Abstract: The invention refers to an apparatus (110) for predicting a technical application property for a polymer based on a digital representation of the polymer. A digital representation providing unit (111) provides a digital representation of the polymer indicative of polymer descriptors. The polymer descriptors are indicative of parameters quantifying physicochemical characteristics of subgroups of the polymer. A prediction model providing unit (112) provides a prediction model adapted to predict a technical application property of the polymer based on the digital representation, wherein the prediction model is a data-driven model parametrized such that it predicts based on the polymer descriptors indicated by the digital representation the technical application property associated with the polymer. A property determination unit (113) determines the technical application property based on the provided digital representation of the polymer and the prediction model.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for performing an additive manufacturing operation to form a structure by processing a photopolymer resist material. A laser beam is directed at a tunable mask. At least one emergent beam is collected from a plurality of emergent beams emerging from the tunable mask. The at least one emergent beam is collimated to create a collimated beam. Each emergent beam from the tunable mask has a plurality of beamlets of varying or identical intensity, and each beamlet emerges from a unique subsection or region of the tunable mask. The collimated beam is focused into a laser beam which is projected as an image plane onto or within the photopolymer resist material, such that the same optical path length is created between the tunable mask and the focused image plane for all optical frequencies of the focused laser beam.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for the driving of threaded fasteners (nuts) down a threaded rod beyond the length of a socket, using the power of an included motor controlled by a switch. The driving of nuts is accomplished by a mechanism component with a cavity of geometry corresponding to the nut and its rod; elaborate embodiments of the mechanism allow for the replacement of that component to accommodate various nuts. A method is provided for the positioning of a gear without a shaft or bushings, as well as a method of constructing that gear.

Abstract: This invention concerns a series of excipients capable of effectively reducing the viscosity of protein formulations. The viscosity reducing excipients are oligopeptides (e.g., dipeptides, tripeptides) comprising at least one arginine. The peptides may also include basic or acidic or hydrophilic or hydrophobic/aromatic amino acids. An arginine residue may be either at the amino or the carboxyl end of the oligopeptide.

Abstract: A microscope may receive a fiber optic connector via a connector adapter that includes an opening and may align a ferrule of the fiber optic connector with the opening of the connector adapter, where the ferrule includes a ferrule endface. The microscope may transmit light onto the ferrule endface and may receive reflected light, as an image of the ferrule endface, with a camera of the microscope. The microscope may determine intensities of brightness of the image and may create a topographical map of the intensities of the brightness of the image. The microscope may determine a radius and an apex of the ferrule endface based on the topographical map and may calculate an apex offset of the ferrule endface based on the radius and the apex of the ferrule endface. The microscope may perform one or more actions based on the apex offset of the ferrule endface.

Abstract: Protein formulations and methods of making and using such formulations are provided herein. The formulation can be an ophthalmic formulation, such as for intravitreal administration. In some embodiments, the formulation comprises a VEGFR-Fc fusion protein, such as aflibercept.

Abstract: A dialysis machine (e.g., a peritoneal dialysis (PD) machine) can include a pressure sensor mounted at a proximal end of a patient line made of a distensible material that provides PD solution to a patient through a catheter. During treatment, an occlusion can occur at different locations in the patient line and/or the catheter. When an incremental volume of additional solution is provided to the patient line while the occlusion is present, a change in pressure results. The change in pressure depends on dimensions and a distensibility of a non-occluded portion of the patient line. If the change in pressure, the incremental volume, properties related to the distensibility of the patient line, and some of the dimensions of the patient line are known, a location of the occlusion can be inferred. An occlusion type can be inferred based on the inferred location.

Abstract: A technique facilitates both a fracturing operation and a subsequent production operation in, for example, a geothermal well system. According to an embodiment, a geothermal well completion is deployed downhole into a wellbore. The geothermal well completion comprises a tubular section deployed in a well zone and having a fracturing port and a production port. Additionally, a shiftable tool is disposed in the tubular section. The shiftable tool comprises a sleeve system which is selectively shiftable between a plurality of operational flow positions. In some embodiments, a plurality of the shiftable tools may be used along corresponding well zones to facilitate fracturing of the well zones while also ensuring the outflow of production fluid has a desired balance along the plurality of well zones.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to an orthopedic precast featuring sensors to detect certain a condition of the patient and usage of an orthosis produced from the orthopedic precast. The orthopedic precast features (i) a first portion including a first plurality of interwoven strands of a first thermoplastic material, (ii) a second portion coupled to the first plurality of interwoven strands of the first thermoplastic material, and (iii) one or more sensors. The first thermoplastic material has a first melting temperature. Responsive to applying heat of at least the first melting temperature to the first portion to cause partial melting of interwoven strands of the first thermoplastic material and subsequent cooling thereafter, the interwoven strands of the first thermoplastic material transition from a flexible state to a rigid state to create one or more recessed area for receipt of the one or more sensors.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to an orthopedic precast that, upon an application of heat of a prescribed level while the orthopedic precast is worn adjacent to a targeted body part of the patient, transitioning into an orthosis that conforms with the body part. The orthopedic precast includes a first portion and an interconnect. The first portion is formed of interwoven strands of a first thermoplastic material having a first melting temperature. These interwoven strands forming a pathway within the first portion. The interconnect is positioned within the pathway, wherein the interconnect is configured to receive power and radiate heat based on current flowing through the interconnect. Responsive to the interconnect supplying radiating heat of at least the first melting temperature, the first thermoplastic material partially melts and, upon subsequent cooling, the first portion transitions from flexible material into a rigid structure of the orthosis.

Abstract: In one example, a pallet jack cap system includes a stabilization outrigger secured around steer wheels of a pallet jack, a bonnet in an elevated position over forks of the pallet jack, an anchor base for attachment to the pallet jack, and a vertical extension system between the anchor base and the bonnet. The vertical extension system supports the bonnet in the elevated position over the forks of the pallet jack. The vertical extension system can include an elevating vertical support assembly, an elastic counterpoise to assist with positioning the bonnet at a particular elevation based on an extension of the vertical support assembly, and an extension lock to secure the vertical support assembly at the particular elevation. The bonnet can be lowered down over a unit load on a pallet transported by the pallet jack, to secure the unit load and items in transport by the pallet jack.

Abstract: A variable optical attenuator (VOA) may include an input collimator with an input fiber connected on one side and an output collimator with an output fiber connected on one side, where the collimators are on a same surface of a VOA enclosure. A retroreflector may receive a light beam from the input collimator and reflect the light beam to the output collimator. The VOA may include an attenuation element positioned between the input collimator and the retroreflector and/or another attenuation element positioned between the retroreflector and the output collimator to provide variable attenuation to the light beam. The attenuation elements may be moved to set an attenuation level by one or more adjustment elements such as a miniature motor. The attenuation element may include a gradient index (GRIN) element, a polarizer, a neutral density filter, or a wavelength tunable filter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for performing an additive manufacturing operation to form a structure by processing a photopolymer resist material. A laser beam is directed at a tunable mask. At least one emergent beam is collected from a plurality of emergent beams emerging from the tunable mask. The at least one emergent beam is collimated to create a collimated beam. Each emergent beam from the tunable mask has a plurality of beam lets of varying or identical intensity, and each beam let emerges from a unique subsection or region of the tunable mask. The collimated beam is focused into a laser beam which is projected as an image plane onto or within the photopolymer resist material, such that the same optical path length is created between the tunable mask and the focused image plane for all optical frequencies of the focused laser beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling thermal radiation from a component. The method involves arranging a thermally conductive base layer in contact with the component, the base layer including a thermally emissive surface. A plurality of independently controlled shutter elements are movable about at least two orthogonal axes, and between closed and open positions, to change a dimension of a gap separating edges of adjacent ones of the shutter elements. The movements of the shutter elements are controlled about the two orthogonal axes to control the dimensions of the gaps to control thermal radiation emitted through the gaps.

Abstract: The present disclosure identifies a set of T cell and B cell epitopes derived from Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 1 (SARS-CoV-1) and their use in designing vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. A method for eliciting an immune response for prophylactic or therapeutic application using the T cell and/or B cell epitopes is described. Further disclosed are SARS-CoV-2-specific polypeptides, nucleic acids, host cells, and corresponding compositions for eliciting or measuring an immune response to SARS-CoV-2 and/or other coronaviruses.

Abstract: A projector having a curved field lens and a displaced light modulating display. The system includes at least one light source configured to generate colored light beams, and a prism routing the light beams to the display. The curved field lens is coupled to a face of the prism, and the prism and curved field lens together decenter the light beam from the prism face and uniformly illuminate the display. A center of the display is displaced from the projection lens optical axis. The decentered light beam and the displaced display together generate a favorable shifted boresight of the created image. Dimensions of components of the projector are a function of a curvature of the curved field lens. The greater the curvature of the curved field lens, the smaller the dimensions of the components and the overall projector. The projector may be used in eyewear.

Abstract: Protein formulations and methods of making and using such formulations are provided herein. The formulation can be an ophthalmic formulation, such as for intravitreal administration. In some embodiments, the formulation comprises a VEGFR-Fc fusion protein, such as aflibercept. In some embodiments, the formulation comprises a Tris buffer.

Abstract: VEGFR-Fc fusion protein formulations and methods of making using such formulations are provided herein. In one embodiment, the formulation is an ophthalmic formulation, such as for intravitreal administration. In some embodiments, the VEGFR-Fc fusion protein is aflibercept.

Abstract: Protein formulations and methods of making and using such formulations are provided herein. The formulation can be an ophthalmic formulation, such as for intravitreal administration. In some embodiments, the formulation comprises a VEGFR-Fc fusion protein, such as aflibercept.

Abstract: In one aspect the present disclosure relates to a system for forming a three dimensional (3D) object from a volume of photo-responsive material contained within a material container. A plurality of optical projection subsystems are adapted to be arranged at least partially circumferentially around a material container containing the volume of photo-responsive material, and are controlled by a controller. The optical projection subsystems direct optical projections at a plurality of angles ? through the volume of photo-responsive material. The optical projections are further directed about a z axis extending through the volume of photo-responsive material.