Abstract: The described systems, methods, and compositions relate to systems, methods, and compositions for forming one or more cementitious mixtures that cure into one or more mortars and/or concretes. More particularly, some embodiments relate to systems, methods, and compositions for producing cementitious materials (or cured mortar and/or concrete compositions) that tend to increase in strength over time due to the use of saltwater (e.g., instead of freshwater) and/or due to the use of one or more reactive aggregates that interact with an activator material that is primarily comprised of lime. In some cases, the described cementitious material can (before being cured to form mortar or concrete) include one or more reactive aggregates; hydrating solutions comprising water with a salt content greater than 0.5 ppt; and/or activator materials comprising at least 40% calcium oxide by mass (e.g., when the activator is dry).

Abstract: The described systems, methods, and compositions relate to systems, methods, and compositions for forming one or more cementitious materials that cure into one or more mortars and/or concretes. More particularly, some embodiments relate to systems, methods, and compositions for forming cured mortars and/or concretes that tend to have an increased strength over time due to the use of one or more reactive aggregates, activator materials, and/or alkaline compounds for conditioning the aggregate. In some cases, a cementitious mixture that is configured to form a mortar that can receive one or more filler aggregates (e.g., reactive filler aggregates) to make a concrete. Additionally, in some cases, the reactive aggregate is conditioned with an aqueous solution comprising one or more alkaline compounds having a concentration in the aqueous solution of between about 0.001 mol/L and about 10 mol/L, or within any subrange thereof (e.g., between about 0.25 molar and about 5 molar).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing data may comprise receiving, from a user, a first data set including at least one item of personally identifiable information (“PII”) for a plurality of individuals, wherein the first data set includes information related to an outcome of an algorithm or process; analyzing the received first data set to infer at least one trait of the plurality of individuals; storing a second data set in a data store, wherein the second data set includes the at least one trait, and wherein the second data set does not include the at least one item of PII; analyzing the second data set to determine a fairness of the algorithm or process; and providing a report to the user related to the determined fairness of the algorithm or process.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for an enclosure of a direct current connection of a photovoltaic solar panel, the apparatus comprising: a housing comprising at least two parts that, when joined together, form a chamber for surrounding mating direct current connectors with an air gap, the housing comprising at least one support structure for positioning the direct current connectors in a central part of the chamber.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing data may comprise receiving, from a user, a first data set including at least one item of personally identifiable information (“PII”) for a plurality of individuals, wherein the first data set includes information related to an outcome of an algorithm or process; analyzing the received first data set to infer at least one trait of the plurality of individuals; storing a second data set in a data store, wherein the second data set includes the at least one trait, and wherein the second data set does not include the at least one item of PII; analyzing the second data set to determine a fairness of the algorithm or process; and providing a report to the user related to the determined fairness of the algorithm or process.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of manipulating tissue of a patient includes a body having a firing mechanism configured to be selectively manipulated by an operator, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft assembly and configured to receive a cartridge for manipulating tissue of a patient. The end effector includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, a gap between the distal and proximal end portions, and a guide pin. The guide pin extends from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion and is connected thereto. Thereby, the guide pin is configured to secure the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion and inhibit deflection of the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion.

Abstract: The described systems, methods, and compositions relate to systems, methods, and compositions for forming one or more cementitious mixtures that cure into one or more mortars and/or concretes. More particularly, some embodiments relate to systems, methods, and compositions for producing cementitious materials (or cured mortar and/or concrete compositions) that tend to increase in strength over time due to the use of saltwater (e.g., instead of freshwater) and/or due to the use of one or more reactive aggregates that interact with an activator material that is primarily comprised of lime. In some cases, the described cementitious material can (before being cured to form mortar or concrete) include one or more reactive aggregates; hydrating solutions comprising water with a salt content greater than 0.5 ppt; and/or activator materials comprising at least 40% calcium oxide by mass (e.g., when the activator is dry).

Abstract: The described systems, methods, and compositions relate to systems, methods, and compositions for forming one or more cementitious materials that cure into one or more mortars and/or concretes. More particularly, some embodiments relate to systems, methods, and compositions for forming cured mortars and/or concretes that tend to have an increased strength over time due to the use of one or more reactive aggregates, activator materials, and/or alkaline compounds for conditioning the aggregate. In some cases, a cementitious mixture that is configured to form a mortar that can receive one or more filler aggregates (e.g., reactive filler aggregates) to make a concrete. Additionally, in some cases, the reactive aggregate is conditioned with an aqueous solution comprising one or more alkaline compounds having a concentration in the aqueous solution of between about 0.001 mol/L and about 10 mol/L, or within any subrange thereof (e.g., between about 0.25 molar and about 5 molar).

Abstract: A high-voltage device has an inner conductor and an insulating member that surrounds the inner conductor along the longitudinal direction thereof. In order to increase the reliability of the high-voltage device, at least one optical waveguide rests against the inner conductor in at least some sections, extends out of the insulating member and can be connected to an evaluation unit for recording measured temperature values. Furthermore a method measures a temperature of the inner conductor of the high-voltage device.

Abstract: A method for manipulating tissue of a patient includes a surgical instrument having a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector. The method includes positioning a tissue within a gap between a cartridge and an anvil and against a guide pin to laterally position the tissue relative to the cartridge and the anvil. The method also includes moving a retaining pin from an open position to a closed position to capture the tissue and moving the cartridge toward the anvil in a closed configuration. Furthermore, the method includes inhibiting deflection of a distal end portion of the end effector wherein at least at least one of the guide pin or the retaining pin connects to the distal end portion. The method further includes forming a plurality of staples within the tissue and cutting the tissue with a knife.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of recipient address selection, for example, for electronic mail (email). The method involves entering characters into a recipient address field to generate a recipient address list comprising recipient address options. A selection is received from a user for a recipient address in the recipient address list. After the user has selected a recipient address from the recipient address list, one or more rules are checked to determine whether they have been satisfied. The selected recipient address is entered into the recipient address field depending on if the one or more rules have been satisfied.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of manipulating tissue of a patient includes a body having a firing mechanism configured to be selectively manipulated by an operator, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft assembly and configured to receive a cartridge for manipulating tissue of a patient. The end effector includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, a gap between the distal and proximal end portions, and a guide pin. The guide pin extends from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion and is connected thereto. Thereby, the guide pin is configured to secure the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion and inhibit deflection of the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of manipulating colon tissue of a patient includes a body having a firing mechanism, a shaft assembly, and an end effector operatively connected to the firing mechanism via the shaft assembly. The end effector is configured to receive a cartridge selectively actuated by the selective manipulation of the firing mechanism. A distal end portion of the end effector includes a first end, a second end laterally opposite the first end, and a distal crest laterally positioned between the first and second ends that projects distally beyond the first and second ends. The distal end portion also includes an arcuate distal surface extending along the distal with a radius of curvature configured to be received against the pelvic bowl of the patient to position the end effector relative to colon tissue for manipulating the colon tissue with the cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of manipulating tissue of a patient includes a body having a firing mechanism configured to be selectively manipulated by an operator, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft assembly and configured to receive a cartridge for manipulating tissue of a patient. The end effector includes a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, a gap between the distal and proximal end portions, and a guide pin. The guide pin extends from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion and is connected thereto. Thereby, the guide pin is configured to secure the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion and inhibit deflection of the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for indicating that a cartridge has been fired includes an end effector receiving a cartridge having at least one of a knife and a plurality of staples, a shaft assembly connected to the end effector, and a handle assembly. The handle assembly has a handle housing, a firing member configured to selectively actuate from a first position to a second position as a firing stroke, and a feedback generator operatively connected to the firing member. The firing member is configured to actuate the cartridge from an unfired cartridge position to a fired cartridge position when the firing member is actuated. The feedback generator is configured to communicate an audible sound and a visual indicia to an operator indicative of the firing member completing the firing stroke for actuating the cartridge to the fired cartridge position.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of recipient address selection, for example, for electronic mail (email). The method involves entering characters into a recipient address field to generate a recipient address list comprising recipient address options. A selection is received from a user for a recipient address in the recipient address list. After the user has selected a recipient address from the recipient address list, one or more rules are checked to determine whether they have been satisfied. The selected recipient address is entered into the recipient address field depending on if the one or more rules have been satisfied.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method of manipulating tissue of a patient includes a body, a shaft assembly extending distally therefrom, and an end effector extending distally from the shaft assembly and configured to receive a cartridge for manipulating tissue. The end effector has a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, a gap between the distal and proximal end portions, and a retaining pin. The retaining pin includes a distal head and is selectively movable from an open position to a locked closed position. In the open position, the retaining pin is proximally positioned such that the gap is configured to receive tissue. In the locked closed position, the retaining pin extends across the gap and is configured to capture tissue within the gap. The distal head of the retaining pin is configured engage and secure the distal end portion relative to the proximal end portion via the retaining pin.

Abstract: A surgical instrument and method for forming a plurality of staples in tissue of a patient includes a body having a firing mechanism, a shaft assembly, an end effector with an anvil, and a cartridge received within the end effector that is operatively connected to the firing mechanism. The cartridge includes a cartridge housing having a plurality of staple slots, a plurality of staples respectively positioned within the plurality of staple slots, and a driver assembly. The driver assembly has a plurality of drivers respectively supporting the plurality of staples within the plurality of staple slots. The firing mechanism is configured to selectively move the plurality of drivers distally toward the anvil for forming the plurality of staples therebetween. At least one driver of the plurality of drivers has a variable distal height relative to at least another driver of the plurality of drivers in a predetermined variable height pattern.