Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing compostable, biodegradable drink straws from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material are disclosed herein. Such apparatus may include a hopper that contains raw PHA material, an extruder that receives the raw PHA material from the hopper and produces extruded PHA material, one or more waters baths that cool the extruded PHA material, a puller that pulls a tubular stream of PHA material through the system, and a cutter that is configured to cut the stream of PHA material into finished straws. The finished straws may be soil- and marine-biodegradable, as well as home- and industrial-compostable.

Abstract: A dispensing package for a floor treatment composition. The dispensing package includes a coupling shell and a container. The coupling shell is engaged with the container by a neck fitment projecting from the coupling shell. The coupling shell is provided with a dispensing opening and at least two support zones. The container includes a membrane seal engaged with a sealing surface of the container. The coupling shell can provide for a connection between a container and a dispensing system.

Abstract: A control system provides automated control of gas washout of a patient interface, such as a mask or nasal prongs. A gas washout vent assembly of the system may include a variable exhaust area such as one defined by overlapping apertures of the assembly or a conduit having a variable gas passage channel. The vent assembly may be formed by nested structures, such as conic or cylindrical members, each having an opening of the overlapping apertures. The vent assembly may be attached substantially near or included with the patient interface. An actuator of the assembly, such as a solenoid or voice coil, manipulates an aperture of the vent assembly. The actuator may be configured for control by a controller to change the exhaust area of the vent assembly based on various methodologies including, for example, sleep detection, disordered breathing event detection, rebreathing volume calculation and/or leak detection.

Abstract: A method and computing device is provided for filtering objects of interest of images. The computing device comprises an image capturing device and memory configured to store objects of interest. In one example, the computing device comprises a processor configured to, for a captured image, determine one or more regions of interest in the image based on the objects of interest and modify the image based on the determined regions of interest. In another example, the computing device comprises a first processor configured to determine one or more regions of interest to be modified in an image based on the one or more objects of interest and a second processor configured to convert the image to be processed by the first processor and modify the image based on regions of interest determined by the first processor. The image is displayed without the one or more objects of interest being viewable.

Abstract: A method for optimizing a knee arthroplasty surgical procedure includes receiving pre-operative data comprising (i) anatomical measurements of the patient, (ii) soft tissue measurements of the patient's anatomy, and (iii) implant parameters identifying an implant to be used in the knee arthroplasty surgical procedure. An equation set is selected from a plurality of pre-generated equation sets based on the pre-operative data. During the knee arthroplasty surgical procedure, patient-specific kinetic and kinematic response values are generated and displayed using an optimization process. The optimization process includes collecting intraoperative data from one or more surgical tools of a computer-assisted surgical system, and using the intraoperative data and the pre-operative data to solve the equation set, thereby yielding the patient-specific kinetic and kinematic response values. A visualization is then provided of the patient-specific kinetic and kinematic response values on the displays.

Abstract: A cap shaping and securing device includes a shaper bowl and a headband fastened to the shaper bowl. The shaper bowl has a concave inner surface, a convex outer surface, and a double-sided self-adhesive material that detachably adheres to a portion of the cap. The shaper bowl retains a shape of the cap and mounts on a wearer's head. A cap assembly includes the cap shaping and securing device and a cap mounted on the device.

Abstract: A centering assembly for an eddy current probe having a shaft includes a body portion configured to couple to the shaft and a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the body portion. At least a portion of each of the plurality of wheels projects beyond an outer surface of the body portion to engage a conduit under test.

Abstract: An eddy current probe system includes a probe head, and a length of delivery tubing coupled to the probe head for pushing or pulling the probe head into or out of a conduit under test. The delivery tubing comprises an ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene material sufficient to enable insertion of the probe head into a convoluted, lengthy, or damaged conduit under test.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing compostable, biodegradable drink straws from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material are disclosed herein. Such apparatus may include a hopper that contains raw PHA material, an extruder that receives the raw PHA material from the hopper and produces extruded PHA material, one or more waters baths that cool the extruded PHA material, a puller that pulls a tubular stream of PHA material through the system, and a cutter that is configured to cut the stream of PHA material into finished straws. The finished straws may be soil- and marine-biodegradable, as well as home- and industrial-compostable.

Abstract: A method for creating a patient-specific surgical plan includes receiving one or more pre-operative images of a patient having one or more infirmities affecting one or more anatomical joints. three-dimensional anatomical model of the one or more anatomical joints is created based on the one or more pre-operative images. One or more transfer functions and the three-dimensional anatomical model are used to identify a patient-specific implantation geometry that corrects the one or more infirmities. The transfer functions model performance of the one or more anatomical joints as a function of anatomical geometry and anatomical implantation features. surgical plan comprising the patient-specific implantation geometry may then be displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing parameters of an orthopaedic procedure for a particular patient, including parameters relating to the anatomic and biomechanic fit of an implant or implant system implanted into the patient's joint. These systems and methods may utilize patient-specific information gathered pre-operatively in conjunction with optimization algorithms to determine an optimal implant design and an optimal position and orientation for implantation of the implant into the particular patient's joint.

Abstract: A system for partially or fully automated, buoyancy-assisted separation includes and/or interfaces with an automated instrument. Additionally or alternatively, the system can include and/or interface with any or all of: a set of buoyant particles, a set of containers (individually and/or collectively equivalently referred to herein as a consumable), a 1st container management subsystem, a 2nd container management subsystem, a user interface subsystem, and/or any other components. A method for partially or fully automated, buoyancy-assisted separation includes manipulating the set of containers and/or processing the set of materials at a 1st container management subsystem; and manipulating the set of containers and/or processing the set of materials at a 2nd container management subsystem.

Abstract: Recombinant constructs, cells and means for improved production of Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAVs) are described. Also described are methods of using the constructs and cells to produce recombinant AAVs.

Abstract: A system for partially or fully automated, buoyancy-assisted separation includes and/or interfaces with an automated instrument. Additionally or alternatively, the system can include and/or interface with any or all of: a set of buoyant particles, a set of containers (individually and/or collectively equivalently referred to herein as a consumable), a 1st container management subsystem, a 2nd container management subsystem, a user interface subsystem, and/or any other components. A method for partially or fully automated, buoyancy-assisted separation includes manipulating the set of containers and/or processing the set of materials at a 1st container management subsystem; and manipulating the set of containers and/or processing the set of materials at a 2nd container management subsystem.

Abstract: A cosmetic compact for solid or semi solid cosmetic product. The cosmetic compact comprising a lid and a base assembly, wherein the base assembly comprising a base configured to be covered by the lid and configured to house at least one cosmetic pan. The base assembly further comprising a shock absorbing member disposed in the base. The shock absorbing member comprises a hollow tubular body and a hollow extending through the tubular body having a central bore extending between an upper flange and a lower flange, wherein the cosmetic pan is supported in the central bore of the shock absorbing member and the shock absorbing member is configured to isolate the cosmetic pan from the base.

Abstract: A device for dispensing and applying a cosmetic product, the device includes a product dispensing assembly, an applicator which is configured to be coupled within an upper chamber of the product dispensing assembly in a removable manner, and a cap which is configured to be removably engaged with the product dispensing assembly for covering the applicator and the product dispensing assembly when the device is not in use. The applicator comprises an applicator element which is in contact with an intermediate receiving surface of the dispensing head of the product dispensing assembly. At least a portion of the applicator is placed in contact with the product delivered through at least one outlet of the dispensing head when the product dispensing assembly is actuated. Preferably, the product at least partially impregnates the applicator element when the product contacts the applicator element.

Abstract: A system for partially or fully automated, buoyancy-assisted separation includes and/or interfaces with an automated instrument. Additionally or alternatively, the system can include and/or interface with any or all of: a set of buoyant particles, a set of containers (individually and/or collectively equivalently referred to herein as a consumable), a 1st container management subsystem, a 2nd container management subsystem, a user interface subsystem, and/or any other components. A method for partially or fully automated, buoyancy-assisted separation includes manipulating the set of containers and/or processing the set of materials at a 1st container management subsystem; and manipulating the set of containers and/or processing the set of materials at a 2nd container management subsystem.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing compostable, biodegradable drink straws from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material are disclosed herein. Such apparatus may include a hopper that contains raw PHA material, an extruder that receives the raw PHA material from the hopper and produces extruded PHA material, one or more waters baths that cool the extruded PHA material, a puller that pulls a tubular stream of PHA material through the system, and a cutter that is configured to cut the stream of PHA material into finished straws. The finished straws may be soil-and marine-biodegradable, as well as home-and industrial-compostable.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-naturally occurring nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding serine recombinases. Also disclosed are vectors comprising non-naturally occurring nucleic acid molecule, and cells comprising the non-naturally occurring nucleic acid molecule or the vector. Recombinant constructs, cells and means for improved production of Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAVs) are described. Also described are methods of using the constructs and cells to produce recombinant AAVs.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for manufacturing compostable, biodegradable drink straws from polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) material are disclosed herein. Such apparatus may include a hopper that contains raw PHA material, an extruder that receives the raw PHA material from the hopper and produces extruded PHA material, one or more waters baths that cool the extruded PHA material, a puller that pulls a tubular stream of PHA material through the system, and a cutter that is configured to cut the stream of PHA material into finished straws. The finished straws may be soil- and marine-biodegradable, as well as home- and industrial-compostable.