Abstract: A plant growth system for a microgravity environment includes a root chamber configured to prevent liquid from escaping from the root chamber in the microgravity environment and to enable recovery of liquid from within the root chamber. In some embodiments, the root chamber may be configured to provide water and/or nutrients to the plants, via ebb/flow and/or spray delivery. In some embodiments, the root chamber includes a main body and a root/shoot interface coupled to the main body. The root/shoot interface can be configured to hold a plant having a root system extending outward from one side of the root/shoot interface into the root chamber and a chute system extending outward from another side of the root/shoot interface outside of the root chamber. The root/shoot interface may be configured to provide water and/or nutrients to the plants.

Abstract: A manifold for collecting a tissue sample with a medical waste collection assembly. A body portion of a housing is removably engaged with a manifold receiver to provide a suction path from an inlet fitting receiving a suction line. A cap portion may be removably coupled to the body portion. A tray may be removably positioned within an accessory sleeve of the cap portion. A filter element is disposed within the manifold volume and includes a brim extending distally and radially outwardly from a basket to define a mouth. The mouth is accessible via decoupling the cap portion from the body portion. A step of the neck may engage a flared wall of the brim to axially secure the filter element within the manifold volume. The brim of the filter element may be positioned in abutment with an inner surface of the cap portion.

Abstract: A collapsible detection antenna to detect electromagnetic tags of surgical articles in an operating room includes an antenna assembly configured to detect the electromagnetic tags. The antenna assembly is configured to move between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the antenna assembly forms an antenna loop configured to detect the electromagnetic tags. The antenna assembly has a greater detection range in the deployed configuration than in the collapsed configuration. The deployed configuration corresponds to a tuned shape of the antenna assembly sufficient to detect the electromagnetic tags in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A manifold for collecting a tissue sample with a medical waste collection assembly. A base portion of a housing is removably engaged with a manifold receiver to provide a suction path from an inlet fitting receiving a suction line. A tray may be removably positioned within an accessory sleeve. Locating features facilitate defining a gap between a base portion of the tray and a lower barrier of the accessory sleeve. The tray may include a control surface to move the manifold between a sealing configuration, and a bleed configuration in which a second suction path is provided through the gap and below the tray. A backflow prevention valve may be disposed within the suction path between the tray and a filter element. Methods for collecting the tissue sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A protected surface mining or hoist rope for an electric dipper shovel is provided. The protected surface mining or hoist rope can include a base rope portion and one or more armoring shield segments applied to the base rope portion. The armoring shield segments can be spaced apart along the length of the protected surface mining or hoist rope to provide additional protection at high-impact or abrasion areas of the rope.

Abstract: The disclosed technology addresses the need in the art to enable users to broadcast a status that indicates that a user is inviting others to join their livestream, such that they are either prepared to livestream or is livestreaming. An invite-to-join status may be limited to the specific friends and community members of the user's choosing. If the user has no viewer yet, the user will not broadcast a livestream and will continue with what they are doing, such as playing a game or watching a movie. Once a first viewer joins, then the user screen may be broadcasted into a livestream.

Abstract: An apparatus to separate water droplets from an air stream. The apparatus includes an elongated tube, a reservoir, and a helix structure. The elongated tube has a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, an inner surface, an inlet opening at the first end of the elongated tube, the inlet opening arranged to accept the air stream tangentially relative to the longitudinal axis, and an outlet opening at the second end of the elongated tube. The reservoir is positioned at a second end of the elongated tube. The helix structure is positioned within the elongated tube and includes an upper surface, a lower surface arranged opposite the upper surface, an outer edge, and a variable pitch along a length of the elongated tube, the variable pitch providing a variable interior angle between an inner wall of the elongated tube and the upper surface of the helix structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for unlocking in-game content for a video game application. In one embodiment, the video game application may be operated by a user that is concurrently viewing media content. The video game application captures an audio signal from the concurrently-playing media content, performs content recognition on the captured audio signal, and determines whether to unlock one or more portions of in-game content based on the identified media content.

Abstract: A mill head for replaceable attachment to a base so as to collectively form a bone mill. The mill head includes shell with: a first opening in which bone stock is introduced into the head; and a second opening through which the bone chips are discharged. A cutting device is mounted in the shell to both rotate and move laterally. Attached to the cutting device are coupling features for engaging a drive spindle able to rotate the cutting device. Also attached to the housing is an alignment feature. The alignment feature engages a complementary alignment feature associated with the drive spindle so as a result of the engagement of the alignment features, the cutting device moves within the shell so that the cutting device coupling features are positioned to engage the drive spindle.

Abstract: A manifold for collecting a tissue sample with a medical waste collection assembly. A base portion of a housing is removably engaged with a manifold receiver to provide a suction path from an inlet fitting receiving a suction line. A tray may be removably positioned within an accessory sleeve. Locating features facilitate defining a gap between a base portion of the tray and a lower barrier of the accessory sleeve. The tray may include a control surface to move the manifold between a sealing configuration, and a bleed configuration in which a second suction path is provided through the gap and below the tray. A backflow prevention valve may be disposed within the suction path between the tray and a filter element. Methods for collecting the tissue sample are also disclosed.

Abstract: A collapsible detection antenna to detect electromagnetic tags of surgical articles in an operating room includes an antenna assembly configured to detect the electromagnetic tags. The antenna assembly is configured to move between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the antenna assembly forms an antenna loop configured to detect the electromagnetic tags. The antenna assembly has a greater detection range in the deployed configuration than in the collapsed configuration. The deployed configuration corresponds to a tuned shape of the antenna assembly sufficient to detect the electromagnetic tags in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus to separate water droplets from an air stream. The apparatus includes an elongated tube, a reservoir, and a helix structure. The elongated tube has a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, an inner surface, an inlet opening at the first end of the elongated tube, the inlet opening arranged to accept the air stream tangentially relative to the longitudinal axis, and an outlet opening at the second end of the elongated tube. The reservoir is positioned at a second end of the elongated tube. The helix structure is positioned within the elongated tube and includes an upper surface, a lower surface arranged opposite the upper surface, an outer edge, and a variable pitch along a length of the elongated tube, the variable pitch providing a variable interior angle between an inner wall of the elongated tube and the upper surface of the helix structure.

Abstract: A environmental control chamber device comprising a vacuum chamber, a controller, and at least one door is described. In an embodiment, the vacuum chamber is defined at an upper face, four or more lateral faces, and a lower face. The at least one door is connected to a respective one of the four or more lateral faces. The four or more lateral faces comprise at least one opening, and the at least one door is configured to seal the at least one opening. The controller is configured to control a pressure and a temperature within the vacuum chamber. The pressure may be a vacuum pressure, and the temperature may be a cryogenic temperature. Each door comprises a peripherally-lined seal configured to maintain a pressure within the vacuum chamber, and one or more radiation shields configured to maintain the temperature within the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods to separate liquid from a liquid/gas mixture, particularly in a low gravity environment. The apparatus includes a chamber having a capillary channel around a perimeter of the chamber, a liquid/gas inlet to the chamber, a liquid outlet from the chamber, the liquid outlet being positioned at the perimeter of the chamber to remove liquid from the capillary channel, and a gas outlet from the chamber. The gas outlet is positioned in the chamber, away from the capillary channel, to remove gas from the chamber. The chamber is structured to be readily fabricated using traditional machining techniques or additive manufacturing techniques. The chamber may be fabricated from various materials, including, for example, polymers, metals, composites, and ceramics. The chamber may function as a heat exchanger so that the apparatus can remove condensable vapors from the gas in the mixture in addition to what is already liquid.

Abstract: A manifold for a medical/surgical waste collection system. An outlet opening and a fitting are in fluid communication with a manifold volume within a housing. The fitting receives a suction line. A filter element with porous features is disposed within the housing such that a fluid communication path is established across the filter element. The porous features trap material entrained within the fluid. A material collection volume is at least partially distal to and below a bottom of the filter element. As the fluid and the material is drawn through the fluid communication path, the material collects within the material collection volume. A flow diverter may be positioned within the housing for directing the material towards the material collection volume. The material collection volume may be at least partially defined by a tissue trap removably coupled to the housing.