Abstract: A gripping appliance is disclosed. A head assembly is releasably attached to, and extends distal from, a base member. A plunger actuator moves a plunger along a proximal-distal axis of the gripping appliance. The head assembly includes a carrier with a through opening which receives the plunger and at least two gripping legs. Each of the gripping legs include a tip portion distal of a fixation portion, an actuation portion adjacent to and proximal of the tip portion, and a flex portion between the actuation and fixation portions. The actuation portions contact the plunger when the plunger is in an extended, distal position. The fixation portions are rigidly mounted to the carrier. The actuation and tip portions are distal from the carrier. When no force is transferred from the plunger to the gripping legs, the tip portions converge in a proximal-distal direction of the gripping appliance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for resolving advertisement placement conflicts. Specifically, a number of parameters may be entered into a system in order to distribute advertisements into advertisement slots. In many instances, a combination of these parameters causes a conflict in the system where all the parameters cannot be applied in order to place advertisements into advertisement slots. The conflict may be resolved by using an advertisement assignment model to determine which parameters may be relaxed in order to arrive at an optimal solution that violates a smallest number of parameters having the least priority. When such a solution is found, the advertisement assignment model may be modified and advertisements may be placed into advertisement slots based on the modified advertisement assignment model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for resolving advertisement placement conflicts. Specifically, a number of parameters may be entered into a system in order to distribute advertisements into advertisement slots. In many instances, a combination of these parameters causes a conflict in the system where all the parameters cannot be applied in order to place advertisements into advertisement slots. The conflict may be resolved by using an advertisement assignment model to determine which parameters may be relaxed in order to arrive at an optimal solution that violates a smallest number of parameters having the least priority. When such a solution is found, the advertisement assignment model may be modified and advertisements may be placed into advertisement slots based on the modified advertisement assignment model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for resolving advertisement placement conflicts. Specifically, a number of parameters may be entered into a system in order to distribute advertisements into advertisement slots. In many instances, a combination of these parameters causes a conflict in the system where all the parameters cannot be applied in order to place advertisements into advertisement slots. The conflict may be resolved by using an advertisement assignment model to determine which parameters may be relaxed in order to arrive at an optimal solution that violates a smallest number of parameters having the least priority. When such a solution is found, the advertisement assignment model may be modified and advertisements may be placed into advertisement slots based on the modified advertisement assignment model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for resolving advertisement placement conflicts. Specifically, a number of parameters may be entered into a system in order to distribute advertisements into advertisement slots. In many instances, a combination of these parameters causes a conflict in the system where all the parameters cannot be applied in order to place advertisements into advertisement slots. The conflict may be resolved by using an advertisement assignment model to determine which parameters may be relaxed in order to arrive at an optimal solution that violates a smallest number of parameters having the least priority. When such a solution is found, the advertisement assignment model may be modified and advertisements may be placed into advertisement slots based on the modified advertisement assignment model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for resolving advertisement placement conflicts. Specifically, a number of parameters may be entered into a system in order to distribute advertisements into advertisement slots. In many instances, a combination of these parameters causes a conflict in the system where all the parameters cannot be applied in order to place advertisements into advertisement slots. The conflict may be resolved by using an advertisement assignment model to determine which parameters may be relaxed in order to arrive at an optimal solution that violates a smallest number of parameters having the least priority. When such a solution is found, the advertisement assignment model may be modified and advertisements may be placed into advertisement slots based on the modified advertisement assignment model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing fast-access playback operations are provided. A viewing history is stored that includes a plurality of play positions within a media asset that are associated with user interactions. A user request is received to perform a fast-access playback operation while accessing the media asset. While performing the fast-access playback operation at a first rate, it is determined whether a current fast-access playback position is within a threshold distance from a given one of the plurality of play positions stored in the viewing history. The fast-access playback operation is slowed down from the first rate to a second rate while the current fast-access playback position is within the threshold distance from the given play position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for resolving advertisement placement conflicts. Specifically, a number of parameters may be entered into a system in order to distribute advertisements into advertisement slots. In many instances, a combination of these parameters causes a conflict in the system where all the parameters cannot be applied in order to place advertisements into advertisement slots. The conflict may be resolved by using an advertisement assignment model to determine which parameters may be relaxed in order to arrive at an optimal solution that violates a smallest number of parameters having the least priority. When such a solution is found, the advertisement assignment model may be modified and advertisements may be placed into advertisement slots based on the modified advertisement assignment model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing fast-access playback operations are provided. A viewing history is stored that includes a plurality of play positions within a media asset that are associated with user interactions. A user request is received to perform a fast-access playback operation while accessing the media asset. While performing the fast-access playback operation at a first rate, it is determined whether a current fast-access playback position is within a threshold distance from a given one of the plurality of play positions stored in the viewing history. The fast-access playback operation is slowed down from the first rate to a second rate while the current fast-access playback position is within the threshold distance from the given play position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing fast-access playback operations are provided. A viewing history is stored that includes a plurality of play positions within a media asset that are associated with user interactions. A user request is received to perform a fast-access playback operation while accessing the media asset. While performing the fast-access playback operation at a first rate, it is determined whether a current fast-access playback position is within a threshold distance from a given one of the plurality of play positions stored in the viewing history. The fast-access playback operation is slowed down from the first rate to a second rate while the current fast-access playback position is within the threshold distance from the given play position.

Abstract: The present invention provides LMNA gene products as biomarkers for the determination of the vulnerability of an individual to an adverse health outcome when the individual is submitted to a stressor. As herewith provided, a decreased expression of a lamin A/C polypeptide, an increased expression in a lamin precursor polypeptide or a decreased ratio between the lamin A/C polypeptide/lamin precursor polypeptide is observed in individuals who are more vulnerable to an adverse health outcome upon the introduction of a stressor. In some embodiments, these susceptible individuals are considered as frail. The present application provides methods for using this biomarker to assess the risk associated thereto, antibodies, commercial packages for performing the methods, software products as well as associated systems.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for an optimization system that recommends amounts of resources for use in reaching viewers during a media asset. The optimization system, using control circuitry, receives a user input of a first value of a resource and determines a first rate at which a number of unique household viewers reached during a first media asset changes for the first value. The optimization system compares the first rate to a threshold rate and determines whether the first rate equals or exceeds the threshold rate. The optimization system, in response to determining that the first rate does not equal or exceed the threshold rate, recommends a second value to the user.

Abstract: Methods, compounds and kits relating to treating cancer, reducing kinase inhibitor or resistance, and reducing or preventing diminished ectodomain shedding are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for resolving advertisement placement conflicts. Specifically, a number of parameters may be entered into a system in order to distribute advertisements into advertisement slots. In many instances, a combination of these parameters causes a conflict in the system where all the parameters cannot be applied in order to place advertisements into advertisement slots. The conflict may be resolved by using an advertisement assignment model to determine which parameters may be relaxed in order to arrive at an optimal solution that violates a smallest number of parameters having the least priority. When such a solution is found, the advertisement assignment model may be modified and advertisements may be placed into advertisement slots based on the modified advertisement assignment model.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for an optimization system that recommends amounts of resources for use in reaching viewers during a media asset. The optimization system, using control circuitry, receives a user input of a first value of a resource and determines a first rate at which a number of unique household viewers reached during a first media asset changes for the first value. The optimization system compares the first rate to a threshold rate and determines whether the first rate equals or exceeds the threshold rate. The optimization system, in response to determining that the first rate does not equal or exceed the threshold rate, recommends a second value to the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides LMNA gene products as biomarkers for the determination of the vulnerability of an individual to an adverse health outcome when the individual is submitted to a stressor. As herewith provided, a decreased expression of a lamin A/C polypeptide, an increased expression in a lamin precursor polypeptide or a decreased ratio between the lamin A/C polypeptide/lamin precursor polypeptide is observed in individuals who are more vulnerable to an adverse health outcome upon the introduction of a stressor. In some embodiments, these susceptible individuals are considered as frail. The present application provides methods for using this biomarker to assess the risk associated thereto, commercial packages for performing the methods, software products as well as associated systems.

Abstract: Methods, compounds and kits relating to treating cancer, reducing kinase inhibitor or resistance, and reducing or preventing diminished ectodomain shedding are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides LMNA gene products as biomarkers for the determination of the vulnerability of an individual to an adverse health outcome when the individual is submitted to a stressor. As herewith provided, a decreased expression of a lamin A/C polypeptide, an increased expression in a lamin precursor polypeptide or a decreased ratio between the lamin A/C polypeptide/lamin precursor polypeptide is observed in individuals who are more vulnerable to an adverse health outcome upon the introduction of a stressor. In some embodiments, these susceptible individuals are considered as frail. The present application provides methods for using this biomarker to assess the risk associated thereto, commercial packages for performing the methods, software products as well as associated systems.