Abstract: An expandable introducer includes a hub and a tubular sheath (121) coupled thereto. The tubular sheath (121) defines a central lumen (103). A circumference of the tubular sheath includes a full thickness region (162) having a first wall thickness (T2) and a reduced thickness region (161) having a second wall thickness (T1) smaller than the first wall thickness (T2). The reduced thickness region (162) is configured to be folded such that the tubular sheath includes an unexpanded, folded state and is configured to expand to an expanded, unfolded state in response to a device passing though the central lumen (103). A first outer diameter of the tubular sheath in the unexpanded, folded state is smaller than a second outer diameter of the tubular sheath in the expanded, unfolded state.

Abstract: Droplet interfaces are formed between droplets in an electro-wetting device comprising an array of actuation electrodes. Actuation signals are applied to selected actuation electrodes to place the droplets into an energised state in which the shape of the droplets is modified compared to a shape of the droplets in a lower energy state and to bring the two droplets into proximity. The actuation signals are then changed to lower the energy of the droplets into the lower energy state so that the droplets relax into the gap and the two droplets contact each other thereby forming a droplet interface. The use of sensing electrodes in the device permit electrical current measurements across the droplet interface. The sensing electrodes can be used for either (i) applying a reference signal during droplet actuation or (ii) recording electrical current measurements.

Abstract: A method of constructing a capacitor can include forming a sintered electrode by sintering electrode material onto a portion of a first side of a substrate; and excising the sintered portion from the substrate by cutting through the substrate around a periphery of the sintered portion, without cutting the sintered portion, wherein excising includes using a femtosecond laser to cut through the substrate.

Abstract: A synthetic turf includes a plurality of synthetic turf fibers knitted together to form a knitted backing layer of the synthetic turf, and a water permeable polyurethane coat formed on the knitted backing layer

Abstract: Various fixation techniques for implantable medical device (IMDs) are described. In one example, an assembly comprises an IMD; and a set of active fixation tines attached to the IMD. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the IMD to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the IMD. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the IMD to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Abstract: Various fixation techniques for implantable medical device (IMDs) are described. In one example, an assembly comprises an IMD; and a set of active fixation tines attached to the IMD. The active fixation tines in the set are deployable from a spring-loaded position in which distal ends of the active fixation tines point away from the IMD to a hooked position in which the active fixation tines bend back towards the IMD. The active fixation tines are configured to secure the IMD to a patient tissue when deployed while the distal ends of the active fixation tines are positioned adjacent to the patient tissue.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include package substrates with a glass core. In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a core with a first width, and the core comprises a glass layer. In an embodiment, a via is provided through a thickness of the core, where the via is electrically conductive. In an embodiment, a first layer is provided over the core, where the first layer comprises a second width that is smaller than the first width. In an embodiment, a second layer is provided under the core, where the second layer comprises a third width that is smaller than the first width.

Abstract: Use of an unmodified specialty corn starch obtained from a corn endosperm having three copies of the recessive waxy gene (wx) and two copies of the recessive amylose extender gene (ae). The starch is useful in food compositions. The composition comprises an unmodified aewx corn starch in an amount about 0.1% (wt. % of the composition); an aqueous component; and a third ingredient wherein optionally, the third ingredient is selected from the group consisting of a protein, a second starch, a hydrocolloid and mixtures thereof. In at least some compositions the unmodified starch is used to form a thermally reversible gels.

Abstract: A breathing system includes a breathing mask including a coupler and a module coupled to the coupler of the breathing mask and configured to provide heated gas to the breathing mask. The module includes: a housing including an outer surface with at least one intake slot formed therein and an output port that is coupled to the coupler of the breathing mask, the housing defining an enclosed space therein and the output port defining a port cross-section; a fan disposed in the enclosed space and configured to blow gas towards the output port; and a heater disposed in the enclosed space between the fan and the inner housing, the heater including at least one heating element configured to heat blown gas from the fan towards the output port. The at least one intake slot, fan, and heater all overlap with the port cross-section.

Abstract: A mounting bracket assembly for a vehicle, including: a mounting surface adapted to receive a fairlead device for a winch assembly of the vehicle; and a frame structure coupled to the mounting surface and adapted to be secured to a bumper structure of the vehicle; wherein the frame structure and the mounting surface are adapted to be collapsed or crushed towards the bumper structure when a sufficient force is applied to the fairlead device by a hook of the winch assembly when the hook is impacted during an impact event. The fairlead device and the hook are deflected into an opening formed in a front member of a bumper assembly with the hook being at least flush with an exterior surface of the front member of the bumper assembly.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including medium-encoded computer program products, for collaboration and view sharing between users when performing editing operations over a shared document. A first portion of a shared document is displayed to a first user in a user interface of a first instance of a collaboration application of a first user. The displayed first portion comprises a first location of the first user within the shared document. In the user interface, an indication specifying a relative locational direction from the first location towards a second location of a second user within the shared document is provided. A second portion of the shared document is being displayed to the second user through a second instance of the collaboration application during a conference call between a set of users, where the displayed second portion includes the second location of the second user within the shared document.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for detecting a wearing status of a wearable device, the wearing status indicating whether a user is wearing the wearable device and sending wearing status data to a companion communication device to control a behavior of the companion communication device.

Abstract: A synthetic turf (300) includes a plurality of synthetic turf fibers (102) knitted together to form a knitted backing layer (104) of the synthetic turf, and a water permeable polyurethane coat (114) formed on the knitted backing layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first CPU and second CPU cores, a L1 cache subsystem coupled to the first CPU core and comprising a L1 controller, and a L2 cache subsystem coupled to the L1 cache subsystem and to the second CPU core. The L2 cache subsystem includes a L2 memory and a L2 controller configured to operate in an aliased mode in response to a value in a memory map control register being asserted. In the aliased mode, the L2 controller receives a first request from the first CPU core directed to a virtual address in the L2 memory, receives a second request from the second CPU core directed to the virtual address in the L2 memory, directs the first request to a physical address A in the L2 memory, and directs the second request to a physical address B in the L2 memory.

Abstract: A distributed system of scanning nodes is provided job portions to collectively scan network systems numbering in the tens of thousands and beyond million across the Internet. A scanning controller creates the job portions to fulfill a scanning request. The scanning controller creates the job portions based on availability of scanning nodes and a size of the scanning request (i.e., number of network addresses indicated by the request). The scanning controller creates each job portion with scanning instructions for an available scanning node to execute on a selected set of the network addresses indicated in the request, with each job portion having a different set of addresses to scan and being independently executable.

Abstract: One variation of a method for producing a target compound includes: during an initial period, genetically modifying a population of insects to produce a target compound; during a growth period succeeding the initial period, cultivating the population of insects; during a treatment period succeeding the growth period, applying a dosage of a stressor to the population of insects, the stressor configured to trigger production of the target compound; in response to a proportion of the target compound within the population of insects exceeding a threshold proportion, harvesting the population of insects; homogenizing the population of insects to form a blend comprising the proportion of the target compound and a second proportion of a set of secondary components; and separating the proportion of the target compound from the second proportion of the set of secondary components for extraction of the proportion of the target compound from the blend.

Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing with an RF/microwave subsystem is provided. The apparatus includes a printed circuit board that includes: a controller, and a connector constructed to provide control signals and power signals to a subsystem in accordance with instructions from the controller, and a mechanical interface constructed to provide a mechanical connection between the subsystem and the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The disclosure provides CRISPR RNAs and methods of treating viral infections.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable medium for performing a scalar agile parameter estimation for continuous-valued univariate parameters to estimate and track a likelihood of a measurement where a parameter distribution domain of an emitter is unknown, comprising: receiving a signal from an emitter source; measuring a feature of said signal; calculating a likelihood of said feature by a feature likelihood tracking model; adding a new parameter source model by creating a node, based on said feature likelihood; establishing a likelihood of a measurement using a measurement likelihood tracking model; starting a new feature track, based on said measurement likelihood; and assigning said feature to a track.