Abstract: A fluid flow distributor includes a manifold body having a first chamber configured to receive the supply of coating gas. A pair of inlet nozzles protrude from an upper surface of the manifold body for insertion into a turbine blade for delivering the coating gas to the internal cavities of the turbine blade. The inlet nozzles may be tapered to facilitate insertion of the inlet nozzles into a root portion of the turbine blade. The fluid flow distributor may have a geometry that promotes laminar flow of the coating gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for in situ sensing of water stress in a plant by contacting a plant with a biosensor, where the biosensor comprises a material capable of giving a detectable response to changes in local water potential in the plant and detecting the detectable response thereby sensing water stress in the plant. The invention further relates to a method for determining water potential in a substance, a biosensor, a system for determining water potential in a substance, a method for determining water potential in a substance, a water potential measurement computing device, and a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for determining water potential in a substance.

Abstract: An online system receives information describing presentations of a content item to individuals. The online system determines impression frequencies for online system users included among the individuals, de-biases this information, and trains a set of machine-learning models to infer a reach for each of multiple impression frequencies using the de-biased information. The online system predicts the reach for each impression frequency using the models, determines an inferred total number of presentations of the content item based on the inferences, and compares the inferred total number of presentations to a known total number of presentations of the content item. If the inferred total number of presentations is greater than the known total number of presentations, the online system adjusts the inferred reach for a set of impression frequencies by reducing the inferred reach for a highest impression frequency and by increasing the inferred reach for one or more lower impression frequencies.

Abstract: A method for predicting demographic information for a common user that is associated with a plurality of unresolved identifiers. An unresolved identifier defines a context in which a client device accesses one or more online systems, the context not determined to be associated with a specific user. The method comprises identifying a set of unresolved identifiers, and identifying information describing one or more access events associated with each unresolved identifier. For each pair of unresolved identifiers, a similarity score for the pair is determined based on the identified information. Responsive to the similarity score exceeding a threshold similarity score, the pair of unresolved identifiers is clustered, the clustering indicating a prediction that the pair of unresolved identifiers are associated with a common user. Predicted demographic information is determined for each unresolved identifier in the cluster.

Abstract: An online system, such as an online content distribution system, receives information describing presentations of a content item. The online system identifies online system users included among individuals presented with the content item, retrieves information describing a household of each user, and de-biases this information to adjust for differences between the population of online system users and the individuals to whom the content item was presented. The online system then trains a set of machine-learning models to infer a reach of the content item for each of multiple households using the de-biased information. Using the machine-learning models, the online system infers a reach of the content item for each of the households.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for in situ sensing of water stress in a plant by contacting a plant with a biosensor, where the biosensor comprises a material capable of giving a detectable response to changes in local water potential in the plant and detecting the detectable response thereby sensing water stress in the plant. The invention further relates to a method for determining water potential in a substance, a biosensor, a system for determining water potential in a substance, a method for determining water potential in a substance, a water potential measurement computing device, and a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for determining water potential in a substance.

Abstract: A method for providing content items to one or more client devices associated with at least one unresolved identifier. An unresolved identifier defines a context in which a client device accesses one or more online systems, the context not determined to be associated with a specific user. The method comprises identifying a set of unresolved identifiers, and identifying information describing one or more access events associated with each unresolved identifier. For each pair of unresolved identifiers, a similarity score for the pair is determined based on the identified information. Responsive to the similarity score exceeding a threshold similarity score, the pair of unresolved identifiers is clustered, the clustering indicating a prediction that the pair of unresolved identifiers are associated with a common user. Based on this clustering, a content item is displayed on or more user devices associated with at least one unresolved identifier of the set of unresolved identifiers.

Abstract: A pulsatile perfusion bioreactor for culturing one or more engineered blood vessels having a lumen and a wall is provided. The bioreactor includes a chamber for holding the engineered blood vessel and cell culture media; a mechanical property monitoring system for measuring axial tensile stress and strain, circumferential tensile stress and strain, and/or shear stress imparted on the vessel wall; and a pump system for delivering cell culture media through the vessel lumen, wherein the vessel is exposed to a composite pressure waveform and a composite flow waveform as the media is delivered there through. The pump system includes a steady flow and peristaltic pumps. Further, the composite pressure and flow waveforms each include a mean component, a fundamental frequency component, and a second harmonic frequency component. The bioreactor also includes a computer interface for monitoring and adjusting the composite waveforms to maintain a predetermined stress level.

Abstract: A pulsatile perfusion bioreactor for culturing one or more engineered blood vessels having a lumen and a wall is provided. The bioreactor includes a chamber for holding the engineered blood vessel and cell culture media; a mechanical property monitoring system for measuring axial tensile stress and strain, circumferential tensile stress and strain, and/or shear stress imparted on the vessel wall; and a pump system for delivering cell culture media through the vessel lumen, wherein the vessel is exposed to a composite pressure waveform and a composite flow waveform as the media is delivered there through. The pump system includes a steady flow and peristaltic pumps. Further, the composite pressure and flow waveforms each include a mean component, a fundamental frequency component, and a second harmonic frequency component. The bioreactor also includes a computer interface for monitoring and adjusting the composite waveforms to maintain a predetermined stress level.

Abstract: A pulsatile perfusion bioreactor for culturing one or more engineered blood vessels having a lumen and a wall is provided. The bioreactor includes a chamber for holding the engineered blood vessel and cell culture media; a mechanical property monitoring system for measuring axial tensile stress and strain, circumferential tensile stress and strain, and/or shear stress imparted on the vessel wall; and a pump system for delivering cell culture media through the vessel lumen, wherein the vessel is exposed to a composite pressure waveform and a composite flow waveform as the media is delivered there through. The pump system includes a steady flow and peristaltic pumps. Further, the composite pressure and flow waveforms each include a mean component, a fundamental frequency component, and a second harmonic frequency component. The bioreactor also includes a computer interface for monitoring and adjusting the composite waveforms to maintain a predetermined stress levels.

Abstract: A pulsatile perfusion bioreactor for culturing one or more engineered blood vessels having a lumen and a wall is provided. The bioreactor includes a chamber for holding the engineered blood vessel and cell culture media; a mechanical property monitoring system for measuring axial tensile stress and strain, circumferential tensile stress and strain, and/or shear stress imparted on the vessel wall; and a pump system for delivering cell culture media through the vessel lumen, wherein the vessel is exposed to a composite pressure waveform and a composite flow waveform as the media is delivered there through. The pump system includes a steady flow and peristaltic pumps. Further, the composite pressure and flow waveforms each include a mean component, a fundamental frequency component, and a second harmonic frequency component. The bioreactor also includes a computer interface for monitoring and adjusting the composite waveforms to maintain a predetermined stress levels.

Abstract: A system for determining a health of a bearing associated with a connecting rod is provided. The system includes a sensor associated with the connecting rod and remotely disposed relative to the bearing of the connecting rod. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature of the bearing. The system includes a controller communicably coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the temperature of the bearing. The controller further determines a health of the bearing as a function of the signal of the temperature of the bearing.

Abstract: A system for determining a health of a bearing associated with a connecting rod is provided. The system includes a sensor associated with the connecting rod and remotely disposed relative to the bearing of the connecting rod. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature of the bearing. The system includes a controller communicably coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the temperature of the bearing. The controller further determines a health of the bearing as a function of the signal of the temperature of the bearing.

Abstract: A plate platform having a visual indicator that allows the user to track his or her progress in loading the platform wells is generally disclosed. The plate platform is constructed from a substantially transparent base having a plurality of elongated bore-holes internally from the side surface in the substantially transparent base. The substantially transparent base defines a non-transparent portion on the top surface extending from the side surface to an area configured to receive the well plate. A slide bar is positioned slideably positioned within each elongated bore-hole of the substantially transparent base. Each slide bar defines a marked surface that is visible through the substantially transparent base but not through the non-transparent portion. The marked surface comprises a row label, a column label, and a well marker.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a tubular tissue scaffold having aligned biopolymer fibrils including a biopolymer gel dispersion feed pump that is operably connected to a tube-forming device having an exit port, where the tube-forming device is capable of producing a tube from the gel dispersion while providing an angular shear force across the wall of the tube, and a liquid bath located to receive the tubular tissue scaffold from the tube-forming device.

Abstract: A cone-shaped adapter for attachment to a muzzle of a gene gun is generally provided. The cone-shaped adapter comprises sidewalls that taper from a base plane at one end and to an apex aperture at an opposite end and a fitting. The sidewalls form a base angle of from about 85° to about 45° with the base plane. The fitting is attached to the sidewalls at the base plane and is configured to connect the cone-shaped adapter to the muzzle of the gene gun. Methods of using the cone-shaped adapter with a gene gun are also provided.

Abstract: A tubular tissue scaffold is described which comprises a tube having a wall, wherein the wall includes biopolymer fibrils that are aligned in a helical pattern around the longitudinal axis of the tube where the pitch of the helical pattern changes with the radial position in the tube wall. The scaffold is capable of directing the morphological pattern of attached and growing cells to form a helical pattern around the tube walls. Additionally, an apparatus for producing such a tubular tissue scaffold is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a biopolymer gel dispersion feed pump that is operably connected to a tube-forming device having an exit port, where the tube-forming device is capable of producing a tube from the gel dispersion while providing an angular shear force across the wall of the tube, and a liquid bath located to receive the tubular tissue scaffold from the tube-forming device. A method for producing the tubular tissue scaffolds is also disclosed.

Abstract: A plate platform having a visual indicator that allows the user to track his or her progress in loading the platform wells is generally disclosed. The plate platform is constructed from a substantially transparent base having a plurality of elongated bore-holes internally from the side surface in the substantially transparent base. The substantially transparent base defines a non-transparent portion on the top surface extending from the side surface to an area configured to receive the well plate. A slide bar is positioned slideably positioned within each elongated bore-hole of the substantially transparent base. Each slide bar defines a marked surface that is visible through the substantially transparent base but not through the non-transparent portion. The marked surface comprises a row label, a column label, and a well marker.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining registration of a lens assembly in a consistent position over a sensor by positioning the sensor adjacent a sensor mount instead of a housing encompassing the lens assembly and sensor. The apparatus comprises a lens assembly having at least one predetermined focal center, and a lens barrel for holding the lens assembly. A holder adjustably supports the lens barrel, the holder having a base and a cylinder, with the lens barrel adjustably mounted in the cylinder. The base of the holder is attached to a support, such as a circuit board, whereby the focal center of the lens assembly is held in a predetermined aligned position relative to the sensor. In an embodiment, wall surfaces defining an opening in the base of the holder firmly engage the sidewalls of a ceramic sensor mount.

Abstract: A tubular tissue scaffold is described which comprises a tube having a wall, wherein the wall includes biopolymer fibrils that are aligned in a helical pattern around the longitudinal axis of the tube where the pitch of the helical pattern changes with the radial position in the tube wall. The scaffold is capable of directing the morphological pattern of attached and growing cells to form a helical pattern around the tube walls. Additionally, an apparatus for producing such a tubular tissue scaffold is disclosed, the apparatus comprising a biopolymer gel dispersion feed pump that is operably connected to a tube-forming device having an exit port, where the tube-forming device is capable of producing a tube from the gel dispersion while providing an angular shear force across the wall of the tube, and a liquid bath located to receive the tubular tissue scaffold from the tube-forming device. A method for producing the tubular tissue scaffolds is also disclosed.