Abstract: An example system includes a first lead configured to be positioned in or beside a left internal jugular vein (IJV) of a patient to deliver a first stimulation signal to a first vagus nerve, the first lead including one or more first segmented electrodes positioned on a distal portion of the first lead and a first anchoring mechanism; a second lead configured to be positioned in or beside a right IJV of the patient to deliver a second stimulation signal to a second vagus nerve, the second lead including one or more second segmented electrodes positioned on a distal portion of the second lead and a second anchoring mechanism; and circuitry configured to deliver electrical energy to the first lead to deliver the first stimulation signal and the second lead to deliver the second stimulation signal to provide bilateral stimulation to the first vagus nerve and the second vagus nerve.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to database query optimizers. In some embodiments, a query parser of a database system receives a query requesting data from a multi-tenant database. The query includes a first constraint that restricts a query optimizer's selection of a set of execution plans available to implement the query. The database system determines whether an override has been specified for a particular tenant associated with the received query, the override indicating that the first constraint is to be replaced with a second constraint for the particular tenant. In response to determining that the override has been specified for the particular tenant, the database system replaces the first constraint in the query with the second constraint and provides the query with the second constraint to the query optimizer for selection of an execution plan in accordance with the second constraint.

Abstract: A snow thrower, as provided herein, may include a body frame, a handle, a collar, and a chute. The body frame may define a body inlet and a body outlet. The handle may be attached to the body frame. The chute may be attached to the body frame to direct snow therefrom.

Abstract: A motorized snow shovel includes a shaft assembly extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end. The motorized snow shovel further includes a handle assembly connected to the first end, the handle assembly including a first handle. The motorized snow shovel further includes a head assembly connected to the second end. The head assembly includes a shovel, an auger rotatably connected to the shovel, and a motor operational to rotate the auger.

Abstract: A radiotherapy chamber is provided that comprises a substantially air-tight enclosure adapted to accept a patient; a radiation source disposed inside the enclosure; a patient support system disposed inside the enclosure and in working arrangement with the radiation source; and a screw compressor and an outlet flow modulator fluidly connected to the enclosure. A method for treatment of a subject in need thereof using the radiation chamber is also provided.

Abstract: A variable pressure chamber is provided for operation at hypobaric or hyperbaric pressure. The variable pressure chamber comprises a substantially air-tight enclosure having a sufficient volume to enclose a patient, a sealable opening adapted to provide access to the enclosure, a closure mechanism adapted to seal the sealable opening, a reversible compressor fluidly connected to the enclosure and an outlet flow modulator. A method of treatment of a subject in need thereof using the variable pressure chamber is also provided.

Abstract: A radiotherapy chamber is provided that comprises a substantially air-tight enclosure adapted to accept a patient; a radiation source disposed inside the enclosure; a patient support system disposed inside the enclosure and in working arrangement with the radiation source; and a screw compressor and an outlet flow modulator fluidly connected to the enclosure. A method for treatment of a subject in need thereof using the radiation chamber is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the color characteristic of a tooth, particularly in a mouth in which restorative dentistry is contemplated, employs the photographic imaging of the tooth of the patient, and the photographing of visually selected color standards, to achieve the final selection of the closest color match. The resulting photographic images, which may be on a single photograph, are subjected to calorimetric or spectrophotometric analysis to achieve the final selection of the closest match. The system avoids the need to rely upon the visual color acuity of the practitioner in order to achieve a close color match for a prosthetic device. Additionally, the method and system of the invention avoid the problems associated with color shifts associated with photography, when such is used alone as the indicator of tooth color.

Abstract: A utility line support structure for use as a tangent crossarm or deadend including a hollow fiber reinforced beam with a bushing inserted into a transverse hole in the beam. Bushing includes a hollow inner member for receiving a bolt and a pair of integral washers arranged on opposite ends of inner member and against an outer surface of the beam. The hollow inner member and the integral washers cooperate to support axial loads applied by the bolt. End caps extend over opposite ends of the beam to seal the beam so as to prevent moisture from entering the beam. Also, a method for adapting a non-standard-sized utility line support beam to be compatible with standard-sized tooling.

Abstract: A griller having a substantially horizontally extending grill member to support food while being grilled, the grill member consisting of alternating bars and slots the bars being made of aluminium, aluminium alloy or a substance having similar heat transmitting properties there being arranged under the grill member an elongated electric heating element that is accommodated within a groove formed on the underside of the grill member, whereby fats and liquids emerging from food being cooked on the grill member are prevented from coming into contact with the electric heating element, an electric plug socket connected to the electric heating element directly and without intervention of a thermostat, the heating element and the grill member being constructed and arranged so that heat from the heating element is distributed more or less evenly over the surface of the grill member, the grill member being removeably supported on a container that in use underlies the grill member and acts to catch fat and liquids from

Abstract: The amount of mercury released from amalgam restorations in the teeth of living beings is significantly reduced without changing the composition of the silver-tin-copper alloy or changing the mercury-alloy ratio. This is achieved by introducing a mercury-absorbing metal component which acts only during the final setting stage of the amalgam. In a process embodiment, this is achieved by introducing a mercury-absorbing metal component which is applied to the prepared tooth cavity walls where it absorbs excess mercury from the setting amalgam. In a composition embodiment, the composition of the amalgam restoration consists of three components: a finely divided silver-tin-copper alloy; mercury; and a mercury-absorbing metal powder containing at least 50% by weight of palladium and the remainder of the group consisting of gold, copper, platinum, indium, zinc, and silver, some of which may be present as a coating on the palladium base powder.

Abstract: A movable asphalt heating unit for heating paved asphalt for paving or repairing is provided comprising a frame, and a heating chamber mounted to the frame in a rotatable arrangement whereby the heating chamber may be selectively positioned on the right side, left side or rear of the frame. The heating chamber preferably comprises one or more infrared heating elements.

Abstract: A unit for heating initially solid asphaltic material to provide asphaltic concrete in a condition suitable for application, including an inner enclosure defining a volume for containing the material to be heated, an outer enclosure surrounding and spaced from the inner enclosure to define a space beneath the inner enclosure and passages for heated air flow around the walls of the inner enclosure, a screw disposed in an open-top channel at the floor of the inner enclosure to move heated material, an opening in the inner enclosure floor in communication with a passage in the outer enclosure floor for delivery of heated asphaltic material moved by the screw to the unit exterior, heating chambers projecting upwardly from the floor of the inner enclosure above the heating sources to provide regions through which hot air rises from the sources, and flues extending transversely from the upper portions of the heating chamber to the end walls of the inner enclosure for conducting the heated air from the heating chamb

Abstract: Apparatus and method for finishing a surface, such as the surface of a tooth, for improving the strength of an adhesive bond. A plurality of cuts are made into the surface at an angle which is less than 90.degree.. Undercuts are thus formed which enhance the micromechanical engagement between the surface and the solidified adhesive material. The undercuts are dimensioned in response to the viscosity characteristic of the fluid adhesive material so as to promote flow of the fluid adhesive material into the undercuts by capillary action. The undercuts are formed by application of a rotary tool to the surface, the tool having a plurality of spaced-apart edges thereon, which are applied to the surface so that each such cutting edge makes a respective undercut.

Abstract: A domestic ice-cream maker for insertion in a freezer consisting of a container in the form of an annular trough, a mixing blade being arranged in the trough for rotating around the axis of the trough and being driven by an electric motor which is characterized by the provision of a fan or fans arranged above the container to direct a stream of air downwardly onto the surface of ice-cream mix in the container to produce rapid freezing of the ice-cream mix when the ice-cream maker is inserted in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator. Preferably, the electric motors are driven by a pack of rechargeable battery cells contained in the ice-cream maker.

Abstract: A griller having a substantially horizontally extending grill member to support food while being grilled, the grill member consisting of alternating bars and slots the bars being made of aluminium, aluminium alloy or a substance having similar heat transmitting properties there being arranged under the grill member an elongated electric heating element that is accommodated within a groove formed on the underside of the grill member, whereby fats and liquids emerging from food being cooked on the grill member are prevented from coming into contact with the electric heating element, an electric plug socket connected to the electric heating element directly and without intervention of a thermostat, the heating element and the grill member being constructed and arranged so that heat from the heating element is distributed more or less evenly over the surface of the grill member, the grill member being removeably supported on a container that in use underlies the grill member and acts to catch fat and liquids from

Abstract: A griller having a substantially horizontally extending grill member to support food while being grilled, the grill member consisting of alternating bars and slots the bars being made of aluminium, aluminium alloy or a substance having similar heat transmitting properties there being arranged under the grill member an elongated electric heating element that is accommodated within a groove formed on the underside of the grill member, whereby fats and liquids emerging from food being cooked on the grill member are prevented from coming into contact with the electric heating element, an electric plug socket connected to the electric heating element directly and without intervention of a thermostat, the heating element and the grill member being constructed and arranged so that heat from the heating element is distributed more or less evenly over the surface of the grill member, the grill member being removeably supported on a container that in use underlies the grill member and acts to catch fat and liquids from