Abstract: Tissue stabilizing devices and methods for stabilizing, and optionally closing, a target tissue, such as the left atrial appendage, generally include an elongate body with a first lumen and a second lumen, a suction tip coupled to the elongate body, and an injection tip coupled to the elongate body proximal of the suction tip. The suction tip may define a suction aperture and the suction aperture may be in fluid communication with the first lumen to apply suction to the target tissue. The injection tip may be in fluid communication with the second lumen to dispense a contrast fluid.

Abstract: Described here are closure devices and methods for ligating tissue, such as the left atrial appendage. Generally, the closure devices include an elongate body, a snare loop assembly comprising a snare and a suture loop, and a shuttle connected to the snare and releasably coupled to the elongate body and retractable therein. In some variations, the shuttle may be configured to fit into the lumen. In other variations, a handle may be attached to the elongate body, and the handle may comprise a track and a snare control coupled to the track. The handle may be configured to release the shuttle from the elongate body and allow movement of the snare control along the track to retract the snare loop and the shuttle into a lumen of the elongate body.

Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can be configured to create media messages with automatic titling. For example, a user can create a media messaging project that includes multiple video clips. The video clips can be generated based on video data and/or audio data captured by the user device and/or based on pre-recorded video data and/or audio data obtained from various storage locations. When the user device captures the audio data for a clip, the user device can obtain a speech-to-text transcription of the audio data in near real time and present the transcription data (e.g., text) overlaid on the video data while the video data is being captured or presented by the user device.

Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can be configured to create media messages with automatic titling. For example, a user can create a media messaging project that includes multiple video clips. The video clips can be generated based on video data and/or audio data captured by the user device and/or based on pre-recorded video data and/or audio data obtained from various storage locations. When the user device captures the audio data for a clip, the user device can obtain a speech-to-text transcription of the audio data in near real time and present the transcription data (e.g., text) overlaid on the video data while the video data is being captured or presented by the user device.

Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can be configured to create media messages with automatic titling. For example, a user can create a media messaging project that includes multiple video clips. The video clips can be generated based on video data and/or audio data captured by the user device and/or based on pre-recorded video data and/or audio data obtained from various storage locations. When the user device captures the audio data for a clip, the user device can obtain a speech-to-text transcription of the audio data in near real time and present the transcription data (e.g., text) overlaid on the video data while the video data is being captured or presented by the user device.

Abstract: In some implementations, a user device can be configured to create media messages with automatic titling. For example, a user can create a media messaging project that includes multiple video clips. The video clips can be generated based on video data and/or audio data captured by the user device and/or based on pre-recorded video data and/or audio data obtained from various storage locations. When the user device captures the audio data for a clip, the user device can obtain a speech-to-text transcription of the audio data in near real time and present the transcription data (e.g., text) overlaid on the video data while the video data is being captured or presented by the user device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide respiratory ventilation support to a patient by concentrating oxygen with an oxygen generator comprising a nitrogen adsorbing molecular sieve and mixing and supplying the concentrated oxygen and ambient air. The method and apparatus determine parameters for providing respiratory ventilation support to the patient based on an indication of the size of the patient provided by an operator of the apparatus.

Abstract: A process for concentrating and diluting a treatment substance to provide a diluted treatment for introduction to a wellbore is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes measuring a treatment fluid flow rate. The process also includes blending the treatment fluid with a treatment substance to produce a concentrated treatment fluid. The process further includes measuring a flow rate of the concentrated treatment fluid. Moreover, the process includes determining a difference between the treatment fluid flow rate and the flow rate of the concentrated treatment fluid. In addition, the process includes comparing the difference to a target difference. The process additionally includes adjusting the difference to be within a desired range of the target difference and diluting the concentrated treatment fluid to provide the diluted treatment fluid.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for aligning fibers in an electrospinning process. A jet of a fiberizable material is directed towards an uncharged collector from a dispensing location that is spaced apart from the collector. While the fiberizable material is directed towards the collector, an elliptical electric field is generated via the electrically charged dispenser and an oppositely-charged control location. The field spans between the dispensing location and the control location that is within line-of-sight of the dispensing location, and impinges upon at least a portion of the collector. Various combinations of numbers and geometries of dispensers, collectors, and electrodes can be used.

Abstract: A process for concentrating and diluting a treatment substance to provide a diluted treatment for introduction to a wellbore is disclosed. In one embodiment, the process includes measuring a treatment fluid flow rate. The process also includes blending the treatment fluid with a treatment substance to produce a concentrated treatment fluid. The process further includes measuring a flow rate of the concentrated treatment fluid. Moreover, the process includes determining a difference between the treatment fluid flow rate and the flow rate of the concentrated treatment fluid. In addition, the process includes comparing the difference to a target difference. The process additionally includes adjusting the difference to be within a desired range of the target difference and diluting the concentrated treatment fluid to provide the diluted treatment fluid.

Abstract: A cantilever array can be positioned adjacent a surface in the presence of a sample. The cantilever array includes a plurality of cantilevers having one member of a specific binding pair thereon. The surface includes the other member of a specific binding pair. Binding between the members of the binding pair on the cantilevers and the surface can be detected. The presence, absence and/or concentration of a member of the specific binding pair in the sample can be detected based on the detected binding between the specific binding pair member on the cantilevers and the specific binding pair member on the surface.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for aligning fibers in an electrospinning process. A jet of a fiberizable material is directed towards an uncharged collector from a dispensing location that is spaced apart from the collector. While the fiberizable material is directed towards the collector, an elliptical electric field is generated via the electrically charged dispenser and an oppositely-charged control location. The field spans between the dispensing location and the control location that is within line-of-sight of the dispensing location, and impinges upon at least a portion of the collector. Various combinations of numbers and geometries of dispensers, collectors, and electrodes can be used.

Abstract: A plant growth array device includes an aerial growth chamber configured to receive aerial shoot portions of a plurality of plants and a root growth chamber configured to receive root portions of the plurality of plants. A dividing member is between the aerial growth chamber and the root chamber and has a plurality of apertures for receiving the plurality of plants therein. The plurality of apertures are configured so that the root portions grow substantially in a common orientation.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products combine recursive least squares system identification operations and generalized predictive control operations to yield recursive generalized predictive control (RGPC) operations that can simultaneously achieve robust performance and robust stability characteristics. These RGPC operations can be applied in real-time without prior system (plant) information for control design because the operations for system identification are performed continuously. Moreover, the RGPC operations can be applied in the presence of changing operating environments because the control design is updated adaptively.

Abstract: A processable electrically conductive polymeric complex comprising a polyelectrolyte having acid functional groups and a conductive polymer selected from the group consisting of polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, poly(phenylene sulfide), the conductive polymer ionically bound to the polyelectrolyte. The mole ratio of the monomers which form the conductive polymer to the acid functional groups of the polyelectrolyte is ≧1. The polymeric complex is made by a template-guided chemical polymerization process which comprises adsorbing the monomers onto the polyelectrolyte in a mixture of alcohol and water to form a polyectrolyte adduct, emulsifying the polyelectrolyte adduct in an acid to form an emulsified polyelectrolyte adduct and oxidatively polymerizing the emulsified polyectrolyte adduct. The polymeric complex is water insoluble when dried as a coating on a substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recorded information conveyance and comprehension are provided that include a Virtual Interactive Teaching and Learning (VITAL) Center. The VITAL Center provides an interactive patient education and informed consent process that increases patient comprehension using presentations that offer a baseline education about medical and surgical procedures including the associated risks, benefits and alternatives. The patient's comprehension of the material is confirmed throughout the presentation using summary questions focused on key information. The patient is able to record their own questions or concerns about the procedure while watching the presentation. After the presentation is finished, A healthcare professional reviews the patient questions upon completion of the presentation, and any information the patient did not understand is further explained at this time.

Abstract: An anti-corrosive polymeric complex which is comprised of a plurality of double-stranded molecular complexes. Each of the molecular complexes are comprised of a strand of a conductive polymer and a strand of a copolymer. The strands of the polymeric complex are non-covalently bonded to each other along the contour of the strands to form a side-by-side, twisted, double-stranded configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for presenting selected information to one or more individuals, and authenticating both the individual's receipt and the individual's comprehension of the information presented. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the methods and apparatus relating to the authenticating operation include methods and apparatus for visually and, optionally, otherwise recording the individual's responses to the information presented simultaneously with the presentation thereof. Preferably the authenticating operation further includes methods and apparatus for archiving, retrieving and observing in a correlated fashion both the information presented and the recorded individual's responses thereto.

Abstract: For use in cathodoluminescent field emission display devices, a cathode emitter can comprise an inverted field effect transistor having a diamond film or other low effective work function material deposited onto the channel layer of the transistor, such that the diamond film provides a source of primary electron emissions. A variable voltage source is applied to the gate of the transistor creating an electric field that controls the conductivity of the channel layer, thereby activating or deactivating electron emissions from this cathode emitter structure. In addition, electron blocking junctions can be incorporated into the emitter structure to inhibit current flow through the device during a deactivated state. In a variation, the transistor of the cathode emitter has the diamond film being deposited onto an electrically conductive pad that is electrically connected to, and extending outwardly from, the transistor.

Abstract: For use in cathodoluminescent field emission display devices, a gated channel layer of an inverted field effect transistor functions as the electron emissive layer for a flat film surface conduction cathode emitter. In such emitters, electrons are emitted from the surface of a flat thin emissive film when an electric current is caused to flow through the film in parallel with the surface of the film. An electric field caused by a variable voltage source being applied to the gate of the transistor can control the conductivity of the channel layer, thereby controlling the level of electron emissions from the cathode emitter structure. In a variation, the field effect transistor is constructed with a two-tier structure that during operation is designed to keep conduction near the surface of the transistor. As a result, this device pushes electrons towards the exposed surface where they can then escape from the channel layer to bombard the cathodoluminescent phosphor anode.