Abstract: The present invention provides novel engineered polypeptides that support both reverse transcription and DNA amplification in manganese-independent reactions. The present invention also provides methods for amplifying template nucleic acids using such polypeptides. This invention addresses deficiencies in the current state of the art in nucleic acid amplification-based detection of template nucleic acids, especially RNA targets, including deficiencies in detection sensitivity, specificity, enzyme stability, inhibitor tolerance and time to result compared with manganese-dependent thermostable reverse transcriptases and two-enzyme solutions.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide for a sign language interpreter view within a video communication session. In one embodiment, a method presents a user interface (“UI”) for each of a number of client devices connected to a communication session, each UI including one or more video feeds associated with participants of the communication session. The method receives a request from a first participant to be presented with a sign language interpreter (“SLI”) view within the UI; determines that a second participant is to be designated as a sign language interpreter for the communication session; and presents, within the UI of a client device associated with the first participant, an SLI view including at least a video feed of the second participant and a video feed of a highlighted speaker being interpreted by the second participant.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide for an active server proxy presentation for sign language interpreters within a video communication session. In one embodiment, a method presents a user interface for each of a number of client devices connected to a communication session, with each UI including one or more video feeds associated with participants of the communication session. The method receives an indication that a first participant is designating a second participant as a sign language interpreter who will perform voicing for the first participant. The method then determines that the second participant is performing voicing for the first participant, then presents, within the UIs of at least a subset of the client devices, a video feed associated with the first participant in a highlighted fashion concurrently to the second participant performing the voicing for the first participant.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for controlling a toolface of a downhole tool are described. The toolface of the downhole tool, and a toolface setpoint, are determined. Based on the toolface and the toolface setpoint, a toolface error is determined. Based on the toolface error, one or more drilling parameter setpoints are selected from among multiple drilling parameter setpoints. The selected one or more drilling parameter setpoints are adjusted. The adjusted one or more drilling parameter setpoints are inputted to one or more drilling controllers for controlling the toolface of the downhole tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA and/or RNA ligase enzyme, its amino acid sequence, its nucleic acid sequence and to DNA and/or RNA ligase proteins encoded by these nucleic acid sequences, as well as nucleic acid or amino acid constructs comprising portions of the nucleic acid or amino acid sequence of the DNA and/or RNA ligase enzyme. The invention further relates to methods of using the DNA and/or RNA ligase enzyme for molecular biological assays and molecular diagnostic applications as well as to a kit containing the DNA and/or RNA ligase enzyme.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an engine component having a working airflow separated into a cooling airflow and a combustion airflow, the engine component comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced airfoils rotatable about a centerline defining an axial direction, each airfoil comprising an outer wall bounding an interior and defining a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge to define a chord-wise direction and extending between a root and a tip along a span-wise direction to define a span length; wherein each of the airfoils have an unguided turning angle to stagger angle ratio defined with respect to a percentage of the span length.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a robotic manipulator that includes a mounting fixture defining a longitudinal channel, and a surgical tool removably coupleable to the mounting fixture. The surgical tool including a tool housing matable with the mounting fixture, an elongate shaft extending from the tool housing and receivable within the channel, and a latching mechanism provided on the elongate shaft and comprising one or more retention tabs biased radially outward with one or more biasing members. The one or more retention tabs are movable between a deployed state, where the one or more retention tabs protrude radially outward through a corresponding one or more slots to engage the mounting fixture, and a retracted state, where the one or more retention tabs are urged radially inward through the one or more slots to disengage the mounting fixture.

Abstract: A method including monitoring an amount of angular motion of an electronic device for a movement (e.g., casting motion) of the electronic device and determining that the amount of angular motion for the movement exceeds a threshold. A geographic location and a pointing direction of the electronic device may be determined for the movement. A geographic region may be determined based at least in part on the geographic location and the pointing direction of the electronic device. In some implementations, the geographic region may be determined based on the amount of angular motion for the movement. The geographic region may be used as part of a search query. Places of interest corresponding to the geographic region may be determined and provided for display and selection via a user interface of the electronic device. Selectable transactions for the geographic region may also obtained and presented by the electronic device.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide for a sign language interpreter view within a video communication session. In one embodiment, a method presents a user interface (“UI”) for each of a number of client devices connected to a communication session, each UI including one or more video feeds associated with participants of the communication session. The method receives a request from a first participant to be presented with a sign language interpreter (“SLI”) view within the UI; determines that a second participant is to be designated as a sign language interpreter for the communication session; and presents, within the UI of a client device associated with the first participant, an SLI view including at least a video feed of the second participant and a video feed of a highlighted speaker being interpreted by the second participant.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing medical instruments that includes a body defining an interior volume and a lid connected to the body and configured to seal the interior volume between the lid and the body. The lid includes an exterior filter structure including a first plurality of ridges and a first plurality of troughs formed between the first ridges. The container includes a filter assembly connected to the lid and including an interior filter structure including a second plurality of ridges and a second plurality of troughs formed between the second ridges. The first plurality of ridges of the exterior filter structure are interposed between the second plurality of ridges of the interior filter structure. The exterior and interior filter structures are configured to form longitudinal channels positioned between the lid and filter assembly to define a rectangular tortuous filter path that inhibits ingress and egress from the interior volume.

Abstract: A badge assembly may include a badge having a display surface and an opposite mounting surface, and a sensor module mountable to a motor vehicle and including a deflectable wall with an electrically conductive film affixed thereto, and at least one sensor spaced apart from the electrically conductive film and configured to produce at least one sensor signal. The badge is mounted to the deflectable wall with at least one protrusion extending between and in contact with the mounting surface and the deflectable wall. The at least one protrusion concentrates force applied to the display surface of the badge to the deflectable wall to cause the deflectable wall to deflect toward the at least one sensor to produce a detectable change in the at least one sensor signal, the detectable change in the at least one sensor signal causing a change of state of the access closure.

Abstract: Yeast cells are genetically modified to disrupt a native metabolic pathway from dihydroxyacetone to glycerol. In certain aspects, the yeast cell is of the genera Kluyveromyces, Candida or Issatchenkia. In other aspects, the yeast cell is capable of producing at least one organic acid, such as lactate. The yeast cells produce significantly less glycerol than the wild-type strains, and usually produce greater yields of desired fermentation products. Yeast cells of the invention often grow well when cultivated, despite their curtailed glycerol production.

Abstract: Interacting between users of mobile devices is provided by initiating a desired interaction at a first user device using a gesture sensed by the first user device, determining a gesture area, submitting a desired interaction request for interaction with associated users within the gesture area, and sending a notification to user devices indicating the desired interaction of the first user with one or more users of a local subset, wherein the notification identifies the first user with an identifier independent of identifiers used by the first user outside of interactions with a remote server.

Abstract: A universal, wrap-around garment bag including a zippered storage compartment for storing garments therein, a plurality of adjustable straps including quick release fasteners for attaching the wrap-around garment bag to the outer surface of any suitcase, and openings provided at opposite ends of the garment bag for receiving hooks of garment hangers employed at opposite ends of the garment bag to maximize the ability to store more clothes in the storage compartment. In one embodiment, each garment hanger includes a S-shaped hook that slides through an aperture formed within the neck of each garment hanger to removably store the S-shaped hooks within the garment bag, or a conventional garment hanger having a standard curved hook.

Abstract: A method of transaction processing provides for obtaining gesture parameters, deriving a gesture area from the gesture parameters, querying a point of interest (POI) database system for a matching set of POIs, wherein a POI of the matching set of POIs is a matching POI matching the gesture area when a POI location of the POI and the gesture area meet a matching requirement, providing the matching set of POIs, or information thereof, to the initiator, identifying a selected POI from among the matching set of POIs, identifying a potential respondent device of a potential respondent associated with the selected POI, determining whether the potential respondent is to proceed with a transaction with the initiator and be a respondent, wherein the respondent interacts via a respondent device, obtaining transaction details from the initiator device, the respondent device, or both, and processing the transaction.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to isolated microorganisms-including novel strains of the microorganisms, microbial consortia, and agricultural compositions comprising the same. Furthermore, the disclosure teaches methods of utilizing the described microorganisms, microbial consortia, and agricultural compositions comprising the same, in methods for imparting beneficial properties to target plant species. In particular aspects, the disclosure provides methods of increasing desirable plant traits in agronomically important crop species.

Abstract: Examples described herein generally relate to managing a knowledge graph by providing, to an agent and based on a request from the agent, an output of a number of signals having an indicated correlation in a knowledge graph, receiving, from the agent, additional correlation information for at least a portion of the number of signals and/or additional signals, and storing, in the knowledge graph, the additional correlation information.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing inaccuracies in counts related to communication of messages in a manner that efficiently uses computer resources, including processing power and/or memory. An alert condition pertaining to delivery of a plurality of messages is received. The alert condition specifies a threshold number of dropped or failed deliveries. Based on a first time period elapsing, a first system check is performed. Based on a second time period elapsing, a second system check is performed. The second system check includes, based on a detection that the first message has failed during the second time period, decrementing the count for the dropped queue associated with the plurality of messages and incrementing a count for a failed queue associated with the plurality of messages, and, based on a detection that a second message has been dropped during the second time period, incrementing the count for the dropped queue.

Abstract: A system for semiconductor fabrication having at least one heated valve manifold assembly comprising a heat-conductive plate having a total surface area, said conductive plate having a first side and a second side; at least one heater contacting said at least one heat-conductive plate; a valve manifold comprising a plurality of valves and pipes; said plurality of said valves and pipes having a total surface area wherein a portion of the surface area of said plurality of valves and pipes contacts said at least one heat-conductive plate; and one or more layers of insulation covering: (i) a majority of the surface area of said plurality of said valves and pipes where said portion contacts said at least one heat-conductive plate, (ii) said at least one heater in contact with said at least one heat-conductive plate, and (iii) the majority of the surface area of said at least one heat-conductive plate.

Abstract: A honeycomb extrusion die (120) includes a die body (302) including an inlet face (306) and an exit face. The die body (302) has slot inlets (309) and a plurality of pins (320, 500) disposed between the slot inlets (309) and the exit face. The plurality of pins (320, 500) include side surfaces (322, 500B) configured to define a matrix of intersecting slots (324), wherein the matrix of intersecting slots (324) has slot exit (509) widths at the exit face. Divots (526) extend into a plurality of the side surfaces (322, 500B) between the slot inlets (309) and the exit face. Each individual divot (526) has a divot depth (D55) extending into a side surface (500A, 500B, 502A, 502B) of the side surfaces (322, 500B). A ratio between a slot exit width (W53) W53 of an individual slot (324) and the divot depth (D55) of an individual divot (526) extending into a side surface (500A, 500B, 502A, 502B) of the individual slot (324) is greater than 1.2.