Abstract: Modified glucagon peptides are disclosed having enhanced potency at the glucagon receptor relative to native glucagon. Further modification of the glucagon peptides by forming lactam bridges or the substitution of the terminal carboxylic acid with an amide group produces peptides exhibiting glucagon/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist activity. The solubility and stability of these high potency glucagon analogs can be further improved by modification of the polypeptides by pegylation, substitution of carboxy terminal amino acids, or the addition of a carboxy terminal peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 26 (GPSSGAPPPS), SEQ ID NO: 27 (KRNRNNIA) and SEQ ID NO: 28 (KRNR).

Abstract: A dynamic arresting mechanism for preventing injury from the torqueing of a rotating tool body. The mechanism including an inertia switch to automatically detect the rotation of the tool body and selectively initiate a dynamic arresting mechanism sequence configured to arrest the motor. The mechanism further including a first relay in communication with the inertia switch, an arresting mechanism configured to brake the rotation of the motor, and a delay mechanism configured to cut off power to the arresting mechanism and motor after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed. The mechanism is reset upon release of the trigger used to operate the rotating tool.

Abstract: An electric machine is described. The electric machine includes a rotor comprising a rotor disk and a plurality of permanent magnets magnetically coupled to the rotor disk. The plurality of permanent magnets include a substantially flat profile and are aligned in a substantially planar array. The electric machine also includes a stator comprising a solid stator core and a plurality of coils each wound around a coil insulating member. The stator core includes a plurality of stator teeth extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A valve actuation system is described containing a collapsible pushrod device for use in a reciprocating piston machine cylinder such as an engine. The collapsible pushrod device replaces a conventional pushrod. The system can include a driver base, plunger, and a deactivation pin assembly. In normal operation, the pins lock the driver base and plunger together thereby providing regular valve motion. Under selected conditions, the pin assembly controller unlocks the driver base from the plunger. Valve lift is reduced or eliminated. When eliminated, the cylinder is deactivated. The system can vary the effective compression ratio between higher for cold starting and other selected operating conditions and lower for warmed-up running, as well as trap additional exhaust residuals to assist starting and light load. This is especially useful for Diesel engines. Various means may be used to unlock the pins including oil pressure, bi-metal spring temperature, or electromagnetic activation.

Abstract: A portable perimeter warning indication system configured for denoting the safety status of neighboring areas. The system includes a base member and a telescoping pole. The base member operates between a closed and open position. The telescoping pole is in selective communication with the base member and contains a strap housing. The telescoping pole is configured to extend and locate the strap housing at a particular height. The strap housing includes a retractable strap configured to indicate a perimeter between two or more points. The strap visually indicates the individual safety status of each area on either side of the strap.

Abstract: A content hosting system allows content providers to create channels of video content and make them available to users in a marketplace. Users can search or browse for channels of interest, and selectively subscribe to channels. Users can also pay for the right to view premium videos in each channel. The system ranks channels according to the value provided. Generally, users will seek out and subscribe to the highest ranked channels that provide the greatest value. The ranking function allows different providers to compete for the subscriptions of users. Providers can observe their channel's reception in the market by analyzing rankings and usage statistics to adjust channels to maximize channel performance. The system operator can also create bundled channels containing videos from multiple providers, and the resulting subscription revenue can be distributed to the various providers of the videos in the channel.

Abstract: A method of producing a non-planar conforming circuit on a non-planar surface includes creating a first set of conforming layers. The first set of conforming layers is created by applying an oxide dielectric layer to the surface, applying a conductive material layer to the oxide dielectric layer, applying a resist layer to the conductive material layer, patterning the resist layer according to a desired circuit layout, etching the surface to remove exposed conductive material, and stripping the resist layer. The process may be repeated to form multiple layers of conforming circuits with electrical connections between layers formed by blind microvias. The resulting set of conforming layers can be sealed.

Abstract: A light system (FIG. 2) is disclosed. The light system includes a plurality of series connected light emitting diodes (240-246). Each of a plurality of switching devices (230-236) has a control terminal and each has a current path coupled in parallel with a respective LED. A plurality of fault detector circuits (220-226) are each coupled in parallel with a respective light emitting diode. Each fault detector circuit has a first comparator (FIG. 7, 704) arranged to compare a voltage across the respective light emitting diode to a respective first reference voltage (708). When a fault is detected, a control signal is applied to the control terminal to turn on a respective switching device of the plurality of switching devices.

Abstract: A light system (FIG. 2) is disclosed. The light system includes a plurality of series connected light emitting diodes (240-246). Each of a plurality of switching devices (230-236) has a control terminal and each has a current path coupled in parallel with a respective LED. A plurality of fault detector circuits (220-226) are each coupled in parallel with a respective light emitting diode. Each fault detector circuit has a first comparator (FIG. 7, 704) arranged to compare a voltage across the respective light emitting diode to a respective first reference voltage (708). When a fault is defected, a control signal is applied to the control terminal to turn on a respective switching device of the plurality of switching devices.

Abstract: A sanitizing device used to sanitize a bulb syringe. The device preferably includes a base, a bulb receiver, and a sanitization system. The sanitization system produces a sanitizing gas that is propelled into and possibly around a bulb syringe in order to sanitize the surfaces of the syringe. The sanitization system preferably includes an ionization module, a fan, electrodes, and a power supply. Preferably, the sanitization system is housed in a conical housing which includes a central nozzle and an array of openings centered around the nozzle exit. The sanitization device preferably includes an automatic switch that is activated by the presence of a bulb syringe or upon placing a cover over the device.

Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a polymeric liner defining a fluid containment cavity and having an opening defining a port aperture extending between an inner surface and an outer surface of the polymeric liner and a rigid ring element is embedded within the polymeric liner and surrounding the port aperture. A metallic port element is disposed on the outer surface of the polymeric liner and fixed to the rigid ring element. A fiber composite material is disposed about the outer surface of the polymeric liner.

Abstract: The present invention includes drill pipe screens and related methods that provide reliable long-term filtering of drilling fluids used to operate alternator turbines that are used to provide power in measurement while drilling (MWD) systems without allowing debris to pass through the screens to the turbines, and without causing intermittent pressure spikes at times when the screens are not completely clogged while maintaining desired circulation rates of drilling fluids. Embodiments of the invention include cylindrical bodies having alternating sets of elongated slots and peripheral ports located thereon to provide filtering of and relief to drilling fluids under pressure.

Abstract: An electronic book system provides interfaces particularly suited to students' use of textbooks. A finger press on a touch screen produces a contextual menu with user choices that relate to where the finger was pressed or what the user was recently doing with the book. A student provisionally navigates through a book by a specific gesture which, when it stops, returns the user to the previous position in the book. Annotations are displayed and hidden using specific gestures and through selective movement of the reader as sensed by its accelerometer.

Abstract: A pressure vessel includes a polymeric liner defining a fluid containment cavity and having an opening defining a port aperture extending between an inner surface and an outer surface of the polymeric liner and a rigid ring element is embedded within the polymeric liner and surrounding the port aperture. A metallic port element is disposed on the outer surface of the polymeric liner and fixed to the rigid ring element. A fiber composite material is disposed about the outer surface of the polymeric liner.

Abstract: Modified glucagon peptides are disclosed having enhanced potency at the glucagon receptor relative to native glucagon. Further modification of the glucagon peptides by forming lactam bridges or the substitution of the terminal carboxylic acid with an amide group produces peptides exhibiting glucagon/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist activity. The solubility and stability of these high potency glucagon analogs can be further improved by modification of the polypeptides by pegylation, substitution of carboxy terminal amino acids, or the addition of a carboxy terminal peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 26 (GPSSGAPPPS), SEQ ID NO: 27 (KRNRNNIA) and SEQ ID NO: 28 (KRNR).

Abstract: A fused filament fabrication printer uses a plurality of fixed printing heads mounted to a structure over a build platform on which the model is built by constructing each layer of the model as the build platform is indexed through a multiplicity of successive print planes. The build platform may be in the form of a circular disk mounted for rotation about a z-axis and for linear motion along the z-axis between successive print planes, and for linear motion along a y-axis which is a selected radial direction perpendicular to the z-axis. Because the printheads are fixed, multiple printheads are easily affixed with respect to the build platform along the same radial line defining the y-axis transverse to the selected radial direction along which the build platform moves.

Abstract: Modified glucagon peptides are disclosed having enhanced potency at the glucagon receptor relative to native glucagon. Further modification of the glucagon peptides by forming lactam bridges or the substitution of the terminal carboxylic acid with an amide group produces peptides exhibiting glucagon/GLP-1 receptor co-agonist activity. The solubility and stability of these high potency glucagon analogs can be further improved by modification of the polypeptides by pegylation, substitution of carboxy terminal amino acids, or the addition of a carboxy terminal peptide selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 26 (GPSSGAPPPS), SEQ ID NO: 27 (KRNRNNIA) and SEQ ID NO: 28 (KRNR).

Abstract: An electric machine comprising a permanent magnet rotor assembly is provided. The electric machine comprises a permanent magnet rotor assembly comprising a plurality of permanent magnets coupled to a rotor disk and a plurality of magnet shims coupled to the plurality of permanent magnets opposite the rotor disk. Each magnet shim of the plurality of magnet shims has a substantially complementary shape as a respective permanent magnet of the plurality of permanent magnets. The electric machine further comprises a stator core comprising a plurality of stator teeth that define a plurality of slots therebetween. At least one of the plurality of magnet shims is configured to direct magnetic flux from at least one of the plurality of permanent magnets to at least one stator tooth of the plurality of stator teeth.

Abstract: A fused filament fabrication printer uses a plurality of fixed printing heads mounted to a structure over a build platform on which the model is built by constructing each layer of the model as the build platform is indexed through a multiplicity of successive print planes. The build platform may be in the form of a circular disk mounted for rotation about a z-axis and for linear motion along the z-axis between successive print planes, and for linear motion along a y-axis which is a selected radial direction perpendicular to the z-axis. Because the printheads are fixed, multiple printheads are easily affixed with respect to the build platform along the same radial line defining the y-axis transverse to the selected radial direction along which the build platform moves.