Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a growing medium. The method comprises accumulating a particulate material. The particulate material comprises particles having a range of particle sizes. The method further comprises agitating the particulate material. Agitation of the particulate material causes smaller particles of particulate material to sink to the bottom of the growing medium under gravity and to thereby displace larger particles of particulate material to the top of the growing medium. There is also provided a growing medium comprising a particulate material defining a volume of particulate material. The particulate material comprises particles having a range of particle sizes. The concentration of smaller particles of particulate material increases from the bottom of the volume of the particulate material to the top of the volume of the particulate material.

Abstract: A conveyor oven for cooking food includes an oven chamber in which the food is cooked, a conveyor moveable to convey the food within the oven chamber, and a burner assembly operable to heat air for convection cooking of the food moving within the oven chamber on the conveyor. The burner assembly includes a heat source, a coiled air passage, and a suction box, the coiled air passage providing a circuitous heated air passage between the heat source and the suction box. A fan is configured to draw heated air from the suction box and exhaust the heated air into the oven chamber for convection cooking of the food moving through the oven chamber on the conveyor.

Abstract: An identity adapter permits the enabling, the receiving, adapting, and sending of identity credentials using the appropriate secure communication mechanisms where one of the devices in the communication utilizes an archaic, obsolete, or rare communication protocol and identity credential. The identity adapter provides for secure communication between a first network device and a second network device, the first network device using a first security protocol, the second network device using a second security protocol using a first protocol module, an identity associator, a second protocol module, and a data proxy.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically trimming and reclassifying workout data is disclosed. The system receives data associated with a workout of a user from at least one sensor associated with the user, the workout being classified as a first type of workout. The system processes the data to identify at least one time interval during the workout that does not correspond to the first workout type. The system prompts the user to select whether to remove or reclassify a subset of the data that is associated with the identified time interval. If the user chooses to do so, the system removes or reclassifies the subset of the data that is associated with the identified time interval. The system generates and provides workout depictions using the data, at least one of which illustrates only the remaining data that was not removed or reclassified.

Abstract: There is provided a control system for controlling two or more illuminates of a multi-modality ophthalmic imaging system that are arranged to generate light for imaging an eye, the control system comprising: a processor which selects, from the illuminates and based on a selected imaging modality of the ophthalmic imaging system, one or more illuminates that are to be used to image the eye, and to generate an input signal identifying the selected one or more illuminates. The control system further comprises a logic block, which receives the input signal and comprises logic that determines a respective operating power for each illuminate of the selected one or more illuminates, based on the received input signal. The logic block also generates a respective control signal for each illuminate of the selected one or more illuminates, each control signal indicating the respective operating power determined for the respective illuminate.

Abstract: A tracking array tracking system, including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the tracking array system at least to: determine that one marker of a plurality of markers on a tracking array is obstructed to a camera system; identify marker lines on the tracking array; determine a location of the marker lines of the tracking array; and determine a location and orientation of the tracking array based upon the location of the marker lines

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunogenic compositions that comprise a Clostridioides difficile toxoid A and/or a C. difficile toxoid B, and an adjuvant, and methods of use thereof. The present invention further relate to a methods for eliciting an enhanced immune response in a human against a C. difficile infection. The methods include administering to the human an effective dose of an immunogenic composition, which includes a C. difficile toxoid and an adjuvant, wherein the composition is administered two times.

Abstract: A health monitoring system includes a band that is wearable on a user's extremity, such as a finger. A pulse oximetry sensor is disposed at an inner surface of the band and is configured to collect data representative of the heart rate and blood oxygen level of the user. An electronic control unit (ECU) is connected to the pulse oximetry sensor. When the band is worn by the user, the pulse oximetry sensor collects heart rate and blood oxygen level data and transmits the collected data to the ECU. The ECU receives the collected data from the pulse oximetry sensor, processes the collected data, and stores the processed data at a time interval, such as every 3 seconds or less. When the band is removed from the user, the ECU transmits the processed data stored in the storage unit to a remote device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising nicotine and/or nicotine salt, and calcium silicate, wherein the composition is in a pouch, wherein the pouch is intended to be placed in the mouth.

Abstract: Described herein are non-naturally occurring neomycin phosphotransferase (NPT) proteins and nucleic acid sequences encoding such NPT proteins. In a specific embodiment, the non-naturally occurring NPT proteins have reduced activity relative to wild-type NPT. The non-naturally occurring NPT proteins provided herein are useful as a selectable marker for screening transformed or transfected cells. Also provided herein are vectors and kits comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a non-naturally occurring NPT protein, and methods of producing cells expressing the non-naturally occurring NPT protein and a protein of interest or a non-coding RNA sequence of interest.

Abstract: A storage container with various aspects is described herein. The storage container may have cleats or cleat receptacles to interact with other storage containers and/or accessories. The storage container may also include rails for attachment of various accessories. Some versions of the storage container may further include telescopic uprights connected to a handle. Many of the versions of the storage containers may further include wheels for transporting the storage containers and their contents.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes CRISPR/Cas proteins and guide RNA combinations that are capable of modifying nucleic acids at high temperatures. These compositions are especially useful for systems and methods of nucleic acid detection, including diagnostic devices.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses for degrading PFAS into calcium fluoride, carbon dioxide, and water. PFAS are heated and introduced to a calcium base which will degrade the PFAS. The PFAS may be in a stream that is a PFAS enriched stream formed by desorbing the PFAS from an adsorbent which removed the PFAS from a contaminant stream. The PFAS may be desorbed in the presence of the calcium base. The calcium base may be calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, calcium carbonate, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods of use for a Type VI CRISPR/Cas nuclease. Type VI CRISPR/Cas nucleases are able to bind to a target nucleic acid, thereby activating trans-collateral nuclease activity on nucleic acid reports. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides methods to modify ribonucleic acid sequences using the programmable nucleases disclosed herein.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes a first member defining an implant cavity. A second member is movable relative to the first member and penetrable with tissue. A first crown is engageable with the first member, and a second crown is engageable with the second member. The second crown being movable relative to the first crown to fix the first member relative to the second member in a selected orientation. In some embodiments, systems, spinal constructs and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to detecting neoplasia and particularly, but not exclusively, to methods, compositions, and related uses for detecting premalignant and malignant neoplasms such as gastric cancer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of multielectrode radiofrequency (RF) ablation probes are described herein that disclose methods and apparatus for improved control and predictability of the size and shape of RF thermal electrocoagulations. The features of the invention include the ability to make irregularly shaped ablations in order to conform to irregularly shaped target tissue volumes, and to make very large ablations without the requirement for electrode cooling.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a semifinished product with modified surface, comprising at least one method step of at least regionally modifying the surface of a coated, skin-pass-rolled, oiled, cleaned metallic steel substrate via low-pressure or atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment of said surface regions with oxygen, argon or a mixture of oxygen and argon as process gas. The present disclosure further relates to the accordingly produced semifinished products and/or flat steel products, optionally formed semifinished products and/or flat steel products, and also to their use.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for autonomously soothing babies. An example method may include receiving a first sound input from a microphone, processing the first sound input, determining a baby status based at least in part on the first sound input, determining an output action based at least in part on the baby status; and implementing the output action at the children's apparatus.

Abstract: A displacement pump is configured to mount to a drive housing. A reciprocating drive is connectable to a pump rod of the displacement pump and includes a connecting rod and a drive link that receives a head of the pump rod. A flange projects from a pump body of the pump and a ring projects from the pump body of the pump. A portion of the drive housing is received in a gap between the flange and the ring.