Abstract: The present disclosure relates to chain monitoring systems and methods. In particular, the chain monitoring system is configured to mount onto a portion of a chain and measure one or more parameters associated with one or more characteristics of the chain. The measured parameters are processed by the chain monitoring system and/or transmitted to a remote system for analysis. The analysis may be used to determine a characteristic and/or change in the characteristic of the chain. In some examples, the characteristic is an elongation value associated with the chain, which can be transmitted to a networked system for analysis, display, and/or control. In some examples, a sensor can be employed to measure one or more characteristics of the chain. The sensor may include, but is not limited to, a strain gauge, an accelerometer, an optical, a sonic, and/or a magnetic sensor.

Abstract: An enhanced auto-zero circuitry and technique for reducing the effective input offset voltage of an amplifier. The circuitry includes a multi-phase auto-zeroing amplifier circuitry including several capacitor and switch components and a switch controller circuit. The switch controller circuit is configured to provide control signals for controlling the switches, where during a first sub-phase of an auto-zero phase, multiple switches are turned on to store an amplifier input offset coarser compensation charge on the input capacitor, and where during a second sub-phase of the auto-zero phase, at least one switch is turned off before turning on another switch to store an amplifier input offset finer compensation charge on the input capacitor via the first auto-zero capacitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids, vectors, host cells, methods and compositions to confer and/or augment immune responses mediated by cellular immunotherapy, such as by adoptively transferring CD8+ central memory T cells or combinations of central memory T cells with CD4+ T cells that are genetically modified to express a chimeric receptor. In embodiments the genetically modified host cell comprises a nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide coding for a ligand binding domain, a polynucleotide comprising a customized spacer region, a polynucleotide comprising a transmembrane domain, and a polynucleotide comprising an intracellular signaling domain. It has been surprisingly found that the length of the spacer region can affects the ability of chimeric receptor modified T cells to recognize target cells in vitro and affects in vivo efficacy of the chimeric receptor modified T cells. Pharmaceutical formulations produced by the method, and methods of using the same, are also described.

Abstract: Described herein are methods for treating one or more skin conditions by administering, via the sublingual or buccal route, a composition comprising substituted or unsubstituted diindolylmethane. In particular, methods are provided for improving the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic parameters of substituted or unsubstituted diindolylmethane following a sublingual or buccal administration, relative to an oral administration.

Abstract: A microwave filter includes a multilayer stack. The multilayer stack includes one or more first-type layers composed of a first superconductor material having a first superconducting critical temperature; and one or more second-type layers composed of a non-superconductor metal or a second superconductor material having a second superconducting critical temperature that is lower than the first superconducting critical temperature. The multilayer stack is configured to behave as a dissipative metal for photons having a frequency above twice a superconducting gap frequency of the multilayer stack and to behave as a superconductor for photons having a frequency below twice the superconducting gap frequency of the multilayer stack.

Abstract: System for use in directing a sorting operation comprises a server, a receptacle logical destination identification (ID) assignment engine, a plurality of receptacles, and an automated transport device for transporting and depositing articles into the receptacles. The system is configured to: assign a first logical destination ID to a first receptacle; and direct an automated transport device to transport and deposit a first article into the first receptacle associated with the first logical destination ID. The system is further configured to: determine that the first receptacle is full; re-assign the first logical destination ID to a second receptacle; and re-direct the automated transport device to transport and deposit the first article into the second receptacle associated with the first logical destination ID.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for treating tumors harboring gene fusions. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of treating tumors harboring gene fusions comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a Raf kinase inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In some embodiments, the Raf kinase inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is (R)-2-(1-(6-amino-5-chloropyrimidine-4-carboxamido)ethyl)-N-(5-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)pyridin-2-yl) thiazole-5-carboxamide. In some embodiments, the gene fusion is a CRAF gene fusion, a BRAF gene fusion, or both.

Abstract: A system for determining a total machine turning angle of a construction equipment having a front frame articulatable with respect to a rear frame, the front frame including a steering apparatus and the rear frame including a traction device, the construction equipment having a wheelbase, the system including: a first inertial motion unit disposed on the front frame or the rear frame, the first inertial motion unit providing a front frame yaw rate if disposed on the front frame or a rear frame yaw rate if disposed on the rear frame; a machine speed sensor providing a machine speed of the construction equipment; and a controller for receiving as inputs the wheelbase, machine speed, and either the front frame yaw rate or the rear frame yaw rate, and outputting the total machine turning angle based on the wheelbase, the machine speed, and either the front or rear frame yaw rate.

Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade, and a control system. The control system is configured to automatically set at least one machine parameter of the grading blade based on a determined location of the grading machine and automatically set a mode of operation of the grading machine based on a determined location of the grading machine.

Abstract: A valved conduit including a bioprosthetic aortic heart valve connected to a tubular conduit graft forming an ascending aorta. The conduit graft may attach to the heart valve in a manner that facilitates a redo operation in which the valve is replaced with another valve. A sewing ring may be pre-attached to the inflow end of the graft, and then the valve connected to a delivery holder advanced into the graft and secured to the sewing ring. Dry bioprosthetic valves coupled with conduit grafts sealed with a bioresorbable medium can be stored with the delivery holder.

Abstract: Provided are systems, apparatus, and methods for pushing out and drilling a flare grain in an aerial flare. The system includes at least three stands including a first stand holding a first electric linear actuator positioned to interface with the aerial flare and push out a flare grain of the flare. The second stand holds the aerial flare and is positioned relative to the first stand to facilitate interface of the flare with the first electric linear actuator. The third stand includes a drill and is movable relative to the second stand for drilling a hole in the flare grain. A second electric linear actuator is coupled to the third stand device moves the third stand device relative the second stand to enable the drill to engage with the flare grain. The system also includes a controller/processor automating the pushing and drilling operations by controlling the electric linear actuators.

Abstract: A virtual presence system and method integrates multiple virtual presence technologies, including the ability to enable a user to experience a remote location through a plurality of different types of virtual presence devices. The different types of virtual presence devices might include virtual presence robots, as well drones, land vehicles, devices arranged to be worn by a human, and other virtual presence devices, all of which are accessible through a single website hosted on a server that provides links to the different types of virtual presence devices at selectable locations through a hierarchical query database that stores geographic coordinates, types, and features of the virtual presence devices, GIS to analyze and display geographic information, and communication methods, together with IP addresses and/or aliases that enable the devices to be accessed and controlled.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the methods and compositions provided herein relate to chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) that specifically bind to human extracellular domains of the IL-13 alpha 2 (IL13Ra2) receptor, cells containing such CARs, and methods of cell-based immunotherapy targeting cancer cells, such as cells of solid tumors.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for automatically adjusting a moldboard of a motor grader can include receiving one or more identifiers corresponding to a configuration of the motor grader, and determining, based on the received identifier(s), a first orientation of the moldboard. If the first orientation is not within an operating threshold, the method can further include selecting, based on the one or more identifiers, at least one of a plurality of actuators of the motor grader; and actuating the selected actuator(s) to move the moldboard from the first orientation to a second orientation within the operating threshold.

Abstract: A power supply system includes first and second generators that are measured by first and second current sensors. The system also includes a first generator controller configured to: receive a first current signal from the first current sensing device and a second current signal from the second current sensing device; analyze the first current signal and the second current signal to determine a first voltage foldback value based on a first common mode current calculated from the first current signal and the second current signal; and operate the first DC power supply to reduce a first voltage output of the first DC power supply by the first voltage foldback value.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and techniques for determining a teeth setup score for a teeth aligner setup of a patient. The method can include: receiving, by a computer system, oral scan data for a patient including a dental impression generated by a dental impression station, image data of the patient's mouth generated by an image capture system, and/or motion data of the patient's jaw movement generated by a motion capture system, generating a teeth aligner setup for the patient based on the oral scan data, simulating movement of one or more teeth of the patient using the teeth aligner setup, generating a movement report based on the simulated movement, determining a teeth setup score for the teeth aligner setup based on providing the movement report as input to a machine learning model, and returning the teeth setup score for presentation in a computing device's GUI display for a relevant user.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for determining a lab quality score. A dental lab computer system can generate instructions that cause a manufacturing machine to manufacture a dental appliance for a patient in a dental lab, and generate dental appliance data based on user input indicating information about manufacturing the dental appliance. A dental office computer system can generate dental appliance procedure data based on a dentist performing a procedure to install the dental appliance. A remote computer system in communication with the dental lab computer system and the dental office computer system can: receive the dental appliance data and dental appliance procedure data from the dental lab computer system and the dental office computer system, respectively, aggregate the data, determine a lab quality score for the dental lab, identify, based on the lab quality score, a quality issue for the dental lab, and generate recommendations to improve the lab quality score.

Abstract: A system for measuring radiation activity of a target radioisotope being produced in a reactor core is disclosed. The system includes a cable assembly and a radiation detector. The cable assembly includes a housing, a target cable configured to position the housing, and a drive cable couplable and decouplable with the target cable. The target radioisotope is positioned within the housing. The drive cable is configured to drive the target cable. The radiation detector configured to periodically measure the radiation activity of the target radioisotope being produced.

Abstract: Compositions and devices are provided that provide a persistent low-friction coating on a solid surface, by application of a mixture of a polyethylene glycol-containing surfactant and a vegetable to the surface. The coating thus generated does not require replenishing during use and persists through rinsing and multiple uses. Surprisingly, markedly reduced friction is found when the surfactant is provided at 3% w/v to 7% w/v in the composition. Such compositions and methods are suitable for application to both mixing and separation operations. Formulation of such compositions with food grade components permits use in food processing.