Abstract: An ignition safety device (ISD) used in an ignition system of a missile is configured to selectively control the ignition of two or more pulses or stages of a rocket motor propulsion system, based on a flight profile mode selection of a flight velocity mode, in which the missile is configured to travel at an optimized flight velocity, or a flight distance mode, in which the missile is configured to travel an optimized flight distance. The ISD is configured to selectively ignite the pulses or stages substantially simultaneously upon selection of the flight velocity mode, or in a delayed sequential manner upon selection of the flight distance mode. The ISD is also configured to selectively inhibit the delayed sequential ignition of the pulses or stages in the event of incidental ground or water impact of the missile after ignition of the primary pulse or stage.

Abstract: Biological strains, compositions, and methods of using the strains and compositions for reducing overall insect damage.

Abstract: Small molecule inhibitors of salt inducible kinases (SIKs) are provided. In particular, compounds of formula (I), and tautomers, stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, methods of preparing the compounds, and methods of using the compounds for inhibiting SIKs, such as SIK1 and SIK2, and methods of treating diseases mediated by SIKs.

Abstract: The invention is directed to BAHD acyltransferase enzymes, nucleic acids encoding BAHD acyltransferase enzymes, and inhibitory nucleic acids adapted to inhibit the expression and/or translation of BAHD acyltransferase RNA; expression cassettes, plant cells, and plants that have or encode such nucleic acids and enzymes; and methods of making and using such nucleic acids, enzymes, expression cassettes, cells, and plants.

Abstract: A sprayer includes a spray gun and a hopper. An air source provides compressed air to the sprayer to both eject fluid from the spray gun as a spray and to pressurize the hopper. The spray gun includes passages for providing compressed air to the nozzle for spraying and to the hopper for pressurizing the hopper. The spray gun further includes a relief valve for venting pressurized air from the hopper. The hopper receives the compressed air through a port in the hopper, and the compressed air assists the flow of material out of the hopper and into the spray gun.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes an inlet to receive a fluid into the valve assembly, an outlet to discharge the fluid from the valve assembly and a service stop coupled to the inlet or the outlet. The service stop can rotate relative to the inlet or the outlet to control a flow of the fluid through the inlet or the outlet. The service stop can include a first tool interface to receive a first hand tool and transfer a first torque from the first hand tool to the service stop to facilitate rotating the service stop using the first hand tool. The service stop can include a second tool interface to receive a second hand tool different from the first hand tool and configured to transfer a second torque from the second hand tool to the service stop to facilitate rotating the service stop using the second hand tool.

Abstract: A tackifier-free, hot melt adhesive composition comprises an amorphous, single site-catalyzed, high molecular weight propylene copolymer, preferably with a weight average molecular weight (Mw) greater than 80,000 g/mol; a semicrystalline, single site-catalyzed, low molecular weight propylene copolymer, preferably with an Mw less than 60,000 g/mol; and polyisobutene. The composition may optionally include a plasticizer, a butene-rich copolymer, and an antioxidant. The hot melt adhesive is especially useful for bonding substrates which swell or elongate significantly in use. Such uses include adhering superabsorbent polymers to a substrate or adhering together two substrates, at least one of which has superabsorbent polymers, such as the layers of an absorbent core of a disposable hygiene article, such as a diaper.

Abstract: A flattened expanded metal strip (9) is wrapped into an airbag inflator filter (21) with the strip oriented such that the flattened rough side (17) of the strip is pointing toward the inside diameter (ID) of the filter and the flattened smooth side (15) is pointing towards the outside diameter (OD). With this orientation, the filter (21) is able to capture more slag than filters made using the standard wrapping method in which the smooth side is oriented inward. The expanded metal can be of various types including, for example, variable expanded metal (VEM) or standard expanded metal (SEM).

Abstract: Some embodiments provide an irrigation flow sensor system, comprising: a housing forming a fluid channel to cooperate with conduits of an irrigation system; a paddle wheel device with at least a first blade of a set of the blades comprises a magnetic element; the paddle wheel device is positioned with at least a portion of the blades extends into the fluid channel as the blades rotate about an axis; a magnetic sensor proximate a pathway of the magnetic element as it rotates configured to provide a sensor output every time the magnetic element passes the magnetic sensor; a switch coupled to the magnetic sensor and a current loop, wherein the switch in an activate state is configured to temporarily change the current in the current loop in response to the sensor output, with a rate of change in current corresponding to a flow rate of the fluid flowing.

Abstract: Highly efficient and rapid filtration-based concentration devices, systems and methods are disclosed with a rotary distribution valve connected to a syringe pump which maintains control and flow of various fluids to a sample through a retentate port.

Abstract: A system may include a mobile application residing on an external device and an inhalation device. The inhalation device may include a mouthpiece, a mouthpiece cover, medicament, and an electronics module comprising a processor. The inhalation device may be configured to both prepare a dose of medicament for delivery to a user and cause the processor to transition between power states when the mouthpiece cover is moved from a closed position to an open position to expose the mouthpiece. The electronics module or the mobile application may be configured to generate usage events based on usage of the inhalation device by the user. The electronics module may also include a pressure sensor, and the electronics module or the mobile application may be configured to determine whether a usage event is a good inhalation event, a fair inhalation event, or a no inhalation event based on feedback from the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A device includes a handle, an expandable structure including a plurality of splines extending from a proximal hub to a distal hub, a first electrode on a first spline of the plurality of splines, an outer tube extending from the handle to the proximal hub, and a shaft extending through the outer tube from the handle to the distal hub. The expandable structure has a collapsed state and a self-expanded state. The handle is configured to retract the shaft. Retracting the shaft may expand the expandable structure outward of the self-expanded state.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods that track various aspects of a person's sleep and environment to optimize one or more aspects of the user's environment and sleep conditions, quality and duration, together or alone, and help make the one or more users maintain and prolong his or her deep sleep status and improve the their sleep duration and quality.

Abstract: A multichannel manifold cold plate with microchannels for cooling electronics. A main inlet is on a side of the microchannels opposite the cold plate and includes inlet channels with nozzles adjacent the microchannels. A main outlet is on a side of the microchannels opposite the cold plate and includes outlet channels with nozzles adjacent the microchannels. The inlet channels are interleaved with the outlet channels. In operation, the main inlet delivers a cooling fluid to the cold plate microchannels via the inlet channels and nozzles, and the main outlet receives the cooling fluid from the microchannels via the outlet channels and nozzles. This configuration provides a cooling fluid distribution pattern for efficient cooling of the electronics.

Abstract: A method of treating a tricuspid valve that defines an annulus between a right atrium and a right ventricle of the heart is described. A first anchor and a second anchor are transluminally advanced to the heart. The first anchor is anchored inside a coronary sinus of the heart. The second anchor is anchored, from the right atrium, at a site that is across the annulus from the coronary sinus by driving a distal portion of the second anchor into the annulus at the site. Subsequently, a distance between the first and second anchors is reduced by applying tension to a tensioning member coupled to the first and second anchors. The tension is maintained by locking a lock member to the tensioning member. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: One or more radar sensors can be used to monitor patients in a variety of different environments and embodiments. In one embodiment, radar sensors can be used to monitor a patient's breathing, including monitoring of tidal volume, chest expansion distance, breathing rate, etc. In another embodiment, a patient position can be monitored in a patient bed, which can be used as feedback for control of bladders of a patient bed. Additional embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: A method of treating a spine includes implanting at least a portion of a spinal construct in a patient. The method further includes attaching one or more smart implants to the spinal construct. Each of the one or more smart implants includes (a) an attachment portion configured to attach the smart implant to the spinal construct, and (b) at least one sensor configured to measure an aspect of the spinal construct when the smart implant is attached to the spinal construct. The method further includes receiving, from the one or more smart implants, sensor information related to the aspect of the spinal construct and performing at least one intra-operational adjustment to the spinal construct based on the received sensor information.

Abstract: A brush seal system includes a component including a first mating surface. The brush seal system further includes a brush seal including a brush seal backing plate, a retaining ring, and a plurality of bristles retained between the brush seal backing plate and the retaining ring. The brush seal backing plate includes a second mating surface mounted to the first mating surface. The brush seal system further includes at least one cooling channel extending from an exterior side of the component to an interior side of the component so as to bypass the brush seal.

Abstract: A method for evaluating or monitoring metabolic effects of exercise or injury by detecting and/or quantifying microR-NAs in saliva. Compositions and methods of treatment based on detection of microRNAs.

Abstract: An exterior shell for an armored cab having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis is provided. The exterior shell has a right side panel extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, a left side panel extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a rear panel extending parallel to the transverse axis. A cab lower surface extends between the right side panel and the left side panel. The cab lower surface has a center tunnel extending along the longitudinal axis with an exterior curvature having a variable radius as the center tunnel extends along the transverse axis of the exterior shell. The center tunnel is configured to act as a pressure vessel in the event of an explosion beneath the armored cab.