Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices relating to the facilitation of interactions between consumer users and supplier users. Consumer users with a need for specialized expertise enter a query on their computing device. This query is communicated to a server which searches its database for supplier users who have specialized expertise which may address the consumer user's query. A list of such supplier users is compiled by the server and this list is sent to the consumer user. The consumer user then selects one or more of these supplier users and the server activates one or more communications modules which allows the consumer user to interact with the selected supplier user. The interaction between the consumer user and the supplier user is timed by the server and the length of the interaction is stored and reported to both users.

Abstract: Cell based therapy comprises administration to the lung by injection into the blood system of viable, mammalian cells effective for alleviating or inhibiting pulmonary disorders. The cells may express a therapeutic transgene or the cells may be therapeutic in their own right by inducing regenerative effects.

Abstract: A cloud-based data protection service is disclosed. In an embodiment, the data protection service may support backup of data sets from one or more sites associated with one or more organizations. In an embodiment, deduplication of backup data across multiple sites of an organization and/or multiple sites associated with different organizations may be supported. In an embodiment, backup data may be post-processed in the cloud to insert fingerprints corresponding to data blocks that did not change since a previous backup was performed, to scan the backup for security threats such as viruses, other malware, personally identifiable information, etc. In an embodiment, restore may be supported from the cloud, where restore blocks may be larger than backup data blocks. In another embodiment, restore may be based on blocks that have changed since the most recent backup (or a user-selected backup).

Abstract: A cloud-based data protection service is disclosed. In an embodiment, the data protection service may support backup of data sets from one or more sites associated with one or more organizations. In an embodiment, deduplication of backup data across multiple sites of an organization and/or multiple sites associated with different organizations may be supported. In an embodiment, backup data may be post-processed in the cloud to insert fingerprints corresponding to data blocks that did not change since a previous backup was performed, to scan the backup for security threats such as viruses, other malware, personally identifiable information, etc. In an embodiment, restore may be supported from the cloud, where restore blocks may be larger than backup data blocks. In another embodiment, restore may be based on blocks that have changed since the most recent backup (or a user-selected backup).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for energizing a wound component are described. In one arrangement, a method of energizing a component with an alternating voltage is provided. The component comprises a coil wound on a magnetic core. The method comprises applying a voltage across the coil that has a first waveform during a first time period and a second waveform during a second time period. The second time period is subsequent to the first time period. The second waveform comprises an oscillating function comprising a sequence of identical waveforms. The first waveform is such that if the coil had zero electrical resistance the variation of flux density in the magnetic core with time would change sign at least once during the first waveform.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for dynamically determining locations of an electronic device. For example, the electronic device may determine a location state transition condition using one or both of a location measurement or an activity status of the electronic device. The electronic device may further determine whether the location state transition condition satisfies a location state transition threshold triggering an entry or exit to or from a first location state. The electronic device may further transition from the first location state to a second location state different from the first location state based on a determination that the location state transition condition satisfies the location state transition threshold.

Abstract: Cable network test instruments are disclosed. The test instruments are configured to collect signal data across a frequency band and analyze the collected data to determine whether orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal leakage is present. Methods of identifying OFDM signal leakage are also disclosed.

Abstract: Spatial sampling is a key factor in determining acquisition parameters for seismic surveys. Acquiring the data to meet spatial sampling requirements for low, mid and high frequencies, by acquiring coarse, medium and fine acquisition grids respectively and layering these during processing, can result in reduced cost and/or higher quality surveys.

Abstract: A system, method, computer program product, and mobile receiving station for receiving and processing leaf tobacco at a location of a tobacco farmer, including processing the tobacco leaf at the location, including means for weighing and grading of the received tobacco leaf and, optionally, determining moisture content and transmitting information relating to the optionally determined moisture content, the weight, and the grade of the received tobacco leaf to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.

Abstract: Cell based therapy comprises administration to the lung by injection into the blood system of viable, mammalian cells effective for alleviating or inhibiting pulmonary disorders. The cells may express a therapeutic transgene or the cells may be therapeutic in their own right by inducing regenerative effects.

Abstract: An amphibious transport apparatus includes forward and aft ends, a pair of spaced apart pontoons including tracks, and a transversely extending structure, which can include a platform, that spans between the pontoons and connects the pontoons together. The amphibious transport apparatus further includes a sled vessel that can be used to transport materials or personnel. The sled can be releasably attached to the amphibious transport apparatus with tow bar and a pivotal connection. Said tow bar can be rotatable between an upper storage position wherein the tow bar engages the vessel away from said pivotal connection and above a terrain surface, and a lower towing position.

Abstract: The invention comprises an activated sludge treatment system and process that aerates wastewater undergoing treatment using venturis.

Abstract: The application relates to a Ramjet solid fuel having an ignition temperature of less than 400° C., the fuel comprising a bis-(ethylene oxy) methane polysulfide polymer (BMPP) and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), the copolymer having a BMPP/HTPB weight ratio of from 1/3 to 3/1; and the fuel comprising at least 85 weight % copolymer. The BMPP comprises from 5 to 8 weight percent mercaptan. Furthermore, the BMPP is selected from HS(RSS)aCH2CH((SSR)cCSH)CH2(SSR)bSH??a) where R?—(CH2)2OCH2O(CH2)2— and a+b+c<7; and H(SC2H4OCH2OC2H4S)nH where n=7.

Abstract: A positive feed tool includes a motor, a power supply coupled to the motor to power the motor, a gear head and a spindle. The gear head is coupled to the motor and operated responsive to powering of the motor. The gear head includes a drive assembly and a feed assembly. The spindle is coupled to the gear head to enable the spindle to be selectively driven rotationally and fed axially based on operation of the drive assembly and the feed assembly, respectively. The feed assembly includes a feed rate oscillator having a spindle feed gear coupled to a differential feed gear. The spindle feed gear is coupled to rotate the spindle to selectively axially feed the spindle. The differential feed gear is selectively coupled to an input shaft turned by the motor. The spindle feed gear or the differential feed gear has a variable pitch diameter.

Abstract: A system, method, computer program product, and mobile receiving station for receiving and processing leaf tobacco at a location of a tobacco farmer, including processing the tobacco leaf at the location, including means for weighing and grading of the received tobacco leaf and, optionally, determining moisture content and transmitting information relating to the optionally determined moisture content, the weight, and the grade of the received tobacco leaf to a tobacco product manufacturing facility over a communications link.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting neural interference between a bone anchor and a neural element during or subsequent to the application of force on the bone anchor to adjust the orientation of one or more vertebral bodies relative to the spinal column. The method includes engaging at least one bone anchor to the vertebral body and applying force to the bone anchor to adjust the positioning or orientation of the vertebral body. A nerve monitoring system provides an electrical signal and is operable to detect a neural element and its proximity to the bone anchor as a function of a characteristic of the electrical signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for processing floating point values using an intermediate representation which has significand, exponent and shadow sections. A less significant portion of the exponent of the floating point value defines a range of positions within the significand section where the representation of the significand is to be held. The exponent section holds a representation of a more significant portion of the exponent indicating a selected window of multiple contiguous windows spanning a value range of a format of the floating point value. A first portion of the significand section corresponds to the selected window and a second portion corresponds to an overlap into a further window which is adjacent to and lower in the value range.

Abstract: A fixation element for use in orthopedic surgery, particularly spinal surgery is disclosed. The fixation element is capable of being screwed, hooked, or otherwise attached to a bone, and is configured to accommodate two or more rods or other elongated members. The head of the fixation elements thus has multiple places for positioning a rod, either vertically or horizontally spaced from each other.

Abstract: An amphibious transport apparatus includes forward and aft ends, a pair of spaced apart pontoons including tracks, and a transversely extending structure, which can include a platform, that spans between the pontoons and connects the pontoons together. The amphibious transport apparatus further includes a sled vessel that can be used to transport materials or personnel. The sled can be releasably attached to the amphibious transport apparatus with tow bar and a pivotal connection. Said tow bar can be rotatable between an upper storage position wherein the tow bar engages the vessel away from said pivotal connection and above a terrain surface, and a lower towing position.