Abstract: Smoking articles, and methods for forming such smoking articles, such as an electronic smoking article, are provided. An exemplary smoking article comprises a control body portion having a control body engagement end, and having a first control component therein. A cartridge body portion includes a cartridge body engagement end configured to removably engage the control body engagement end of the control body portion. The cartridge body portion further includes a consumable arrangement comprising at least an aerosol precursor composition and at least one heating element operably engaged therewith, and a second control component. At least the consumable arrangement is configured to be in communication with the first control component upon engagement between the cartridge body and control body portions.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for detecting optical discrepancies associated with image capture analyzing pixels in multiple images corresponding to common points of reference in a physical environment. In an embodiment, photometric error values are averaged over time to compute the mean error at each pixel. Once the estimate of the mean error has a sufficient number of updates above a specified value, the estimate is thresholded to provide a mask of any optical discrepancies occurring in the stereo pair of images. Applications include detecting optical discrepancies in images captured for use by a visual navigation system in guiding an autonomous vehicle (e.g., an unmanned aerial vehicle).

Abstract: A system performs static program analysis with artifact reuse. The system identifies artifacts associated with the software program being analyzed. The system processes the identified artifacts for performing static program analysis and transmits either the artifacts or identifiers for the artifacts to a second processing device for performing program analysis. The second processing device receives the artifacts and uses the received identifiers to retrieve the artifacts from a networked storage system. The second device also retrieves stored summaries of previous program analysis from the networked storage system. The program analysis uses the retrieved artifacts to generate work units for static program analysis. The analysis is performed only for those work units that are determined to remain unchanged from previous static program analysis cycles.

Abstract: In some examples, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may include one or more processors configured to capture, with one or more image sensors, and while the UAV is in flight, a plurality of images of a target. The one or more processors may compare a first image of the plurality of images with a second image of the plurality of images to determine a difference between a current frame of reference position for the UAV and an estimate of an actual frame of reference position for the UAV. In addition, the one or more processors may determine, based at least on the difference, and while the UAV is in flight, an update to a three-dimensional model of the target.

Abstract: A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes an inner shaft, an outer shaft, and a distal sheath. The distal sheath may be disposed distal to the outer shaft and about a portion of the inner shaft to form a compartment with the inner shaft. The compartment may be sized to receive the prosthetic heart valve. The inner shaft and the distal sheath may be movable relative to one another. A spine may extend along the outer shaft, the spine biasing the outer shaft so that the outer shaft tends to bend in a pre-determined direction.

Abstract: An example audio system includes a boom arm, a microphone, a noise generator, a speaker, and an input/output circuit. The noise generator is electrically coupled to the microphone and generates an inverse audio signal corresponding to an input signal generated by the microphone. The speaker is electrically coupled to the noise generator and generates an acoustic wave based on the inverse audio signal.

Abstract: Antibodies, antigen-binding fragments, and conjugates (e.g., antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) such as those comprising a splicing modulator) that bind to BCMA are disclosed. The disclosure further relates to methods and compositions for use in the treatment of cancer by administering a composition provided herein.

Abstract: A rotary evaporator distillation device is provided that includes a flash vaporization section in which the bulk of solvent is removed. By removing most of the solvent before it enters the evaporating flask, the entire device may be smaller in size but achieve distillation at a pace available only in much larger systems.

Abstract: An electronic warranty unit and method. In one embodiment the electronic warranty unit includes a programmable electronic memory unit configured for removable insertion into a device and an electronic warranty stored on the electronic memory unit. A method for electronically warranting a device includes removably attaching an electronic warranty unit, capable of storing an electronic warranty for the device, to the device or removably inserting the electronic warranty unit into the device.

Abstract: A patient support and software evaluate spinal instability by controlled isocentric rotation of the spine and measurement of rotation among vertebra to detect damaged vertebra having disproportionately large rotations. The patient support comprises a first support, adapted to support the shoulders of a patient, and a second rotatable support adapted to support the hips and legs of the patient.

Abstract: A power amplifier system for high efficiency signal amplification of digitally modulated carrier signal or multi-carrier signals is disclosed. The linearity of the amplifier is improved by providing dynamic load line adjustments through implementation of suitably defined transfer functions employing dynamic control of operational aspects of active devices in the power amplifier.

Abstract: A power amplifier system for high efficiency signal amplification of digitally modulated carrier signal or multi-carrier signals is disclosed. The linearity of the amplifier is improved by providing dynamic load line adjustments through implementation of suitably defined transfer functions employing dynamic control of operational aspects of active devices in the power amplifier.

Abstract: A patient support and software evaluate spinal instability by controlled isocentric rotation of the spine and measurement of rotation among vertebra to detect damaged vertebra having disproportionately large rotations.

Abstract: An electronic warranty unit and method. In one embodiment the electronic warranty unit includes a programmable electronic memory unit configured for removable insertion into a device and an electronic warranty stored on the electronic memory unit. A method for electronically warranting a device includes removably attaching an electronic warranty unit, capable of storing an electronic warranty for the device, to the device or removably inserting the electronic warranty unit into the device.

Abstract: A patient support and software evaluate spinal instability by controlled isocentric rotation of the spine and measurement of rotation among vertebra to detect damaged vertebra having disproportionately large rotations.