Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a modular, multi-fluidic, multi-nozzle system. The system may incorporate a hub having a first and second internal fluid reservoirs for holding first and second fluids. The hub has recess in flow communication with each of the first and second internal fluid reservoirs. A fluid droplet generation chip is removably secured in the recess and has first and second flow paths in communication with the first and second internal fluid reservoirs, and an opening forming an ejection port. The fluid droplet generation chip receives streams of the first and second fluids and releases the two streams simultaneously through the ejection port. In this manner double emulsion fluid droplets are created in which a quantity of the first fluid is fully encapsulated within a quantity of the second fluid.

Abstract: A shock wave signal generator is disclosed together with a system and methods of using the shock wave signal generator to identify and locate anomalies in a fluid medium. In one form, the shock wave signal generator includes a striker and a resonator operatively associated with a fluid medium. The resonator is configured to resonate when struck by the striker and emit a supersonic pulse that introduces at least one said shock wave signal into the fluid medium.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and methods for assembling and implanting a vertebral body implant. The vertebral body implant includes, but is not necessarily limited to, an expandable core body and endplates that can be attached at both ends. Endplates of various shapes, sizes and angles are attachable to the expandable core so that a suitable vertebral body implant can be implanted between vertebrae.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery system. In particular, the invention relates to a system for delivery of one or more products to a body of water for treating and/or disinfecting the body of water. The invention further relates to methods of using a delivery system of the invention for delivery of one or more products to a body of water for treating and/or disinfecting the body of water. Even more particularly, the invention relates to a system for delivery of ozone and/or chlorine to a swimming pool or spa for disinfection of pool or spa water.

Abstract: Solar reflective polymer-based granules are disclosed. Each of the solar reflective polymer-based granules includes a powder mixture including at least one functional pigment and a functional mineral filler and a polymer carrier extruded with the powder mixture. The at least one functional pigment is selected from the group consisting of an inorganic pigment, a white pigment, an infrared reflective pigment, and mixtures thereof. In various embodiments, the functional mineral filler is present in the polymer-based granules in an amount of from about 5 wt. % to about 80 wt. %, based on a total weight of the polymer-based granules. The resultant polymer-based granules have a solar reflectivity of greater than or equal to 8% when measured using a solar reflectometer.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein relate to a virtual network with a cloud-based server, cloud-based firewall and a cloud-based service. The cloud-based server is in communication with a client installed on a gateway to receive an encapsulated IP data packet from one or more applications installed on the gateway. The cloud-based configured to decapsulate the encapsulated IP data packet verify a security certificate based on a first information and configure a cloud-based firewall based on a second information. The cloud-based server is configured to route the one or more IP data packets to the cloud-based firewall for processing each IP data packet based on the second information. In response to the one or more IP data packets being compliant with the first information provided to authenticate the gateway and the second information provided to configure the cloud-based firewall, routing the one or more IP data packets to the cloud-based service.

Abstract: A barrier arm operator includes a bracket operably coupled to a drive, wherein the drive rotates the bracket about an axis in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction; and an arm coupled to the bracket and driven between a lowered position and a raised position by rotation of the bracket about the axis, wherein the arm is rotatably coupled to the bracket about a pivot axis orthogonally oriented with respect to the axis, wherein the bracket comprises a detent configured to retain the arm in a first position relative to the bracket in an in-use state, and wherein the arm rotates about the pivot axis from the first position to a second position in response to impact of an object against the arm.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of obtaining measurements of a person is disclosed herein. The method comprises obtaining a parametric deformable three-dimensional body model that can approximate the shape of any person, obtaining at least one image of the person, estimating one or more correspondences between the at least one image and the three-dimensional model, performing semantic image segmentation to segment the image of the person into their corresponding body parts, and iteratively adjusting at least one of (a) body pose and (b) shape parameters of the parametric deformable three-dimensional body model, to improve the fit of the three-dimensional model to at least one of: (i) the at least one image, (ii) the estimated one or more correspondences, and (iii) the segmented body parts. Measurements may then be extracted from the iteratively adjusted parametric deformable three-dimensional body model.

Abstract: Databases methods and reagents are disclosed for the generation of large amounts of biomarker data from readily obtained sample such as dried plasma spots, and for uses of such databases in the development of patient categorization or detection of changes in a patient's health status over time.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for analysis and/or exercise of a body region of a subject. Such devices may include a guide arm supported by a support frame; a receiving surface supported by the guide arm, the receiving surface for receiving input force from the subject; and a motor assembly in communication with the guide arm, the motor assembly controlling movement of the receiving surface based on received input force. Exercise and/or analysis methods described herein may include steps of instructing the subject to apply an input force to a receiving surface; sensing the applied input force over time; and controlling movement of the receiving surface based on the received input force using a motor assembly, whereby the motor assembly moves the receiving surface in a pre-determined direction, so long as the input force remains within an allowable tolerance, until a pre-set end position is reached.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for analysis and/or exercise of a body region of a subject. Such devices may include a guide arm supported by a support frame; a receiving surface supported by the guide arm, the receiving surface for receiving input force from the subject; and a motor assembly in communication with the guide arm, the motor assembly controlling movement of the receiving surface based on received input force. Exercise and/or analysis methods described herein may include steps of instructing the subject to apply an input force to a receiving surface; sensing the applied input force over time; and controlling movement of the receiving surface based on the received input force using a motor assembly, whereby the motor assembly moves the receiving surface in a pre-determined direction, so long as the input force remains within an allowable tolerance, until a pre-set end position is reached.

Abstract: A prefabricated wall panel has a precast body including at least one decorative design element. In addition, the wall panel includes a mounting element having a first end embedded in the precast body and a second end projecting from the precast body. A groove is formed between the precast body and the second end of the mounting element along a first edge of the precast body. A tongue is formed along a second edge of the precast body opposite the first edge. The tongue and groove cooperate to allow prefabricated wall panels to be more easily installed on a support substrate.

Abstract: A blood pump (10) includes a pump housing (30) having a pump inlet (16) and a pump outlet (18) spaced apart along a longitudinally extending central pump axis (28). The blood pump (10) also includes a rotating assembly (100) comprising an impeller (104). The blood pump (10) further includes partial arc journal bearings (160, 180) that support the rotating assembly (100) for rotation in the housing (30). The rotating assembly (100) is rotatable relative to the housing (30) to pump blood from the pump inlet (16) to the pump outlet (18).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an additive manufacturing system for forming a part using a powder material. In one embodiment the system makes use of a primary heat generating subsystem to generate a fusing beam for heating and fusing at least one of select portions of a powder layer, or an entire area of a powder layer, deposited on a build plate. The system also incorporates a beam steering subsystem for steering the fusing beam over the powder layer. A supplemental heating subsystem is used to generate a wide area beam to heat a portion of the powder layer either prior to fusing, along with the fusing operation, or subsequent to fusing of the powder with the fusing beam. The wide area beam has an intensity which is insufficient to fuse the powder, and alters a microstructure of the powder layer as the powder layer is at least one of fused or as it cools, to thus relieve stress in the part.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating diseases associated with vascular calcification and/or cardiovascular disease in a subject by using the level of a biomarker, in particular, snail homolog 1 (Snai1), phosphosmad2, phosphosmad3, urinary protein, dickkopf homolog 1 (Dkk1), collagen type 1 alpha 1 (Col1a1), activin (e.g., free activin), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), alkaline phosphatase (Alp), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), C-terminal type 1 collagen telopeptide (CTX), osterix, Klotho, alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), myocardin (MYOCD), activin receptor type 2A (ActRIIA), axis inhibition protein 2 (Axin2), and/or smooth muscle protein 22-alpha (Sm22-alpha), as an indicator(s) of responsiveness of the subject to the treatment, efficacy of the treatment, or appropriate dosage for the treatment with an activin type II receptor signaling inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and methods for assembling and implanting a vertebral body implant. The vertebral body implant includes, but is not necessarily limited to, an expandable core body and endplates that can be attached at both ends. Endplates of various shapes, sizes and angles are attachable to the expandable core so that a suitable vertebral body implant can be implanted between vertebrae.

Abstract: Described is a weighing luggage rack having a rack portion with a top section and a bottom section, and a platform portion connected with the top section of the rack portion. In use, the platform portion is stacked on top of the rack portion. The weighing luggage rack further includes a weighing mechanism, and an electronic display configured to display a weight of an object placed thereon. Further embodiments include a weighing luggage rack with only a rack portion and a weighing luggage rack with only a platform portion.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the treatment of bone disorders that are associated with kidney disease wherein the methods comprise administration of Activin-ActRIIA inhibitors to a subject in need of the treatment. Also provided herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of low turnover bone disorders wherein the methods comprise administration of Activin-ActRIIA inhibitors to a subject in need of the treatment. Further provided herein are compositions for the treatment of bone disorders that are associated with kidney disease and compositions for the treatment of low turnover bone disorders and vascular calcification.