Abstract: A plasticized terephthalate-based polyester blend comprising a terephthalate-based polyester (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, i.e., PET) homogeneously blended with a fatty acid or ester thereof, wherein said fatty acid or ester thereof is present in said polyester blend in an amount of 1-50 wt %. Also described herein is a method for producing a plasticized terephthalate-based polyester blend, the method comprising melt mixing a terephthalate-based polyester with a fatty acid or ester thereof at a temperature in a range of 230-250° C. to produce said polyester blend, wherein said fatty acid or ester thereof is present in said polyester blend in an amount of 1-50 wt % and is homogeneously blended with said terephthalate-based polyester.

Abstract: An expandable docking station frame includes a waist portion, a sealing portion connected to the waist portion, and a retaining portion connected to the sealing portion. The sealing portion is expandable radially outward of the waist portion to provide a seal against a first location of an inner surface of a circulatory system at a deployed position over a range of sizes of expansion. The retaining portion is expandable radially outward to engage a second location of the inner surface of the circulatory system at the deployed position, to retain the docking station at the deployed position in the circulatory system. When the expandable docking station frame is in an expanded and unconstrained state, the sealing portion and the retaining portion are joined by a concave profile portion radially inward of each of a first outermost diameter of the sealing portion and a second outermost diameter of the retaining portion.

Abstract: Systems, assemblies, and methods for treating valve regurgitation and other valve problems are described. Prosthetic valves can have integrated coverings or flanges. Prosthetic valves can have a flange attached to the inflow end of the annular frame and designed to extend outwardly therefrom. Docking devices can be used to repair or reshape native heart valves and to secure prosthetic heart valves at a specific location and position relative to a native heart valve. Delivery systems can be used to deploy a docking device into the heart, including a lubricous sleeve in the delivery system. Packaging and storage systems suitable for the delivery systems are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to heterocyclic compounds of the formula (I), in which all of the variables are as defined in the specification; capable of modulating the activity of CFTR. The invention further provides a method for manufacturing compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The invention further provides methods to their preparation, to their medical use, in particular to their use in the treatment and management of diseases or disorders including Cystic fibrosis and related disorders.

Abstract: The present specification relates to a battery, comprising an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode, a halogen in contact with the cathode, and a metal in contact with the anode, wherein the halogen is in contact with a polymeric halogen sequestering agent (HSA) which is a polymer comprising a moiety capable of sequestering the halogen.

Abstract: A solid polymer blend material comprising: (i) lignin; and (ii) a polyamide having a melting point of no more than 240° C. and which is below the decomposition temperature of the lignin; wherein said lignin is homogeneously dispersed in said polyamide. Methods for producing the blend material are also described. Methods for producing objects made of the blend material by melt extrusion are also described, comprising: (a) melt blending components (i) and (ii) to form a polymer blend in which components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously blended, wherein the polymer blend exhibits a melt viscosity of no more than 2000 Pa·s at a shear rate of 100-1000 s?1 and when heated to a temperature of no more than 240° C.; and; (b) forming an object made of said polymer blend material.

Abstract: A method for creating and exchanging a copyright for each artificial intelligence (AI)-generated multimedia is described. An AI model and a reference input for a multimedia is received from a user. If the reference input complies with system policies, an AI-generated multimedia is generated from the reference input using the AI model. The AI-generated multimedia is compared against works of a same type in a blockchain and decentralized file storage and if the AI-generated multimedia fails to match the works, the AI-generated multimedia is categorized as having originality. A copyright for the AI-generated multimedia and the AI-generated multimedia is stored. An exchange is facilitated with a buyer using cryptocurrency and is written to a blockchain.

Abstract: The invention relates to heterocyclic compounds of the formula (I), in which all of the variables are as defined in the specification; capable of modulating the activity of CFTR. The invention further provides a method for manufacturing compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The invention further provides methods to their preparation, to their medical use, in particular to their use in the treatment and management of diseases or disorders including Cystic fibrosis and related disorders.

Abstract: An implantable prosthetic valve can include an annular frame comprising an inflow end and an outflow end and being radially collapsible and expandable between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. A leaflet structure can be positioned within the frame and secured thereto. An outer skirt can be positioned around an outer surface of the frame and secured to the frame and an annular sealing member can be positioned around an outer surface of the outer skirt and secured to the outer skirt.

Abstract: A solid polymer blend material comprising: (i) a lignin-acrylonitrile component containing a homogeneous blend of a lignin component and an acrylonitrile-containing rubber component; and (ii) a styrene-containing thermoplastic component that is non-elastomeric; wherein components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously dispersed in the polymer blend material. Methods for producing the blend material are also described. Methods for producing objects made of the blend material by melt extrusion are also described, comprising: (a) melt blending components (i) and (ii) to form a polymer blend in which components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously blended, wherein the polymer blend exhibits a melt viscosity of no more than 2000 Pa·s at a shear rate of 100-1000 s?1 and when heated to a temperature of no more than 240° C.; and (b) forming an object made of said polymer blend material.

Abstract: A system and method for identification and location of user identified, feature specific printers works in conjunction with a user's smartphone or tablet computer. A user inputs their desired printer features into their device, and a listing of candidate printers within a search perimeter is rendered. A distance between the user device and each candidate printer is calculated from a determined location user device relative to locations of each of the candidate printers. The user selects their desired printer from the candidates, and directions for the user to walk to the selected printer are generated and displayed.

Abstract: Expandable docking stations for docking an expandable valve can include a valve seat, one or more sealing portions, and/or one or more retaining portions. The valve seat can be unexpandable or substantially unexpandable beyond a deployed size. The one or more sealing portions can be connected to the valve seat and extend radially outward of the valve seat. The one or more sealing portions can be constructed to expand outward of the valve seat and provide a seal over a range of sizes. The one or more retaining portions can be connected to the one or more sealing portions. The one or more retaining portions are configured to retain the docking station at a deployed position.

Abstract: Rapid methods that identify sepsis-causing bacteria or yeast aid the physician in critical therapeutic decision-making, thus decreasing patient mortality rates. The methods described herein employ plating microorganisms directly on to a MALDI-MS plate, adding concentrated formic acid, and identifying the microorganism by mass spectrometry. Optionally, an organic solvent may be combined with the formic acid, or added to the sample before or after the concentrated formic acid is added thereto. The methods enable direct extraction of proteins from microorganisms without the need for liquid protein extraction methods and yields positive identification results for gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria and yeast in minutes.

Abstract: Described herein are certain crystalline forms of Compound 3, as well as pharmaceutical compositions employing the crystalline forms. Also provided are particles (e.g., nanoparticles) comprising such crystalline forms or pharmaceutical compositions. In certain examples, the particles are mucus penetrating particles (MPPs). The present invention further relates to methods of treating or preventing diseases using crystalline forms or pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Methods for clamping a tether about a spinal or other anatomical feature. In some implementations, a tether may be extended in a loop around an anatomical feature of a spine. A spinal fixation rod may be coupled with an inner coupling piece of a clamping assembly, such as by way of a slot formed in the inner coupling piece. The inner coupling piece may be nestably coupled within an outer coupling piece of the clamping assembly. A first end of the tether may be passed through a passage of the clamping assembly, the passage being is at least partially defined by an outer surface of the inner coupling piece and an inner surface of the outer coupling piece. The loop may be tightened about the anatomical feature with the tether clamped between the inner coupling piece and the outer coupling piece.

Abstract: Described herein are crystalline forms of Compound 1 useful for the prevention and treatment of angiogenic ocular conditions; methods of treating a disease comprising; processes for preparing; and kits comprising, the same.

Abstract: A system for caching includes an interface to receive a portion of a hypercube to evaluate. The hypercube includes cells with a set of the cells having a formula. The system includes a processor to determine term(s) in the formula for each cell of the set of cells; remove from consideration a time dimension and/or a primary dimension for the term(s) in the formula for each cell of the set of cells; determine a set of distinct terms using the term(s); determine whether a total number of terms in the set of cells is larger than a number of distinct terms in the set of distinct terms; and in response to determining that the total number of terms in the set of cells is larger than the number of distinct terms in the set of distinct terms, indicate to cache the set of distinct terms during evaluation.

Abstract: A solid polymer blend material comprising: (i) a lignin-acrylonitrile component containing a homogeneous blend of a lignin component and an acrylonitrile-containing rubber component; and (ii) a styrene-containing thermoplastic component that is non-elastomeric; wherein components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously dispersed in the polymer blend material. Methods for producing the blend material are also described. Methods for producing objects made of the blend material by melt extrusion are also described, comprising: (a) melt blending components (i) and (ii) to form a polymer blend in which components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously blended, wherein the polymer blend exhibits a melt viscosity of no more than 2000 Pa·s at a shear rate of 100-1000 s?1 and when heated to a temperature of no more than 240° C.; and (b) forming an object made of said polymer blend material.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to scanning of objects. A device enabling scanning of objects includes an imaging unit to scan objects and a supporting unit to support the imaging unit on an electronic device. The supporting unit includes a supporting leg that forms a rotatable joint with the imaging unit to enable the imaging unit to fold over the supporting leg. The supporting unit also includes a coupling unit to detachably couple the device to the electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method for identification and location of user identified, feature specific printers works in conjunction with a user's smartphone or tablet computer. A user inputs their desired printer features into their device, and a listing of candidate printers within a search perimeter is rendered. A distance between the user device and each candidate printer is calculated from a determined location user device relative to locations of each of the candidate printers. The user selects their desired printer from the candidates, and directions for the user to walk to the selected printer are generated and displayed.