Abstract: Digital microfluidic (DMF) methods and apparatuses (including devices, systems, cartridges, DMF readers, etc.), and in particular DMF apparatuses and methods adapted for large volume. For example, described herein are methods and apparatuses for DMF using an air gap having a width of the gap that may be between 0.3 mm and 3 mm. Also described herein are DMF readers for use with a DMF cartridges, including those adapted for use with large air gap/large volume, although smaller volumes may be used as well.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and apparatus for reducing spatial flicker artifacts in high dynamic range images produced from multiple image captures with differing integration times. The method and apparatus may comprise, in the image captures, measuring pixel intensity selecting pixels with a predetermined intensity thresholds, calculating a ratio based on a channel selection, normalizing the calculated ratio to an ideal ratio, and applying the normalized ratio to corresponding image pixels in a second image capture to produce a flicker-free image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention enable users to extract knowledge from testing scenarios performed during application development, and later employ that knowledge to interpret application usage scenarios to enhance serviceability of applications by expediting identification and solving of problems. In an exemplary embodiment, log data generated during simulation of test cases is analyzed to create one or more rules based on patterns in which one or more log entries appear in the log data. Later, log data may be analyzed to look for a pattern of log entries that matches a pattern-based rule, thereby facilitating faster identification and resolution of the problem.

Abstract: An example method facilitates enabling Key Encryption Key (KEK) rotation for a running multi-tenant system without requiring system downtime or interruption. The example method facilitates decrypting a set of one or more DEKs using a preexisting KEK; using a new KEK to re-encode the DEKs using the new KEK, all while simultaneously enabling servicing of tenant requests. This is enabled in part, by strategic caching of tenant DEKs in a secure local memory, wherein the cached tenant DEKs are maintained in the clear and are readily accessible to running processes that are using the DEKs to decrypt and access tenant data, irrespective of the state of a background process used to implement the KEK rotation to the new KEK.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically generating a dynamic taskline. Initially, sources are accessed to retrieve contextual information associated with a user. From this contextual information, a user task is detected that comprises subtasks. Subtasks are identified, where the subtasks are associated with the user task. The subtasks are ranked based, in part, on the contextual information associated with the user. A taskline is automatically generated based on the ranking of the subtasks. The taskline is dynamically modified based on a particular point in time or updated contextual information associated with the user, to constantly provide the user with relevant and useful information.

Abstract: A processing device receives a first cluster management operation request, wherein the first cluster management operation request is for a deployment operation of a first cluster and comprises a cluster template, a specified number of nodes to deploy and a configuration. The processing device determines a plurality of constraints from at least one of the cluster template or the configuration. The processing device deterministically solves for and outputs a first cluster layout comprising the specified number of nodes, each of the specified number of nodes comprising a hardware type, an image type and one or more services, wherein the first cluster layout satisfies the plurality of constraints.

Abstract: Methods, robots, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for selectively uploading operational data generated by a robot to a remote computing system. In various implementations, a robot may classify a plurality of operational data points generated by the robot with a plurality of operational data types. The robot may also identify one or more attributes of a physical communication link between the robot and a remote computing system. Based on the one or more attributes of the physical communication link, the robot may identify a plurality of strategies for uploading operational data from the robot to the remote computing system. Each strategy may govern how operational data points of at least one of the plurality of operational data types is uploaded. The robot may then selectively upload the plurality of classified operational data points to the remote computing system pursuant to the plurality of strategies.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods of preventing and eliminating trisulfide bonds in proteins such as antibodies. In one embodiment, trisulfide bonds in proteins are converted to disulfide bonds as part of chromatographic purification procedures. In another embodiment, the formation of trisulfide bonds in proteins is inhibited by implementation of methods described herein during the cell culture production of such proteins. In another embodiment, monoclonal antibodies are produced by the methods described herein.

Abstract: A series of appliances including a first shell and a second shell can be designed to incrementally implement a treatment plan. The first and second shells can have cavities designed to receive teeth of a jaw. A first bite adjustment structures can be formed of a same material as the first shell, extending from the first shell and designed to interface with teeth of a second jaw. A second bite adjustment structures can be formed of a same material as the second shell, extending from the second shell and designed to interface with teeth of the second jaw. The first and the second bite adjustment structures can have respective shapes and locations specific to respective stages of the treatment plan.

Abstract: A turbine rotor blade that includes: an airfoil defined between a pressure face and a suction face; a tip shroud that includes a seal rail projecting from an outboard surface and, formed thereon, a cutter tooth; and a cooling configuration that includes a cooling channel for receiving and directing a coolant through an interior of the rotor blade. The cooling channel may include fluidly connected segments, in which: a supply segment extends radially through the airfoil; a cutter tooth segment is formed within the cutter tooth of the seal rail; and branching segments formed within at least one of the tip shroud and an outboard region of the airfoil. Each of the branching segments may extend between an upstream port, which connects to the cutter tooth segment, and an outlet port, which is formed on a target surface area, so that the branching segment bisects a target interior region.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for an automated system for analyzing damage and processing claims associated with an insured item, such as a vehicle. An enhanced claims processing server may analyze damage associated with the insured item using cameras and lasers for determining the extent and severity of the damage. To aid in this determination, the server may also interface with various internal and external databases storing reference images of undamaged items and cost estimate information for repairing previously analyzed damages of similar items. Further still, the server may generate a payment for compensating a claimant for repair of the insured item.

Abstract: The present system is directed in various embodiments to rotational atherectomy systems and methods generally. More specifically, a method for methodically softening and disrupting calcification within the wall of a biological conduit or lumen. This result is achieved by use of at least one eccentric head that, during high-speed rotation within the exemplary lumen, produces a combination of a low-frequency orbital motion comprising a force that is exerted against the lumen wall, with concomitant deflection of same, and a high-frequency pulsatile frequency, also with concomitant exertion of force against the lumen wall and deflection of same. These force-driven deflections produce shockwaves within the layers of the exemplary artery's wall layers, resulting in systematic disruptions of any calcification within the intimal and/or medial layers of the subject artery. In addition, any calcification within the occlusion is also softened and disrupted, increasing compliance of the vessel and/or lesion.

Abstract: A plurality of UAVs may be operated in a fleet, each of the UAVs in the fleet being configured to work collectively to achieve one or more functions, such as to create a display or implement an antenna array. The fleet of UAVs may operate individually and/or may be coupled to one another to operate as a collective unit. In some embodiments, one or more UAVs in the fleet may operate individually, while two or more UAVs in the fleet may be connected to one another. In such embodiments, the individual UAVs and the connected UAVs may together comprise the fleet.

Abstract: An FFT device for performing a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is described. The FFT device comprises: a control unit arranged to control a sequence of transformation rounds; and a coefficient unit for providing transformation data; and a transformation unit arranged to receive the transformation data and to perform the respective linear transformation on the basis of the transformation data. The coefficient unit comprises or is integrated in a Random Access Memory (RAM) unit, the RAM unit comprising a set of memory blocks. The set of memory blocks comprises: a subset of window memory blocks or a subset of window-FFT memory blocks. The set of memory blocks further comprises a subset of FFT memory blocks providing a set of twiddle coefficients or a reduced set of twiddle coefficients.

Abstract: Dental retainer devices are provided. The dental retainer devices can be customized based on patient specific dental anatomy and dental treatment plans. Methods of making the dental retainer devices are also provided. The methods can included additive manufacturing. Methods are also provided for customization of a dental retainer device based on the patient specific anatomy. The methods for customization can include providing a dentist with different options for anterior teeth coverage, posterior teeth coverage, and palatal configurations for the dental retainer devices.

Abstract: A fault detection system (100) for detecting faulty devices among a first plurality of serviceable devices (200) is provided. The serviceable devices have a wireless transmitter (210) arranged to periodically transmit a wireless signal (230) that encodes a device identifier. Mobile devices have a receiver (310) arranged to receive the wireless signal of a serviceable device within the transmission range, and to obtain the device identifier from the wireless signal. A fault detector (400) is arranged to detect faulty devices by selecting device identifiers in the plurality of device identifiers for which no device identifier was received in a time period.

Abstract: An apparatus and method an airfoil for a turbine engine, the airfoil comprising an outer wall defining an interior bound by a pressure side and a suction side extending axially between a leading edge and a trailing edge defining a chord-wise direction and extending radially between a root and a tip defining a span-wise direction. The airfoil further includes a first cooling circuit having a first portion and a first tip portion and a second cooling circuit having a second portion and a second tip portion.

Abstract: Distributed storage reservation for distributed data recovery is described. A system identifies a total number of connected computers, a storage capacity of each connected computer, and a maximum storage capacity of the identified storage capacities of the connected computers. The system determines a reserved storage capacity based on the maximum storage capacity and a reduced total number of the connected computers. The system provisions the reserved storage capacity in each connected computer. The system stores replicas of a database on the connected computers and on multiple computers, the multiple computers being the same as or different than the connected computers. The system identifies that a connected computer storing a replica of the database is unavailable. The system restores a replica of the database from at least one computer storing one replica to the reserved storage capacity in each of multiple available connected computers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods of disaggregating and detecting energy usage associated with electric vehicle charging from a whole-house consumption signal. In general, methods of the present invention may include: a method of electronically detecting and disaggregating a consumption signal associated with the charging of an electric vehicle from a whole-house profile, comprising: identifying by an electronic processor potential interval candidates of electric vehicle charging; determining by the electronic processor intervals associated with the charging of an electric vehicle, based at least in part on evaluating each potential interval candidate against factors including amplitude, duration, and time-of-day; and accounting by the electronic processor for feedback of any incorrectly detected signals.

Abstract: Systems and processes for application integration with a digital assistant are provided. In accordance with one example, a method includes, at an electronic device having one or more processors and memory, receiving a natural-language user input; identifying, with the one or more processors, an intent object of a set of intent objects and a parameter associated with the intent, where the intent object and the parameter are derived from the natural-language user input. The method further includes identifying a software application associated with the intent object of the set of intent objects; and providing the intent object and the parameter to the software application.