Abstract: A new method is disclosed for extracting plasma from whose blood and metering the amount of plasma to an exact volume for dispensing into a diagnostic test, in a fully automatic and self-contained device. The device can be used in resource limited settings by unskilled users to facilitate sophisticated medical diagnostic testing outside of a hospital, clinic or laboratory.

Abstract: Grounding a component, such as a thermal management system, of a battery pack via a coolant is provided. An apparatus can include a body forming a channel to convey coolant within a battery pack. The apparatus can include a conductor electrically coupled to a ground. The conductor can include a lead into the channel to ground the coolant.

Abstract: A flow cytometer of a blood analyzer including a transverse-electric (TE) laser diode, a flow cell, a quarter wave plate (QWP), a plurality of lenses, and a side scatter detector. The TE laser diode is configured to output a laser beam along an optical axis and has a fast axis full width at half maximum (FWHM) divergence of from about 16 degrees to about 25 degrees. The QWP is disposed along the optical axis between the TE laser diode and the flow cell and configured to circularly polarize the laser beam. The plurality of lenses is disposed between the TE laser diode and the flow cell and configured to focus the laser beam at the flow cell.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatuses are provided for stabilizing, organizing, and supporting medical components for various medical procedures (e.g., such as surgical accessories such as medical drapery, medical instruments, cords, surgical tubes, etc.). An apparatus may include a platform and a channel component comprising a plurality of channels and channel locks. According to some embodiments, a sterile channel component may secure medical drapery between the channel component and the platform. Sterilized tools, cords, tubes, and other medical equipment may then be secured by the channel component providing an organized, secured, and sterilized surgical environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a control body adapted for use in an electronic smoking article. The control body includes a shell and a coupler that is adapted to connect the control body to a cartridge of an electronic smoking article. The coupler further is adapted to communicate a pressure reduction within the coupler to a pressure reduction space in the shell. Also positioned within the shell is an electronic circuit board having a pressure sensor attached thereto. The electronic circuit board can be positioned to be parallel to a central axis of the shell. A first end of the pressure sensor can be isolated within the pressure reduction space, and a second end of the pressure sensor can be in communication with a normal pressure space within the shell. One or more light emitting diodes can be attached to the electronic circuit board. At least a portion of the coupler can be light transmissive so that light from the LED is visible through the coupler.

Abstract: Smoking articles, and methods for forming such smoking articles, such as an electronic smoking article, are provided. An exemplary smoking article comprises a control body portion having a control body engagement end, and having a first control component therein. A cartridge body portion includes a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further includes a consumable arrangement comprising at least an aerosol precursor composition and at least one heating element operably engaged therewith, and a second control component. At least the consumable arrangement is configured to be in communication with the first control component upon engagement between the cartridge body and control body portions.

Abstract: The technology relates in part to methods and systems for the identification of disease-associated transcript isoforms and peptides. In certain aspects, the technology relates to methods and systems for the identification of transcript isoforms and peptides preferentially expressed in tumor cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a secondary airfoil apparatus, system and method for improving lift, takeoff, landing and aerodynamic performance of a floatplane. The secondary airfoil is itself of sufficient structural rigidity to withstand any and all forces added by the airfoil during floatplane operation, and is fixedly attached between the floats of the floatplane. The secondary airfoil can be arranged at an optimal angle of incidence and vertical lift position relative to the primary airfoil, or wing of the aircraft, and relative to the floats center of gravity and drag for optimal maneuverability of the floatplane.

Abstract: Methods, devices and components are disclosed for transferring a sample, for example, for transferring purified biological samples and dispensing the purified sample into or onto rapid in-vitro diagnostic tests. The disclosed methods, devices and components can advantageously simplify the user interaction with the purification and dispensing device, ultimately leading to more accurate and repeatable results of the diagnostic test which, in turn, can lead to increased value and greater utilization of the test.

Abstract: A fitting attachable to a cross-laminated panel provides a chase, plumbing space, airflow duct, or wiring route on an edge of the cross-laminated panel. The fitting may run between edges of multiple cross-laminated panels that contain integral hollow members, forming a customizable network of contiguous coplanar routing paths, accessible without installing pipes and wires behind, or in front of the cross-laminated panels. The fitting may also provide a vertical chase for single or multiple cross-laminated panels. The fitting takes advantage of one or more hollow members in the cross-laminated panels to provide contiguous routing paths for wires, pipes, and venting within the cross-laminated panels themselves, extending across any layout of multiple cross-laminated panels. The fitting may additionally serve as mechanical support for attachment of adjacent panels. Further, the fitting may provide structural connection for the CLT panels as required to meet structural code requirements for the building.

Abstract: Bridge systems and methods for constructing bridges having overhang surfaces employing generally rectangular, precast, prestressed concrete panels. One method includes delivering a plurality of generally rectangular, precast, prestressed concrete panels to an installation site, and delivering one or more support beams to the installation site, each support beam having a support and a base. The concrete panels are positioned on the supports of the one or more support beams with an overhang panel section and a traffic panel section. The concrete panels are then connected to the support beams by positioning steel reinforcement in block outs or voids, pouring unsolidified concrete into the voids, and curing the unsolidified concrete to form an overhang traffic surface. Bridges constructed employing the precast, prestressed concrete panels and methods. Other bridge systems employ prestressed concrete L-walls and double-T members, where weight-bearing L-walls have pockets for webs of the double-T members.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device comprising a control device that is connectable with a cartridge and that can include one or more additional elements for improving one or both of visible indications of use to a user and resistance to infiltration of liquid into the control device. More particularly, the control device may include a light guide configured for transmitting to a window from a light source that is off-set from the window and a controller configured to direct a varying level of light from the light source. The control device may include one or more elements that are configured to limit infiltration of liquids into the control device and thus may be consider to be water-resistant or water-proof.

Abstract: Bridge systems and methods for constructing bridges having overhang surfaces employing generally rectangular, precast, prestressed concrete panels. One method includes delivering a plurality of generally rectangular, precast, prestressed concrete panels to an installation site, and delivering one or more support beams to the installation site, each support beam having a support and a base. The concrete panels are positioned on the supports of the one or more support beams with an overhang panel section and a traffic panel section. The concrete panels are then connected to the support beams by positioning steel reinforcement in block outs or voids, pouring unsolidified concrete into the voids, and curing the unsolidified concrete to form an overhang traffic surface. Bridges constructed employing the precast, prestressed concrete panels and methods. Other bridge systems employ prestressed concrete L-walls and double-T members, where weight-bearing L-walls have pockets for webs of the double-T members.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus for receiving golf balls include an apparatus including: a body having an ingress and an egress for golf balls passing through the body, wherein each of the golf balls includes a radio frequency identification tag; at least one antenna of a radio frequency identification reader, the at least one antenna arranged with respect to the body to receive information from the golf balls for identification of the golf balls; and multiple protrusions located within the body, the multiple protrusions being positioned with respect to each other in a Galton configuration that both (i) impedes the golf balls from passing through the body without being read by the radio frequency identification reader, and (ii) allows the golf balls to pass through the body without jamming therein.

Abstract: Embodiments allow for an auto-mixer to gate microphones on and off based on speech detection, without losing or discarding the speech received during the speech recognition period. An example method includes receiving and storing an input audio signal. The method also includes determining, based on a first segment of the input audio signal, that the input audio signal comprises speech, and determining a delay between the input audio signal and a corresponding output audio signal provided to a speaker. The method also includes reducing the delay, wherein reducing the delay comprises removing one or more segments of the stored input audio signal to create a time-compressed audio signal and providing the time-compressed audio signal as the corresponding output audio signal. The method also includes determining that the delay is less than a threshold duration, and responsively providing the input audio signal as the corresponding output audio signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an aerosol delivery device comprising a control device that is connectable with a cartridge and that can include one or more additional elements for improving one or both of visible indications of use to a user and resistance to infiltration of liquid into the control device. More particularly, the control device may include a light guide configured for transmitting to a window from a light source that is off-set from the window and a controller configured to direct a varying level of light from the light source. The control device may include one or more elements that are configured to limit infiltration of liquids into the control device and thus may be consider to be water-resistant or water-proof.

Abstract: Hybrid audio beamforming systems and methods with narrower beams and improved directivity are provided. The hybrid audio beamforming system includes a time domain beamformer for processing upper frequency band signals of an audio signal using a time domain beamforming technique, and a frequency domain beamformer for processing groups of lower frequency band signals of the audio signal using frequency domain beamforming techniques.

Abstract: The present positioning alert system includes components for monitoring altitude, vertical speed, descending/ascending angles and rates, and gear positioning status and providing visual and aural alerts to the pilot.

Abstract: Array microphone systems and methods that can automatically focus and/or place beamformed lobes in response to detected sound activity are provided. The automatic focus and/or placement of the beamformed lobes can be inhibited based on a remote far end audio signal. The quality of the coverage of audio sources in an environment may be improved by ensuring that beamformed lobes are optimally picking up the audio sources even if they have moved and changed locations.

Abstract: A flow cytometer, laser optics assembly thereof, and methods of assembling the same are provided. The flow cytometer is capable of yielding consistent and accurate results despite exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as, for example, temperature changes within a relatively wide temperature range and/or a relatively large amount of random-axis mechanical vibration. The flow cytometer of the present disclosure is additionally or alternatively relatively insensitive to real or apparent core stream shifts, employs a slowly converging beam along the axis perpendicular to core stream flow, and provides the ability to precisely measure time-of-flight.