Abstract: Examples are disclosed relating to friction hinges. In one example, a friction hinge comprises a first stub and adjacent second stub extending from a stub substrate. A first finger extends from a finger substrate between the first stub and the second stub and comprises a distal contacting face that is biased into contact with a first biasing face of the first stub. A second finger adjacent to the first finger extends from the finger substrate between the first stub and the second stub and comprises a distal contacting face that is biased into contact with a second biasing face of the second stub. A pin extends through apertures in the first stub, first finger, second finger, and second stub.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for determining a concentration of cells of a given size in a sample of fluid, the sample comprising a plurality of cells, comprising: a light source arranged to emit light along a central axis to illuminate the plurality of cells in the fluid sample; a detector arranged to receive light at a plurality of displacements from the central axis, the light having passed through the plurality of cells in the fluid sample, and to produce a plurality of signals, each associated with, and indicative of an intensity of the received light at, a respective one of the plurality of displacements; and a processor arranged to determine a concentration of cells of a given size, based on the plurality of signals from the detector, wherein the processor is arranged to compare the plurality of signals from the detector with one or more pre-stored thresholds or profiles, indicative of a particular concentration.

Abstract: A monitoring system can implement a method including receiving data characterizing first measurements recorded by a sensor in a heating area, second measurements recorded by the sensor in an ambient area, and third measurements recorded by the sensor in a central area, located between the heating area and the ambient area. The method further includes determining a first average temperature, a second average temperature, and a third average temperature. The method further includes computing a first temperature difference between the first average temperature in the heating area and the third average temperature in the central area, and a second temperature difference between second average temperature in the ambient area and the third average temperature of the central area. The method further includes providing the first temperature difference and the second temperature difference.

Abstract: Metapneumovirus (MPV) F proteins stabilized in a prefusion conformation, nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding these proteins, and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the MPV F proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to MPV in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the MPV F ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing MPV infection.

Abstract: Embodiments of a recombinant Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) F ectodomain trimer stabilized in a prefusion conformation are provided. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the RSV F ectodomain trimer and methods of producing the RSV F ectodomain trimer. Methods for inducing an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method can be a method for treating or preventing a RSV infection in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the recombinant RSV F ectodomain trimer to the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) antigens including a recombinant RSV F protein stabilized in a prefusion conformation. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the antigens and methods of producing the antigens. Methods for generating an immune response in a subject are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the method is a method for treating or preventing a RSV infection in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the antigen to the subject.

Abstract: A vehicle tailgate assembly primarily for pick-up trucks comprises a frame with a transverse base and support arms extending perpendicularly therefrom adjacent distal ends of the base. A tailgate door is rotationally mounted to the frame between the support arms. The door comprises a transverse upper section rotationally joined to a transverse lower section at a rotational joint, preferably a hinge. A releasable locking mechanism is located adjacent the rotational joint to releasably hold the upper section in relation to the lower section at selected orientations. An additional locking mechanism may selectively hold the lower section and/or the upper section to the support arms. The tailgate may also be provided with an extendible tailgate which may be rotated interiorly and exteriorly of the plane of the upper section. An extendible handle may also be provided to support user entry and exit from a cargo hold of the truck.

Abstract: Antiviral drugs targeting the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the spike receptor binding domain (RBD) and methods of treating a subject suffering from coronavirus.

Abstract: A device adapted to pick up a solid waste includes a pair of opposing shells that are pivotally linked to each other to form an enclosure. Each of the opposing shells includes a compartment having hollow tubular body having an open end and a closed end, wherein the closed ends are configured to connect to each other and allow the opposing shells to pivot at the connection. The device is adapted to pivot open by a tension force allowing the device to be used for scooping up solid waste and manually closing the enclosure and locking the opposing shells in a closed position to hold the waste within the enclosure.

Abstract: The reaction rate of hydrocarbon pyrolysis can be increased to produce solid carbon and hydrogen by the use of molten materials which have catalytic functionality to increase the rate of reaction and physical properties that facilitate the formation and contamination-free separation of the solid carbon. Processes, materials, reactor configurations, and conditions are disclosed whereby methane and other hydrocarbons can be decomposed at high reaction rates into hydrogen gas and carbon products without any carbon oxides in a single reaction step. The process also makes use of specific properties of selected materials with unique solubilities and/or wettability of products into (and/or by) the molten phase to facilitate generation of purified products and increased conversion in more general reactions.

Abstract: An outboard engine unit for a marine vessel may, in addition to including an engine and a thrust unit, be outfitted with one or more perception sensors configured to capture images of a field of view, where the field of view maintains a fixed spatial relationship with the thrust direction in which the thrust unit is providing thrust for the marine vessel. Further, the outboard engine unit may further include an orientation sensor configured to sense the orientation of the thrust direction relative to the vessel.

Abstract: A reconfigurable solar array has a plurality of photovoltaic cells and an interconnect circuit including a plurality of switches for interconnecting the photovoltaic cells. A thermostatic feedback control circuit in communication with a temperature sensor is configured to produce a temperature signal that is proportional to a temperature of the photovoltaic cells. The thermostatic feedback control circuit is configured to cause at least one of the switches to change state at a preset temperature that is independent of supply voltage. When the temperature is above the preset temperature, the photovoltaic cells are arranged in a plurality of strings connected in parallel. When the temperature is at or below the preset temperature, at least one photovoltaic cell in each string is disconnected from a respective string and reconnected in series to each other to form a new string connected in parallel to the other strings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are shark-derived antibodies and binding molecules with high binding affinity for SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the use thereof. Some of the shark-derived antibodies and binding molecules also demonstrate cross-reactivity with and neutralization of other related sarbecoviruses. The complementarity determining region (CDR) sequences and binding characteristics for these antibodies and binding molecules are provided. Also disclosed are the use of these antibodies and binding molecules to detect SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus or other related sarbecoviruses or to prevent or treat SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus or other related sarbecovirus infections.

Abstract: Metapneumovirus (MPV) F proteins stabilized in a prefusion conformation, nucleic acid molecules and vectors encoding these proteins, and methods of their use and production are disclosed. In several embodiments, the MPV F proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules can be used to generate an immune response to MPV in a subject. In additional embodiments, the therapeutically effective amount of the MPV F ectodomain trimers and/or nucleic acid molecules can be administered to a subject in a method of treating or preventing MPV infection.

Abstract: A method of establishing a communication channel includes receiving sensor data characterizing measurements associated with a target object. The method includes determining, based on the sensor data, an objective from a plurality of predefined objectives for monitoring the target object. The method includes computing, based on the determined objective, a communication channel associated with the target object. The method includes providing the communication channel. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: Techniques for serving a manifest file of an adaptive streaming video include receiving a request for the manifest file from a user device. The video is encoded at different reference bitrates and each encoded reference bitrate is divided into segments to generate video segment files. The manifest file includes an ordered list of universal resource locators (URLs) that reference a set of video segment files encoded at a particular reference bitrate. A source manifest file that indicates the set of video segment files is identified based on the request. An issued manifest file that includes a first URL and a second URL is generated based on the source manifest file. The first URL references a first domain and the second URL references a second domain that is different from the first domain. The issued manifest file is transmitted to the user device as a response to the request.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of vaccines and binding molecules, as well as preparations and methods of their use in the treatment and/or prevention of disease. Described are vaccines and binding molecules, compositions containing the same, and uses thereof for treating or preventing coronavirus infections, in particular, ?-coronaviruses such as SARS- CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, as well as SARS-CoV-1 and other coronaviruses.

Abstract: Techniques for serving a manifest file of an adaptive streaming video include receiving a request for the manifest file from a user device. The video is encoded at different reference bitrates and each encoded reference bitrate is divided into segments to generate video segment files. The manifest file includes an ordered list of universal resource locators (URLs) that reference a set of video segment files encoded at a particular reference bitrate. A source manifest file that indicates the set of video segment files is identified based on the request. An issued manifest file that includes a first URL and a second URL is generated based on the source manifest file. The first URL references a first domain and the second URL references a second domain that is different from the first domain. The issued manifest file is transmitted to the user device as a response to the request.

Abstract: A method of monitoring water tank includes receiving a temperature data set, a water conductivity data set, and a water level data set, characterizing measurements of a plurality of characteristic properties of water within a water tank by a sensor operatively arranged within the water tank. The method further includes determining a first rule characterizing environmental requirements of the water arranged within the water tank. The method further includes generating an output data set based on the received data sets and the first rule. The method further includes providing the generated output data set. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for customized scheduling of sources, including breaking down a source of content into at least two categories, including posts and engagements, and gathering content related to a specific source. A scheduler handles scheduling of posts and engagement for a single source and entities that are due to be crawled are sent to a scheduling queue, in which each content type for a source can have its own queue. A process points to the correct scheduler queue in order to request content to be crawled, attaches to the proper queue, processes requests, queries the social network for content, parses the response and sends any new data to be saved to the system.