Abstract: A method for collecting plasma includes receiving donor information and demographic information and determining a target volume of plasma to collect based, at least in part, on the received donor information. The method also determines a plasma collection protocol based, at least in part, on the received donor information. The plasma collection protocol has a plurality of collection parameters and a plurality of process parameters. The method may then adjust at least one of the plurality of collection parameters and/or the plurality of process parameters based on the donor information and/or the demographic information. The method also performs a plasma collection procedure according to the determined plasma collection protocol and adjusted collection parameters and/or process parameters. The plasma collection procedure has a plurality of draw cycles and a plurality of return cycles.

Abstract: An audio splitter is often used with a mixer or other source to take left and right stereo inputs into spaced apart input jacks of a housing and output at least four separate outputs at spaced apart output jacks on the housing for communicating those inputs to the outputs, often for use by cameras. More sophisticated versions include the ability to receive a timecode as an input at a separate jack and then output the timecode as an output at each of the output jacks. Still further sophisticated versions receive a return signal at each of the output jacks which can be monitored or utilized for further processing.

Abstract: Materials and methods are described for filling deep trenches and other topography using a single coating of a topographic fill material and a single develop back step while maintaining a thickness that can be controlled and is sufficient to fill very deep topographies to the extent needed for lithographic patterning. The materials are designed for selective changes to their solubility, and the methods involve using this feature to achieve selective removal of desired amounts of the topographic fill material at various stages of the process. This allows more efficient processing and higher throughput for lithographic applications in which a photoresist is applied over deep topography while addressing the problems of resist cracking, bending, peeling, or scumming.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a CH3-containing molecule comprising (a) a first polypeptide comprising a CH3 domain and a negatively charged domain comprising consecutive negatively charged amino acid residues; and (b) a second polypeptide comprising a CH3 domain and a positively charged domain comprising consecutive positively charged amino acid residues. Also provided are methods for conjugating synthetic molecules to a multi-specific antigen binding molecule.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a CH3-containing molecule comprising (a) a first polypeptide comprising a CH3 domain and a negatively charged domain comprising consecutive negatively charged amino acid residues; and (b) a second polypeptide comprising a CH3 domain and a positively charged domain comprising consecutive positively charged amino acid residues. Also provided are methods for conjugating synthetic molecules to a multi-specific antigen binding molecule.

Abstract: Automated isothermal titration micro calorimetry (ITC) system comprising a micro calorimeter with a sample cell and a reference cell, the sample cell is accessible via a sample cell stem and the reference cell is accessible via a reference cell stem. The system further comprises an automatic pipette assembly comprising a syringe with a titration needle arranged to be inserted into the sample cell for supplying titrant, the pipette assembly comprises an activator for driving a plunger in the syringe, a pipette translation unit supporting the pipette assembly and being arranged to place pipette in position for titration, washing and filling operations, a wash station for the titrant needle, and a cell preparation unit arranged to perform operations for replacing the sample liquid in the sample cell when the pipette is placed in another position than the position for titration.

Abstract: A hydraulic system can include a hydraulic actuator including a piston rod slidably disposed within a housing having a base-side port and a rod-side port, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic reservoir, an accumulator, a first control valve operable to selectively control flow from the pump to the base-side port and from the base-side port to the reservoir, a second control valve operable to selectively control flow from the pump to the rod-side port and from the rod-side port to the reservoir, a third control valve operable to selectively allow flow between the base-side port and the accumulator, and a controller for operating the hydraulic system and including a ride control mode in which damping is provided to the hydraulic actuator by operation of the first, second, and third control valves.

Abstract: Integrated circuit packages may be formed having at least one optical via extending from a first surface of a package substrate to an opposing second surface of the package substrate. The at least one optical via creates an optical link between the opposing surfaces of the package substrate that enables the fabrication of a dual-sided optical multiple chip package, wherein integrated circuit devices can be attached to both surfaces of the package substrate for increased package density.

Abstract: An enclosure for a ceramic heater rod installed within an interior wall of a sauna is disclosed. Such an enclosure may include a rectangular member having a concave rear surface and an open front surface facing the interior of the sauna. The enclosure may further comprise two spring clips into which a ceramic heater rod is affixed. The rod may further comprise a current wire and a ground wire which terminate at plugs which interface with corresponding plugs on current and ground wires within the sauna. Finally, the enclosure may include a cover that prevents contact with the rod while the sauna is in use. The cover is attached to the sauna wall at one end by one or more hinge member, and by one or more magnets at the opposite end such that a magnetic force holds the cover in place when it is in the closed position.

Abstract: The invention comprises a rapid in vitro method of assessing activity of an endonuclease, and a substrate therefor. Compositions, diagnostic methods, and kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for measuring the photoluminescence in a droplet provides a source of light for exciting photoluminescence in a liquid, a stop positioned relative to the source so as to define a shadow zone in which excitation light from the source is blocked from direct transmission by the stop, and a sample-receiving region in the shadow zone. A redirection system positioned outside the shadow zone receives excitation light from the source and redirects the light towards the sample-receiving region inside the shadow zone. A detector, which is shielded from the excitation light by the stop, is positioned to receive photoluminescent radiation emanating from a droplet in the sample-receiving region. The redirection system extends around the shadow zone to redirect light into the sample-receiving region from a plurality of converging directions. This maximizes the illumination of the drop while shielding the detector from direct illumination from the source.

Abstract: A system and method to replan coverage paths for a robot operating in an environment with initially unknown static obstacles. Existing coverage approaches reduce coverage time by covering along the minimum number of coverage lines (straight-line paths). However, recomputing such paths online can be computationally expensive resulting in robot stoppages that increase coverage time. An alternative is greedy detour replanning, i.e., replanning with minimum deviation from the initial path, which is efficient to compute but may result in unnecessary detours. In this work, an anytime coverage replanning approach named OARP-Replan is proposed that performs near-optimal replans to an interrupted coverage path within a given time budget. This is accomplished by solving linear relaxations of mixed-integer linear programs (MILPs) to identify sections of the interrupted path that can be optimally replanned within the time budget.

Abstract: A handheld cryoanesthesia or analgesia device for cooling a target area on cutaneous membranes, mucous membranes, and tissue of the mucocutaneous zone having an elongated body and a thermoelectric cooling system disposed within the elongated body. The thermoelectric cooling system is configured to physically contact and thermally couple the target area of the cutaneous membranes, mucous membranes, and tissue of the mucocutaneous zone to induce cryoanesthesia or analgesia. The thermoelectric cooling system includes a thermally-conductive cold tip, a thermally-conductive cooling power concentrator thermally coupled to the cold tip, at least one Peltier unit module thermally coupled to the cooling power concentrator, a heatsink thermally coupled to at least one Peltier unit module, a power source, at least one thermal sensor, and a controller operably outputting a control signal to the Peltier unit module to maintain a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The present application discloses a multi-media interactive story-telling system that provides natural conversational interactions between a human user and a contributor who appears in multi-media recordings. The multi-media interactive story-telling system includes an intake device for recording interview sessions in which a contributor tells a life story about her life experience. The contributor may rely on a script when creating the life story. The multi-media interactive story-telling system further comprises storage devices for storing the recorded interview sessions and processors for organizing the recorded interview sessions. The multi-media interactive story-telling system further comprises an interactive device for retrieving and playing a recorded interview session in response to a query from a user.

Abstract: A system for producing fragmented video content is provided. The system includes a processing device, a non-transitory data store, and a memory storage device having at least a Manifest Processing Service (MPS) unit stored therein. The MPS unit is configured to generate at least one master manifest and store the master manifest in the non-transitory data store, the master manifest comprising a timing reference for a video fragment of the fragmented video content, wherein the timing reference indicates a temporal boundary of processing for the video fragment.

Abstract: An RF chip package comprises a housing and one or more conductive contacts designed to electrically connect the RF chip package to other conductive contacts. The housing includes a first substrate, a 3-D antenna on the first substrate, and a second substrate. The second substrate includes a plurality of semiconductor devices and is bonded to the first substrate. An interconnect structure allows for electrical connection between the first and second substrates. In some cases, the first substrate is flip-chip bonded to the second substrate or is otherwise connected to the second substrate by an array of solder balls. By integrating both the 3-D antenna and RF circuitry together in the same chip package, costs are minimized while bandwidth is greatly improved compared to a separately machined 3-D antenna.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for protection and recovery of backup storage systems from ransomware attacks. A request to modify data stored in a storage system is received. The storage system includes at least one component configured to store the deduplicated data. An acknowledgement of the received request is generated. The acknowledgement indicates that the data stored in the at least one component and identified in the received request was modified. Modification of the data stored in the at least one component and identified in the received request for a predetermined period of time is prevented.

Abstract: A playout system for providing playout of fragmented video content is provided. The system includes a non-transitory data store and a processor. The processor is configured to playout content for video origination using a fragmented format. The processor can receive a playlist and generate a plurality of video fragments from source content. A transcoder can process video fragments based on one or more program scheduling requirements from the playlist to generate new video fragments. A manifest is updated to reference the new video fragments. The process can output a video stream based on the new video fragments.

Abstract: A method for automatically filling a container with water and/or ice from a dispenser in a refrigerator door or within a refrigerator cavity includes the steps of: placing a container adjacent the dispenser; determining a volume of the container by using a camera associated with the dispenser, capturing a picture of the containing, visually estimating a volume of the container via a microprocessor associated with the camera or a cloud-based application associated with the camera, and converting the estimated container volume to an estimated weight based on densities of water and/or ice; filling the container with water and/or ice from the dispenser based on the estimated weight; and terminating filling of the container based on the estimated weight. And the refrigerator carrying out the method.