Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexible intrinsically antimicrobial absorbent porosic composite controlling for an effective pore size using removable pore-forming substances and physically incorporated, non-leaching antimicrobials. A flexible intrinsically antimicrobial absorbent porosic composite controlled for an effective pore size composited physically incorporated, high-surface area, non-leaching antimicrobials, optionally in which the physically incorporated non-leaching antimicrobial exposes nanopillars on its surface to enhance antimicrobial activity. A kit that enhances the effectiveness of the intrinsically antimicrobial absorbent porosic composite by storing the composite within an antimicrobial container.

Abstract: A method for promoting contraception by placing a contraceptive device within a uterus without blocking fallopian tubes may involve advancing a distal end of a delivery device through a cervix, advancing the contraceptive device comprising an elongate shape memory member out of the distal end of the delivery device and into the uterus, and limiting inferior migration of the contraceptive device within the uterus. Inferior migration may be limited by allowing the contraceptive device to assume a shape, when subjected to pressure that tends to cause a downward migration of the device within the uterus, in which an expandable middle portion of the device is expanded to contact the inner wall of the uterus and thus limit the downward migration of the device.

Abstract: An electronic device has an electrically adjustable optical layer. Displays and other optical components may be supported by a housing structure. The housing structure may form a handheld device housing, a head-mounted housing, or other housing for the electronic device. Control circuitry in the electronic device may adjust the electrically adjustable optical layer. The control circuitry may reduce light transmission for the electrically adjustable optical layer to hide the optical components, may increase light transmission to reveal the optical components while the optical components are being used to receive light or to output light, and may otherwise adjust the electrically adjustable optical layer to exhibit a desired set of optical characteristics depending on the mode of operation of the electronic device.

Abstract: An example powered appliance support system may include a shoulder strap and a powered appliance support strap. The shoulder step may include a padded portion to rest upon a shoulder of a person wearing the shoulder strap and a strap portion extending from the padded portion. The elastomeric stretcher may include a single body, wherein the elastomeric stretcher does not undergo stretching until experiencing a stretch triggering load at least 1 kg and no greater than 7 kg, wherein the elastomeric stretcher is formed from rubber or an elastomeric polymer and has first and second ends that inwardly taper.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to methods for forming via holes self-aligned with metal blocks on substrates. One embodiment includes a method where the substrate includes an interlayer dielectric layer. The method includes forming a metallic layer on the interlayer dielectric layer. The method also includes forming a dielectric layer on the metallic layer and forming a plurality of parallel spacer line structures on the dielectric layer. In addition, the method includes forming a sidewall oxide, a first sacrificial layer, and an opening in the first sacrificial layer. Further, the method includes etching the dielectric layer and removing the first sacrificial layer. Additionally, the method includes forming a second sacrificial layer, forming an opening in the second sacrificial layer, depositing a metal block on the metallic layer, and removing the second sacrificial layer. Still further, the method includes etching the metallic layer and the interlayer dielectric layer to form a via hole.

Abstract: A sandbag filling system includes a support frame, a driving unit, a conveyor unit, and a hopper chute. The support frame includes a feed gate and an adjustable mount and is configured to receive a material and guide the material to a conveyor belt. The driving unit is arranged in the support frame and includes a motor connected to a drive shaft. The conveyor unit is arranged in the support frame as well and includes a conveyor belt configured to be moved by the driving unit. The hopper chute is arranged below the feed gate of the support frame and located proximal to the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Throughput is preserved in a distributed system while maintaining concurrency by pushing a commit wait period to client commit paths and to future readers. As opposed to servers performing commit waits, the servers assign timestamps, which are used to ensure that causality is preserved. When a server executes a transaction that writes data to a distributed database, the server acquires a user-level lock, and assigns the transaction a timestamp equal to a current time plus an interval corresponding to bounds of uncertainty of clocks in the distributed system. After assigning the timestamp, the server releases the user-level lock. Any client devices, before performing a read of the written data, must wait until the assigned timestamp is in the past.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described techniques provide for the identification of a sequence of beamforming parameters that are used for communications between a user equipment (UE) and a base station using a sequence of transmission beams. A UE may measure received reference signals that are transmitted in a series of downlink transmission beams from a base station, and report measurement parameters associated with the downlink transmission beams to the base station as part of a beam tracking and beam refinement procedure. The base station may provide transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states that are associated with each transmission beam. The TCI states may be recorded over a course of a periodic movement of the UE, and may be used deterministically to identify beamforming parameters for transmission and reception of a subsequent series of downlink transmission beams when the UE makes a subsequent same periodic movement.

Abstract: A method of delivery ultrasonic energy and a therapeutic compound to a treatment site and an ultrasonic catheter system are disclosed. The ultrasonic catheter system comprises a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end and a treatment zone located between the distal end and the proximal end, a fluid delivery lumen, at least one ultrasound radiating element positioned in the treatment zone, wiring electrically coupled to the at least one ultrasound radiating element and extending through the tubular body and terminating at a connector, and a control system comprising external circuitry and an isolation pod that is configured to be electrically connected to the connector, the isolation pod being positioned between the tubular body and the external system and comprising an isolation barrier and circuitry for driving the ultrasound radiating element.

Abstract: A solid state lamp includes a connector and a bulb portion with multiple strips.

Abstract: Thermal sprayed coating made from a thermal spray powder material containing aluminum containing particles mechanically alloyed to a transition metal. The coating includes aluminum alloy portions alloyed to the transition metal. The thermal spray powder is made of aluminum containing particles mechanically alloyed to a transition metal.

Abstract: Hose embodiments include an inner tube, a reinforcement layer disposed outwardly adjacent the inner tube, and an outer cover layer disposed outwardly adjacent the reinforcement layer. One or more of the inner tube and cover layer may be based upon a curable composition having EPDM, a filler package, and a sulfur curative, and after curing, the hose embodiments meet the testing requirements of the UL 94 standard. In some cases, the inner tube is based upon the curable composition, while in some other cases, the cover layer is based upon the curable composition. Yet, in other cases, the inner tube and the cover layer each is based upon the curable composition. In some aspects, the curable composition includes the EPDM in an amount of from 10% to 30% by weight, or even in an amount of from 30% to 80% by weight.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for displaying actionable elements over playing content, such as video content, are described. In some example embodiments, the methods and systems identify video content currently playing within a display environment provided by a playback device, and display an actionable element within the display environment provided by the playback device that is based on the identified video content and includes one or more user-selectable options to perform an action associated with the identified video content. Further, in some example embodiments, the methods and systems may perform an action (e.g., present supplemental content and/or information) in response to a selection of one or more of the user-selectable options.

Abstract: A method includes moving a radiation source and a radiation detector along a scan path substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of a patient. A beam of radiation is emitted from the radiation source. The beam of radiation is detected at the radiation detector. The detected beam is processed so as to form a first image of a first area of the patient along the scan path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds which are intermediates in the synthesis of bile acid derivatives with pharmacological activity. The invention relates to compounds of general formula (I): wherein: , R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and Y are as defined herein. The compounds are intermediates in the synthesis of synthetic bile acids which are useful in the treatment of conditions such as liver disease. In addition, the invention relates to a method of synthesizing these intermediates and a method of preparing obeticholic acid and obeticholic acid analogues from the compounds of the invention.

Abstract: End effector position set point correction includes an instrument having an end effector and a control unit. In some embodiments, the control unit actuates the end effector to a first position, determines an actuation level, determines an offset based on the actuation level, adjusts a position set point based on the offset, and actuates the end effector to the adjusted position set point. In some embodiments, the control unit actuates the end effector, determines an actuation level, and determines whether the actuation level is above a threshold. In response to determining that the actuation level is above the threshold, the control unit determines a position of the end effector, identifies a nominal position associated with the determined position, determines an offset based on the nominal position and the determined position, adjusts a position set point based on the offset, and actuates the end effector to the adjusted position set point.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method that is used to create three-dimensional synthetic vascular networks. Micromachining and molding techniques are used to create a template in a shape that mimics a biological network. Cellular material can be seeded around the template or a space created by the template and grown into an engineered tissue-construct.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes a processor (1) applying a feature map network to an image to create a feature map comprising a grid of vectors characterizing at least one feature in the image and (2) applying a probability map network to the feature map to create a probability map assigning a probability to the at least one feature in the image, where the assigned probability corresponds to a likelihood that the at least one feature is an overlay. The method further includes the processor determining that the probability exceeds a threshold, and responsive to the processor determining that the probability exceeds the threshold, performing a processing action associated with the at least one feature.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) receiving, by a computing system, media content; (ii) generating, by the computing system, a fingerprint of the received media content; (iii) determining, by the computing system, that a channel-change operation was performed; (iv) responsive to determining that the channel-change operation was performed, transmitting, by the computing system, the generated fingerprint to a content identification server to identify the received media content; and (v) performing an action based on the identified media content.

Abstract: This disclosure describes, in part, systems for enabling physical retail stores and other facilities to implement automated-checkout techniques for the purchase of customizable and/or made-to-items items by customers of the stores and/or facilities. For example, the described systems may enable a retail store to implement technology where users are able to order customizable items from an ordering location, an inventory location, or an associate of the facility, and exit the store without performing manual checkout of the items. The systems described herein thus enable customized retail facilities, as opposed to a retail facility that allows automated-checkout only for prepackaged-type or otherwise non-customizable merchandise.