Abstract: Venous infusion catheter assemblies and methods of use are described herein. A catheter assembly may comprise an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, with an expandable occlusion element disposed on the elongated catheter body. A catheter may include a first infusion lumen extending to a proximal infusion port positioned on the catheter body proximally of the occlusion element and a second infusion lumen extending to a distal infusion port. Some embodiments may use a suction lumen extending to at least one suction port. When the catheter is introduced into vasculature of a patient, the suction port may be positioned in the patient's superior vena cava or right atrium to draw blood, the distal infusion port is positioned to direct normothermic or hyperthermic fluid toward the patient's heart, and the proximal infusion port is positioned to create a flow of hypothermic fluid in the patient's cerebral vasculature.

Abstract: Communication systems are described that use signal constellations, which have unequally spaced (i.e. ‘geometrically’ shaped) points. In many embodiments, the communication systems use specific geometric constellations that are capacity optimized at a specific SNR. In addition, ranges within which the constellation points of a capacity optimized constellation can be perturbed and are still likely to achieve a given percentage of the optimal capacity increase compared to a constellation that maximizes dmin, are also described. Capacity measures that are used in the selection of the location of constellation points include, but are not limited to, parallel decode (PD) capacity and joint capacity.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a component is described and involves retaining a canister as an integral part of the component after performing an isostatic pressing process. The method comprises: providing a canister having a canister wall that encloses an internal cavity, the canister wall comprising at least a first wall section and a second wall section, where the first wall section and the second wall section are of different materials; filling the internal cavity with a powdered material; performing an isostatic pressing process on the filled canister to consolidate the powder; and retaining the canister as an integral part of the component such that an internal structure of the component comprises the consolidated powder and the canister wall forms at least part of a surface of the component that covers the internal structure.

Abstract: Microbiota restoration therapy compositions and methods for manufacturing, processing, and/or delivering microbiota restoration therapy compositions are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing a microbiota restoration therapy composition may include collecting a human fecal sample and adding a diluent to the human fecal sample to form a diluted sample. The diluent may include a cryoprotectant. The method may also include mixing the diluted sample with a mixing apparatus and filtering the diluted sample. Filtering may form a filtrate. The method may also include transferring the filtrate to a sample bag and sealing the sample bag.

Abstract: A method of identifying NPK-deficiency includes measuring intensities of light reflected from a cannabis plant to produce intensities at a set of spectral bands, wherein the cannabis plant is one variety of a plurality of varieties of cannabis. The intensities are applied to a classifier so that the classifier provides one of an indication that the cannabis plant is NPK-deficient or an indication that the cannabis plant is NPK-sufficient, wherein the classifier has been trained using plants that include each of the plurality of varieties of cannabis.

Abstract: The spontaneous assembly of chiral structures from building blocks that lack chirality is fundamentally important for colloidal chemistry and has implications for the formation of advanced optical materials. Here, we find that purified achiral gold tetrahedron-shaped nanoparticles assemble into two-dimensional superlattices that exhibit planar chirality under a balance of repulsive electrostatic and attractive van der Waals and depletion forces. A model accounting for these interactions shows that the growth of planar structures is kinetically preferred over similar three-dimensional products, explaining their selective formation.

Abstract: Communication systems are described that use signal constellations, which have unequally spaced (i.e. ‘geometrically’ shaped) points. In many embodiments, the communication systems use specific geometric constellations that are capacity optimized at a specific SNR, over the Rayleigh fading channel. In addition, ranges within which the constellation points of a capacity optimized constellation can be perturbed and are still likely to achieve a given percentage of the optimal capacity increase compared to a constellation that maximizes dmin, are also described. Capacity measures that are used in the selection of the location of constellation points include, but are not limited to, parallel decode (PD) capacity and joint capacity.

Abstract: Microbiota restoration therapy (MRT) compositions (e.g., oral MRT compositions) and methods for manufacturing MRT compositions are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing an MRT composition may include collecting a stool sample, purifying the stool sample to form a purified sample, stabilizing the purified sample to form a stabilized sample, converting the stabilized sample to a solid, adding one or more additives and/or excipients to the solid to form a treatment composition, and encapsulating the treatment composition.

Abstract: Methods for generating immune responses using adenovirus vectors that allow multiple vaccinations with the same adenovirus vector and vaccinations in individuals with preexisting immunity to adenovirus are provided.

Abstract: Communication systems are described that use unequally spaced constellations that have increased capacity compared to conventional constellations operating within a similar SNR band.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a body defining an interior cabin having at least one seat and a tailgate rearward of the at least one seat at a rear end of the cabin interior, a shelf configured to extend between lateral sides of the cabin interior in a region between the at least one seat and the liftgate. The shelf is configured to be arranged in one of a first shelf position, a second shelf position and a seat backrest position, and a heating device operable to heat the shelf. The vehicle also includes an orientation sensor to sense orientation of the shelf in one of the first position, second position and backrest position, and a controller controlling temperature of the heating element based on the sensed orientation of the shelf.

Abstract: A post-partum hemorrhage monitoring system has a fluid collection funnel having a opening configured to receive post-partum hemorrhaging, an open distal end, a base, an interior configured to receive postpartum hemorrhage, a lip extending exteriorly from the open proximal end, an anterior surface configured to be placed adjacent an anterior vaginal wall of a patient, a posterior surface configured to be placed adjacent a posterior vaginal wall of a patient and a stem having a lumen extending from an open distal end of the funnel. The anterior surface tapers from the lip to and through the base, the posterior surface has substantially no taper from the lip to and through the base to provide a flattened flow path, and the stem is offset from the geometric center of the fluid collection funnel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an introducer assembly. The introducer assembly includes a sheath and a hub assembly interconnected with the proximal end of the sheath, the hub assembly including a body defining an interior passageway in fluid communication with the lumen of the sheath, the body having a proximal end and a distal end. A valve assembly is positioned within the interior passageway of the body, the valve assembly having a valve member, the valve member being at least partially movable from a first position to a second position with respect to the valve collar. A vacuum chamber positioned distal to the valve assembly and in fluid communication with the interior passageway of the body and the lumen of the sheath, the vacuum chamber including a vacuum port.

Abstract: A composition, for application to a surface of keratin, including a first polyesteramine, is disclosed. The first polyesteramine is a first conditioning agent present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 99.9% by weight of the composition. The composition also includes a second polyesteramine. The second polyesteramine is a second conditioning agent present in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 99.9% by weight of the composition.

Abstract: Communication systems are described that use unequally spaced constellations that have increased capacity compared to conventional constellations operating within a similar SNR band.

Abstract: Communication systems are described that use unequally spaced constellations that have increased capacity compared to conventional constellations operating within a similar SNR band.

Abstract: The method of maintaining a first flow rate through a first valve in a fluid delivery system, the fluid delivery system including a and a plurality of fluid valves in fluid communication with the pump, and a controller controlling the pressure generated by the pump and the position of the plurality of valves. The method includes providing the first flow rate of a fluid pressurized by the pump through the first valve, receiving a request for a second flow rate of the fluid through a second valve, determining a predicted effect on the first flow rate based on the request, adjusting at least one of the position of the first valve and the pressure generated by the pump to maintain the first flow rate based on the predicted effect, and adjusting the position of the second valve to provide the second flow rate of the fluid through the second valve.

Abstract: Communication systems are described that use signal constellations, which have unequally spaced (i.e. ‘geometrically’ shaped) points. In many embodiments, the communication systems use specific geometric constellations that are capacity optimized at a specific SNR, over the Rayleigh fading channel. In addition, ranges within which the constellation points of a capacity optimized constellation can be perturbed and are still likely to achieve a given percentage of the optimal capacity increase compared to a constellation that maximizes dmin, are also described. Capacity measures that are used in the selection of the location of constellation points include, but are not limited to, parallel decode (PD) capacity and joint capacity.

Abstract: A waveguide assembly integrated with a semiconductor wafer is provided. The waveguide assembly includes a waveguide channel defined by internal walls of the wafer lined with a metallic layer, and having at least one port for transmission of the RF signal into or out of the waveguide channel. The waveguide assembly also includes a semiconductor obstacle member disposed in the waveguide channel. The waveguide assembly may be fabricated using etching and deposition processes for semiconductor devices. In use, selectively varying either one or both of frequency or power level of electromagnetic radiation applied to the obstacle member varies electrical conductance of the obstacle member, and thereby varies the electrical impedance of the obstacle member to transmission of the RF signal through the waveguide channel. The waveguide assembly may be used for switching, attenuating, routing, filtering, and transforming the RF signal.