produce a counterforce that opposes advancement of the plunger through the injector body. The counterforce provides for a more continuous advancement of the plunger while reducing or substantially eliminating abrupt changes in the rate at which the plunger is advanced through the injector body.