Abstract: The nozzle includes a nozzle body having a front end with a recess defining a recessed wall. The recess is elongate in a first direction. The recess receives a front-end section of a ferrule of a multi-fiber connector to define gap, wherein the front-end section has an elongate end face. The nozzle has first and second channels that are elongate in the first direction and have respective first and second front-end openings at the recessed wall. The first and second front-end openings are spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A cleaning fluid flows from the first channel into the gap and then out the second channel, including over the ferrule end faces and end faces of optical fibers supported by the ferrule. A flow-disrupting feature on the recessed wall generates turbulent flow to enhance cleaning.

Abstract: A system and method for reflection removal of an image from a dual-pixel sensor. The image including a left view and a right view. The method including: determining a first gradient of the left view and a second gradient of the right view; determining disparity between the first gradient and the second gradient using a sum of squared differences (SSD); determining a confidence value at each pixel using the SSD; determining a weighted gradient map using the confidence values; minimizing a cost function to estimate the background layer, the cost function including the weighted gradient map, wherein the image includes the background layer added to a reflection layer; and outputting at least one of the background layer and the reflection layer.

Abstract: A method of predicting an adverse event in a patient having an implantable blood pump including correlating a pulsatility value to a flow trough value associated with the blood pump to determine a flow peak value; dividing the determined flow peak value by a pump current to determine a pulsatility peak value; tracking a first moving average of the pulsatility peak value, the first moving average defining a threshold range; tracking a second moving average of the pulsatility peak value, the second moving average being faster than the first moving average; and generating an alert when the second moving average deviates from the threshold range.

Abstract: An atomizing nozzle structured particularly for nasal therapy. Preferred embodiments include a 2-piece atomizing nozzle structured to couple with luer-locking structure carried by a syringe. Such an atomizing nozzle includes a nasal stopper and a stem. A preferred nasal stopper includes a distal tip sized for insertion into a nostril of a human child, with a proximal shield portion being structured to resist over-insertion of a discharge orifice into the nostril. A nasal stopper desirably provides a centering function to urge the discharge orifice away from a nasal wall. One operable stem is structured to couple with the stopper and desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. A second operable stem is structured as a unitary part of the nasal stopper and also desirably carries unitary thread structure at a proximal end. Certain embodiments may also include spacer structure configured to reduce a dead volume inside the atomizing nozzle.

Abstract: A mushroom blend comprises therapeutically effective amounts of the isolated strains Grifola frondosa (GF AM-P36), Ganoderma lucidum (GL AM-P38), and Pleurotus ostreatus (PO AM-GP37). Methods of use for supporting gut health include increasing SCFAs including butyrate in the gastrointestinal tract. A method is described for increasing microbial diversity in the gastro-intestinal tract in a human subject, including administering to the human subject an effective amount of a fungal prebiotic-containing composition comprising a blend of more than one fungal species. One useful blend of three species includes Ganoderma lucidum (“GL”), Grifola frondosa (GF), and Pleurotus ostreatus (PO). Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) including Lachnospiraceae, Lachnoclostridium and the various Ruminococcaceae are all dose-dependently increased when the mushroom blend is fed, which is significant for Lachnospiraceae UCG-004, Ruminococcaceae UCG-002, and Ruminococcaceae NK4A214.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a protective mask to deactivate damaging agents. In some examples, the mask includes a filter element that traps particles of the damaging agent. A sanitizing emitter permeates the filter element with a sanitizing agent to deactivate the damaging agent. In some examples, the sanitizing agent is ultraviolet light configured to deactivate a virus such as SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract: A system and method of processing of a captured image to facilitate post-processing modification. The method includes: receiving the captured image; down-sampling the captured image to generate a down-sampled image; passing the captured image through an image processing pipeline to generate an initial output image, the image processing pipeline including performing one or more image processing operations on the passed image based on a set of parameters; iteratively passing, in one or more iterations, the down-sampled image through the image processing pipeline to generate an output down-sampled image in each iteration, each iteration using at least one variation to the set of parameters used by the image processing pipeline. Down-sampling can be used to generate a down-sampled initial output image such that a mapping is determined between the down-sampled initial output image and the respective output down-sampled image. The down-sampled images or the mapping can be stored as metadata.

Abstract: Methods for forming a composite by combining a perforated face layer and a backing scrim to make a material having sufficient airflow, tear strength and aesthetic features applicable to seating.

Abstract: A split drive sprocket assembly includes: a first sprocket portion and a second sprocket portion configured to be joined along an opposing mating surface to form a cylindrical sprocket body; a series of teeth extending radially from a circumferential end of the first sprocket portion and the second sprocket portion; a first shoulder connected to the first sprocket portion and extending radially so as to extend from an axial further than the teeth extends from the axial and spaced axially apart from the teeth; a second shoulder connected to the second sprocket portion and extending radially so as to extend from the axial further than the teeth extends from the axial and spaced axially apart from the teeth. The first sprocket portion and the second sprocket portion are configured to engage a belt with the teeth and the first and second shoulder are configured to overlap with the belt while the teeth are engaged with the belt.

Abstract: A method and system for managing dynamic runtime information provision for a container implementing a Session Management Function (SMF) executed by an electronic device in a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) 5th Generation (5G) mobile network core. The method includes starting a container image load, the container image including at least a secret sub unit and an application sub unit, the application sub unit providing the SMF, determining an input source to provide a secret value for the container, the input source identified by information in the secret sub unit in the container image, and providing the secret value to a destination sub unit of the container.

Abstract: Chimeric poliovirus is capable of activating antigen presenting cells. The activation of the antigen presenting cells may be in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo. The activated antigen presenting cells may be administered alone or with an antigen or vaccine. The activated antigen may be loaded in vitro or ex vivo with antigen to form antigen-loaded, activated, antigen presenting cells. These may be administered therapeutically. Therapeutic administration of antigen presenting cells may be used as an adjuvant to other therapies.

Abstract: A system and method for reflection removal of an image from a dual-pixel sensor. The image including a left view and a right view. The method including: determining a first gradient of the left view and a second gradient of the right view; determining disparity between the first gradient and the second gradient using a sum of squared differences (SSD); determining a confidence value at each pixel using the SSD; determining a weighted gradient map using the confidence values; minimizing a cost function to estimate the background layer, the cost function including the weighted gradient map, wherein the image includes the background layer added to a reflection layer; and outputting at least one of the background layer and the reflection layer.

Abstract: The present invention describes a bio-based process to produce high quality protein concentrate (HQPC) by converting plant derived celluloses into bioavailable protein via aerobic incubation, including the use of such HQPC so produced as a nutrient, including use as a fish meal replacement in aquaculture diets.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds useful as lysyl oxidase (LOX) and lysyl oxidase-like (LOXL) family member (LOXL1, LOXL2, LOXL3, LOXL4) inhibitors. In addition there are contemplated pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and the use of the compounds in the treatment of conditions mediated by LOX and LOXL, for example cancer. In particular a LOX inhibitor such as the present compounds may be for use in the treatment of a cancer associated with EGFR. The present invention also contemplates the identification of biomarkers that predict responsiveness to a LOX inhibitor.

Abstract: Verification associated with a domain name is performed using a hierarchical domain name system. A domain name system query comprising the domain name is transmitted via a network. A response to the domain name system query is received via the network. The response comprises first data. Input data is received via the network. A hash function is used to map the input data received via the network to second data. The second data comprises hashed data. A result of a verification associated with the domain name is determined based on a comparison involving the first data and the second data.

Abstract: A delivery system generates a pick sheet containing a plurality of SKUs based upon an order. A loaded pallet is imaged to identify the SKUs on the loaded pallet, which are compared to the order prior to the loaded pallet leaving the distribution center. The loaded pallet may be imaged while being wrapped with stretch wrap. At the point of delivery, the loaded pallet may be imaged again and analyzed to compare with the pick sheet.

Abstract: Automated apparatuses for use in examining gas sorption materials are described. Devices utilize a noncontact magnetic induction heating approach for controlling the temperature of tested materials. The apparatuses can be used to generate single or multiple isotherms simultaneously. The apparatuses can examine nanogram or microgram-scale quantities of materials of interest and can do so automatically and unattended. Pressure-composition isotherms can be provided through use of disclosed apparatuses in a period of a few hours.

Abstract: Multi-functional materials for use in reversible, high-capacity hydrogen separation and/or storage are described. Also described are systems incorporating the materials. The multi-functional materials combine a hydrogen-absorbing material with a high-efficiency and a non-contact energy-absorbing material in a composite nanoparticle. The non-contact energy-absorbing material include magnetic and/or plasmonic materials. The magnetic or plasmonic materials of the composite nanoparticles can provide localized heating to promote release of hydrogen from the hydrogen storage component of the composite nanoparticles.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating medical isotopes, the method comprising contacting a primary radiation beam with a converter for a time sufficient to produce a secondary beam of gamma particles, and contacting the beam of gamma particles to a target, where the cross section dimension of the beam of gamma particles is similar to the cross section dimension of the target. Both the converter and target are small in diameter and very closely spaced. Also provided is a system for producing medical isotopes, the device comprising a housing having a first upstream end and a second downstream end, a radiotransparent channel (collimator) with a first upstream end and a downstream end, wherein the upstream end is adapted to receive a radiation beam, a target positioned downstream of the downstream end of the channel and coaxially aligned with the channel, wherein the target has a cross section that is similar to the cross section of the channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of forming a cast component and a method of forming a casting mold. The method is performed by connecting at least one wax gate component to a ceramic core-shell mold. The ceramic core-shell mold includes at least a first core portion, a first shell portion, and a second shell portion, wherein the first shell portion is adapted to interface with at least the second shell portion to form at least one first cavity between the core portion and the first and second shell portions. The core-shell mold may be inspected and assembled prior to connection of the wax gate component. At least a portion of the ceramic core-shell mold and the wax gate component is coated with a second ceramic material. The wax gate component is then removed to form a second cavity in fluid communication with the first cavity.