Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus for producing nanometer scale particles for electrochemical materials utilizing an electrosterically stabilized slurry in a media mill. The method includes adding to a media mill a feed substrate suspension including a liquid carrier medium and electrochemical feed substrate particles. The method further includes adding to the feed substrate suspension in the media mill an electrosteric dispersant that includes a polyelectrolyte. Still further, the method includes operating the media mill for a period of time to comminute the feed substrate particles, thereby forming nanometer scale particles having a (D90) particle size of less than about one micron, and recirculating for further grinding the nanometer scale particles from the media mill.

Abstract: A distributed database system maintains data for a logical table by storing, on a plurality of storage nodes, a collection of key-item pairs. An operation to delete a range of these items is processed by first storing, on each of the plurality of storage nodes, a tombstone record indicative of the items to be deleted. The tombstones are committed once each of the plurality of nodes has stored the tombstone. Items within the range are treated as deleted. A cleanup operation deletes items within the range and updates the tombstone.

Abstract: A method and system for a perforating gun having a box by pin perforating gun system using swaged down gun bodies. The box by pin perforating gun system may include a removable cartridge to hold a detonator with a switch and an insulated charge holder as an electrical feed-through.

Abstract: A curtain wall panel mounting system comprises a ball anchor seated in a spherical cavity or a cylindrical cavity with plugs nearly abutting the ball of the anchor. A stem extends from the ball to connect to the wall panel. Under seismic stress, the ball may swivel within the cavity so as to pivot the anchor, allowing the attached wall panel to angle itself to accommodate the stress.

Abstract: The length of an endoscope carried by a robotic arm is determined using computer vision. The endoscope is inserted through a trocar into a body cavity and mounted to a manipulator arm. The position of a fulcrum for movement of the endoscope at the trocar site is determined using input from a force/torque sensor. While images are captured using the endoscope, the manipulator arm withdraws the distal end of the endoscope intro the trocar. Image processing is used to determine when the distal end of the trocar becomes visible in the captured images. The position of the endoscope at the point where the trocar becomes visible is recorded, and the length of the endoscope is determined based on the recorded position.

Abstract: A method and system for a perforating gun having a box by pin perforating gun system using swaged down gun bodies. The box by pin perforating gun system may include a removable cartridge to hold a detonator with a switch and an insulated charge holder as an electrical feed-through.

Abstract: A cell washing apparatus is provided to wash a cell-containing fluid. The apparatus is arranged to exchange one or more exchangeable entities from a cell-containing first fluid, and comprises, a first fluid conduit and a second fluid conduit, the second fluid conduit separated from the first fluid conduit by a semi-permeable membrane disposed therebetween; the first fluid conduit having a first fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet, the first fluid conduit arranged to transport the first fluid in a first direction between the first fluid inlet and the first fluid outlet; the second fluid conduit being arranged to house a second fluid; wherein the semi-permeable membrane comprises a plurality of pores arranged to permit transport of said one or more exchangeable entities from the first fluid to the second fluid; wherein the one or more exchangeable entities comprise free haemoglobin and/or blood plasma; and wherein the first fluid is whole blood isolated from a human body, or packed red blood cells.

Abstract: A non-antigenic microRNA exosomal vaccination that includes dendritic-derived exosomes resulting from the incubation of dendritic cells with Spike Protein of a COVID-19 virus so that the dendritic cells process the Spike Protein of the COVID-19 virus to enable education of naïve T-cells. The exosomes so-derived are then harvested and encapsulated for delayed release oral capsule delivery to selectively reach intestinal antigen-presenting cells in the terminal ileum for stimulating an acquired immune response to the Spike Protein of the COVID-19 virus.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide techniques for generating haptic feedback or haptic sensations, and in particular to techniques for outputting haptic feedback which varies depending on the input. The haptic feedback is delivered by a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator that controls the movement of a component based on the required haptic feedback/sensation.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide shape memory alloy (SMA) actuation apparatus for moving a moveable component relative to a static component or support structure and along a notional primary axis. The SMA actuation apparatus may comprise a biasing element to resist motion of the moveable component in particular directions relative to the primary axis, or may comprise an arrangement of SMA actuator wires that provides the biasing function.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of manufacturing an implantable construct comprising chondrogenically differentiated cells and one or more polycaprolactone (PCL) microcarriers, an implantable construct produced using said method, and uses of the implantable construct. The present invention also refers to a method of manufacturing an implantable construct comprising mesenchymal stromal cells and one or more polycaprolactone (PCL) microcarriers, an implantable construct produced using said method, and uses of the implantable construct. The present invention further refers to a method of treating a disease or disorder associated with cartilage and/or bone defect, the method comprises administering one or more cell-free polycaprolactone (PCL) microcarriers in a patient suffering from the disease or disorder.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes comparing a first hue of a displayed test pattern with a second hue of a generated test pattern to determine one or more differences in hue. The displayed test pattern is displayed on a display of a media viewing device, and the media viewing device receives and displays digital content. The displayed test pattern includes a first plurality of steps, and a first step of the first plurality of steps includes the first hue. The generated test pattern includes a second plurality of steps, and each step of the second plurality of steps includes the second hue. The one or more differences in hue are utilized to determine a quality of the digital content displayed on the media viewing device.

Abstract: A method for generating a spatially transformed optical output from a laser system, the method comprising: disposing a laser gain medium within a laser cavity structure; arranging an interferometric device to complete the laser cavity structure, wherein the interferometric device receives an input beam from laser oscillation in the laser cavity structure, splits the input beam into two sub-beams, and recombines the two sub-beams to provide an optical feedback beam to sustain laser oscillation; configuring the optical components that comprise the interferometric device to provide relative misalignment of the two sub-beams that are produced internally to the interferometric device; using at least a first output port of the interferometric device to provide an output beam of the laser system that due to the misalignment is a spatial transformation of the internal mode structure of the laser; and using at least a second output port of the interferometric device to provide the optical feedback beam to the laser ca

Abstract: Oxygenation constituents and finished oxygenation media, as well as methods of making oxygenation constituents and finished oxygenation media are provided. The oxygenation constituents comprise a hemoglobin preparation, and a red blood cell preparation. The oxygenation constituents comprise from about 10% to about 99% by weight hemoglobin of the hemoglobin preparation and the balance by weight hemoglobin of the oxygenation constituents comprise a red blood cell preparation. The finished oxygenation media comprise the oxygenation constituents and one or more other ingredients such as a diluent, or excipient. The finished oxygenation media can be used to ex-vivo preserve organs or tissue.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a reconfigurable simulative and predictive digital assistant/platform for simulation of a multi-stage processing facility. The digital assistant generates and assembles digital representations of the individual physical processing stages and components of the multi-stage processing facility in a reconfigurable manner according to a set of configuration commands generated using user inputs in a graphical user interface. At least one of the digital representations include a reusable predictive model that is trained when the digital representation is generated by the digital assistant. The digital assistant further performs simulation of the multi-state processing facility “as is” or in alternative “what-if” scenarios by simulating the digital representations according to a set of timing signals in the set of configuration commands.

Abstract: A utility rack configured for use on a vehicle. The utility rack may include a base, storage surface, and rails coupled to the base via supports. The storage surface may be configured to hold various types of equipment, boxes, and the like. The utility rack may additionally include, on a bottom side of the base, a housing for a storage container and a housing for utility equipment. In at least one example, the storage container may be configured to house liquids, such as gasoline or diesel fuel for the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of forming an article, including: inserting a conductive material within a via a wafer, wherein the conductive material comprises a first alloy comprising a first metal and a second metal; and contacting the conductive material with a solution comprising ions of a third metal, wherein the ions of the third metal galvanically displace a portion of the second metal from the first alloy to form a second alloy with the first metal.

Abstract: A service implements techniques for modifying a data table stored in a key-value or non-relational database via a table-oriented schema. In some aspects, a request to modify a table-oriented schema of a table of data may be received. In response to the request, an association between a customer identifier of elements of the table and an internal identifier of elements of the table may be stored that updates a prior association between a customer identifier and an internal identifier. The table-oriented schema of the table may be modified using one or more keys that are generated using the internal identifier.

Abstract: Dimensions of a surface feature are determined by capturing an image of the surface feature and determining a scale associated with the image. Structured light may be projected onto the surface, such that the position of structured light in the captured image allows determination of scale. A non-planar surface may be unwrapped. The surface may alternatively be projected into a plane to correct for the scene being tilted with respect to the camera axis. A border of the surface feature may be input manually by a user. An apparatus and system for implementing the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A geographically distributed system using a hybrid, multi-master design is disclosed. The system may use global tables, for which both reads and writes may be performed locally, but with a single region serving as a master region. All strongly consistent reads and writes may be sent to the master region, whereas eventually consistent reads and writes may be performed in any region with a replica. The master region may not be statically assigned but may move from region to region. The master region may be assigned manually by client preference or may be assigned and updated automatically based on the time of day or workload characteristics.