Abstract: A heat and acid resistant probiotics microsphere having a size from 20 to 250 ?m that can readily be incorporated into food or beverages that subsequently undergo thermal treatment. The synbiotic core includes a seed layer formed from at least one polysaccharide. A probiotic microorganism is coated on the seed layer. An acid-resistant shell layer is positioned over the synbiotic core, the acid-resistant shell layer comprising one or more pH-responsive polymers. A heat-resistant bilayer shell is positioned over the acid-resistant shell layer, the heat-resistant bilayer shell including an inner shell layer and an outer shell layer, wherein the inner shell layer includes a heat-resistant liposome layer and the outer layer includes a heat-resistant disaccharide or polysaccharide.

Abstract: A method of creating a virtual boundary for a robotic garden tool includes receiving location coordinates of a location in which the robotic garden tool is intended to be operated. The method also includes retrieving, from a first server and based on the location coordinates, a preexisting visual media file of the location in which the robotic garden tool is intended to be operated. The preexisting visual media file includes metadata that includes coordinate information of the location shown in the preexisting visual media file. The method includes generating virtual boundary coordinates of the virtual boundary based at least partially on the preexisting visual media file and the coordinate information. The method includes controlling, with a first electronic processor of the robotic garden tool, the robotic garden tool to be confined by the virtual boundary to remain in an operating area during operation of the robotic garden tool.

Abstract: A robotic garden tool includes at least one sensor configured to generate signals associated with an object within an operating area. A first electronic processor of the robotic garden tool receives, from the at least one sensor, an obstacle signal associated with an obstacle located within the operating area. The first electronic processor determines a first location of the robotic garden tool at a time corresponding to when the first electronic processor received the obstacle signal. The first electronic processor determines a second location of the obstacle based on the obstacle signal and the first location of the garden tool. The first electronic processor generates mapping information of the operating area that includes a virtual boundary based on the second location of the obstacle. The first electronic processor controls the robotic garden tool in the operating area to remain outside of the virtual boundary based on the mapping information.

Abstract: A wire bonding system has a bonding tool and a wire guide for guiding a bonding wire to a tip of the bonding tool for conducting wire bonding operations. A wire biasing tool is located adjacent to the wire guide, and a rotary actuator is operatively connected to the wire biasing tool by a linkage mechanism. The rotary actuator is operable to move the wire biasing tool along a predetermined travel path to apply a biasing force onto a length of bonding wire extending from the tip of the bonding tool.

Abstract: A breathable, high-visibility garment comprising discrete islands of unsupported, retroreflective laminate.

Abstract: A breathable, high-visibility garment comprising an apertured fabric and a non-occlusive, unsupported, retroreflective laminate that is adhesively bonded to an outer major surface of at least one region of the apertured fabric.

Abstract: A system for performing a coordinated transaction is disclosed, involving a digital asset transaction performed on a blockchain and a payment transaction performed at a payment processing system. The system comprises a blockchain subsystem arranged to interface with the blockchain and to execute a main workflow process including the digital asset transaction and an interface to the payment processing system. A plurality of interface operations are provided which can be invoked by the main workflow process. Each operation is arranged to communicate via the interface with the payment processing system to control execution of a respective stage of the payment processing transaction at the payment processing system; and to maintain on the blockchain minor transaction data tracking a status of the payment processing transaction at the respective stage. The system is further configured to synchronize execution of the digital asset transaction with the payment transaction using the interface operations.

Abstract: A retroreflective article including a reflective-particle-containing binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a primary reflective layer that covers a portion of the embedded surface area of the transparent microsphere, and a secondary reflective layer provided by portions of the reflective-particle-containing binder layer that are adjacent to portions of the embedded surface area of the transparent microsphere that are not covered by the primary reflective layer.

Abstract: A retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements include a first layer that is disposed between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer and a second layer that is disposed between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer. At least one of the first layer and the second layer is a reflective layer; and, the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer differ in reflectivity. For at least some of the retroreflective elements, at least a portion of the second reflective layer is positioned in-parallel to the first reflective layer.

Abstract: The invention herein provides biofabricated materials having zonal properties and methods of making biofabricated materials having zonal properties.

Abstract: A system for detecting inactive objects includes a thermal imaging device arranged to acquire a thermal signature of an active object; movement detection processor arranged to process the thermal signature of the active object to monitor for any motion of the active object and whenupon the thermal signature indicates that the motion of the active object is below a movement threshold, determine that the active object is inactive.

Abstract: A method of transmitting power wirelessly from at least two transmitter loops to at least one power receiver. The method comprises separately supplying a respective alternating current to each one of the transmitter loops thereby to transmit wireless power for receipt by the at least one power receiver. Also provided is a method of receiving power wirelessly. Associated apparatuses and an associated system are also provided.

Abstract: A retroreflective article including a reflective-particle-containing binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a primary reflective layer that covers a portion of the embedded surface area of the transparent microsphere, and a secondary reflective layer provided by portions of the reflective-particle-containing binder layer that are adjacent to portions of the embedded surface area of the transparent microsphere that are not covered by the primary reflective layer.

Abstract: A system includes a pair of wellbore tubulars coupled together via a casing collar. A hold down collar is arranged circumferentially about the casing collar. An actuating piston of the system includes an actuating body, the actuating piston being axially movable along the wellbore axis between an activated position and a deactivated position. Slip elements are arranged downstream of the actuating piston, the slip elements receiving the actuating body in a space formed between the slip elements, wherein the actuating body drives the respective slip elements in opposite radial directions when in the activated position to secure the wellbore tubulars within the wellbore.

Abstract: A system for detecting inactive objects includes a thermal imaging device arranged to acquire a thermal signature of an active object; movement detection processor arranged to process the thermal signature of the active object to monitor for any motion of the active object and whenupon the thermal signature indicates that the motion of the active object is below a movement threshold, determine that the active object is inactive.

Abstract: A method for introducing player skill-dependent play through a gaming machine for a wagering game includes receiving a skill level input specifying a first skill level from a set of skill levels, and placing the gaming machine in a first state in response to that skill level input. Each respective skill level in the set of skill levels is correlated to a different respective numerical proportion between a player skill-dependent component and a random component of a portion of the wagering game. After placing the gaming machine in the first state, the method includes providing a number of result opportunities through the gaming machine and providing a respective result for each result opportunity. At least a portion of these results are selected at random according to the first value of the numerical proportion between the player skill-dependent component and the random component.

Abstract: A method of transmitting power wirelessly from at least two transmitter loops to at least one power receiver. The method comprises separately supplying a respective alternating current to each one of the transmitter loops thereby to transmit wireless power for receipt by the at least one power receiver. Also provided is a method of receiving power wirelessly. Associated apparatuses and an associated system are also provided.

Abstract: Illumination devices with adjustable optical elements configured to provide a variable illumination pattern of an area are described. The adjustable optical elements of the illumination devices can be traversed relative to a surface (e.g., a ceiling of a room) to vary the light distribution and/or intensity to the surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing and determining prognosis of colorectal cancer in a subject by detecting suppressed expression of the VSTM2A gene, which in some cases is due to elevated methylation level in the genomic sequence of this gene. A kit and device useful for such a method are also provided. In addition, the present invention provides a method for treating colorectal cancer by increasing VSTM2A gene expression or activity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system including a pair of wellbore tubulars coupled together via a casing collar. The system also includes a hold down collar arranged circumferentially about the casing collar. The system includes an actuating piston including an actuating body, the actuating piston being axially movable along the wellbore axis between an activated position and a deactivated position. The system includes slip elements arranged downstream of the actuating piston, the slip elements receiving the actuating body in a space formed between the slip elements, wherein the actuating body drives the respective slip elements in opposite radial directions when in the activated position to secure the wellbore tubulars within the wellbore.