Abstract: Filler frames for mounting on exterior or interior surfaces of metal building siding panels, and also configurable for mounting around cut-out openings in siding panels. Filler frames include one or more connected frame panels having a substantially flat top portion, and a bottom portion having a bottom surface that is shaped to nest on and mate with a correspondingly shaped portion of a repeating ridge pattern of the respective building side panel on which each of the frame panels is configured to be mounted upon, thus leaving no gaps between the filler frame and the building siding panels. Frame panels of filler frames may alternatively have one or more foam portions attached to a bottom surface providing for an effective seal. One or more gaps are formed in such foam portions to facilitate the use of fasteners for mounting of the filler frame to a building siding panel.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the selection of nucleic acid processing and other enzymes, and more specifically for the selection of DNA polymerases and other enzymes with desired properties employing the directed evolution of enzymes by plasmid tagging in droplets.

Abstract: Aspects of this technical solution can include receiving an order for food, the order including order data, identifying ingredient data and item data from the order data, displaying at least one of a portion of the ingredient data or a portion of the item data on one or more stations configured for preparing the order, where the portion of the ingredient data and the portion of the item data displayed on each of the one or more stations is based on a task to be performed at a respective one of the one or more stations, monitoring the task at each the one or more stations as the task is performed for compliance with the portion of the ingredient data and the portion of the order data displayed at the respective one of the one or more stations, and executing an action based on the monitoring.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to processes for forming or otherwise creating a transparent, conductive film from a heavy hydrocarbon material. It allows for what is often considered to be waste material to be transformed into a useful product, such as a heating element. Such heating elements can be incorporated into many contexts where it can be important to have transparency and/or a thin heating element, such as in windshields. The process involves dissolving a heavy hydrocarbon material in a solvent, casting the heavy hydrocarbon solution that results from the dissolving onto a substrate to form a film, and then annealing the film. The disclosure also provides for objects in which such resulting films can be used, such as Joule heaters.

Abstract: Recombinant DPO4-type DNA polymerase variants with amino acid substitutions that confer modified properties upon the polymerase for improved single molecule sequencing applications are provided. Such properties may include enhanced binding and incorporation of bulky nucleotide analog substrates into daughter strands and the like. Also provided are compositions comprising such DPO4 variants and nucleotide analogs, as well as nucleic acids which encode the polymerases with the aforementioned phenotypes.

Abstract: A method for operating an analysis device for carrying out an analysis process, more particularly by using a polymerase chain reaction, includes providing a cartridge having a microfluidic channel-and-chamber structure. At least one film bag containing a process liquid is disposed in a stick-pack chamber of the cartridge. In an opening step the stick-pack chamber or stick-pack chambers are heated to a temperature of 80 to 130 degrees Celsius, and in the opening step the cartridge rotates at a rotational speed of 20 to 80 Hz. A cartridge and an analyzer are also provided.

Abstract: Filler frames for mounting on exterior or interior surfaces of metal building siding panels, and also configurable for mounting around cut-out openings in siding panels. Filler frames include one or more connected frame panels having a substantially flat top portion, and a bottom portion having a bottom surface that is shaped to nest on and mate with a correspondingly shaped portion of a repeating ridge pattern of the respective building side panel on which each of the frame panels is configured to be mounted upon, thus leaving no gaps between the filler frame and the building siding panels. Frame panels of filler frames may alternatively have one or more foam portions attached to a bottom surface providing for an effective seal. One or more gaps are formed in such foam portions to facilitate the use of fasteners for mounting of the filler frame to a building siding panel.

Abstract: A catheter device for transporting an implant to a target location in a body lumen and also for releasing the implant at the target location. The device includes an outer shaft configured to transport the implant to the target location, and an implant capsule configured to receive the implant. The implant capsule has a tubular capsule core, which surrounds the implant prior to the release. The capsule core, at a proximal end of the capsule core, has a plurality of tabs for fixing the capsule core to the outer shaft, which tabs protrude from a tubular portion of the capsule core along an axial direction of the capsule core.

Abstract: A fluidic module for switching liquid from a liquid retaining area into which liquid can be introduced into downstream fluidic structures includes at least two fluid paths fluidically connecting the liquid retaining area to the downstream fluidic structures. One of the two fluid paths includes a siphon channel. The downstream fluidic structures are not vented or only vented via a vent delay resistor, such that when the liquid is introduced into the liquid retaining area, an enclosed gas volume results in the downstream fluidic structures. By adjusting the ratio of a centrifugal pressure effected by a rotation of the fluidic module and a pneumatic pressure prevailing in the gas volume, the liquid can be retained in the liquid retaining area or can be transferred into the downstream fluidic structures via the siphon channel wherein venting takes place via the other one of the fluid paths.

Abstract: A fluid handling device has fluidic structures having inlet and outlet chambers and a connecting duct fluidically connecting the two. In a first state, the inlet chamber is completely or partly filled with at least a liquid and partly filled with a compressible medium, and the outlet chamber is at least partly filled with the compressible medium. One of the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber has such a venting duct that a flow resistance/volume product of venting of the chamber for the compressible medium amounts to at least 6700 N·s/m2, the other of the inlet chamber and of the outlet chamber being vented. An actuator for actuating the fluidic structures is to cause a pressure difference of at least 30 Pa between the compressible media within the inlet and outlet chambers, so as to thereby switch a valve device implemented into the connecting duct.

Abstract: A catheter device for transporting an implant to a target location in a body lumen and also for releasing the implant at the target location. The device includes an outer shaft configured to transport the implant to the target location, and an implant capsule configured to receive the implant. The implant capsule has a tubular capsule core, which surrounds the implant prior to the release. The capsule core, at a proximal end of the capsule core, has a plurality of tabs for fixing the capsule core to the outer shaft, which tabs protrude from a tubular portion of the capsule core along an axial direction of the capsule core.

Abstract: This invention is an envelope-structure interface, enabling the use of exterior insulation and pressure-equalized cladding with a post-frame structure. The present invention includes the following interface details: a continuous roof-to-wall water, vapor, and air impermeable weather barrier that is fully adhered to sheathing exterior of framing, girts, and purlins; continuous roof-to-wall insulation exterior of weather barrier that is mechanically fastened back to the post-frame structure; and removal of the requirement for an interior finish material in a conditioned post-frame building. The invention brings superior envelope performance to the structural and material efficiency, rapid rate of construction, and affordability of post-frame techniques.

Abstract: A delivery catheter includes an inner shaft having an atraumatic distal catheter tip. The inner shaft is configured to carry the implant thereon. The catheter tip includes a region that is fixed to the inner shaft and a region that is deformable and not fixed to the inner shaft. An outer shaft surrounds the inner shaft and is displaceable relative thereto. An implant capsule at a distal end of the outer shaft is configured to encase the implant and to release the implant at the target site via relative displacement of the inner and outer shafts. A plunger is axially displaceable with respect to the catheter tip in response to movement of the outer shaft to apply axial compressive force to the catheter tip and deform the region that is deformable and expand that region radially.

Abstract: A fluidic module for switching liquid from a liquid retaining area into which liquid can be introduced into downstream fluidic structures includes at least two fluid paths fluidically connecting the liquid retaining area to the downstream fluidic structures. One of the two fluid paths includes a siphon channel. The downstream fluidic structures are not vented or only vented via a vent delay resistor, such that when the liquid is introduced into the liquid retaining area, an enclosed gas volume results in the downstream fluidic structures. By adjusting the ratio of a centrifugal pressure effected by a rotation of the fluidic module and a pneumatic pressure prevailing in the gas volume, the liquid can be retained in the liquid retaining area or can be transferred into the downstream fluidic structures via the siphon channel wherein venting takes place via the other one of the fluid paths.

Abstract: Methods and microorganisms for systemically introducing a polypeptide in the bloodstream of a subject. The methods of the invention include administering into the gastrointestinal tract of a subject a bacterium configured to express and produce and release the polypeptide. The bacterium is administered in an amount effective to introduce the polypeptide in the bloodstream of the subject, preferably in a detectable amount. The microorganisms of the invention include lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus reuteri, that comprise a recombinant gene configured to express a polypeptide to be systemically introduced.

Abstract: A delivery catheter for implanting a self-expanding implant such as a cardiovascular implant. An outer catheter shaft is formed as an implant capsule for encasing the implant during delivery. A flexible distal support element having a substantially truncated cone-shaped portion, which tapers in the proximal direction, is attached, directly proximally of the implant, in a fixed position to a first, inner catheter shaft, and/or a flexible proximal support element having a substantially truncated cone-shaped portion, which tapers in the proximal direction, is inserted at the proximal end of the implant capsule into the second, outer catheter shaft in a fixed position.

Abstract: Methods of processing an air-quenchable aluminum alloy component are provided. The method may include solution heat treating the component, air-quenching the component, and artificially aging the component to a yield strength of at least 200 MPa. The air-quenching may include cooling at a rate of 6° C./s to 25° C./s. The solution heat treatment may include heat treating the component at a temperature of 520° C. to 540° C. and the artificial aging step may include heat treating the component at 235° C. to 255° C. for 0.5 to 2 hours. The disclosed methods may produce a high strength (e.g., over 200 MPa) and high bendability (e.g., r/t ratio up to 0.3) component that does not significantly distort during the quenching process. The disclosed methods may be used to produce structural components having complex shapes, such as multiple, non-coplanar mating surface, while staying within predetermined tolerances.

Abstract: Methods and microorganisms for systemically introducing a polypeptide in the bloodstream of a subject. The methods of the invention include administering into the gastrointestinal tract of a subject a bacterium configured to express and produce and release the polypeptide. The bacterium is administered in an amount effective to introduce the polypeptide in the bloodstream of the subject, preferably in a detectable amount. The microorganisms of the invention include lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus reuteri, that comprise a recombinant gene configured to express a polypeptide to be systemically introduced.