Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.

Abstract: An annular divided wall column is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall and radially spaced therefrom to define an annulus column region as the space between the first annular column wall and the second annular column wall. An interior core column region is also defined by the interior space of the second annular column wall. The present annular divided wall column further includes a plurality of packing elements, disposed within the interior core column region within the annulus column region having different surface area densities and optionally, also have different geometries.

Abstract: Systems and methods are configured to provide alternate content during video streaming. Content made up of a plurality of blocks is streamed over a first video stream to a user computing device via a first URI. While streaming, a determination is made that alternate content is available. In response, a signaling mechanism is provided indicating such and a request for the alternate content is received. As a result, a particular block that is currently being provided over the first video stream is suspended and the alternate content is streamed to the user computing entity over a second video stream. Depending on the embodiment, the second video stream may be accessed by re-activating the first URI or by activating a second URI. Upon completion of the alternate content, the particular block that was suspended can be resumed to facilitate continued streaming of the content over the first or second video stream.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for inhibiting or treating a viral infection in a subject using cell-impermeable inhibitors of Akt, scramblase and/or a phosphatidylserine.

Abstract: A hand-held laser treatment device automatically sweeps a line of laser energy across a treatment area of a patient without moving the device. Laser energy sources reside in a scan head housing, which is rotatably connected to a body housing at a housing mount. A motorized scanning mechanism in the body housing drives a pushrod connected that is to the scan head to cause the scan head to reciprocate about the housing mount axis, moving an emitted line of laser energy up and down. The scanning mechanism comprises a rotational motor, a pushrod drive cam, a guide cam and an amplitude adjustor, all coaxially aligned along a motor axis. Interposed between the pushrod drive cam and the guide cam are the pushrod and a guide bearing aligned along an axis parallel to the motor axis. The degree of sweep is adjustable to change the size of the area treated.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein include an apparatus having a processor communicatively coupled to a memory. The processor is configured to monitor, at a characteristic controller, a first characteristic of an electronic device. The processor is then configured to receive side-channel signature analysis of the electronic device from a signature analyzer. The processor is configured to determine if the first characteristic of the electronic device has changed or will change in a predefined period of time based on the side-channel signature analysis. The processor is then configured to adjust a second characteristic of the electronic device and/or filtering characteristics such that the side-channel signature analysis reflects predefined side-channel behavior.

Abstract: A system that implements wireless communication with replay protection for lower power building control applications. In one example, a battery-powered device includes a counter value with each message transmitted to an always-on device. If the always-on device receive an invalid counter value, instead of sending back an acknowledgement, it sends back a message containing an updated counter value. The battery-powered device may keep its receiver on after sending a message for at least a period of time, the battery-powered device receives the message and updates its counter with the received updated counter value. Since it did not receive an acknowledgement, it retries its original message, this time with the updated counter value. The retry message is likely to be successfully transmitted.

Abstract: A method of autonomously controlling the ground speed of a harvester, such as a self-propelled or towed wind rower, uses both the engine speed and the header speed as control parameters to increase or decrease the ground speed as necessary to maintain efficient harvester operation over varying terrain and crop conditions. A control system includes a controller which receives signals from sensors indicative of engine speed, header speed and harvester ground speed and uses actuators to control the header speed, engine speed and harvester ground speed. An operator interface permits an operator to engage or disengage the autonomous mode of control system operation, as well as to directly control the harvester.

Abstract: A gluten-free pasta product that survives retort may be formed by preparing a dough mixture with gluten-free flour and water. The dough can be extruded at a temperature and with an amount of mechanical energy effective to form an extruded pasta product having a bi-continuous matrix of protein and starch. The extruded pasta product can be incorporated into a closed retort container and subsequently retorted. The resulting retorted food product may contain gluten-free pasta that has the structural integrity and textual firmness consistent with that exhibited by traditional wheat pasta after having undergone retort despite the absence of binding gluten molecules.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for clonally inhibiting or clonally stimulating T-cells are provided.

Abstract: A secure demand paging system including a secure internal memory, an external non-volatile memory having encrypted and integrity-protected code pages, an external volatile memory for swap pages and a processor coupled to said secure internal memory and to said external non-volatile memory and operable to decrypt and verify the integrity of the code pages thereby to transfer code pages to said secure internal memory directly from said external non-volatile memory bypassing said external volatile memory in respect of the code pages, and to swap out and swap in the swap pages between secure internal memory and said external volatile memory bypassing said external non-volatile memory in respect of the swap pages for said external volatile memory.

Abstract: Laparoscopic instruments and methods of use are disclosed for measuring the distance between first and second portions of a target within a patient. The device includes a shaft, a ball, and a measuring member. The shaft has a distal end configured to extend into the patient. The ball is flexibly connected to the measuring member and configured for relative movement towards and away from the distal end of the shaft. The measuring member is slidable with respect to the shaft in response to relative movement between the ball and the distal end of the shaft and includes indicia thereon, whereupon a portion of the measuring member extends out of shaft so that the indicia provides an indication of the distance between the first and second portions of the target. One embodiment of the device is spring biased to automatically retract the ball after a measurement.

Abstract: A combining apparatus for use in a satellite communication system and a method for using the same.

Abstract: A method of forming an electronic device is disclosed. The method comprises forming depositing a metal on a substrate, the metal comprising one or more of copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), or tantalum (Ta). A metal cap is deposited on the metal, the metal cap comprising one or more of molybdenum (Mo), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), osmium (Os), platinum (Pt), or gold (Au). The substrate is then exposed to a hydrogen high-pressure anneal. The formation of the metal cap on the metal minimizes parasitic adsorption of hydrogen by the underlying metal.

Abstract: A method for conveying auditable information regarding provenance of a product that is cryptographically accurate while retaining complete anonymity of product and participant on a blockchain includes: receiving a product identifier; generating a digital token by applying a hashing algorithm to the product identifier; generating an entry value by applying the hashing algorithm to a combination of an event identifier and the digital token; generating a digital signature by digitally signing a data package using a private key of a cryptographic key pair, where the data package includes at least a blockchain address, the event identifier, and the digital token; and transmitting the blockchain address, the digital signature, and the entry value to a node in a blockchain network.

Abstract: Adjustable-size jaw sub-assemblies, jaw assemblies made from such sub-assemblies, and tools, particularly hand tools, made using such jaw assemblies. A plurality of jaws are connected to a base ring by pivot pins. Cam follower recess can be defined at positions of the inner perimeter of the base ring, and between opposing faces of the base ring. In the jaw assemblies, an actuator, such as a cover plate, covers at least a portion of one of opposing faces of the base ring, and one or more bridges connect the jaws to the actuator. Movement of the base ring relative to the actuator causes the jaws to pivot about the pivot pin axes, with the jaws moving in concert with each other thereby to reduce or expand the size of a work opening defined by the jaws.

Abstract: Methods of forming and processing semiconductor devices are described. Certain embodiments related to electronic devices which comprise a dipole region having an interlayer dielectric, a high-? dielectric material, and a dipole layer. The dipole layer comprises one or more of titanium lanthanum nitride (TiLaN), titanium yttrium nitride (TiYN), titanium strontium nitride (TiSrN), titanium magnesium nitriride (TiMgN, titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN), titanium tantalum nitride (TiTaN), hafnium carbide (HfC), hafnium nitride (HfN), hafnium oxynitride (HfON), hafnium oxycarbide (HfOC), hafnium carbide aluminum (HfCAl), hafnium aluminum nitride (HfAlN), or hafnium carbonitride (HfCN).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to fiber optic components and structures for use in building fiber optic networks using an indexing architecture. In certain examples, fan-out structures are used.

Abstract: Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) expressing T cells are a promising form of immunotherapy for solid tumors. CAR-T cells from geriatric donors (gCART) are shown herein to be functionally impaired relative to CAR-T from younger donors (yCAR-T). Higher transduction efficiencies and improved cell expansion were observed in yCAR-T cells compared to gCAR-T. yCAR-T demonstrated significantly increased levels of proliferation and signaling activation of pERK, pAKT, pSTAT3 and pSTAT5. Furthermore, yCAR-T contained higher proportions of CD4 and CD8 effector memory cells (EM) which are known to have enhanced cytolytic capabilities. In accordance with higher numbers of CD4 and CD8 EM, yCAR-T demonstrated higher levels of CEA specific cytotoxicity compared to gCAR-T, with maximum cytotoxicity observed in IL15 treated yCAR-T cells.

Abstract: A method of making a door involves providing a first door facing including a first raised region and a first panel recessed from the first raised region by a first dimension, and securing a first core insert having a thickness equal to the first dimension to the first raised region. A second door facing including a second raised region and a second panel recessed from the second raised region by a second dimension is provided. A second core insert having a thickness equal to the second dimension is secured to the second raised region. A central core component is secured to the first panel and the first core insert after the first core insert has been secured to the first raised region. The second panel and the second core insert are secured to the central core component after the second core insert has been secured to the second raised region.