Abstract: A framework structure for providing a barricade or support structure comprising a frame comprising a single pair of pivotally connected supports, the pair of supports rotatable relative to one another about a first axis to adjust the framework structure between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration, the footprint of the frame being larger in the expanded configuration than in the collapsed configuration and a connecting element pivotally connected to the frame and adapted to releaseably connect to an adjacent body or structure, the connecting element being rotatable about a second axis, the second axis being parallel to or the same as the first axis.

Abstract: Methods for producing hepatocytes from pluripotent human stem cells are disclosed herein. The stem cells are plated on a cell culture substrate comprising two laminins. The stem cells are then exposed to different cell culture mediums to induce differentiation. The resulting hepatocytes have higher metabolic capacity compared to hepatocytes cultured on different substrates.

Abstract: A device is presented. The device includes an electromagnetic guiding device to provide electromagnetic radiation, a reflector that reflects a portion of the electromagnetic radiation to generate a reflected portion of the electromagnetic radiation, wherein the reflector is fully immersed in a multiphase fluid, and a processing subsystem that analyzes the multiphase fluid based upon at least a portion of the reflected portion of the electromagnetic radiation, wherein a principal optical axis of the electromagnetic guiding device substantially aligns with a principal optical axis of the reflector.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a vehicle cleaning apparatus includes a trackway comprising a plurality of transversely extending members which are spaced longitudinally along the trackway. The trackway comprises a raised section comprising a first set of the transversely extending members, and a ramp arranged to allow the vehicle to travel between the raised section and a lower end of the ramp. The ramp comprises a second set of the transversely extending members. The first set of the transversely extending members comprises a first subset and a second subset of the transversely extending members. The transversely extending members of the first subset are raised with respect to those in the second subset. The second set of the transversely extending members comprises a third subset and a fourth subset of the transversely extending members. The transversely extending members of the third subset are raised with respect to those in the fourth subset.

Abstract: A case for a tablet computer has an upper shell and a lower shell. The upper shell has an open area through which the screen of the tablet computer is exposed. The upper shell is in sealed relation against a periphery of the tablet computer. The lower shell is in sealed relation to the upper shell. A subframe is interposed in sealed relation between the upper shell and the lower shell. The subframe has an outer periphery aligned with an outer periphery of the upper shell and the lower shell. A finned member is affixed to the shells so as to transfer heat from the tablet computer outwardly of the shells. A plurality of pins are formed in the shell and are suitable for allowing electrical connection with the tablet computer.

Abstract: The application describes methods and apparatus for distributed fiber sensing, especially distributed acoustic/strain sensing. The method involves launching interrogating radiation in to an optical fiber and sampling radiation backscattered from within said fiber at a rate so as to acquire a plurality of samples corresponding to each sensing portion of interest. The plurality of samples are divided into separate processing channels and processed to determine a phase value for that channel. A quality metric is then applied to the processed phase data and the data combined to provide an overall phase value for the sensing portion based on the quality metric. The quality metric may be a measure of the degree of similarity of the processed data from the channels. The interrogating radiation may comprise two relatively narrow pulses separated by a relatively wide gap and the sampling rate may be set such that a plurality of substantially independent diversity samples are acquired.

Abstract: The present invention is an explosion-proof case for a tablet computer that has a tablet computer having a screen and an outer periphery, an upper shell having an open area such that the screen is exposed through the open area, and a lower shell being in sealed relation to the upper shell. The upper shell is sealed against the periphery of the tablet computer. The upper shell and the lower shell contain the tablet computer therein. The tablet computer and the lower shell define an interior volume. This interior volume has at least one atmosphere of a gas contained therein. The gas is an inert gas. A valve is in communication with the interior volume so as to allow the gas to be introduced into the interior volume. The gas is maintained at a pressure of at least one atmosphere above atmospheric pressure. A subframe is interposed in sealed relationship between the upper shell and the lower shell.

Abstract: The present invention is an explosion-proof case for a tablet computer that has a tablet computer having a screen and an outer periphery, an upper shell having an open area such that the screen is exposed through the open area, and a lower shell being in sealed relation to the upper shell. The upper shell is sealed against the periphery of the tablet computer. The upper shell and the lower shell contain the tablet computer therein. The tablet computer and the lower shell define an interior volume. This interior volume has at least one atmosphere of a gas contained therein. The gas is an inert gas. A valve is in communication with the interior volume so as to allow the gas to be introduced into the interior volume. The gas is maintained at a pressure of at least one atmosphere above atmospheric pressure. A subframe is interposed in sealed relationship between the upper shell and the lower shell.

Abstract: A case for a tablet computer has an upper shell and a lower shell. The upper shell has an open area through which the screen of the tablet computer is exposed. The upper shell is in sealed relation against a periphery of the tablet computer. The lower shell is in sealed relation to the upper shell. A subframe is interposed in sealed relation between the upper shell and the lower shell. The subframe has an outer periphery aligned with an outer periphery of the upper shell and the lower shell. A finned member is affixed to the shells so as to transfer heat from the tablet computer outwardly of the shells. A plurality of pins are formed in the shell and are suitable for allowing electrical connection with the tablet computer.

Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, a system including a server is provided. The server includes a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The at least one processor is configured to receive configuration information encoded in a QR code, the configuration information being based on one or more values of one or more configuration options for at least one programmable device. The at least one processor is also configured to determine if the configuration information is in accord with target configuration information and transmit a message indicating whether the configuration information is in accord with the target configuration information.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for characterizing one or more sequences by generating index values representing portions of the sequences and finding characterizing index values based on a comparison of the index values. The index values may be obtained by applying one or more mask over each sequence. The modified masks may have associated weightings and index values obtained using modified masks may be retained in the index only if the weightings are above a threshold value. Characterising index values may also be assessed for for their degree of uniqueness. Characterizing indexes may be used for predicting correlation between a sample sequence and one or more reference sequences. Biological monitoring systems utilising the characterizing index values are also disclosed. A biological indicator may be generatgenerated using one or more characterizing index values obtained by the above method and be used to produce an indicator that undergoes a property change in the presence of the one or more sequence.

Abstract: A method of determining an overall presence state for a user of a communication system in which the user is connected to the communication system using a plurality of devices. The method includes each of the plurality of devices storing in a device memory a presence state for that device; detecting a change in the presence state in at least one of the plurality of devices; each of the plurality of devices transmitting a message via the communication system to the remainder of the plurality of devices, the message comprising the presence state; receiving the messages at the remainder of the plurality of devices; and executing a decision-making code sequence in a processor at each of the remainder of the plurality of devices to determine whether to synchronize the presence state of that device with the presence state from one of the messages based on the origin of an event causing the change in presence state at the at least one of the plurality of devices.

Abstract: A method of evaluating correlation between sequences by employing a hierarchy of evaluation algorithms. The evaluation algorithms may be arranged in order of computational efficiency as specified by a user or as determined by the system. The algorithms may range from a simple equality algorithm through to seeded alignment algorithms etc. Distributed and parallel processing systems may be employed in the method of the invention in graphical processing units may be employed. The method may be employed with a wide range of sequencers including sequencers produced by Illumina Inc Complete Genomics Inc. and Pacific Biosciences Inc.

Abstract: An aircraft assembly (10) having an indicator (20) configured to provide an indication of when an element of the aircraft assembly has received a predetermined load or traveled to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A processing-based bypass “fail open” mode is provided for an intrusion prevention system by a primary process running on a first logical core (lcore) is used as a control plane, which invokes bypass-open run-to-completion threads in other lcores comprising a bypass data plane, and which spawns a secondary process to fully configure intrusion prevention threads on other lcores to create an Intrusion Prevention System data plane. Upon a ready signal from the secondary process, the primary process quiesces such that the secondary process IPS data plane exclusively owns and executes on the other lcores.

Abstract: A user-actuated stretching device (10) activates an alarm and/or a controller (48) in response to a stretch velocity condition or stretch load condition being detected. Exemplary stretch velocity conditions may be a detected drop in stretch velocity and/or a detected excessive stretch velocity. The alarm may be visual, audible or tactile. The controller preferably takes the form of a solenoid (48) which can lock a hydraulic damper (46) in response to a stretching velocity condition being detected. The device optimizes stretching and reduces the risk of over-stretching and injury.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for monitoring the physical state of a stimulating assembly to, for example, detect the occurrence of an adverse event. More specifically, an elongate stimulating assembly comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced contacts is at least partially implanted into a recipient. Electrical measurements are performed at one or more of the plurality of contacts and the electrical measurements are evaluated relative to one another to determine the physical state of the stimulating assembly.

Abstract: A processing-based bypass “fail open” mode is provided for an intrusion prevention system by a primary process running on a first logical core (lcore) is used as a control plane, which invokes bypass-open run-to-completion threads in other lcores comprising a bypass data plane, and which spawns a secondary process to fully configure intrusion prevention threads on other lcores to create an Intrusion Prevention System data plane. Upon a ready signal from the secondary process, the primary process quiesces such that the secondary process IPS data plane exclusively owns and executes on the other lcores.