Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to an injectable shear-thinning composition that comprises (a) one or more types of polymers, (b) one or more types of microparticles and (c) water. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a kit that comprises (a) one or more containers that contain an injectable shear-thinning composition that comprises one or more types of polymers, one or more types of microparticles and water and (b) a delivery device. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to a medical procedure comprising administering to a subject an injectable shear-thinning composition that comprises one or more types of polymers, one or more types of microparticles and water.

Abstract: A conversation control system and associated methods adapt or modify currently active or future conversations and/or interactions based on machine-generated models that continuously evaluate client satisfaction over the entirety of the active conversations and/or interactions. The system receives a conversation with utterances by two or more participants, and generates a vector with features comprised of words, word sequences, and category classifications associated with at least one of the utterances. The system provides the features as inputs to a prediction model that assigns weights to a set of features based on a modeling of different impacts that each feature of the set of features has on one or more aspects of customer satisfaction. The system generates predictions for those aspects of customer satisfaction without input from the participants based on the assigned weights, and performs an automated action based on the one or more predictions.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include computer-implemented systems and processes that facilitate an initiation and a performance of one or more trustless transactions between counterparty devices operating within a trusted, secure computer-networking environment. For example, an apparatus may receive, through a touchscreen display unit, first data that identifies a session identifier associated with a transaction session, and may determine a validity of the session identifier based on the received first data. The apparatus may establish the transaction session in response to the determined validity of the session identifier. The transaction session may be associated with first and second operations characterized by values of corresponding parameters.

Abstract: A turbofan gas turbine engine comprises, in axial flow sequence, a heat exchanger module, a fan assembly, a compressor module, and a turbine module. The fan assembly comprises a plurality of fan blades defining a fan diameter (D), and the heat exchanger module comprises a plurality of heat exchanger elements. The heat exchanger module is in fluid communication with the fan assembly by an inlet duct, with the heat exchanger module having an axial length along a central axis between an upstream-most face of the heat exchanger elements and a downstream-most face of the heat exchanger elements. The axial length is in the range of 0.1*D to 5.0*D.

Abstract: Analysis of 13,023 genes in 11 breast and 11 colorectal cancers revealed that individual tumors accumulate an average of ˜90 mutant genes but that only a subset of these contribute to the neoplastic process. Using stringent criteria to delineate this subset, we identified 189 genes (average of 11 per tumor) that were mutated at significant frequency. The vast majority of these genes were not known to be genetically altered in tumors and are predicted to affect a wide range of cellular functions, including transcription, adhesion, and invasion. These data define the genetic landscape of two human cancer types, provide new targets for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention and monitoring.

Abstract: Disclosed in one aspect is a method for performing a complete blood count (CBC) on a sample of whole blood by metering a predetermined amount of the whole blood and mixing it with a predetermined amount of diluent and stain and transferring a portion thereof to an imaging chamber of fixed dimensions and utilizing an automated microscope with digital camera and cell counting and recognition software to count every white blood cell and red blood corpuscle and platelet in the sample diluent/stain mixture to determine the number of red cells, white cells, and platelets per unit volume, and analyzing the white cells with cell recognition software to classify them.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device includes a first aerosol generator to generate a first aerosol from a first aerosol precursor and to introduce the first aerosol into a first fluid flow pathway, and a second aerosol generator to generate a second aerosol from a second aerosol precursor and to introduce the second aerosol into a second fluid flow pathway. The first aerosol is sized for pulmonary penetration. The second aerosol generator comprises a Venturi aperture to dispense and aerosolise the second aerosol precursor in the second aerosol generator. The second aerosol precursor is a liquid, and the second aerosol is sized to inhibit pulmonary penetration. The second aerosol is transmissible within a mammalian oral and/or nasal cavity. The second aerosol includes an active component for activating at least one of: one or more taste receptors in the oral cavity and one or more olfactory receptors in the nasal cavity.

Abstract: Imaging systems, including radio frequency, microwave and millimeter-wave arrangements, and related methods are described. According to one aspect, an imaging system includes an antenna array, a position capture system configured to generate position information indicative of locations of one of the antenna array and the target at the first and second moments in time, and wherein the one of the antenna array and the target move between the first and second moments in time, a transceiver configured to control the antenna array to emit electromagnetic energy towards the target and to generate an output that is indicative of the received electromagnetic energy, a data acquisition system configured to generate radar data, processing circuitry configured to process the position information and the radar data to generate image data regarding the target, and an interface configured to use the image data to generate visual images regarding the target.

Abstract: The system and methods described herein allow users to apply for a purchase of a good from multiple providers using provider specific methodologies for generating offers for the product. For example, the system described herein may include a multi-layer architecture that includes interactive micro-services that communicate together in a bi-directional manner to create a normalized process for the purchase of a good, such as commercial goods/products (e.g. a vehicle) or real property. The micro-services may assess prequalification for a loan or financing for a good, followed by determining eligibility of the good for financing, and further followed by calculating pricing details for loans (e.g. for financing purchase of the good) that would be offered for a consumer's particular financial credentials, for each of a plurality of lenders. Prequalification and pricing may be performed on a good by good basis, or for a plurality of goods near or substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) system includes a cycler including an actuation surface having a peristaltic pump actuator; at least one pair of capacitive sensing plates; a manifold assembly including a rigid manifold having at least one chamber, the rigid manifold configured and arranged to be abutted against the actuation surface for operation, wherein the at least one pair of capacitive sensing plates is positioned to be operable with the at least one chamber; a peristaltic pump tube; and a control unit configured to actuate the peristaltic pump actuator to pump dialysis fluid to the at least one chamber, receive a signal from the at least one pair of capacitive sensing plates, count a number of revolutions of the peristaltic pump actuator, determine a current volume per revolution for the peristaltic pump actuator, and use the current volume per revolution for a subsequent operation of the peristaltic pump actuator.

Abstract: A first system may receive first data of a user associated with a first identifier and second data of the user associated with a second identifier that exclude user identifying information from a first and second data source, respectively. A key may be received from a second system that associates the first and second identifier with a common identifier generated to preserve user anonymity at the first system. The key may be used to generate aggregated data for the user that includes the first and second data and is associated with the common identifier. The aggregated data may be processed to determine the user as a candidate for an offer set. The common identifier for the user is included in a candidacy list for the offer set, and provided to the second system to facilitate request processing associated with the presentation of the offer set to candidate users.

Abstract: One general aspect of the present disclosure includes an article having a first zone, the first including a first region of a knitted base layer and a knitted second layer, where the second layer is disposed primarily on one side of the base layer. The article may further include a second zone that may include a second region of the base layer, where the second region of the base layer and the first region of the base layer have a common yarn, and where the second region of the base layer and the second layer have a common yarn. The first zone may have a first degree of elasticity such that it has a first elongation when subjected to a tensile load, and the second zone may have a second degree of elasticity such that it has a second elongation when subjected to the tensile load.

Abstract: Active demand management system and methods are disclosed herein. An example method for active demand management includes, facilitating dynamic and adaptive control of energy consumption within a network of devices. The method involves computing a rule set based on certain conditions, assessing the current operational state of devices, and integrating user inputs and preferences. By evaluating forecasted demand against a predetermined threshold, the method generates a control strategy to sequentially deactivate devices in order of prioritized importance, ensuring demand does not surpass the set threshold. Subsequently, energy-related commands are dispatched to the devices to implement the devised plan, optimizing energy distribution and preventing overload, thereby achieving efficient demand management.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for a biased cathode assembly of an X-ray tube with improved thermal management and a method of manufacturing same. In one example, a cathode assembly of an X-ray tube comprises an emitter assembly including an emitter coupled to an emitter support structure, and an electrode assembly including an electrode stack and a plurality of bias electrodes. The emitter assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together. The electrode assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together, and the emitter assembly being coupled to the electrode assembly.

Abstract: A system for detecting whether a file including content s associated with a cyber-attack is described. The content may include an executable file for example. The system includes an intelligence-driven analysis subsystem and a computation analysis subsystem. The intelligence-driven analysis subsystem is configured to (i) receive the file, (ii) inspect and compute features of the file for indicators associated with a cyber-attack, and (iii) produce a first output representing the detected indicators. The computational analysis subsystem includes an artificial neural network to (i) receive a network input being a first representation of at least one section of binary code from the file as input, and (ii) process the first representation of the section to produce a second output. The first output and the second output are used in determination a classification assigned to the file.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a flexible elongate member (e.g., endoscopic accessory tool) positionable into and/or through selected anatomies, such as by generating images to position components of a flexible elongate member or to localize anatomic features, for instance. Some embodiments are directed to generating images with a plurality of imaging techniques to localize anatomic features and/or components of a flexible elongate member for one or more of inspection, orientation, and/or facilitating access to body passageways or lumens.

Abstract: A ceiling fan assembly having a motor housing with at least one blade iron. At least one blade extending from a root to a tip, and having a set of multiple, spaced, through openings at the root. A snap-fit connector securing the at least one blade to the blade iron and comprising a first element and a second element, spaced from the first element to define an insertion path for the root of the blade.

Abstract: Locking mechanisms and methods of operating the locking mechanisms are disclosed. In one example, a locking mechanism may include a main hub assembly coupleable with a deadbolt, a clutch assembly coupled to the main hub assembly, and an actuator assembly coupled to the clutch assembly. The actuator assembly may include an actuator operable to bias a carriage along a first direction to bring the clutch assembly and the main hub assembly closer to one another along a second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The locking mechanism may further include a thumbturn assembly coupled to the clutch assembly, the thumbturn assembly comprising a thumbturn positionable on an exterior side of a door.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing system including a housing configured to contain a powder bed of material, and an array of laser emitters having a field of view. The array is configured to melt at least a portion of the powder bed within the field of view as the array translates relative to the powder bed. The system further includes a spatter collection device including a diffuser configured to discharge a stream of gas across the powder bed, and a collector configured to receive the stream of gas and contaminants entrained in the stream of gas. The collector is spaced from the diffuser such that a collection zone is defined therebetween, and the spatter collection device is configured to translate relative to the powder bed such that the collection zone overlaps with the field of view of the array.

Abstract: A swinging playground device includes a swing platform. The swinging playground device also includes a skirt coupled to the swinging platform and fills an area below the swinging platform as the swinging platform moves in a swinging motion.