Abstract: Methods of depositing tungsten into high aspect ratio features using a dep-etch-dep process integrating various deposition techniques with alternating pulses of surface modification and removal during etch are provided herein.

Abstract: A method of preparing a beverage, wherein the method comprises the step of heating a beverage in a cup by means of injecting steam into the beverage through a wand and the step of measuring the temperature of the beverage in the cup, wherein the step of measuring the temperature of the beverage comprises during the step of heating the step of continuously recording an audio signal from the beverage and the step of deriving the temperature of the beverage from the recorded audio signal. A device for preparing a beverage, said device being provided with a beverage temperature sensor comprising at least one microphone and a controller which is loaded with a computer program for performing the inventive method.

Abstract: Improved soles and insoles for shoes, in particular sports shoes, are described. In an aspect, a sole for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with at least a first and a second surface region is provided. The first surface region comprises expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”). The second surface region is free from expanded TPU.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to methods and/or apparatuses involving the deployment and coupling of catheters. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, each of first and second catheters extend from a proximal end to a distal end and has a magnet. The catheters may be deployed, and the distal ends of the respective catheters can be aligned and connected via magnetic coupling of the magnets to one another. A shaft structure is configured and arranged to extend within the first catheter and into the second catheter, through the connected distal ends of the respective catheters.

Abstract: Provided are a computer-based method and system of simulating a physical real-world system. Such a method begins by defining, in memory of a processor, a model comprising a plurality of design variables where the defined model represents a real-world physical system and where behavior of the model is given by an equation stored in the memory. The method/system uses the equation to iteratively optimize the defined model with respect to a given one of the plurality of design variables by simultaneously solving for equilibrium of the model and for the design response sensitivity of the given design variable, for the equilibrium, in a given optimization iteration. According to such an embodiment, iteratively optimizing the model results in an improved simulation of the real-world physical system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which local tissue diagnostic measurements are correlated with archival local tissue diagnostic data from prior tissue analyses to supplement diagnostic measurements with tissue analysis data from prior tissue analyses having similar local tissue diagnostic data. The tissue analysis data may include information such as pathology data, outcome data, and diagnosis data. The archived local tissue diagnostic data and the tissue analysis data may be stored in a database, and employed for a wide variety of methods, involving preoperative, intraoperative, and/or postoperative phases of a medical procedure. Methods and systems are also provided for displaying, on a medical image shown in a user interface, hyperlinked reference markers associated with tissue analyses, where the reference markers are shown at locations corresponding to local tissue analyses, and where associated diagnostic data and/or tissue analysis may be viewed by selecting a given reference marker.

Abstract: A two-stage, very fast symbol string matching mechanism measures the similarity of content between data sources, allowing for efficient detection and evaluation of exact as well as inexact matches. The disclosed approach pairs complementary encoding technique comprising a first fast lookup that identifies regions of possible similarity, and a second, more computationally intensive analysis that evaluates metrics of similarity and delimits copy boundaries. The original content remains private (encrypted) during processing.

Abstract: A system for calibrating alignment of two or more sensors in a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) display device, the two or more sensors in the display device including at least one magnetic sensor. The system can include a first pair of conductive loops oriented in parallel planes and spaced apart along a first axis. The system can also include a mount configured to attach to the display device and to support the display device in a first predetermined spatial relationship with respect to the first pair of conductive loops.

Abstract: A medical navigation system is provided, comprising a computing device having a processor coupled to a memory, a tracking camera for tracking medical devices, and a display for displaying an image; an automated arm assembly electrically coupled to the computing device and controlled by a signal provided by the computing device, the automated arm assembly including a multi-joint arm having a distal end connectable to an effector that supports a surgical camera electrically coupled to the computing device; and a medical device having a tracking marker attachable to the medical device.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a perforating gun assembly. The perforating gun assembly includes a housing and at least one perforating charge disposed within the housing. Additionally, the perforating gun assembly includes a detonating cord disposed within the housing and ballistically coupled to the at least one perforating charge. Further, the perforating gun assembly includes a first coupling location and a second coupling location that are each configured to couple to an additional perforating gun assembly. A detonator assembly disposed within the first coupling location is also included in the perforating gun assembly. A detonator of the detonator assembly is positioned to fire in a direction away from the detonating cord disposed within the housing.

Abstract: A structure for retaining an object such as a lighting element, comprising a base structure having at least one surface and a retaining cavity disposed in a surface of the base structure, wherein the retaining cavity cross section comprises opposing tapered window retention surfaces and opposing bevel surfaces disposed between the surface opening and each of the opposing tapered window retention surfaces. A lighting element may be disposed in the retaining cavity. The retaining cavity may have a cross section that is complementary to a cross section of an object to be retained. A lighting system for a base structure comprising a plurality of stacked planar sheets, having a lighting element disposed between a top sheet and the next planar sheet below the top sheet in the stack of sheets, oriented such that a portion of the light emitted by the lighting element passes through said top sheet.

Abstract: A method of preparing a beverage, wherein the method comprises the step of heating a beverage in a cup by means of injecting steam into the beverage through a wand and the step of measuring the temperature of the beverage in the cup, wherein the step of measuring the temperature of the beverage comprises during the step of heating the step of continuously recording an audio signal from the beverage and the step of deriving the temperature of the beverage from the recorded audio signal. A device for preparing a beverage, said device being provided with a beverage temperature sensor comprising at least one microphone and a controller which is loaded with a computer program for performing the inventive method.

Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging apparatus and methods for performing hyperspectral imaging of a surgical field, involving: an external optical imaging device for externally imaging internal tissue through a surgical access port, the access port having a port wall having a light-diffusing surface texture, whereby reflectance of the port wall is decreasable, and the external optical imaging device having an illuminated exoscope, the illuminated exoscope having: a longitudinal housing; an optical imaging assembly provided within the longitudinal housing; an imaging camera interfaced with the optical imaging assembly for detecting images collected by the optical imaging assembly; and one or more illumination sources supported by the longitudinal housing, wherein an illumination axis associated with each illumination source is offset from an imaging axis of the optical imaging assembly; a remote light source; a spectral filtering device in optical communication with the remote light source; and a light guide having a prox

Abstract: A system for calibrating alignment of magnetic and optical sensors in a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) device. The system can include a controller, a waveform generator, and an electrical driver. The waveform generator can produce calibration waveforms under control of the controller. The system can also include conductive loops which are energized with electrical currents corresponding to the calibration waveforms. The controller can cause the waveform generator to generate a first calibration waveform to calibrate a first type of magnetic sensor in the display device, and to generate a second calibration waveform to calibrate a second type of magnetic sensor in the display device. The system may also include one or more optical fiducial markers in a known spatial relationship with respect to the conductive loops. The optical fiducial markers can be used to calibrate the alignment direction of one or more optical sensors.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of treating cancer, sterol homeostasis diseases, and neurological diseases using compounds which modulate the activity of sigma receptors. In particular, the present disclosure provides method s of modulating the sigma 2 receptor for use in treating one or more diseases associated with that sigma receptor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for intraoperatively confirming location of tissue structures during medical procedures. Preoperative image data of a patient's skeletal structure in a vicinity of an anatomical part undergoing a medical procedure is acquired. During the procedure, after exposing tissue intraoperative image data is acquired by scanning a selected region of tissue, in a vicinity of the skeletal structure using Polarization Sensitive-Optical Coherence Tomography (PS-OCT). Regions of tissue exhibiting structural organization in the vicinity of the skeletal structure are identified from the intraoperative (PS-OCT) image data. Geometrically correlating and registering the intraoperative (PS-OCT) image data with the preoperative image data of the skeletal structure in the vicinity of the anatomical part is then performed using a priori known anatomical information about the regions of tissue exhibiting structural information.

Abstract: In the field of photonic and opto-electronic components, an optical filter comprises a plurality of semi-conducting nano-/microparticles, exhibiting properties of electromagnetic resonance in the optical and near-infrared domain, arranged on a plane, characterized in that it furthermore comprises a layer with electrically adjustable optical index disposed on the surface formed by said nano-/microparticles and said plane; a first electrically insulating layer disposed on said layer with electrically adjustable optical index and an electrode disposed on said first electrically insulating layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a searchable platform for online content. Online content may be obtained over a network. The online content may have existing metadata associated with the online content. The existing metadata may include platform information related to distribution of the online content through the online content distribution platform, file information related to an electronic file that defines the online content, and/or other information. The existing metadata associated with the online content may be processed such that the existing metadata is searchable. Supplemental metadata for the online content may be obtained. The supplemental metadata may be associated with the online content. The supplemental metadata may include one or more of platform information, file information, content information, contextual information, and/or other information. A search query may be received and a result may be generated based the existing metadata and/or the supplemental metadata.