Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to modified relaxin polypeptides, such as modified human relaxin 2 polypeptides, comprising a non-naturally encoded amino acid which is linked to a pharmacokinetic enhancer, and therapeutic uses of such polypeptides, such as for the treatment of cardiovascular conditions (such as heart failure) and/or conditions relating to fibrosis.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to modified relaxin polypeptides, such as modified human relaxin 2 polypeptides, comprising a non-naturally encoded amino acid which is linked to a pharmacokinetic enhancer, and therapeutic uses of such polypeptides, such as for the treatment of cardiovascular conditions (such as heart failure) and/or conditions relating to fibrosis.

Abstract: A vehicle can include a chassis. The vehicle can also include a turntable. The turntable can be rotatably coupled to the chassis. The turntable can include a counterweight. The vehicle can also include a boom assembly. The boom assembly can have a proximal end portion coupled to the turntable and a distal end portion opposite the proximal end portion. The vehicle can also include a camera directly coupled to the counterweight. The camera can have a field of view extending away from the boom assembly.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods to seal a container are provided. An apparatus for securing a film to a container includes a body portion to house film and a sealing portion. The sealing portion includes a loading zone to receive a portion of film from the body portion and an aperture to receive a top portion of the container and the portion of the film therethrough to enable positioning within a sealing volume. A plurality of near-infrared light emitting diodes (NIR LEDs) face toward and at least partially surround the top portion of the container when positioned within the sealing volume. A controller is configured to receive sensor input from a sensor indicating that the top portion of the container is within the sealing volume and cause, in response thereto, activation of the plurality of NIR LEDs to secure the portion of the film to the top portion of the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a growth medium including a mat having at least a first layer and a second layer of synthetic material connected together, where the first layer differs from the second layer in at least one of the following characteristics: color, porosity, composition material, coating material, material construction, thickness, water retentiveness, or presence of water channels. The invention also relates to methods of cultivating plants using the described growth media.

Abstract: Devices, methods and graphical user interfaces for manipulating user interfaces based on fingerprint sensor inputs are provided. An electronic device with a display and a fingerprint sensor may obtain fingerprint-verification criteria for controlling verification of fingerprints. For each of a plurality of respective inputs that correspond to respective restricted operations, the device may identify fingerprint features of the respective input. The device may determine fingerprint-verification information for the respective input. In response to detecting the respective input and in accordance with a determination that the fingerprint-verification information meets respective authorization criteria for the respective restricted operation, the device may perform the respective restricted operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating Netherton syndrome. In one embodiment, the method comprises administering to the patient (i) a serine protease inhibitor and (ii) an anti-inflammatory agent. In another embodiment, the method comprises (a) administering to the patient a serine protease inhibitor and an anti-inflammatory agent when the patient is having an outbreak of Netherton syndrome, and (b) administering a serine protease inhibitor when the patient is in remission. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising (i) a serine protease inhibitor and (ii) an anti-inflammatory agent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for the cooling (or removal of heat from) power electronics modules in automotive vehicles, wherein the cooling is done by positioning the power electronics module in a housing, directing a fluid into the housing, and impinging the fluid onto the power electronics module and/or an electrical connection in contact with the power electronics module.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a aminopyridine dispersed in a release matrix, including, for example, a composition that can be formulated into a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation, such as a tablet which provides, upon administration to a patient, a therapeutically effective plasma level of the aminopyridine for a period of at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours or more and the use of the composition to treat various neurological diseases.

Abstract: A robotic system for a robotic limb configured to recover energy for minimizing power consumption of the robotic system, comprising a first support member, a second support member, and a quasi-passive elastic actuator rotatably coupling the first and second support members to define a joint of the robotic system rotatable about an axis of rotation defining a degree of freedom. The quasi-passive elastic actuator can comprise a first vane device and a second vane device, the first vane device and second vane device being rotatable relative to each other within the housing and defining, at least in part, a compression chamber and an expansion chamber. The system can further comprise a valve assembly, the valve assembly comprising a valve device disposed through an opening of the first vane device along the axis of rotation, and a shunt circuit facilitating fluid flow between the compression and expansion chambers through the valve assembly.

Abstract: A foot-supporting appendage of a wearable robotic exoskeleton configured to support a foot of a user wearing the robotic exoskeleton. The foot-supporting appendage can include a rearward support configured to support a hind foot portion of a foot of the user. The foot-supporting appendage can further include a frontward support configured to connect to the rearward support and configured to support a forefoot portion of the foot of the user. A size of the foot-supporting appendage is adjustable to accommodate a respective foot of a user of a plurality of users having different sizes of feet.

Abstract: Prioritizing a customer service agent's responses to customer messages. In one form, an expected response time target is determined based on a time interval between sending an agent response and receiving a customer response from a particular customer. In other forms, other objective factors, such as message intervals, customer properties, and message properties, are used to determine the expected response time target. In yet other forms, a customer conversation can be automatically closed if the customer does not respond within a predetermined maximum time interval.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a aminopyridine dispersed in a release matrix, including, for example, a composition that can be formulated into a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation, such as a tablet which provides, upon administration to a patient, a therapeutically effective plasma level of the aminopyridine for a period of at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours or more and the use of the composition to treat various neurological diseases.

Abstract: Provided herein is a computing system including a processor in communication with at least one memory. The processor is configured to (i) build a model using historical vehicle telematics data and historical vehicle data, the model configured to: (a) predict an operating cost of a vehicle based upon a vehicle type and user data and (b) output operational parameters for operating the vehicle, (ii) receive a vehicle acquisition request for a selected vehicle including vehicle data for the selected vehicle and selected user data for the user of the selected vehicle, (iii) input the vehicle acquisition request data into the model, and (iv) output from the model an acquisition cost and operational parameters for the selected vehicle and the selected user including a procurement cost for the selected vehicle and an operating cost for operating the selected vehicle within the operational parameters for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: Provided herein is a computing system including a processor in communication with at least one memory. The processor is configured to (i) build a model using historical vehicle telematics data and historical vehicle data, the model configured to: (a) predict an operating cost of a vehicle based upon a vehicle type and user data and (b) output operational parameters for operating the vehicle, (ii) receive a vehicle acquisition request for a selected vehicle including vehicle data for the selected vehicle and selected user data for the user of the selected vehicle, (iii) input the vehicle acquisition request data into the model, and (iv) output from the model an acquisition cost and operational parameters for the selected vehicle and the selected user including a procurement cost for the selected vehicle and an operating cost for operating the selected vehicle within the operational parameters for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition which comprises therapeutically effective amount of a aminopyridine dispersed in a release matrix, including, for example, a composition that can be formulated into a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation, such as a tablet which provides, upon administration to a patient, a therapeutically effective plasma level of the aminopyridine for a period of at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hour or more and the use of the composition to treat various neurological diseases.

Abstract: Described herein are examples of a system which include a boiling system and a dispensing system. The boiling system includes a primary boiler to heat hot water, a holding boiler to maintain the hot water, a brew group to receive the hot water from the holding boiler, and a heated transfer hose to receive a beverage component from the brew group and apply heat to the beverage component. The brew group includes a motor, a tamp to form a puck, a heated brew chamber to extract a beverage component, a load cell to measure a weight of the brew group, a heating element to heat the brew chamber, a spray to press the puck out, and an ejector to sweep the puck away. The dispensing system is coupled to the heated transfer hose to dispense the beverage component at a set point temperature.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition which comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a aminopyridine dispersed in a release matrix, including, for example, a composition that can be formulated into a stable, sustained-release oral dosage formulation, such as a tablet which provides, upon administration to a patient, a therapeutically effective plasma level of the aminopyridine for a period of at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours or more and the use of the composition to treat various neurological diseases.

Abstract: A method of facilitating switching of a quasi-passive elastic actuator of a tunable actuator joint module of a robotic system between an inelastic state and an elastic state comprising configuring a quasi-passive elastic actuator to be operable with a primary actuator of the tunable actuator joint module to selectively apply an augmented torque to assist the primary actuator in rotation of a joint of the tunable actuator joint module. The method further comprises configuring an elastic component of the quasi-passive actuator to comprise a first vane device and second vane device rotatable relative to each other within a housing, supporting a valve assembly about the axis of rotation of the joint through the first vane device, and configuring a shunt circuit to facilitate fluid flow between compression and expansion chambers through the valve assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified collagen obtainable by providing isolated collagen; freezing the isolated collagen; dehydrating the frozen collagen; and maturing the dehydrated collagen. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the modified collagen and uses thereof.