Abstract: A surgical instrument including a system for stopping a beam of the surgical instrument from impacting a distal pin when reversing a knife is disclosed. A knife assembly of the surgical instrument comprises the knife, the beam, and a firing nut. A firing lead screw can drive the firing nut distally and proximally. A firing screw compression spring extends along the firing lead screw and applies a load proximally on the firing nut when the firing nut is driven toward a distal end of the firing lead screw.

Abstract: A system for preventing unwanted tissue migration in surgical staplers includes a surgical stapler having an end effector including an upper jaw and a lower jaw. A distal end of the upper jaw is connected to a distal end of the lower jaw, and a proximal end of the upper jaw is connected to a proximal end of the lower jaw. First and second tissue stops are formed on the distal and proximal ends of the lower jaw, respectively. The second tissue stop and the proximal end of the upper jaw define a no cut zone when the surgical stapler is in an open position. The surgical stapler also includes a tissue cutting device disposed within the lower jaw for resecting tissue. The system also includes a warning, blocking, impeding, or barrier forming device for preventing the unwanted migration of tissue into the no tissue zone.

Abstract: A band includes a latch body that is movable by pulling a tab. The latch body extends through an opening of the band and secures with a pin located on a head-mountable device. The band can detach from the head-mountable device by pulling the tab, which actuates the latch body and removes the latch body from the pin. A spring (or springs) can bias the latch body toward the opening, causing the latch body to enter the pin. An applied force to the tab can overcome the biasing force provided by the spring(s), and move the latch body away from, and out of, the pin.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer system, and computer program product for parallelizing quantum processes for processing a problem. A computer system identifies subproblems in the problem based on a structure of the problem. The computer system identifies quantum circuits in a set of quantum computers to process the subproblems. The computer system executes jobs on the quantum circuits to solve the subproblems.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium includes recorded instructions for performing a method of improving evacuation gas flow performance of an additive manufacturing build chamber. Instruction execution by a processor of a host computer device causes the processor to receive an input data set inclusive of flow field data of an inert gas through the build chamber, and an improvement metric operable to characterize flow improvements therein. The processor generates a flow field data set in response to the input data set, and extracts evacuation streamline data from the flow field data set. The streamline data describes expected flow paths of the inert gas through the modified build chamber. Instruction execution also causes the processor to generate an output data set using the streamline data, with the output data set including the flow improvements as characterized by the metric.

Abstract: A method including receiving environmental data, sensor data, and a multi-state model are received for an object. The object includes a first material and a second material that galvanically or chemically interacts with the first material. Each of distinct galvanic or chemical state of the object represents a corresponding different equation applicable to a corresponding specific galvanic or chemical interaction between the first and second materials. A stochastic optimization operation is performed on the multi-state model until convergence on candidate sets of galvanic or chemical material change rates for the distinct galvanic or chemical states of the object. A correlation model is generated for a surrogate parameter for the second physical parameters by correlating the environmental data to the sensor data using the candidate sets of galvanic or chemical material change rates. An aircraft design is generated using the correlation model.

Abstract: A device includes one or more processors configured to generate simulation data by providing first sets of first values of first input parameters to a simulation of a physical system. The processors are configured to develop at least one surrogate model based on the simulation data, and to select second input parameters from the first input parameters based on the at least one surrogate model. A count of the second input parameters is less than a count of the first input parameters. The processors are configured to generate second simulation data by providing second sets of second values of the second input parameters to the simulation. The processors are configured to develop at least a second surrogate model based on the second simulation data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing designs of composite parts. One embodiment is a method that includes identifying, at a controller, a candidate movement of a ply to a new ply position within a composite part, based on an objective function, loading, at the controller, stacking sequence rules that dictate how fibers are oriented across ply sequences of the composite part, and determining, at the controller, whether the candidate movement complies with the stacking sequence rules.

Abstract: Multi-layer films, and processes to make the films, that enable the delivery of a substrate featuring a peelable thin layer of low haze, amorphous, isotropic film with the desired properties of high modulus, high usage temperature, UV blockage, and toughness The films are made using a co-extrusion, co-orientation and annealing process to enable the delivery of a thin isotropic, UV blocking layer on top of a release layer and support substrate. These film constructions can be kept together during additional processing steps such as coating and converting. The release and dimensionally stable substrate layer can be easily removed once processing steps are completed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing designs of composite parts. One embodiment is a method that includes identifying, at a controller, a candidate movement of a ply to a new ply position within a composite part, based on an objective function, loading, at the controller, stacking sequence rules that dictate how fibers are oriented across ply sequences of the composite part, and determining, at the controller, whether the candidate movement complies with the stacking sequence rules.

Abstract: A method includes executing a simulating application to perform a first simulation of liquid sloshing in a hull onboard a vehicle subject to dynamics and operational parameters to produce a first prediction of loads and stresses on a portion of the hull that in a design of the liquid container, but not in a first computer geometric model of the hull, has a component of the components integrated or assembled thereto. A second computer geometric model of the portion of the hull with the component is generated and the first prediction of loads and stresses are applied thereto. The method includes executing the simulating application to perform a second simulation subject to the dynamics and operational parameters to produce a second prediction of loads and stresses on the component. The second prediction of loads and stresses on the component are output for certification of the design.

Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include a first optical film, a second optical film and at least one rough strippable boundary layer disposed between the first and second optical films. Also disclosed are optical bodies including a strippable boundary layer disposed between the first and second optical films and including a first polymer and a second polymer that is substantially immiscible in the first polymer. The present disclosure also provides methods of processing optical bodies that include stretching the optical bodies.

Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include a first optical film, a second optical film and at least one rough strippable boundary layer disposed between the first and second optical films. Also disclosed are optical bodies including a strippable boundary layer disposed between the first and second optical films and including a first polymer and a second polymer that is substantially immiscible in the first polymer. The present disclosure also provides methods of processing optical bodies that include stretching the optical bodies.

Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include an optical film and at least one rough strippable skin layer. The at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a continuous phase and a disperse phase. In some embodiments, the at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a first polymer, a second polymer different from the first polymer and an additional material that is substantially immiscible in at least one of the first and second polymers. In some exemplary embodiments, a surface of the at least one rough strippable skin layer adjacent to the optical film comprises a plurality of protrusions and the adjacent surface of the optical film comprises a plurality of asymmetric depressions substantially corresponding to said plurality of protrusions. Methods of making such exemplary optical bodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multilayer card is provided having asymmetrically stretched polyester layer(s) and method of making the same are provided. Multilayer cards having asymmetrically stretched polyester layers can exhibit improved ability to pass a card warpage test as measured according to ISO/IEC 10373-1:2006(E) and ISO/IEC 7810:2003(E), relative to multilayer cards having symmetrically stretched polyester layers. A method of making the multilayer cards having asymmetrically stretched polyester layers can eliminate the need to observe a lane registration convention during manufacture of the multilayer cards.

Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include an optical film and at least one rough strippable skin layer. The at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a continuous phase and a disperse phase. In some embodiments, the at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a first polymer, a second polymer different from the first polymer and an additional material that is substantially immiscible in at least one of the first and second polymers. In some exemplary embodiments, a surface of the at least one rough strippable skin layer adjacent to the optical film comprises a plurality of protrusions and the adjacent surface of the optical film comprises a plurality of asymmetric depressions substantially corresponding to said plurality of protrusions. Methods of making such exemplary optical bodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Optical bodies are disclosed that include an optical film and at least one rough strippable skin layer. The at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a continuous phase and a disperse phase. In some embodiments, the at least one rough strippable skin layer can include a first polymer, a second polymer different from the first polymer and an additional material that is substantially immiscible in at least one of the first and second polymers. In some exemplary embodiments, a surface of the at least one rough strippable skin layer adjacent to the optical film comprises a plurality of protrusions and the adjacent surface of the optical film comprises a plurality of asymmetric depressions substantially corresponding to said plurality of protrusions. Methods of making such exemplary optical bodies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Modified copolyesters having relatively low refractive indices and relatively high glass transition temperatures are disclosed. These modified copolyesters can be used in forming one or more layers in an optical film, such as a multilayer polymer film.

Abstract: Modified copolyesters having relatively low refractive indices and relatively high glass transition temperatures are disclosed. These modified copolyesters can be used in forming one or more layers in an optical film, such as a multilayer polymer film.

Abstract: A trunking section (50) is described and has a body (51) with sides (52a, 52b and 52c) which form a channel (54). Trunking section (50) also has an end portion (62) inserted into first end (56) such that it engages the internal surfaces of sides (52a, 52b and 52c) and is welded thereto. End portion (62) is provided with a first aperture (64) which is adapted to receive a bush connector (66) and has four curved edges (70) and four straight edges (72) therebetween. The bush connector (66) has a male part (74) and a female part (76). Male part (74) has a tubular body (78) which has an aperture (80), it has external first threaded surfaces (82) and rotation prevention means, in the form of flat portions (84). Bush connector (66) also has a female part (76) with an internal second thread (88) which engages first threaded portions (82) of male part (74).