Abstract: A card having an antenna, one or processors, and memory having stored thereon a first application and a second application configured to receive an input of the card and determine a request associated with the input. The card is further configured to activate, responsive to determining that the request is consistent with a contactless EuroPay-MasterCard-Visa (EMV) data standard, the first application. The first application is configured to communicate, via near field communication (NFC), data to the communicating device via the antenna based on the EMV data standard for payment purposes. The card is further configured to activate, responsive to determining that the request is consistent with a near field communication data exchange format (NDEF) standard, the second application. The second application is configured to communicate, via NFC, data to the communicating device via the antenna based on the NDEF standard for verification/identification purposes.

Abstract: There is provided a device, system, and method for flexible feeding capable of being integrated into an assembly system. The device includes a disperser, a part retainer, a vibrator, an excess part removal device, a pick-and-placer, carriers, a transporter, a carrier inspection disc, a part remover, a gate, a transfer station, and re-entry tracks. The method includes dispersing parts, agitating parts, removing excess parts, picking captured parts, placing the captured parts into carriers, inspecting the carriers, positioning the carriers at a transfer station, and transferring the parts to a downstream processor. The system includes a flexible feeding device configured to perform flexible feeding operations, a data processor, and a medium having machine-readable instructions executable by the data processor and configured to cause the data processor to generate signals useful in the synchronization of two or more flexible feeding operations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing an amino acid ester of maytansinol by reacting maytansinol with an N-carboxyanhydride of an amino acid (NCA) in the presence of a drying agent. Also disclosed is an improved method of preparing an amino acid ester of maytansinol in which a nucleophile is added to the reaction mixture after completion of the reaction between maytansinol and an N-carboxyanhydride of an amino acid.

Abstract: A chlorine dioxide gas generating device is provided. The device includes a housing, an anode and a cathode, a first reagent and a second reagent, and a hydrophobic membrane. The housing has a cavity. The anode and the cathode are each coupled to and located within the cavity. The first reagent and the second reagent are each located within the cavity. The first reagent and the second reagent are configured to generate chlorine dioxide gas via electrolysis responsive to an electric current being passed into the anode and the cathode. The hydrophobic membrane is coupled to the housing and is configured to allow the chlorine dioxide gas to exit the housing while preventing fluids from flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A method of forming an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating on a steel strip includes dipping steel strip into a bath of molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy and forming a coating of the alloy on exposed surfaces of the steel strip. The method also includes controlling conditions in the molten coating bath and downstream of the coating bath so that there is a uniform Al/Zn ratio across the surface of the coating formed on the steel strip. An Al—Zn—Mg—Si coated steel strip includes a uniform Al/Zn ratio on the surface or the outermost 1-2 ?m of the Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating.

Abstract: A fastener strip magazine may include a plate and a post attached to and perpendicular to the plate, wherein the post is configured to rotatably support a spool configured to support a fastener strip. The spool may include a strap configured to wind about the spool and a clip attached to the strap and configured to attach to a first end of the fastener strip. The magazine may further include a guide bar attached to the plate and configured to direct a second end of the fastener strip to a feeder as the fastener strip uncoils.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, kits, and systems are provided in which a biological sample containing cells and/or viruses that include a nucleic acid of interest are treated with an amplification-compatible releasing composition that provides release of the nucleic acid from cells and/or viruses in the sample and also permits amplification of the released nucleic acids without an intervening separation step. Methods incorporating such compositions are also described, and provide simple and rapid release of nucleic acids from cells and viruses along with subsequent amplification steps. Collection devices incorporating such compositions and kits for collection, release, and amplification of nucleic acids utilizing such compositions are provided, as are systems for characterizing nucleic acids.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques can be provided for processing an oil-containing material with an alcohol-based solvent to extract oil from the material. In some examples, a system includes an extractor configured to process an oil-containing feedstock. The extractor receives the oil-containing feedstock and conveys the material from an inlet to an outlet through the extractor. The extractor also receives an alcohol-based solvent at a solvent inlet and conveys the solvent through the extractor to a solvent outlet. The alcohol-based solvent may be ethanol. A concentration of oil in the feedstock may decrease as the feedstock moves through the extractor from the inlet to the outlet while the concentration of the oil in the solvent increases.

Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a thermochromic window can include a first transparent layer, a second transparent layer, and a thermochromic fiber layer sandwiched between the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer. In certain embodiments, the thermochromic fiber layer may be embedded in the second transparent layer. The thermochromic window can be configured to selectively absorb or reflect infrared radiation (IR) as a function of a critical temperature.

Abstract: A fastener gun may include a driver configured to drive a fastener of a fastener strip a plate coupled to the driver, wherein the plate is configured to receive the fastener strip a nose piece coupled to the plate, wherein the nose piece is configured to hold the fastener strip adjacent the plate, and a feeder mechanism coupled to the plate and configured to advance the fastener strip towards the driver.

Abstract: A hand vacuum cleaner has a cyclonic stage which comprises a stationary portion and an openable portion. The openable portion is rotatably mounted by a rotatable mount between a closed position in which a cyclone chamber is closed and an open position in which the cyclone chamber is open. The stationary portion comprises an upper portion of the first cyclonic stage and the openable portion comprises a lower portion of the first cyclonic stage. The rotatable mount is located at a rearward end of the openable portion.

Abstract: A specimen holder includes a body, a cavity that extends into the body through an opening, and at least one slot. The specimen holder further includes a wireless transponder insertable into the cavity by increasing a dimension of the cavity, by increasing a dimension of the at least one slot. A wireless transponder loading cartridge includes a cavity that extends from an opening in the cartridge, and a plurality of wireless transponders positioned within the cavity. Each of the plurality of wireless transponders includes an outer peripheral shape that corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of the cavity. A wireless transponder dispenser includes a housing with a first recess that receives the cartridge and a second recess that receives the specimen holder. The wireless transponder dispenser provides a passage for wireless transponders from the cavity of the cartridge to a loading zone aligned with the cavity of the specimen holder.

Abstract: A surgically implanted ocular optical array that can be used in both therapeutic and diagnostic applications is described.

Abstract: A catheter-based procedure system comprises: a robotic drive body; a support arm supporting the robotic drive body; a first drive module configured to move along a longitudinal axis of the robotic drive body; a second drive module configured to move along the longitudinal axis of the robotic drive body, the second drive module being separate from the first drive module; and a sterile barrier.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a surgical instrument configured for attachment to a surgical device. The surgical instrument includes a distal region having a curved internal surface configured to mate with a curved external surface of the surgical device, a rotational locking feature that limits rotational movement of the instrument with respect to the surgical device, and an axial locking feature that limits axial movement of the blade with respect to the surgical device. Methods of using the surgical instruments include sliding the axial locking feature past a corresponding axial locking feature on the surgical device, locking the axial locking feature to the corresponding axial locking feature on the surgical device (thereby limiting axial movement of the elongated blade with respect to the surgical device), adjusting the position of the surgical device using the surgical instrument, and disengaging the axial locking feature (for example, by using a disengagement instrument).

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes at least one cleaning module configured to treat electronic substrates and a conveyor system configured to transport the electronic substrates through the at least one cleaning module. The at least one cleaning module includes a fluid management system having a manifold coupled to a source of fluid. The manifold includes at least one outlet. The at least one cleaning module further includes an automatic valve coupled to the at least one outlet and to a conduit leading to one or more first spray nozzles and a pressure sensor coupled to the automatic valve. The pressure sensor is configured to measure pressure of fluid flowing through the conduit. The automatic valve is configured to adjust the flow of fluid through the conduit based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A cervical collar has an anterior component including a lower support that is adjustable in angle relative to a main support. The lower support is hingedly connected to the main support at first and second end portions. An elongate element engages the first and second end portions. A lock mechanism is operatively connected to the elongate element, and is arranged for locking rotation of the lower support relative to the main support, by moving the elongate element between locked and unlocked conditions. An upper support is received by the main support at least at a front section of the main support, and is arranged to be fitted against a user's chin.

Abstract: A puller apparatus has a path through which an extrusion travels downstream from an outlet of an extruder and upper and lower extrusion puller members that define a portion of the path. At least one of the extrusion puller members is a drive member to provide forward motion to an extrusion. A mounting arm is moveably mounted to the puller apparatus at a mounting location. The mounting arm has a first portion on one side of the mounting location and a second portion on an opposed side of the mounting location. The upper extrusion puller member is mounted to the first portion of the mounting arm. The mounting arm is movable from a lowered position in which the upper extrusion puller member is positioned to engage an extrusion in the path and a raised position in which the upper extrusion puller member is spaced upwardly from the lowered position.

Abstract: This disclosure is drawn to substituted pyridine compounds and compositions, and associated methods, useful for inhibition of SARM1 activity and/or for treating or preventing a neurological diseases.

Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, a system is described. The system includes a reader to 1) read an identifier from a three-dimensional (3D) System printed object that includes a storage element and 2) read a location of the 3D printed object within a build material bed. An extractor of the system extracts, based on the identifier, a post processing operation to execute on the 3D printed object. A controller of the system controls a post processing operation based on extracted post processing operation information and the location.