Abstract: A collecting system is provided that can include a probe configured to collect pathogens from a surrounding fluid, an elution chamber containing a liquid solvent and configured to receive the probe to elute the pathogens collected on the probe using the liquid solvent, and a heater configured to lyse the pathogens to release the genetic material of the pathogens into the liquid solvent.

Abstract: An adjunct configured for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler includes a tissue-effecting portion comprising a first material, and at least one movable attachment feature coupled to the tissue-effecting portion and comprising a second material different from the first material. The at least one movable attachment feature is configured to releasably attach the tissue-effecting portion to a stapling surface of the end effector. The tissue-effecting portion is configured to contact tissue clamped by the end effector during closure thereof. The tissue-effecting portion is further configured to be pierced and captured by staples ejected from the end effector into the clamped tissue and thereby reinforce the engagement between the ejected staples and the clamped tissue.

Abstract: Some implementations described herein provide for techniques to form a biased backside deep trench isolation and grid structure for a backside illumination image sensor. The techniques include forming an array of backside deep trench isolation structures and a biasing-pad that electrically connects to the array of metal-filled backside deep trench isolation structures through the grid structure. The array of backside deep trench isolation structures, the grid structure, and the biasing-pad structure may reduce a likelihood of electrical cross-talk and/or oblique light cross-talk between the photodiodes of the backside illumination image sensor. In this way, a performance of the backside illumination image sensor may be improved. Such improvements may include a suppression of a dark current within the backside illumination image sensor, a reduction in a number of white pixels, and a reduction in cross-talk within the backside illumination image sensor.

Abstract: A remote control device includes a housing and an upper element. The top surface of the upper element can be partitioned to include different frictionally engaging surfaces. At least one frictionally engaging surface can be used as an input surface that receives user inputs such as touch or force inputs. An input device, such as a force sensing switch, can be positioned in the housing and used in determining an amount of force applied to the input surface. The bottom surface of the upper element below the second surface can be affixed to the housing in a manner that permits the input surface to bend based on the applied force.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire seater for seating a tubeless tire on a rim has an advanced rapid air release (RAR) valve mounted on a tank suitable for containing pressurized air. A nozzle is mounted on one end of the RAR valve, and the other end of the valve is in unconstrained pneumatic communication with the interior of the air tank. A piston is within a cylinder of the RAR valve. A control chamber behind the piston contains a compression spring. Control gas passageways provide constrained pneumatic communication between the control chamber and the air tank, passing control gas into the control chamber. In response to actuating a control mechanism, the air in the control chamber is vented out into the atmosphere causing the RAR valve to rapidly open, producing a blast of air of sufficient magnitude to seat a tire on a rim.

Abstract: A multi-beam electronics scanning system using swathing. The system includes an electron emitter source configured to emit an illumination beam. The illumination beam is split into multiple electron beams by a beam splitter lens array. The system also includes an electronic deflection system configured to deflect each of the electron beams in a plurality of directions, including a first direction, along two different axes. Last, a swathing stage is used to move a sample with a constant velocity in a second direction that is parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: A remote control device includes a housing and an upper element. The top surface of the upper element can be partitioned to include different frictionally engaging surfaces. At least one frictionally engaging surface can be used as an input surface that receives user inputs such as touch or force inputs. An input device, such as a force sensing switch, can be positioned in the housing and used in determining an amount of force applied to the input surface. The bottom surface of the upper element below the second surface can be affixed to the housing in a manner that permits the input surface to bend based on the applied force.

Abstract: A remote control device includes a housing and an upper element. The top surface of the upper element can be partitioned to include different frictionally engaging surfaces. At least one frictionally engaging surface can be used as an input surface that receives user inputs such as touch or force inputs. An input device, such as a force sensing switch, can be positioned in the housing and used in determining an amount of force applied to the input surface. The bottom surface of the upper element below the second surface can be affixed to the housing in a manner that permits the input surface to bend based on the applied force.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a process for producing a flexible pouch is provided. The process includes placing a capillary precursor element (CPE) between two opposing flexible films. The flexible films define a common peripheral edge. The CPE comprises an array of pins sandwiched between two opposing polymeric strips. The process includes positioning a first side of the CPE at a first side of the common peripheral edge and positioning a second side of the CPE at a second side of the common peripheral edge. The process includes first sealing, at a first seal condition, (i) the opposing polymeric strips to each other to form a matrix, and (ii) sealing the matrix to the two opposing flexible films. The process includes removing the array of pins from the matrix to form an in situ microcapillary strip.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for allocating assets among a plurality of financial products for an investor portfolio includes calculating a solution space of financial vehicle combinations by assigning allocations to each financial vehicle in each financial vehicle combination and generating a set of simulations, for each of the vehicle combinations, of a value of the financial vehicle combination. The computerized method and system further includes receiving investor-specific information, the investor-specific information including a retirement objective. The method and system further includes selecting a set of financial vehicle combinations within the solution space based on the received investor-specific information; and allocating assets among the plurality of financial products based on the set of selected financial vehicle combinations and received investor-specific information.

Abstract: A remote control device includes a housing and an upper element. The top surface of the upper element can be partitioned to include different frictionally engaging surfaces. At least one frictionally engaging surface can be used as an input surface that receives user inputs such as touch or force inputs. An input device, such as a force sensing switch, can be positioned in the housing and used in determining an amount of force applied to the input surface. The bottom surface of the upper element below the second surface can be affixed to the housing in a manner that permits the input surface to bend based on the applied force.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a process for producing a flexible pouch is provided. The process includes placing a capillary precursor element (CPE) between two opposing flexible films. The flexible films define a common peripheral edge. The CPE comprises an array of pins sandwiched between two opposing polymeric strips. The process includes positioning a first side of the CPE at a first side of the common peripheral edge and positioning a second side of the CPE at a second side of the common peripheral edge. The process includes first sealing, at a first seal condition, (i) the opposing polymeric strips to each other to form a matrix, and (ii) sealing the matrix to the two opposing flexible films. The process includes removing the array of pins from the matrix to form an in situ microcapillary strip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of modified polymers by incorporating a compositional modifier into a polymer to produce the modified polymer. More particularly, the invention relates the preparation of condensation type copolyesters or copolyamides by joint short length polyester or polyester oligomers or short length polyamide or polyamide oligomers with a modifier which contains hydroxyl acids blocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of modified polymers by incorporating a compositional modifier into a polymer to produce the modified polymer. More particularly, the invention relates the preparation of condensation type copolyesters or copolyamides by joint short length polyester or polyester oligomers or short length polyamide or polyamide oligomers with a modifier which contains hydroxyl acids blocks.