Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for discrimination of p16INK4a overexpressing metaplasias from neoplastic or preneoplastic p16INK4a overexpressing lesions by determination of the level of high risk HPV encoded gene-products such as e.g. HPV E2 and/or HPV E7 molecules in biological samples in the course of cytological testing procedures. The method thus enables for reduction of false positive results in the p16INK4a based detection of anogenital lesions in cytological testing procedures.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are also described.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression are described. The system can include a shaft and a needle, wherein the needle is freely rotatable with respect to the shaft. The suture may include an overmolded segment. Methods of placing one or more implants, sutures, fastener, bone anchors and other devices are also described. The methods include moving tissue, including the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, palatopharyngeal arch, and palatoglossal arch. The methods include hyoid bone suspension.

Abstract: Robots or other machines may be used for retrieving errant objects from the floor of an automated warehouse. A system can include one or more reporting methods to alert a central control to the existence and location of an object on the warehouse floor. The central control can establish a safety zone around the object to avoid contact with normal warehouse traffic (e.g., standard warehouse robots). The system can route a cleanup robot to the location to retrieve the object. The system can include a cleanup pod comprising a convertible shelving unit with a robotic arm. The cleanup pod can have a similar form factor as shelving units used for storing inventory in the warehouse, thereby enabling standard warehouse robots to lift and transport the cleanup pod to retrieve an object.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for processing verbal queries relative to video content. A verbal query that is associated with a portion of video content is received. The verbal query specifies a relative frame location. An item depicted in the portion of the video content at the relative frame location is identified. Information about the item is determined as an answer to the verbal query. Information about the item is then presented to a user.

Abstract: A DNS server receives from a receiving email system, a DNS query for an email domain stored at the DNS server, the DNS query including identifying information of a sender of an email. The DNS server extracts the identifying information of the email sender from the DNS query and identifies one of a plurality of delivering organizations from the information. The DNS server determines whether the identified delivering organization is authorized to deliver email on behalf of the email domain. In response to determining that the identified delivering organization is authorized to deliver email on behalf of the email domain, the DNS server generates a target validation record based on the identity of the authorized delivering organization and the email domain, the target validation record including one or more rules indicating to the receiving email system whether the delivering organization is an authorized sender of email for the email domain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for discrimination of p16INK4a overexpressing metaplasias from neoplastic or preneoplastic p16INK4a overexpressing lesions by determination of the level of high risk HPV encoded gene-products such as e.g. HPV E2 and/or HPV E7 molecules in biological samples in the course of cytological testing procedures. The method thus enables for reduction of false positive results in the p16INK4a based detection of anogenital lesions in cytological testing procedures.

Abstract: A heater cable produces a substantially level voltage across its cross-section, providing a uniform and controllable thermal output along its length. The heater cable includes at least one center bus wire extending axially along a central axis of the heater cable, and at least one radial bus wire extending axially through the heating cable and positioned adjacent to the center bus wire. The heater cable further includes a thermally and electrically conductive interstitial material disposed around the at least one center bus wire and the at least one radial bus wire, and a jacket disposed about the interstitial material, the at least one center bus wire, and the at least one radial bus wire.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system for controlling a laser device comprises a laser device, a distance meter, a haptic sensation generator, and a computer. The laser device generates a laser beam with a focal point. The distance meter measures a distance between the focal point and a target of an eye of a patient. The haptic sensation generator generates an acoustic field that projects a sensory pattern onto a user. The computer: receives the distance from the distance meter; determines the pattern corresponding to the distance according to a function in which the distance is a variable; and instructs the haptic sensation generator to generate the acoustic field that projects the determined pattern.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system for controlling a laser device comprises a laser device, a haptic sensation generator, a gesture detector, and a computer. The laser device generates a laser beam with a focal point to perform a procedure on a patient. The haptic sensation generator generates an acoustic field that projects a sensory pattern onto a user, where the sensory pattern operates as a user controller related to the procedure. The gesture detector detects a gesture of the user interacting with the user controller, and provides a description of the gesture. The computer: instructs the haptic sensation generator to generate the acoustic field that projects the sensory pattern operating as the user controller; receives the description of the gesture of the user interacting with the user controller; and provides instructions to perform an operation corresponding to the gesture.

Abstract: Suture passer systems for tissue suspension and tissue compression, and more particularly for tongue suspension, are described. The system can include at least a first elongate tubular body or shaft, a needle having a lateral bias carried by the elongate body, and a retrieval element operably connected to the elongate tubular body. The needle can have a substantially straight configuration when located within the elongate tubular body, and be configured to exit an opening at or near a distal end of the elongate tubular body and assume a laterally biased or curved shape to form a path through tissue. The needle is configured to carry a suture. The retrieval element can be configured to retrieve the suture carried by the needle after the needle has formed a curved or otherwise angled path through tissue. The system can also include one or more bone anchors to secure the suture loops. Methods of placing one or more suture loops into tissue, such as the base of the tongue, are also described.

Abstract: A mineral insulated heating cable for a heat tracing system. The heating cable includes a sheath having at least a first, and optionally a second layer, wherein the thermal conductivity of the second layer is greater than a thermal conductivity of the first layer. In addition, the first and second layers are in intimate thermal contact. The heating cable also includes at least one heating conductor for generating heat and a dielectric layer located within the sheath for electrically insulating the heating conductor, wherein the sheath, heating conductor and dielectric layer form a heating section. In addition, the heating cable includes a conduit for receiving the heating section. Further, the heating cable includes a cold lead section and a hot-cold joint for connecting the heating and cold lead sections. In addition, a high emissivity coating may be formed on the first layer.

Abstract: A Venetian blind to be fitted to an architectural frame, including a first rail; a second rail; and a transfer mechanism, wherein: the first rail includes a tilt controller configured to control tilting of the blind, the second rail includes a control actuator, and the transfer mechanism mechanically couples the control actuator and the tilt controller to transfer movement of the control actuator to the tilt controller.

Abstract: A DNS server receives from a receiving email system, a DNS query for an email domain stored at the DNS server, the DNS query including identifying information of a sender of an email. The DNS server extracts the identifying information of the email sender from the DNS query and identifies one of a plurality of delivering organizations from the information. The DNS server determines whether the identified delivering organization is authorized to deliver email on behalf of the email domain. In response to determining that the identified delivering organization is authorized to deliver email on behalf of the email domain, the DNS server generates a target validation record based on the identity of the authorized delivering organization and the email domain, the target validation record including one or more rules indicating to the receiving email system whether the delivering organization is an authorized sender of email for the email domain.

Abstract: A DNS server receives from a receiving email system, a DNS query for an email domain stored at the DNS server, the DNS query including identifying information of a sender of an email. The DNS server extracts the identifying information of the email sender from the DNS query and identifies one of a plurality of delivering organizations from the information. The DNS server determines whether the identified delivering organization is authorized to deliver email on behalf of the email domain. In response to determining that the identified delivering organization is authorized to deliver email on behalf of the email domain, the DNS server generates a target validation record based on the identity of the authorized delivering organization and the email domain, the target validation record including one or more rules indicating to the receiving email system whether the delivering organization is an authorized sender of email for the email domain.

Abstract: A building panel has an outer skin spaced from an inner skin, sandwiching an insulation material. A first end of the outer skin includes a step portion, an indented fastener receiving portion and a first flange. The first flange extends outwardly toward a surface of the outer skin. A seal is mounted on the first flange. The inner skin includes a first end. The inner skin first end includes a shelf and a second flange extending from the shelf. A second seal is positioned on the second flange. A second end of the outer skin includes a portion to receive an outer skin first end of an adjoining panel. A second end of the inner skin includes a portion to receive an inner skin first end of the adjoining panel.

Abstract: A beverage container for a blender includes one or more vibrating mechanisms coupled to a bottom portion of the beverage container or integrated within one or more walls of the beverage container. After a beverage has been blended, the one or more vibrating mechanisms are activated as the beverage is being poured. Vibrations from the one or more vibrating mechanisms are mechanically transmitted to the beverage container, thereby promoting the pourability of the beverage from the beverage container, including dislodging ingredients in the beverage that became lodged or trapped in crevices of the beverage container during the prior blending process, and freeing up beverage ingredients that accumulated at the bottom of the beverage container during the prior blending process.

Abstract: A mineral insulated heating cable for a heat tracing system. The heating cable includes a sheath having at least a first, and optionally a second layer, wherein the thermal conductivity of the second layer is greater than a thermal conductivity of the first layer. In addition, the first and second layers are in intimate thermal contact. The heating cable also includes at least one heating conductor for generating heat and a dielectric layer located within the sheath for electrically insulating the heating, conductor, wherein the sheath, heating conductor and dielectric layer form a heating section. In addition, the heating cable includes a conduit for receiving the heating section. Further, the heating cable includes a cold lead section and a hot-cold joint for connecting the heating and cold lead sections. In addition, a high emissivity coating may be formed on the first layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aperture for a photo or film camera lens assembly or for a photo or film camera, where aperture has a device, which defines an ellipse-like opening, at least in part, the primary and secondary axes of which are stationary, by means of which, in the case of vertical alignment of the ellipse-like opening the aesthetic image effect from anamorphic lenses is produced in the unfocused region. The aperture also include a conventional iris. The ellipse-like opening can be formed by a disc having a fixed, ellipse-like opening or by lamellae forming a linear aperture and which can be moved perpendicular to the main axis of the ellipse-like opening.