Abstract: A system and method for generating and transmitting emergency messages and for maintaining real-time emergency communications sessions between users and emergency dispatch centers. A system receives data transmitted from a user device and constructs an emergency message related to a specific type of emergency scenario as well as the location, meta-data and background information of the user. The generated emergency message is transmitted via a communications network and delivered to an appropriate emergency dispatch center. The method enables the user to deliver a detailed request for help regardless of his or her location or, in another instance, delivers the basic emergency response related information for the user. The generated emergency message is universally compatible with emergency communications center infrastructure so long as the communications centers possess basic voice call equipment.

Abstract: Spinal surgical procedures for implanting intervertebral devices, and associated devices and systems are described herein. A representative spinal surgical procedure can include gaining access to a diseased disc of a spine of a patient via a minimally-invasive a lateral, transpedicular, transfacet, or transforaminal access pathway. Various instruments can be inserted through the trocar to (i) remove some or all of the diseased disc, (ii) expand a disc space around the diseased disc, (iii) insert an intervertebral device into the disc space, and/or (iv) fill the intervertebral device with a fill material. Each of the aforementioned steps can be performed through the minimally-invasive access pathway provided by the trocar. This can minimize disruption to the flesh of the patient—minimizing patient pain and recovery time.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting passengers via uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) receives passenger requests for transport between origin and destination points. Based on the request a transport plan is generated for each passenger, identifying the passenger, assigning a UAS and including a flight plan (which includes flight instructions and a communications plan for the UAS control system). Based on the transport plan one or more encoded flight plan datasets are generated. Each encoded dataset is downloadable to and displayable by the passenger's portable computing device, and scannable and decodable by reader devices at the origin and destination ports and aboard the UAS. Scanning an encoded dataset both grants the passenger access to the origin port and UAS and confirms the passenger's presence. Further, each assigned UAS downloads from the decoded flight plan data the necessary configuration data to fulfill its portion/s of the flight plan.

Abstract: A system includes a fluidic device, a flow control valve, a first reagent fluid reservoir fluidly connectable to the fluidic device by the flow control valve, a first fluid buffer reservoir fluidly connectable to the fluidic device by the flow control valve, and a common fluid buffer source fluidly connectable to the fluidic device by the flow control valve. The flow control valve permits flow comprising: (i) flow from the first reagent fluid reservoir to the fluidic device, (ii) flow from the common fluid buffer source to the fluidic device, (iii) flow from the fluidic device to the first fluid buffer reservoir, (iv) flow from the first reagent fluid reservoir to the fluidic device, and (v) flow from the first fluid buffer reservoir to the fluidic device.

Abstract: Systems for providing and tracking information, including location and credentials, of a person and providing this information to a user on a display. The system provides multiple views on the display including a room view to indicate who is in a specified room or other location, a team view to indicate a person's position in an overall service team, and a timeline view to indicate the times and durations of service events involving one or more persons.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to bacteria that have been modified to metabolize a bile acid, pharmaceutical compositions including the bacteria, and methods of using the bacteria and pharmaceutical compositions to treat disorders associated with an elevated amount of bile acid, e.g., bile acid diarrhea.

Abstract: Apparatus and device for testing within a metal pipe are described. The apparatus includes an exciter for generating an electromagnetic (EM) field for exciting a wall of the metal pipe; an extendable and retractable sensor assembly comprising a plurality of sensor bars arranged in an angled manner with respect to an axis of the pipe for sensing residue EM field on a wall of the pipe; a plurality of guide wheel assemblies for supporting and moving the apparatus along the axis of the pipe; and a control unit for recording sensed data from the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A method of writing data to a transparent substrate comprises forming a first voxel by focusing a first laser pulse on a first location in a transparent substrate; and forming a second voxel by focusing a second laser pulse on a second location in the transparent substrate. The first laser pulse and the second laser pulse have different amplitudes, resulting in the first and second voxels having different strengths. Also provided are a system useful for implementing the method; an optical data storage medium obtainable by the method; and a method of reading data from the optical data storage medium.

Abstract: A propulsive aircraft gas turbine engine comprises a turbine disposed in a gas turbine engine core flow and a recuperator heat exchanger disposed downstream of the turbine in gas turbine engine core flow, the recuperator heat exchanger being configured to transfer heat from the gas turbine engine core flow to gas turbine engine fuel. The recuperator heat exchanger is configured to accommodate a portion of the gas turbine engine core flow therethrough, the remainder being bypassed around the recuperator heat exchanger.

Abstract: An end effector that can have an upper jaw and a lower jaw. A wrist can connect the end effector to an elongated shaft. A beam member can be arranged to translate within the upper and lower jaw. An actuation assembly can have a pushing assembly configured to transfer compressive force to the beam member and a pulling assembly configured to transfer tensile force to the beam member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a non-stick conductive material to automate tool touch-off in an additive manufacturing process are provided. A substrate comprises a first conductive layer, an intermediate binder layer, and a second non-stick conductive layer. The non-stick conductive layer may comprise perfluoroalkoxy alkanes and carbon nanotubes. An electrical connection may be made between the first conductive layer and the second non-stick conductive layer. When used with an additive manufacturing device, when the nozzle of the device contacts the substrate, a circuit may close resulting in a detectable voltage drop. When the voltage drop is detected, a reference point for the additive manufacturing device may be set.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for generating rules to be utilized by a rule-based system. A parser analyzes a received string of words according to grammatical rules to generate a parse tree. The parse tree may then be reviewed by a user to determine if such a parse tree represents the appropriate syntactic structure of the string of words. If the user believes that the parse tree does not represent the appropriate syntactic structure of the string, then the user, who does not need to possess the expertise of natural language processing, may select the nodes and/or edges of the parse tree in a particular order that corresponds to the correct syntactic structure of the string of words. A grammatical rule is then created for parsing the string of words based on the user selection of nodes and/or edges of the parse tree in a particular order.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to preparing models of three-dimensional structures. In particular, a model of a three-dimensional structure constructed of porous geometries is prepared. A component file including a porous CAD volume having a boundary is prepared. A space including the porous CAD volume is populated with unit cells. The unit cells are populated with porous geometries having a plurality of struts having nodes on each end. The space is populated with at least one elongated fixation element extending beyond the boundary to produce an interlocking feature enabling assembly or engagement with a mating structure.

Abstract: A request to launch a compute instance is received at a control plane of a provider network. At an outbound command communicator, an indication that a compute instance is to be established at a target host at a client premise is obtained. A first address is associated with the target host at the control plane and also assigned to the communicator. A message with a second address within a first network of the client premise as a destination is transmitted. The message comprises a command to establish the compute instance at the target host. The first address is assigned to the target host within a second network of the client premise. Processing of the command at the target host results in establishment of a compute instance.

Abstract: An aircraft defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction is provided. The aircraft includes a fuselage; an engine mounted at a location spaced from the fuselage of the aircraft, the engine comprising rotor blades; and at least one fuselage shield removably coupled to the fuselage at a location in alignment with the rotor blades along the lateral direction.

Abstract: A method of operating a robotically controlled surgical instrument that includes an end effector, a driving assembly, and a lockout, the method includes inhibiting actuation of the driving assembly when the lockout is in a locked configuration in response to an unspent staple cartridge being absent from a first jaw of the end effector. The method also includes inserting the unspent staple cartridge into the first jaw of the end effector to switch the lockout to an unlocked configuration. The method also includes actuating the driving assembly to pivot the first jaw, which includes the staple cartridge, toward a second jaw of the end effector to at least one of staple or cut tissue with the end effector when the lockout is in the unlocked configuration.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method of generating a virtual 3D environment, a hierarchy of slots is provided. The slots are organized in tiers from one or more top tier slots to one or more bottom tier slots. Each slot defines a portion of a 3D environment and includes a plurality of layouts. Each layout of a non-bottom tier slot defines a position of at least one slot from a lower tier within the portion of the 3D environment. One or more of the top tier slots are positioned within the 3D environment. The 3D environment is generated by randomly selecting one of the plurality of layouts of the top tier slot and the lower tier slots, and populating each of the selected layouts with one or more objects. The 3D environment is rendered for display.

Abstract: An active radio-frequency (RF) sensing technology for determining the relative and/or absolute state (e.g., position, velocity, and/or acceleration) of a target object (e.g., a person, a car, a truck a lamp post, a utility pole, a building) is described. The sensors described herein operate in the Terahertz band (300 GHz to 3 THz). An active RF sensing device comprises a substrate and first and second semiconductor dies mounted on the substrate. The first semiconductor die has an RF transmit antenna array integrated thereon, and the transmit antenna array comprises a first plurality of RF antennas configured to generate an RF signals having frequency content in the 300 GHz-3 THz band. The second semiconductor die has an RF receive antenna array integrated thereon, and the receive antenna array comprises a second plurality of RF antennas configured to receive RF signals having frequency content in the 300 GHz-3 THz band.

Abstract: An article, for example, an integrated circuit (IC), is manufactured such that the article includes an authentication element that is indicative of an authentication code associated with the article. A block of a blockchain ledger is generated based upon the authentication code. After the article leaves a trusted chain of custody, the article can be authenticated based upon the blockchain. An authentication code can be read from an authentication element included in or on an article under test that is of undetermined authenticity. The authentication code can be evaluated against the blockchain to determine if the authentication code is a genuine code used to generate a block of the blockchain. If the authentication code is genuine, the article under test can be authenticated.

Abstract: Systems and methods applicable, for instance, to pipette robots. A pipette robot can perform one or more operations regarding deck calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip/probe calibration, one or more operations regarding pipette tip pick up, and/or one or more operations regarding tip ejection.