Abstract: The invention is directed to fentanyl analogues and a conjugate comprising same, as well as a method of inducing an immune response against fentanyl.

Abstract: Techniques for low power gunshot detection are disclosed. Infrared information is collected using a gunshot sensor device. The infrared information is collected using mid-infrared band sensing to provide motion detection. Additional infrared information is buffered using the gunshot sensor device. The additional infrared information is collected using near-infrared band sensing. The buffering is enabled by the motion detection. Acoustic information is collected using the gunshot sensor device. The collecting acoustic information is enabled by the motion detection. A gunshot is detected using the gunshot sensor device. The detecting is based on the additional infrared information and the acoustic information. The detecting includes monitoring the acoustic information to identify a high-intensity gunshot sound and correlating the high-intensity gunshot sound to the infrared information that was buffered.

Abstract: Methods are provided for fabricating electrochromic devices that mitigate formation of short circuits under a top bus bar without predetermining where top bus bars will be applied on the device. Devices fabricated using such methods may be deactivated under the top bus bar, or may include active material under the top bus bar. Methods of fabricating devices with active material under a top bus bar include depositing a modified top bus bar, fabricating self-healing layers in the electrochromic device, and modifying a top transparent conductive layer of the device prior to applying bus bars.

Abstract: A universal serial bus (USB) charging system includes a power supply including a plurality of power converters and a plurality of power supply outputs electrically coupled to the plurality of power converters, respectively. Each of the plurality of power converters is configured to convert an input voltage to a plurality of output voltages. A plurality of charging ports are electrically connected with the plurality of power supply outputs, respectively. Each of the plurality of charging ports is configured to provide an output voltage selected from the plurality of output voltages to an electronic device. A logic circuit is in electrical communication with the power supply and the plurality of charging ports. The logic circuit is configured to provide direct feedback to the power supply to output a particular output voltage of the plurality of output voltages to the plurality of charging ports.

Abstract: A gauge plate insulator includes an L-shaped insulating member having a base configured to be positioned between first and second gauge plate members and a leg extending from the base, a metallic backing plate having a first part configured to engage a first gauge plate member, a second part configured to engage the leg of the L-shaped insulating member, and a third part extending between the first part and the second part of the metallic backing plate, a first fastener configured to be received by a first opening and a second fastener configured to be received by a second opening defined by the second part of the metallic backing plate and an opening defined by the leg of the L-shaped insulating member, and an insulation plate configured to be positioned between a portion of the second fastener and the second part of the metallic backing plate.

Abstract: Antimicrobial polymer coating formulations are prepared that protect biological surfaces by treating, reducing, ameliorating, preventing or inhibiting pathogenic microorganism ingress to a human or animal host, reducing the potential for infection, particularly by necrotizing fasciitis originating microorganisms, through use of a polymer coating barrier containing antimicrobial agents that facilitates sustained release of biocidal agents active against such opportunistic microorganisms. Such formulations are effective for inhibiting microbial ingress pertaining to soft tissue and skin tears, abrasions, punctures and surgical wounds, and can be used as in water environments and as a skin protectant sunscreen and insect repellent.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions that include carvacrol, in an amount sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect. For example, the compositions can include 0.1% to 2% by weight of carvacrol. The cleaning compositions advantageously further include a surfactant, particularly an anionic surfactant, which enhances the antimicrobial efficacy characteristics of the carvacrol. For example, the composition can include at least 0.1%, at least 0.3%, or at least 0.5% of one or more anionic surfactants. Alkyl sulfates (e.g., C8 to C12 alkyl sulfates) are particularly suitable. A buffer may also be present. The compositions may have a relatively high pH, e.g., 9 to 12. The cleaning composition may exhibit a significant log reduction against a target microorganism (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus and/or others) within a given time period (e.g., 10 minutes, 5 minutes, or the like), when used on a target surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical apparatus for imaging and/or manipulating micro-objects in a microfluidic device, such as a light-actuated microfluidic (LAMF) device, and related systems and methods. The optical apparatus can comprise a structured light modulator, a first and a second tube lens, an objective lens, a dichroic beam splitter, and an image sensor. The structured light modulator can be configured to receive unstructured light beams and transmit structured light beams for illuminating micro-objects located within an enclosure of the microfluidic device and/or selectively activating one or more of a plurality of dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrodes of the microfluidic device. The image light beams received by the image sensor can be used to form an image of at least a portion of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: Processes for making fibrous structures and more particularly processes for making fibrous structures comprising filaments are provided.

Abstract: A material web is disclosed. The material web includes a fiber layer having a first side and an opposing second side. The fiber layer has a plurality of fibers, each of which having an intimate admixture of a thermoplastic polymer, and a wax and/or oil, wherein at least some of the wax and/or oil is exposed at an outer surface of the fibers. A surface energy treatment is disposed on the first side and/or the second side of the fiber layer.

Abstract: Processes for making fibrous structures and more particularly processes for making fibrous structures comprising filaments are provided.

Abstract: A distributed database receives an instruction to read or write data. The instruction includes a key. The database includes a key space defined by attoshards. An attoshard is a segment of key space having a size, in keys, proportional to a total number of nodes in the database. The attoshard includes keys for cluster segments at predefined positions in the attoshard. Each cluster segment corresponds to one cluster. A node of the database hashes the key to generate a token. The node performs a modulo operation on the token using the total number of nodes in the database to compute a remainder value. The node determines a cluster segment of an attoshard based on a position in the attoshard defined by the remainder value. The node determines a cluster for the instruction based on the cluster segment and executes the instruction at the determined cluster.

Abstract: A distributed database receives an instruction to read or write data. The instruction includes a key. The database includes a key space defined by attoshards. An attoshard is a segment of key space having a size, in keys, proportional to a total number of nodes in the database. The attoshard includes keys for cluster segments at predefined positions in the attoshard. Each cluster segment corresponds to one cluster. A node of the database hashes the key to generate a token. The node performs a modulo operation on the token using the total number of nodes in the database to compute a remainder value. The node determines a cluster segment of an attoshard based on a position in the attoshard defined by the remainder value. The node determines a cluster for the instruction based on the cluster segment and executes the instruction at the determined cluster.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical apparatus for imaging and/or manipulating micro-objects in a microfluidic device, such as a light-actuated microfluidic (LAMF) device, and related systems and methods. The optical apparatus can comprise a structured light modulator, a first and a second tube lens, an objective lens, a dichroic beam splitter, and an image sensor. The structured light modulator can be configured to receive unstructured light beams and transmit structured light beams for illuminating micro-objects located within an enclosure of the microfluidic device and/or selectively activating one or more of a plurality of dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrodes of the microfluidic device. The image light beams received by the image sensor can be used to form an image of at least a portion of the microfluidic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical apparatus for imaging and/or manipulating micro-objects in a microfluidic device, such as a light-actuated microfluidic (LAMF) device, and related systems and methods. The optical apparatus can comprise a structured light modulator, a first and a second tube lens, an objective lens, a dichroic beam splitter, and an image sensor. The structured light modulator can be configured to receive unstructured light beams and transmit structured light beams for illuminating micro-objects located within an enclosure of the microfluidic device and/or selectively activating one or more of a plurality of dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrodes of the microfluidic device. The first tube lens can be configured to capture the structured light beams transmitted by the structured light modulator. The second tube lens can be configured to transmit image light beams from the dichroic beam splitter to the image sensor.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a conveyor skirt system, the system comprising: a support member; a series of skirting panels releasably fixed to the support member; a rail assembly positioned outside the conveyor, extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the conveyor; and a trolley assembly mounted on the rail assembly, the trolley assembly being adapted to engage and support one or more of the skirting panels.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a conveyor skirt system, the system comprising: a support member; a series of skirting panels releasably fixed to the support member; a rail assembly positioned outside the conveyor, extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the conveyor; and a trolley assembly mounted on the rail assembly, the trolley assembly being adapted to engage and support one or more of the skirting panels.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a conveyor skirt system, the system comprising: a support member; a series of skirting panels releasably fixed to the support member; a rail assembly positioned outside the conveyor, extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the conveyor; and a trolley assembly mounted on the rail assembly, the trolley assembly being adapted to engage and support one or more of the skirting panels.

Abstract: A micro-fluidic system comprising means for optically trapping a particle and a Raman excitation source for causing Raman scatter from the particle whilst it is in the optical trap.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a conveyor skirt system, the system comprising: a support member; a series of skirting panels releasably fixed to the support member; a rail assembly positioned outside the conveyor, extending in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the conveyor; and a trolley assembly mounted on the rail assembly, the trolley assembly being adapted to engage and support one or more of the skirting panels.