Abstract: A multi-channel power supply system includes a power supply circuit configured to generate a drive signal for powering a plurality of color channels based on an input power signal, a channel controller configured to generate a first pulse width modulated (PWM) signal for controlling an output light intensity of a first color channel of the plurality of color channels, a filter circuit configured to generate a first pseudo-sawtooth signal based on the first PWM signal, and a first current control circuit coupled to a first color channel of the plurality of color channels and configured to adjust a first channel current of the first color channel based on the drive signal and the first pseudo-sawtooth signal.

Abstract: An implantable device for sacroiliac (“SI”) joint fusion and an associated method employ an SI joint fusion portion and an anchor portion of smaller diameter than the SI joint fusion portion and that extends distally from a distal end of the SI joint fusion portion. The SI joint fusion portion is externally threaded and is configured to, when surgically implanted, extend across the SI joint. The anchor portion in turn extends distally from the SI joint fusion portion and is configured for implanting entirely within the patient’s ilium adjacent the SI joint. In certain configurations, the joint fusion portion is configured to enable fixation of spinal equipment at a proximal end of the joint fusion portion.

Abstract: Multiple device stacks are interconnected in a ring topology. The inter-device stack communication may utilize a handshake protocol. This ring topology may include the host so that the host may initialize and load the device stacks with data and/or commands (e.g., software, algorithms, etc.). The inter-device stack interconnections may also be configured to include/remove the host and/or to implement varying numbers of separate ring topologies. By configuring the system with more than one ring topology, and assigning different problems to different rings, multiple, possibly unrelated, machine learning tasks may be performed in parallel by the device stack system.

Abstract: A copolyamide composition comprising a statistical copolyamide containing 70-99 wt % of diamine and dicarboxylic acid repeat units and 1-30 wt % of lactam or AA-BB repeat units, whereby incorporation of the comonomer lactam or AA-BB unit reduces the crystallization rate (longer crystallization times) while maintaining (1) high melting point, (2) low potential plate out, (3) low oxygen permeation, (4) high tensile strength and (5) puncture/tear resistance.

Abstract: An automated analyzer that receives samples prepared for analysis in an automated pre-analytical module and a method of operation of such automated analyzer. The automated analyzer includes a shuttle transfer station that receives a shuttle carrier from the automated pre-analytical system. The shuttle transfer station has a clamping assembly for the shuttle. The clamping assembly has jaws that advance engagement members into contact with a bottom portion of sample containers disposed in the shuttle. The clamping assembly secures the sample containers in the shuttle when sample is aspirated from the sample containers. The automated analyzer also has a multichannel puncture tool that is adapted to be carried by a robotic gripper mechanism. The multichannel puncture tool has multiple puncture members that each defines a channel Each channel is in communication with a different trough in the consumable. A pipette can pass through the channel in the puncture tool.

Abstract: A cell processing system includes a processor connectable to a source container filled with a biological fluid, the processor including a separator configured to separate the biological fluid from the source container into at least two streams according to a process including at least one process parameter, and a controller coupled to the processor and an input. The controller is configured to receive the at least one process parameter, to evaluate the process using the at least one process parameter before performing the process, and to carry out one or more actions based on the evaluation, such as providing an output estimate to the operator, preventing the process from being performed according to a comparison between a calculated condition and a control, or providing an error indication to the operator according to the calculated condition and a measured in-process condition.

Abstract: A system and method for real-time image transformation monitoring for a display unit receives, via a pixel buffer, pixels of source image data and appends fiducial data to each pixel, the fiducial data corresponding to a reference checksum associated with a transformation map for one or more transformations of the source image into an output image for display. When source image data is read out of the pixel buffer, e.g., as a sequence of pixel datasets, an image transformation monitor extracts the fiducial data appended to each dataset and incorporates each set of extracted fiducial data into a checksum calculation for the current source image. When the transformed output image is complete, the cumulative checksum calculation for the current source image is compared to the reference checksum, determining a system status or detecting a system fault based on whether or not the checksum calculation and reference calculation are equivalent.

Abstract: A method for atomic exchange of assets on multiple blockchains using transient key pairs includes: generating, by a first computing device, a proposal message, the proposal message including at least a first transaction value, a first network identifier corresponding to a first blockchain, a second transaction value, a second network identifier corresponding to a second blockchain, and a swap public key of a swap cryptographic key pair; generating, by the first computing device, a first digital signature for the proposal message; encrypting, by the first computing device, the first digital signature using the swap public key and a first private key of a first cryptographic key pair; appending, by the first computing device, the encrypted first digital signature to the generated proposal message; and transmitting, by the first computing device, the generated proposal message with appended encrypted first digital signature to a second computing device.

Abstract: A combustor liner has an annular outer liner and an annular inner liner that define a combustion chamber therebetween, the combustion chamber having a dilution zone. The annular outer liner and the annular inner liner each has a converging-diverging section extending into the dilution zone of the combustion chamber that form a throat between them. Each of the converging-diverging sections includes at least one dilution opening defined through the respective converging-diverging section at the throat for providing a flow of an oxidizer through a respective liner to the dilution zone of the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine including a compressor section and a combustion section in serial flow arrangement along an engine centerline, the combustion section having a combustor liner, a dome wall coupled to the combustor liner, and a dome inlet located in the dome wall, a fuel injector fluidly coupled to the dome inlet, a combustion chamber fluidly coupled to the fuel injector and defined at least in part by the combustor liner and the dome wall, and at least one set of dilution openings located in the dome wall and fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having one or more autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. According to certain aspects, with the customer's permission, a vehicle operator in an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle may be determined by a sensor disposed within the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle or a mobile computing device associated with the vehicle operator. A determination may be made as to whether the vehicle operator is authorized to operate the vehicle based upon the determined identity of the vehicle operator; and if the vehicle operator is not authorized, an alert may be generated and/or the vehicle may be caused to not operate. Alternatively, autonomous operation features may be automatically engaged to automatically drive the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to a safe location when the operator is not authorized. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon the anti-theft functionality.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis system including a knee prosthesis, an actuator and a controlling unit. The knee prosthesis includes a thigh segment and a shank segment. The actuator rotatably connects the shank segment and the thigh segment. The actuator is configured to controllably assume a powered knee behavior to generate knee motion or a passive knee behavior to resist knee motion. The controlling unit includes a finite-state control structure. The controlling unit electrically communicates with the actuator. The control structure includes at least three passive states and at least one powered state. The passive states include a passive stance-resistance state, a swing-flexion state, and a swing-extension state and the at least one powered state includes at least one of a swing-assistance state, a stance-assistance state, and a powered-swing state.

Abstract: A method for moderation in a permissioned blockchain using a hash-oriented scheme includes: storing a blockchain including a most recent block; receiving transaction data values; receiving a first reference value and a second reference value; generating a first hash value by hashing the first reference value; generating a block proof including the first hash value, a second hash value, a third reference value, and a block value; verifying a block header of the most recent block using the block proof; receiving a new block value; generating a new block header including the first reference value, the second reference value, a fourth reference value, and the new block value; generating a new block for the blockchain including the new block header and the transaction data values; and transmitting the new block to one or more additional nodes associated with the blockchain.

Abstract: Multiple independent point-to-point memory channels are operated, by at least one controller, in parallel to form a wider memory channel. The memory components on these point-to-point channels include the ability to connect to multiple (e.g., 2) instances of these independent memory channels. The controller operates multiple instances of the wider channels with the memory components configured in a clamshell mode. A single memory component is also operated in clamshell mode to provide error correction code information, independently of the other wider channels, to multiple instances of the wider memory channel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to extruded protein compositions suitable for thermal processing and thermally processed protein compositions made from extruded protein compositions. In particular, a thermally processed protein composition has a particular protein content with protein fibers in a generally parallel orientation, and a particular hardness, chewiness and springiness.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring use, determining risk, and pricing insurance policies for a vehicle having autonomous or semi-autonomous operation features are provided. In certain aspects, with the customer's permission, a computer-implemented method for updating an autonomous operation feature may be provided. An indication of a software update associated with the autonomous operation feature may be received, and several autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles having the feature may be identified. The update may be installed within the several vehicles, such as via wireless communication. Also, a change in a risk level associated with the update to the autonomous operation feature may be determined, and an insurance discount may be determined or adjusted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing the seeding of cancerous cells during morcellation of a tissue specimen inside a patient's body and removal of the tissue specimen from inside the patient through a minimally-invasive body opening to outside the patient are provided. One system includes a cut-resistant tissue guard removably insertable into a containment bag. The tissue specimen is isolated and contained within the containment bag and the guard is configured to protect the containment bag and surrounding tissue from incidental contact with sharp instrumentation used during morcellation and extraction of the tissue specimen. The guard is adjustable for easy insertion and removal and configured to securely anchor to the body opening. Protection-focused and containment-based systems for tissue removal are provided that enable minimally invasive procedures to be performed safely and efficiently.

Abstract: A voice activatable flight deck system including a voice recognition and processing system for receiving and processing input voice commands and determining machine commands for the voice activatable flight deck system. The system provides indications as to whether user interface functional elements are voice command enabled, disabled or whether voice command input is not available. The system provides directional feedback to the voice command depending on whether a pilot in command or second in command issued the voice input.

Abstract: A swirler assembly includes a swirler having a primary swirler with a primary swirler venturi, a swirler ferrule plate connected upstream to the primary swirler, and a fuel nozzle disposed in the swirler ferrule plate. The swirler ferrule plate has an annular pressure drop cavity with oxidizer inlet orifices in fluid communication with the swirler, and at least one outlet orifice in fluid communication with the primary swirler venturi. A second flow of oxidizer to the swirler incurs a first pressure drop, a third flow of the oxidizer from the swirler to the annular pressure drop cavity incurs a second pressure drop, and a fourth flow of the oxidizer from the annular pressure drop cavity to the primary swirler venturi incurs a third pressure drop.

Abstract: Data can be efficiently integrated into environments. A location index consisting of a hierarchical arrangement of location tags can be defined for a planet. Each location tag can represent a cell in a hierarchical arrangement of grids where each cell encompasses a location on the planet. Location tags can be associated with data to allow the data relevant to a location in the environment to be quickly and efficiently retrieved using the location tags. Other indexes can be used to define hierarchical arrangements of other tags to further facilitate retrieving relevant data for integration in the environment. Location tags can be used to tag transactions recorded in a blockchain.