Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for facing a tissue block. In some embodiments, a method is provided for facing a tissue block that includes imaging a tissue block to generate imaging data of the tissue block, the tissue block comprising a tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, estimating, based on the imaging data, a depth profile of the tissue block, wherein the depth profile comprises a thickness of the embedding material to be removed to expose the tissue sample to a pre-determined criteria, and removing the thickness of the embedding material to expose the tissue to the pre-determined criteria.

Abstract: A zipper with at least one curve includes a first tape and a second tape, and interlocking elements attached to the first tape and the second tape, wherein the first tape and the second tape are curved, and wherein a curve of at least one of the tapes was caused by compaction of that tape.

Abstract: An electronic product testing system includes: a testing device configured to generate and to provide a digital image that includes a feature of a product being tested, and to provide product testing instruction for the product; and a tracking device configured for tracking a cursor movement with respect to the digital image, and/or a selection of an item in the digital image, and to generate product testing data based on a result of the tracking; wherein the tracking device is also configured to output the product testing data for storage in a non-transitory medium, the non-transitory medium having a database structure that is configured to store the product testing data in association with the digital image and the product testing instruction.

Abstract: Passive optical couplers having passive optical activity indicators and methods of operating the same are disclosed. An example passive optical coupler for passively coupling first and second optical fibers includes a housing including: a first port configured to receive an end of a first optical fiber, and a second port configured to receive an end of a second optical fiber; and a passive optical activity indicator positioned at least partially within the housing, wherein a first portion of the passive optical activity indicator is exposed through the housing, and wherein the passive optical activity indicator is configured to passively illuminate in response to (i) first light propagating in the first optical fiber when the end of the first optical fiber is received in the first port, and (ii) second light propagating in the second optical fiber when the end of the second optical fiber is received in the second port.

Abstract: An electronic product testing system includes: a testing device configured to generate and to provide a digital image that includes a feature of a product being tested, and to provide product testing instruction for the product; and a tracking device configured for tracking a cursor movement with respect to the digital image, and/or a selection of an item in the digital image, and to generate product testing data based on a result of the tracking; wherein the tracking device is also configured to output the product testing data for storage in a non-transitory medium, the non-transitory medium having a database structure that is configured to store the product testing data in association with the digital image and the product testing instruction.

Abstract: The concepts, systems and methods described herein are directed towards a method for detection and quantification of influence. The system is provided to including: a network sampling processor, a narrative discovery processor, and an influence quantification processor. The network sampling processor is configured to sample information on one or more social media networks. The narrative discovery processor is configured to: receive sampled information from the network sampling processor, and in response thereto identify a narrative related to a subset of information sampled by the network sampling processor. The influence quantification processor is configured to: receive information related to the narrative and to process the information via a network causal inference process to quantify influence of the narrative on the one or more social media networks.

Abstract: A waterproof zipper with at least one curve includes a first tape and a second tape, and interlocking elements attached to the first tape and the second tape, wherein the first tape and the second tape are curved, and wherein a curve of at least one of the tapes was caused by compaction of that tape. The zipper is coated on at least one side with a fluid impervious coating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mapping optical connections in an FDH are disclosed. An example system includes an FDH and a computing device. The FDH includes a bulkhead having: a plurality of passive optical couplers each having a respective first port to receive a respective first optical fiber, a respective second port to receive a respective second optical fiber, and a respective passive optical activity indicator configured to expose first light propagating in the respective first optical fiber, and second light propagating in the respective second optical fiber; and an image sensor configured to capture one or more images of the plurality of passive optical activity indicators. The computing device configured to, based on the one or more images, determine which of the plurality of passive optical couplers are receiving a first optical signal at their respective first port and/or receiving a second optical signal at their respective second port.

Abstract: An enclosable and stackable container comprising a tray and lid is provided with structural elements to permit rapid covering and uncovering of the tray, efficient stacking of containers, and safe transportation. At least one catching mechanism may be engaged quickly to securely cover the tray and its food contents and disengaged quickly to uncover the tray and its food contents, improving food hygiene practices. Foldable flange flaps enhance stacking strength to permit safe transportation of stacked containers and their food contents.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting information regarding optical connections in an FDH are disclosed. An example FDH includes: a bulkhead having a plurality of passive optical couplers, each of the plurality of passive optical couplers having a respective first port adapted to receive an end of a respective first optical fiber, a respective second port adapted to receive an end of a respective second optical fiber, and a respective passive optical activity indicator configured to expose (i) a portion of first light propagating in the respective first optical fiber when the first optical fiber is received in the first port, and (ii) a portion of second light propagating in the respective second optical fiber when the second optical fiber is received in the second port; and an image sensor configured to capture one or more images of the respective passive optical activity indicators of the plurality of passive optical couplers.

Abstract: Methods for treating cough, chronic cough and urges to cough associated with respiratory diseases with a P2X3 and/or a P2X2/3 receptor antagonist, the methods comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are as defined herein.

Abstract: A system for optical interrogation of tissue samples, the system including: a microtome configured to section one or more tissue sections from a tissue block, the one or more tissue sections including one or more tissue samples; a transfer medium configured to gather the one or more tissue sections and to transfer the one or more tissue sections to one or more slides; and an optical interrogation system including an illumination system configured to illuminate the one or more tissue sections and an imaging system configured to perform an imaging analysis on the one or more tissue sections illuminated with the illumination system.

Abstract: A waterproof zipper with at least one curve includes a first tape and a second tape, and interlocking elements attached to the first tape and the second tape, wherein the first tape and the second tape are curved, and wherein a curve of at least one of the tapes was caused by compaction of that tape. The zipper is coated on at least one side with a fluid impervious coating.

Abstract: A zipper with at least one curve includes a first tape and a second tape, and interlocking elements attached to the first tape and the second tape, wherein the first tape and the second tape are curved, and wherein a curve of at least one of the tapes was caused by compaction of that tape.

Abstract: Methods for treating cough, chronic cough and urges to cough associated with respiratory diseases with a P2X3 and/or a P2X2/3 receptor antagonist, the methods comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are as defined herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for facing a tissue block. In some embodiments, a method is provided for facing a tissue block that includes imaging a tissue block to generate imaging data of the tissue block, the tissue block comprising a tissue sample embedded in an embedding material, estimating, based on the imaging data, a depth profile of the tissue block, wherein the depth profile comprises a thickness of the embedding material to be removed to expose the tissue sample to a pre-determined criteria, and removing the thickness of the embedding material to expose the tissue to the pre-determined criteria.

Abstract: Provided are novel salts and polymorphs of 5-(2,4-diamino-pyrimidin-5-yloxy)-4-isopropyl-2-methoxy-benzenesulfonamide, which are potentially useful for modulating a condition mediated by a P2X3 or P2X2/3 receptor. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations and methods of administration and dosing of these salts and polymorphs to subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: An instrument for processing a biological sample includes a chassis. Connected to the chassis is a tape path along which a tape with a matrix of wells can be automatically advanced through the instrument, a dispensing assembly for dispensing the biological sample and a reagent into the matrix of wells of the tape to form a biological sample and reagent mixture, a sealing assembly for sealing the biological sample and reagent mixture in the tape, and an amplification and detection assembly for detecting a signal from the biological sample and reagent mixture in the matrix of wells in the tape.

Abstract: A drainage catheter may include a polymeric tubular member and a braided reinforcement that is disposed about the polymeric tubular member. The braided reinforcement may include a repeating braid pattern that extends over a first portion of a length of the drainage catheter and a modified braid pattern that extends over a second portion of the length of the drainage catheter, the modified braid pattern providing a region without any braid filaments. The drainage catheter may include a drainage hole that extends through the polymeric tubular member within the region without any braid filaments.

Abstract: A boot comprises: a shell comprising a first foamed polymeric material; a sock liner comprising a second foamed polymeric material, the sock liner having an exposed section and an enclosed section; and an adhesive layer affixing the shell and the enclosed section of the sock liner; wherein there is an absence of intermingling of the second surface of the enclosed section of the sock liner with the inner surface of the shell. Methods of making and using the boot are also provided.