Abstract: A cartridge, in particular a disposable cartridge, for use in an electrowetting sample processing system. The cartridge has a liquid input port for introducing an input liquid into an internal gap of the cartridge, the input liquid providing for at least one droplet, directly or via a liquid separation process within the internal gap, and the internal gap having at least one hydrophobic surface, at least one processing zone for processing samples located in the processing zone, and a delivery zone for delivering the at least one droplet from the liquid input port to the at least one processing zone. The delivery zone is configured to provide a repeating pattern of interacting electrowetting force for simultaneously transporting the at least one droplet within the delivery zone.

Abstract: A rotor assembly for a peristaltic pump is provided. Each of a first pair of roller assemblies includes a first roller portion having a first diameter and a second roller portion having a second diameter. The first diameter is larger than the second diameter. Each of a second pair of roller assemblies includes a first roller portion having a first diameter and a second roller portion having a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The first and second pairs of roller assemblies are positionable around a circumference of a hub such that the first roller portion of the first pair of roller assemblies is aligned with the first roller portion of the second pair of roller assemblies and the second roller portion of the first pair of roller assemblies is aligned with the second roller portion of the second pair of roller assemblies.

Abstract: An extraction device can include a delivery shaft having a lumen and a distal end, a first wire forming a first arc and being positionable distal to the distal end of the delivery shaft while ends of the first arc are at a distalmost end of the delivery shaft, and a second wire forming a second arc and being positionable distal to the distal end of the delivery shaft while ends of the second arc are at the distalmost end of the delivery shaft. A distalmost extent of the first wire is distal to a distalmost extent of the second wire. The first wire and the second wire are separately retractable relative to the delivery shaft.

Abstract: Compounds, such as compounds having Formula (I): wherein each variable is as described herein, that modulate the conversion of AMP to adenosine by 5?-nucleotidase, ecto, and compositions containing the compounds and methods for synthesizing the compounds, are described herein. The use of such compounds and compositions for the treatment and/or prevention of a diverse array of diseases, disorders and conditions, including cancer- and immune-related disorders, that are mediated by 5?-nucleotidase, ecto is also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a heater assembly of an e-vaping device includes bending a wire to form a first lobe and bending the wire to form a second lobe. The first lobe and the second lobe form a generally sinuously-shaped heater having a first set of lobes and a second set of lobe. A first apex of the first lobe is generally opposite a second apex of the second lobe. The method may also include curling the first set of lobes towards the second set of lobes to form a heater having a substantially tubular form. The heater defines an opening there through.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprising: —a first wall comprising a first substrate on which a plurality of closed patterns is grafted, —a second wall, facing the first wall, comprising a second substrate, —a plurality of nucleic acids grafted either on the first substrate or on the second substrate, wherein each nucleic acid comprises a barcode that encodes the position of the nucleic acid on said first or second substrate, wherein at least the plurality of closed patterns or the second substrate is made of an actuatable hydrogel which is swellable between a retracted state and a swollen state in which the closed patterns and the second substrate come into contact.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an inverse kinematic (IK) modeling application generates models that are used to solve IK problems for object animations. The IK modeling application generates configuration vectors based on a set of joint parameters associated with a joint chain. The IK modeling application executes forward kinematic operation(s) on the joint chain based on the configuration vectors to generate target vectors. Each target vector includes data associated with at least one of a position or an orientation for an end-effector associated with the joint chain. The IK modeling application performs one or more machine learning (ML) operations on an ML model based on the configuration vectors and the target vectors to generate a trained ML model that computes a predicted joint vector associated with the joint chain based on at least one of a target position or a target orientation for the end-effector.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a computer animation application automatically solves inverse kinematic problems when generating object animations. The computer animation application determines a target vector based on a target value for a joint parameter associated with a joint chain and at least one of a target position or a target orientation for an end-effector associated with the joint chain. The computer animation application executes a trained machine learning model on the target vector to generate a predicted vector that includes data associated with multiple joint parameters associated with the joint chain.

Abstract: A captive fastener is disclosed having a longitudinal slot along the shank for receiving a hold out clip, and a pair of diametrically opposed slots for receiving a pair of push out clips. The push out clips are formed with hook shaped ends that catch and engage an edge of a wall surface to set the distance of depth of the fastener inside the wall. The hold out clip and push out clips are shaped to receded inside their respective slots in the presence of an interfering surface as the fastener passes through the wall in a first direction (insertion), but the push out clips will not recede into their slots in the second direction (withdrawal).

Abstract: A captive fastener is disclosed having a longitudinal slot along the shank for receiving a hold-out clip, and a chamber that houses a retractable cam member. The cam member is spring actuated to extend out of the shank and can be retracted into the cavity against the bias of the spring to pass through a primary panel and subpanel. The cam member is shaped to counter-rotate in the presence of a traverse force, such as the panel bearing against it.

Abstract: A captive fastener is disclosed having a longitudinal slot along the shank for receiving a hold-out clip, and a chamber that houses a retractable push out pin. The push out pin is spring actuated to extend out of the shank and can be retracted into the cavity against the bias of the spring to pass through a primary panel and subpanel. The push out pin is shaped to bear against a counterbore and secure the fastener within a panel while other components are affixed to the fastener.

Abstract: A captive fastener comprising a head, a neck, and a threaded shaft, and one or more spring loaded pins disposed within respective cavities of the shaft along at least first and second radial directions. Each spring loaded pin is located in a chamber of the shaft with an annular rim on at a proximal end of the pin that prevents the pin completely passing through an aperture and out the chamber. The distal end of the pin projects through the aperture and out of the shaft when the spring is not compressed. That is, the spring biases the pin outward such that a distal portion of the pin projects through the hole, but the spring can collapse to allow the fastener to pass through a fitted opening sized to receive the shaft of the fastener before the pin expands outward.

Abstract: A captive fastener and method of use is disclosed wherein the screw is comprised of a head and shank, and where the shank includes a radial counter bore that retains a spring biased pin. The spring may bear against a plug in the counter bore or the shank inner wall, and biases the pin outward such that it extends outside of the shank in the absence of a compressive force. The captive screw is inserted through a top panel by tilting the screw at the opening of the panel such that the pin is pushed inward into the channel formed by the counter bore (against the force of the spring). Once the pin is recessed in the screw, the screw is passed through the panel opening until the shank emerges on the other side. Once the shank pushes through the panel, the pin will emerge under the biasing of the spring to extend outward of the shank in the radial direction. The pin thus prevents the screw from disengaging with the panel.

Abstract: A captive fastener is disclosed having a longitudinal slot along the shank for receiving a hold-out clip, and a chamber that houses a retractable cam member. The cam member is spring actuated to extend out of the shank and can be retracted into the cavity against the bias of the spring to pass through a primary panel and subpanel. The cam member is shaped to counter-rotate in the presence of a traverse force, such as the panel bearing against it.

Abstract: A captive fastener is disclosed having a longitudinal slot along the shank for receiving a hold out clip, and a pair of diametrically opposed slots for receiving a pair of push out clips. The push out clips are formed with hook shaped ends that catch and engage an edge of a wall surface to set the distance of depth of the fastener inside the wall. The hold out clip and push out clips are shaped to receded inside their respective slots in the presence of an interfering surface as the fastener passes through the wall in a first direction (insertion), but the push out clips will not recede into their slots in the second direction (withdrawal).

Abstract: A captive fastener and method of use is disclosed wherein the screw is comprised of a head and shank, and where the shank includes a radial counter bore that retains a spring biased pin. The spring may bear against a plug in the counter bore or the shank inner wall, and biases the pin outward such that it extends outside of the shank in the absence of a compressive force. The captive screw is inserted through a top panel by tilting the screw at the opening of the panel such that the pin is pushed inward into the channel formed by the counter bore (against the force of the spring). Once the pin is recessed in the screw, the screw is passed through the panel opening until the shank emerges on the other side. Once the shank pushes through the panel, the pin will emerge under the biasing of the spring to extend outward of the shank in the radial direction. The pin thus prevents the screw from disengaging with the panel.

Abstract: A captive fastener comprising a head, a neck, and a threaded shaft, and one or more spring loaded pins disposed within respective cavities of the shaft along at least first and second radial directions. Each spring loaded pin is located in a chamber of the shaft with an annular rim on at a proximal end of the pin that prevents the pin completely passing through an aperture and out the chamber. The distal end of the pin projects through the aperture and out of the shaft when the spring is not compressed. That is, the spring biases the pin outward such that a distal portion of the pin projects through the hole, but the spring can collapse to allow the fastener to pass through a fitted opening sized to receive the shaft of the fastener before the pin expands outward.