Abstract: A drive train for a wind-up injection device is described. The drive train includes a torsional energy storage adapted to be loaded or unloaded by a rotatable element, a rotatable user handle, a rotationally driveable expelling mechanism adapted to expel the liquid drug, and a clutch element coupled with the torsional energy storage via the rotatable element and including a ratchet for maintaining the rotatable element at one of a number of discrete angular positions against the torque of the torsional energy storage. The clutch element is adapted to transmit the torque from the user handle to the torsional energy storage, or alternatively from the torsional energy storage to the expelling mechanism. The ratchet is switchable from one position to an adjacent position by a torque transmitted from the user handle to the torsional energy storage. The drive train is adapted to dampen torque peaks visco-elastically and/or visco-frictionally.

Abstract: A medical method of automatically improving signals received from a patient's physiological system can include delivering stimulation signals to a nerve pathway of a patient with electrical pulses via electrodes placed over the nerve pathway to generate a plurality of resultant electrical waveforms (EPs) based on a plurality of electrophysiological responses (ERs); recording the plurality of resultant EPs; generating an ensemble average waveform (EA), the generating comprising averaging a subset of the plurality of ERs; and denoising the EA, the denoising comprising applying a wavelet transform to the EA.

Abstract: A microfluidic lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device, microfluidic systems, and associated methodology are described that allow for intelligently collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) and their associated metadata. Optical spectroscopy is integrated with filtration membranes on the microfluidic device. The microfluidic LOC device and systems can be used for selectively capturing targeted species based on optical characteristics and for recording relevant metadata on eDNA acquired by the filtration membranes.

Abstract: Provided here are methods of using a mutated patatin-like phospholipase II? (“pPLAII?,” renamed here MATRILINEAL) to induce haploid induction in plants, cloning a pPLAII? to induce haploid induction in plants, and genetically engineering a plant to contain a mutated pPLAII?. Also provided are methods of applying topical and spray chemicals, lipids, and RNAi molecules to plants during pollination in order to induce haploid production. Further provided are methods of chemically treating plants during pollination to induce haploids while also reducing embryo abortion and increasing seed set.

Abstract: Processes and devices provide parenteral delivery of therapeutic fluids, in particular high-viscosity therapeutic fluids (e.g., protein therapeutics), by a chemical reaction that generates a gas. A device may include a first actuation chamber containing a first reagent, a second reaction chamber containing a second reagent, and a third therapeutic fluid chamber containing the therapeutic fluid. In a loaded configuration, a plunger separates the first chamber from the second chamber. In a delivery configuration, the plunger allows the first reagent from the first chamber to communicate and react with the second reagent from the second chamber. The generated gas acts upon a plunger to deliver the therapeutic fluid from the third chamber.

Abstract: A button for a drug delivery device with a reduced operating loudness includes a plate-like button body forming a touch surface, wherein the plate-like button body is coupled by an axial supporting member to a noise-generating interface of the drug delivery device and movable into a longitudinal direction of the drug delivery device, wherein the plate-like button body includes a material composite with at least one first component consisting of a first material and at least one second component consisting of a second material different from the first material, wherein the at least one first component and the at least one second component are coupled via at least one coupling plane that is at least sectionwise slanted or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Further, the disclosure describes a button assembly for a drug delivery device which is shock resistant.

Abstract: A method for network resiliency testing comprising: executing a resiliency testbed application at a plurality of virtual machines; accessing, by the plurality of virtual machines, network configuration data stored in a configuration database, the configuration data corresponding to a topology of a network to be emulated; configuring at least a portion of the virtual machines, according to the network configuration data, to emulate a plurality of nodes of the network to be emulated; automatically determining least cost paths between the plurality of nodes; simulating communications between the plurality of nodes based on the determined least cost paths; and determining one or more metrics of the network to be emulated based on the simulation.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for controlling the thickness of glass during glass sheet production. The apparatuses and methods employ a laser beam to heat a particular portion of the molten glass. In some examples, a laser beam control system controls the laser beam to generate a more consistent glass thickness across the glass sheet. In some examples, the laser beam control system multiplexes the laser beam to heat various portions of the glass, for example, simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for plugging a subset of cells of a honeycomb structure that includes: covering a first end face of the honeycomb structure with a mask that comprises a body and a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings of the mask is coincident with a plurality of cells of the honeycomb structure; providing a plug of material upon a film material; applying a force to the film material to push the plug of material through the plurality of openings of the mask and into the plurality of cells of the honeycomb structure; and measuring a pressure within the plurality of cells during the applying step, wherein the applying step further comprises adjusting the force applied to the film material based at least in part on the pressure within the plurality of cells to push the plug of material to a predetermined depth within the plurality of cells.

Abstract: A method for plugging a subset of cells of a honeycomb structure that includes: covering a first end face of the honeycomb structure with a mask that comprises a body and a plurality of openings, wherein the plurality of openings of the mask is coincident with a plurality of cells of the honeycomb structure; providing a plug of material upon a film material; applying a force to the film material with a piston to push the plug of material through the plurality of openings of the mask and into the plurality of cells of the honeycomb structure; and measuring a plurality of pressures within the plurality of cells of the honeycomb structure during the applying step.

Abstract: Provided are isolated cDNAs comprising a nucleotide sequence having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 33, SEQ ID NO: 37, SEQ ID NO: 52 or SEQ ID NO: 53. Also provided are expression cassettes; vectors; transgenic plant cells; plants, plant parts, and seeds; isolated polypeptides; amplicons and informative fragments of the presently disclosed nucleic acids; compositions that include amplification primer pairs; methods for producing plants that exhibit HI; methods for identifying the presence or absence of an allele associated with HI in a plant; methods for introgressing Haploid-inducing nucleotide sequences into plants; and methods for selecting parental plants predicted to produce progeny generations with plants that exhibit Haploid Induction trait.

Abstract: A method for network resiliency testing comprising: executing a resiliency testbed application at a plurality of virtual machines; accessing, by the plurality of virtual machines, network configuration data stored in a configuration database, the configuration data corresponding to a topology of a network to be emulated; configuring at least a portion of the virtual machines, according to the network configuration data, to emulate a plurality of nodes of the network to be emulated; automatically determining least cost paths between the plurality of nodes; simulating communications between the plurality of nodes based on the determined least cost paths; and determining one or more metrics of the network to be emulated based on the simulation.

Abstract: A method for strengthening communication network resilience at a source agent of the communication network, comprising accessing an access list comprising communication relay agents available to the source agent. The method further comprising accessing a Q-table that corresponds to the communication relay agents available to the source agent. The method further comprising the source agent transitioning from communicating via a current communication relay agent to communicating via a new communication relay agent at a time slot, wherein the new communication relay agent is determined based on a set of entries in the Q-table. The method further comprising receiving data indicative of an actual reward for transitioning to the new communication relay agent, and updating the entry in the Q-table corresponding to the transition from the current communication relay agent to the new communication relay agent.

Abstract: An optical system includes a circular lens having a first set of electrodes arranged in a concentric pattern and a liquid crystal material in electrical communication with the first set of electrodes. The optical system also includes a first cylindrical lens having a vertical meridian and a second set of electrodes oriented along an axis parallel to the vertical meridian. The optical system additionally includes a second cylindrical lens having a third set of electrodes oriented at an angle with respect to the axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for preventing or reducing the likelihood of Coronavirus (CoV) and/or Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in an individual, preventing or reducing the likelihood or severity of a symptom associated with a CoV and/or RSV infection in an individual, reducing the severity and/or duration of a CoV and/or RSV infection in an individual, or treating a CoV and/or RSV infection in an individual, preventing or reducing viral shedding in an individual infected with a CoV and/or RSV infection, or reducing transmission of a CoV and/or RSV in a population comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a macromolecule wherein the macromolecule comprises a dendrimer of 3-5 generations with one or more sulfonic acid or sulfonate containing moieties attached to one or more surface groups. The present invention also relates to a device for delivering a composition comprising such a macromolecule.

Abstract: A method for making a cold plate includes the steps of positioning a finstock structure in a cavity of a substrate; and applying a cover to the finstock structure and substrate, wherein the applying step comprises ultrasonically additive manufacturing the cover to the substrate and the finstock structure, whereby the cover joins with the substrate and the finstock structure. The resulting cold plate assembly includes a substrate having a cavity, a finstock structure within the cavity, and a cover closing the finstock structure within the cavity, the cover being integrally joined to the substrate and to the finstock structure.

Abstract: A subsurface tool adapted to extend within a wellbore includes an integrally formed single-component body that defines an external surface and an internal chamber isolated from the external surface. When the tool is subjected to one or more stresses, a stress concentration is created within a stress zone of the single-component body, the stress zone being adjacent the internal chamber.

Abstract: A metallic product such as an audio speaker cover and a related method of manufacturing that has a surface with a cloth-like appearance, yet allows the passage of sound. The metallic audio speaker cover has a base of expanded metal with polygonal openings or woven wire through which the sound may pass, the openings being defined by filaments that provide structural strength; a pretreatment film that adheres to the expanded metal base, and one or more multi-color powder coating films that adhere to the pretreatment film. In some embodiments, the film also has anti-microbial properties.

Abstract: A formulation having excellent gastric protection properties comprises an active pharmaceutical ingredient and a waxy compound, dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable oily carrier. The formulation presents a palatable and stable oral dosage form which is particularly suitable for acid-sensitive active pharmaceutical ingredients, and which is also suitable for active pharmaceutical ingredients which are liable to cause stomach irritation.

Abstract: A method for making a cold plate includes the steps of positioning a finstock structure in a cavity of a substrate; and applying a cover to the finstock structure and substrate, wherein the applying step comprises ultrasonically additive manufacturing the cover to the substrate and the finstock structure, whereby the cover joins with the substrate and the finstock structure. The resulting cold plate assembly includes a substrate having a cavity, a finstock structure within the cavity, and a cover closing the finstock structure within the cavity, the cover being integrally joined to the substrate and to the finstock structure.