Abstract: An assembly includes a prosthetic heart valve and a delivery apparatus. The prosthetic heart valve has a plurality of pivotably connected struts and one or more adjustable elements rotatably coupled to the struts. Rotating the adjustable elements in a first direction relative to the struts radially expands the prosthetic heart valve. Rotating the adjustable elements in a second direction relative to the struts radially contracts the prosthetic heart valve. The delivery apparatus includes one or more motors, one or more drive wires coupled to the motors, and a memory. The drive wires are coupled to the adjustable elements of the prosthetic heart valve. The motors are configured to rotate the drive wires and the adjustable elements to expand and contract the prosthetic heart valve. The memory is configured for storing one or more characteristics of the motors, the drive wires, or the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: A multi sectioned nut is operable to attach to a threaded fastener. The multi sectioned nut includes a plurality of multi sectioned threaded nut sections and a turn-lock formed on at least one end of the plurality of threaded nut sections. A cage is detachably coupled to the plurality of nut sections operable to spring open on a side opposite the cage to allow the threaded fastener to pass through. The turn-lock is inserted into a strut slot and rotated to removably attach to the strut slot. According to one embodiment, the multi sectioned nut may include at least two sections.

Abstract: A method of monitoring an additive manufacturing build process includes first and second phases. The first phase includes depositing a powder layer onto a powder bed. A topographical profile of the powder bed is captured with a profilometer. An image of the powder bed is captured with a camera. The image and topographical profile are combined to create a data set that is transferred to a machine learning algorithm. A set of training data is generated and includes a set of deviations from a nominal model. The second phase includes depositing a powder layer onto the powder bed. An image of the powder bed is captured and compared to the set of training data. Deviations from the nominal model of the first powder bed are determined. Any deviations that are greater than a numerical threshold are labelled and identified as a defect which includes its type and severity.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing a component includes at least one articulating arm, at least one plasma gun disposed at an end of a first articulating arm of the at least one articulating arm, at least one shot peen nozzle maintained in a fixed positioned relative to the plasma gun, and a controller controllably coupled to the articulating arm such that output signals from the controller control motions of the articulating arm.

Abstract: A recapturable external LAA exclusion clip system includes a clip comprising first and second clip struts, at least one of the struts having a connector interface comprising a first portion of a lock, and a delivery device comprising a handle and an end effector. The handle comprises jaw and lock controls. The end effector is connected to the handle and comprises a clevis and first and second jaws. The jaws are connected to the clevis and operatively connected to the jaw control to actively articulate at least one of the jaws with respect to the other. At least one of the jaws has a connector comprising a second portion of the lock operatively connected to the lock control to removably lock with the first portion of the lock. The first and second portions of the lock have a locked state and are configured to unlock the locked state upon actuation of the lock control.

Abstract: A U-shaped band to attach or snap a conduit or pipe to a slotted structural member. The U-shaped band includes a bottom portion, a first side having a first arm connected to the bottom portion; a second side having a second arm connected to the bottom portion thereby forming a U-shaped structure with the first and second sides. The at least one arm snaps into a slot of the slotted structural member when in an engaged position. The slotted structural member may be a strut or a receiver. The receiver has arms to engage and snap into curled ends or lips on sides of the strut and thus may adapt the band to the strut. Alternatively, the band may snap into suitably sized slots on the slotted structural member.

Abstract: A molding tool and method for producing an interior trim part. A cavity is embodied between a first element and a second element, and a slide is displaceably connected to the first element. A decorative layer is arranged on the first element and a backing is arranged on the second element. A foamable mixture is added to the hollow area between the backing and a reverse side of the decorative layer, such that a foam layer fills the hollow area. A distance between the first element and the second element is increased to enlarge the hollow area. During this process, the slide is pressed against a side facing away from the reverse side of the decorative layer, such that the hollow area is sealed with the reverse side of the decorative layer pressed against a lateral surface of the backing and/or against a lateral surface of the second element.

Abstract: A method of transporting waxy crude hydrocarbon includes: providing a container having an internal chamber with at least one port for receiving flowable waxy crude, wherein the container is provided at a refinery location; filling the internal chamber of the container with a filling system for loading the waxy crude hydrocarbon into the container; allowing the waxy crude hydrocarbon to cool and solidify into a non-flowable state; transporting the container having the non-flowable waxy crude hydrocarbon with at least one transport vehicle, wherein the transporting is performed without actively heating the waxy crude hydrocarbon with an active heating system, wherein the transporting is along a transportation route having a beginning at the refinery location and an ending; heating the waxy crude hydrocarbon at the ending of the transportation route until flowable; and removing the flowable waxy crude hydrocarbon from the container with an emptying system.

Abstract: An apparatus for finishing a component includes at least one articulating arm having a shot peening apparatus and at least one laser source. A plurality of laser redirectors are configured to redirect a laser originating from the laser source. Each laser redirector in the plurality of laser redirectors is mounted to a first rail and a second rail. A controller is controllably coupled to the articulating arm and each of the rails such that output signals from the controller control a position of the articulating arm, and a position of each laser redirector in the plurality of laser redirectors.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension connects a vehicle body to a plurality of wheels and allows relative motion between the vehicle body and the wheels. The suspension system includes a plurality of telescoping multi-stage hydraulic cylinder assemblies arranged to selectively lift the vehicle body relative to the wheels when extended and to lower the vehicle body relative to the wheels when contracted. A control valve is used to adjust a volume of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder assemblies to change a height of the vehicle. External spring packs are in fluid connection with the hydraulic cylinder assemblies to maintain spring forces on the suspension system over a range of telescopic movement of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies. Fluid damping valves are provided for damping telescopic movement of the hydraulic cylinder assemblies by restricting fluid flow between the hydraulic cylinder assemblies and the spring packs.

Abstract: A spin nut is operable to attach to a threaded fastener such as a rod. The spin nut includes a threaded nut having a shoulder for supporting a bracket, and a snap retainer detachably coupled to the threaded nut operable to spin onto any position on the threaded rod. At least one wing is formed on the snap retainer operable to attach to a bracket having a hole and spin to adjust to a position on the threaded rod. The snap retainer is detachably couple the plurality of sectioned threaded nut sections operable to spring open on a side opposite the band to allow the threaded rod to pass through.

Abstract: An LAA exclusion clip includes first and second clip struts and a bias device. The clip struts together define a heart-proximate side, a heart-distal side, bias and open clip ends, each strut having a tissue-contacting surface disposed opposite one another. The bias device includes a first biasing portion connecting the first and second clip struts, disposed on the heart-proximate side of the clip struts, and crossing over from the first clip strut to the second clip strut at the heart-proximate side of the first and second clip struts adjacent the bias clip end. The bias device includes a second biasing portion connecting the first and second clip struts, disposed on the heart-distal side of the first and second clip struts, and crossing over from the first clip strut to the second clip strut at the heart-distal side of the first and second clip struts adjacent the bias clip end.

Abstract: A method for fragmenting a genome is provided. In certain embodiments, the method comprises: (a) combining a genomic sample containing genomic DNA with a plurality of Cas9-gRNA complexes, wherein the Cas9-gRNA complexes comprise a Cas9 protein and a set of at least 10 Cas9-associated guide RNAs that are complementary to different, pre-defined, sites in a genome, to produce a reaction mixture; and (b) incubating the reaction mixture to produce at least 5 fragments of the genomic DNA. Also provided is a composition comprising at least 100 Cas9-associated guide RNAs that are each complementary to a different, pre-defined, site in a genome. Kits for performing the method are also provided. In addition, other methods, compositions and kits for manipulating nucleic acids are also provided.

Abstract: Gene-modified, lymphoid-tissue-homing dendritic cells that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene and a retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme and the retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene is expressed to produce functional retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene enzyme. A method for treating one or more than one inflammation-related condition or disease, the method comprising administering gene-modified, lymphoid-tissue-homing dendritic cells that comprise a 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene and a retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene, where the 1-alpha-hydroxylase gene is expressed to produce functional 1-alpha-hydroxylase enzyme and the retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene is expressed to produce functional retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene enzyme.

Abstract: An adjustable vane pump, in particular an oil pressure pump, with a suction side and a pressure side, with a housing and a rotor supported in the housing so as to be rotatable about a rotor axis. At least one vane is supported for movement in a radial direction. The housing comprises a housing floor and a housing cover transversely to the rotor axis, and an adjustment cage is arranged between the housing floor and the housing cover.

Abstract: A network optimization platform, comprising: storage configured to store QoS and latency requirement for a plurality of applications, protocols associated with various data traffic generated by the plurality of applications; a processor configured to execute communication applications, the communication applications configured to cause the processor to: receive data traffic from the plurality of applications, classify the data traffic based on at least one of the QoS and latency requirement associated with the plurality of applications, determine a priority for packets comprising the data traffic, select a bearer for the packets based on the classification and priority, and deliver the packets to the bearer selected therefore.

Abstract: A multiple-fire securing device includes a hollow outer shaft, a reloader, a reloader movement assembly, a rail, and securing structures each defining an inner securing orifice. The reloader longitudinally moves within the outer shaft and has a distal end shaped to temporarily contact one of the securing structures. The rail is disposed within the reloader and has an installing location. The securing structures are disposed on the rail. The reloader movement assembly moves the reloader longitudinally in a distal direction to deliver a first securing structure to the installing location from a first proximal position and moves the reloader proximally away from the installing location without the first securing structure to a position in which the distal end of the reloader temporarily contacts a second one of the securing structures. The second and successive securing structures are moved one at a time to the installing location.

Abstract: A cellular wheel sluice for granulate bulk product has a housing in which a cellular wheel is rotatably mounted, wherein the housing has an inlet duct for the bulk product, wherein at least two raised granulate roofs are arranged at the inlet duct, wherein a granulate groove is arranged respectively at the transition between two granulate roofs and/or at the transition between one granulate roof and an inlet edge, wherein two granulate grooves in each case run together at an intersection point in the rotation direction of the cellular wheel.

Abstract: A U-shaped band to attach or snap a conduit or pipe to a slotted structural member. The U-shaped band includes a bottom portion, a first side having a first arm connected to the bottom portion; a second side having a second arm connected to the bottom portion thereby forming a U-shaped structure with the first and second sides. The at least one arm snaps into a slot of the slotted structural member when in an engaged position. The slotted structural member may be a strut or a receiver. The receiver has arms to engage and snap into curled ends or lips on sides of the strut and thus may adapt the band to the strut. Alternatively, the band may snap into suitably sized slots on the slotted structural member.

Abstract: A display system comprises a continuous flexible display and two main display supports being hingeably connected with respect to each other between a closed storage position and a planar open position for fixing the flexible display in an open position. Each of the supports is structurally configured to support respectively a first and a second portion of the flexible display, a segment of the flexible display is located between the said respective portions of the flexible display in the open position. The display system comprises a spring force biased mechanism operative in either the open or closed position or both the open and closed positions of the flexible display, biasing said segment of the flexible display in the respective position.