Abstract: In some examples, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores machine-readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to cause a playback device to produce a sound using an audio file; cause a recording device to record the sound; compare the audio file to the recorded sound; determine, based on the comparison, whether the recorded sound comprises a noise not present in the audio file; and cause, based on the determination, a second recording device to be selected, a multiplexer to select a second playback device, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An endoscopic tissue resection device configured to be attached at a distal tip of an endoscope is disclosed. The device comprises a cap, a snare sheath, a snare, and a spring wire. The snare comprises a collapsible snare wire configured to be retracted from the cavity of the cap into the snare sheath, the collapsible snare wire reversibly collapsing upon retraction, and to be advanced from the snare sheath into the cavity of the cap, the collapsible snare wire reversibly expanding upon advancement. The spring wire is reversibly deflectable from a resting state to a deflected state. In the resting state the spring wire orients and stabilizes an apex of the collapsible snare wire within the cap such that two opposing wire portions of the collapsible snare wire are positioned in apposition to a distal opening of the cap.

Abstract: In a network of autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, an alert may be triggered when one of the vehicles switches from autonomous to manual mode. The alert may be communicated to nearby autonomous vehicles so that drivers of those vehicles may become aware of a potentially unpredictable manual driver nearby. Drivers of autonomous vehicles who may have become disengaged (e.g., sleeping, reading, talking, etc.) during autonomous driving may become re-engaged upon noticing the alert. A re-engaged driver may choose to switch his/her own vehicle from autonomous to manual mode in order to appropriately react to an unpredictable nearby manual driver. In additional or alternative embodiments, the alert may be triggered or intensified when indications of impairment of a nearby driver or malfunction of a nearby vehicle are detected.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling operation of a vehicle. An example system for controlling operation of a vehicle includes one or more data collection components and one or more processors. The one or more data collection components are configured to collect data representative of a physical configuration of an interior vehicle component. The one or more processors are configured to access the collected data, determine, by processing the collected data, the physical configuration of the interior vehicle component, select a manner of operation based upon the determined physical configuration of the interior vehicle component, and cause the vehicle to operate according to the manner of operation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining liver function based on a Compartmental Model (CM) method for analysis of cholate SHUNT test data which closely approximates and elucidates the underlying physiology of hepatic uptake of cholate from systemic and portal circulations simultaneously.

Abstract: A machining system including a first body with a first channel to receive a first stream of compressed air, a second channel to receive a second stream of compressed air, an upper compartment, the first stream of compressed air configured to clear debris from an upper compartment surface and a lower compartment surface when the first stream of compressed air is engaged, the upper compartment configured to shift to a position where the upper compartment abuts the lower compartment and conceals the upper compartment surface and the lower compartment surface when the second stream of compressed air is engaged, and the lower compartment configured to shift when in contact with the upper compartment.

Abstract: In some examples, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores machine-readable instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to cause a playback device to produce a sound using an audio file; cause a recording device to record the sound; compare the audio file to the recorded sound; determine, based on the comparison, whether the recorded sound comprises a noise not present in the audio file; and cause, based on the determination, a second recording device to be selected, a multiplexer to select a second playback device, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods directed to a social-financial platform. In certain embodiments, sponsor-members, consumer-members, and beneficiary members are part of a social-financial platform in which purchases made by consumer-members at merchant sponsor-members result in automatic rebates being paid to and allocated between the consumer member and one or more beneficiary-members. Also disclosed is a monolithic financial structure for carrying out rebate allocation automatically and instantaneously, and for transferring funds between users.

Abstract: A Disease Severity Index (DSI) is provided for assessment of chronic liver disease in a patient using non-invasive liver function test results. A DSI was derived from non-invasive liver function test results based on hepatic blood flow. The DSI is used in methods for prediction of clinical outcomes, prediction of response to antiviral treatment, and assessment of progression of chronic liver diseases. Non-invasive methods to diagnose three distinct categories of patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) are provided. The methods can be used to diagnose PSC patients as Slow Progressors, Moderate Progressors and Rapid Progressors.

Abstract: A Disease Severity Index (DSI) is provided for assessment of chronic liver disease in a patient using non-invasive liver function test results. A DSI was derived from non-invasive liver function test results based on hepatic blood flow. The DSI is used in methods for prediction of clinical outcomes, prediction of response to antiviral treatment, and assessment of progression of chronic liver diseases. Non-invasive methods to diagnose three distinct categories of patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) are provided. The methods can be used to diagnose PSC patients as Slow Progressors, Moderate Progressors and Rapid Progressors.

Abstract: Improved methods and kits are provided for non-invasively evaluating liver function of a patient including rapidly and efficiently processing, detecting, and quantifying distinguishable compounds from patient blood or serum samples. A method is provided for estimating risk of experiencing a clinical event in 1 year for an individual patient having a chronic liver disease. Methods for determining hepatic reserve in a subject are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods directed to a social-financial platform. In certain embodiments, sponsor-members, consumer-members, and beneficiary members are part of a social-financial platform in which purchases made by consumer-members at merchant sponsor-members result in automatic rebates being paid to and allocated between the consumer member and one or more beneficiary-members. Also disclosed is a monolithic financial structure for carrying out rebate allocation automatically and instantaneously, and for transferring funds between users.

Abstract: A method for estimating portal blood flow and hepatic function in a subject is provided. In one example, the STAT test is an in vitro simplified, convenient test intended for screening purposes that can reasonably estimate the portal blood flow from a single blood sample taken 60 minutes after orally administered deuterated-cholate. The test can be administered to a patient having, or suspected of having, Chronic Hepatitis C, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), or any chronic liver disease.

Abstract: A method for estimating portal blood flow and hepatic function in a subject is provided. In one example, the STAT test is an in vitro simplified, convenient test intended for screening purposes that can reasonably estimate the portal blood flow from a single blood sample taken 60 minutes after orally administered deuterated-cholate. The test can be administered to a patient having, or suspected of having, Chronic Hepatitis C, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), or any chronic liver disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods directed to a social-financial platform. In certain embodiments, sponsor-members, consumer-members, and beneficiary members are part of a social-financial platform in which purchases made by consumer-members at merchant sponsor-members result in automatic rebates being paid to and allocated between the consumer member and one or more beneficiary-members. Also disclosed is a monolithic financial structure for carrying out rebate allocation automatically and instantaneously, and for transferring funds between users.

Abstract: A Disease Severity Index (DSI) is provided for assessment of chronic liver disease in a patient using non-invasive liver function test results. A DSI was derived from non-invasive liver function test results based on hepatic blood flow. The DSI is used in methods for prediction of clinical outcomes, prediction of response to antiviral treatment, and assessment of progression of chronic liver diseases. Non-invasive methods to diagnose three distinct categories of patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) are provided. The methods can be used to diagnose PSC patients as Slow Progressors, Moderate Progressors and Rapid Progressors.

Abstract: A Disease Severity Index (DSI) is provided for assessment of chronic liver disease in a patient using non-invasive liver function test results. A DSI was derived from non-invasive liver function test results based on hepatic blood flow. The DSI is used in methods for prediction of clinical outcomes, prediction of response to antiviral treatment, and assessment of progression of chronic liver diseases. Non-invasive methods to diagnose three distinct categories of patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) are provided. The methods can be used to diagnose PSC patients as Slow Progressors, Moderate Progressors and Rapid Progressors.

Abstract: A method for estimating portal blood flow and hepatic function in a subject is provided. In one example, the STAT test is an in vitro simplified, convenient test intended for screening purposes that can reasonably estimate the portal blood flow from a single blood sample taken 60 minutes after orally administered deuterated-cholate. The test can be administered to a patient having, or suspected of having, Chronic Hepatitis C, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), or any chronic liver disease.

Abstract: An electronic platform is disclosed that helps extend the lifespan of relationships, for example, between a salesperson and their client. The platform allows the user to have an account in which the user can store content which may be provided to a second user in an exclusive session through a generated unique URL. The platform is configured to selectively share only what one user wants to a particular recipient. A user interface connected through the unique URL is only accessible by the two users. The interface may provide each user with a section of the display from which to interact with the other user by using selectable features that are shared by both users on the interface. A duality of use is achieved through two-way communication through the page of the interface which helps build the relationship by each side providing feedback to the other side.