Abstract: In various embodiments, provided are braces for use in supporting the metatarsophalangeal joint, reducing or maintaining the intermetatarsal angle, enhancing or maintaining alignment of the hallux, or combinations thereof in a subject having hallux valgus.

Abstract: Methods of reducing expression of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 4 (PFKFB4) and methods of treating a cancer in a cell are provided, the methods including contacting a cell with an effective amount of a PFKFB4 inhibitor. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibitors of PFKFB4 and their methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: Environmental sensing devices, systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, an environmental sensing device includes an environmental sensor and an internal signal generator. The environmental sensing device may be configured to be mechanically coupled to one or more interior surfaces of an enclosure. The environmental sensor may be operable to detect one or more substances within the enclosure and provide a status signal to the internal signal generator corresponding to the presence of the one or more substances. The internal signal generator may be operable to generate a mechanical report sequence corresponding to the status signal. The mechanical report sequence may be a series of mechanical pulses applied to an interior surface of the enclosure.

Abstract: Devices and methods for producing purified water. The device includes a reverse osmosis subsystem, a dehumidification subsystem and a purified water storage tank fluidly coupled to the subsystems such that purified water produced by each can be locally stored. A vehicular platform, such as a ship, can be used to locate the device adjacent a supply of saline water and humid air. A saline water inlet, membrane and purified water outlet cooperate in the reverse osmosis subsystem to allow preferential passage of water relative to salt in a saline water supply, while the dehumidification subsystem includes a heat exchanger that extracts moisture from the ambient humid air. Purified water produced by each of the subsystems can be used as a potable water source.

Abstract: Embodiments of a breathable multilayer microporous film comprise a first outer film layer, a second inner film layer, and a third outer film layer, wherein each film layer comprises at least one pore-forming filler and one thermoplastic polymer. Each film layer is rendered microporous and breathable by stretching each film layer having the pore-forming filler therein, wherein the first and third outer film layers have first and third maximum pore sizes, respectively, and the second inner film layer has a second maximum pore size different than the respective maximum pore sizes of the first and third outer film layers of the multilayer film. The multilayer microporous film passes ASTM F 1671-03 test.

Abstract: A dosing device for an infusion system comprises a dosing unit having a variable volume and at least one opening in fluid connection with the variable volume, through which opening the variable volume can be filled with a substance or the substance can be dispensed from the variable volume. The dosing device is operable in a first state for filling the substance from a supply conduit, in a second state for preventing filling and dispensing, or in a third state for dispensing through a dispensing conduit. No direct fluid connection exists between the supply conduit and the dispensing conduit at any time. Methods for dosing a substance with the dosing device.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, an assembly is provided comprising a multi-component electrode and a peripherally engaging electrode carrier. The peripherally engaging electrode carrier comprises a carrier frame and a plurality of reciprocating electrode supports. The multi-component electrode is positioned in the electrode accommodating aperture of the carrier frame. The backing plate of the electrode comprises a plurality of mounting recesses formed about its periphery. The reciprocating electrode supports can be reciprocated into and out of the mounting recesses. Additional embodiments of broader and narrower scope are contemplated.

Abstract: Headliners for vehicles and vehicles incorporating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes an enclosed passenger compartment at least partially bounded by a roof structure. A headliner may be attached to an inboard side of the roof structure. The headliner may include an acoustical attenuator portion attached to an inboard side of the roof structure and an acoustical reflector portion attached to an inboard side of the acoustical attenuator portion. The acoustical attenuator portion absorbs acoustic energy incident on an outboard surface of the roof structure and the acoustical reflector portion reflects acoustic energy incident on an inboard side of the acoustical reflector portion. The enclosed passenger compartment has a Speech Transmission Index greater than 0.56 for acoustic energy incident on the inboard side of the acoustical reflector portion.

Abstract: An interior finish panel for a vehicle may include a panel substrate, at least two pieces of skin disposed over the panel substrate, and a foam layer. The panel substrate may include an inclined portion disposed between a base portion and at least one sealing surface. The at least two pieces of skin may include an upper skin and a lower skin joined together at a seam, wherein the seam may be at least partially disposed over the inclined portion. The seam may be sealed to a vertex of the inclined portion between the inclined portion and the sealing surface. The foam layer may be disposed between the at least two pieces of skin and the panel substrate. The foam layer may taper from the base portion towards the vertex of the inclined portion and terminate along the inclined portion before the vertex of the inclined portion.

Abstract: A litter support system for a vehicle including a support framework connectable to a wall of the vehicle, an upper litter support arm for holding a litter, the upper litter support arm connected to the support framework, a lower litter support arm for holding a litter, the lower litter support arm connected to the support framework, wherein the upper and lower litter support arms are connected to the support framework such that the upper and lower litter support arms are rotatable between a store position and a first support position and movable substantially horizontally between the first support position substantially adjacent to and near the support framework and a second support position substantially extended outwardly from the support framework.

Abstract: A dosing device for an infusion system comprises a dosing unit having a variable volume and at least one opening in fluid connection with the variable volume, through which opening the variable volume can be filled with a substance or the substance can be dispensed from the variable volume. The dosing device is operable in a first state for filling the substance from a supply conduit, in a second state for preventing filling and dispensing, or in a third state for dispensing through a dispensing conduit. No direct fluid connection exists between the supply conduit and the dispensing conduit at any time. Methods for dosing a substance with the dosing device.

Abstract: An electrode transporter is provided comprising a transporter frame, a plurality of transitional support elements, and a plurality of flipside support elements. The flipside support elements are configured to immobilize an electrode along a gravitational force vector normal to a major face of an electrode positioned in an electrode accommodating space defined by the transitional support elements and the flipside support elements. The transitional support elements are configured to transition back and forth from a secured state, where the electrode is further immobilized along an opposing force vector opposite the gravitational force vector, to an unsecured state where the electrode is relatively mobile along the opposing force vector. Additional embodiments relate to the use of a transporter tripod and an electrode removal puck and lifting fork to remove an electrode from the transporter frame.

Abstract: An EDM spindle assembly is provided comprising a pull stud, an electrode holder, a fluid seal, and a seal holder. A threaded outside diameter of the seal holder is threadedly engaged with a threaded inside diameter of a counter bore formed in the tail end of the electrode holder. A threaded outside diameter of the pull stud is threadedly engaged with the threaded inside diameter of the counter bore. The threaded inside diameter of the counter bore in the electrode holder comprises a longitudinal threading dimension that is sufficient to accommodate the entire longitudinal threaded outside diameter of the seal holder and a portion of the longitudinal threaded outside diameter of the pull stud sufficient to create threaded engagement, with the fluid seal positioned in the seal accommodating space.

Abstract: The present invention automates the process of receiving transportation documentation and producing advance loading manifests therefrom to optimize load planning and dynamic product shipment and delivery control. Methods provide for receipt of the transportation documentation, initial preparation, and transmission of the documentation from on board a vehicle or while the vehicle is in transit.

Abstract: A lamp mounting assembly that mounts a UV lamp within a flow control structure includes a mount assembly that mounts at an end of the flow control structure. The mount assembly includes a conductor housing receiving opening extending therethrough. A socket base structure includes a socket base and a conductor housing extending outwardly from the socket base. The conductor housing is sized to be received by the conductor housing receiving opening of the mount assembly. A lamp socket is connected to the conductor housing to allow an electrical connection between the lamp socket and a power source. The lamp socket has a lamp engaging surface arranged offset from vertical when mounted to the flow control structure.

Abstract: The present invention automates the process of receiving transportation documentation and producing advance loading manifests therefrom to optimize load planning and dynamic product shipment and delivery control. Methods provide for receipt of the transportation documentation, initial preparation, and transmission of the documentation from on board a vehicle or while the vehicle is in transit.

Abstract: A method for management of first in, first out stores is provided. The method includes producing parts at a primary process. The parts are processed at a secondary process. A storage region is provided that includes at least one store lane pair including a first store lane and a second store lane. The first store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The second store lane includes a pick side, a drop side and a plurality of receiving volumes extending from the pick side to the drop side. The receiving volumes of the first store lane are filled with the parts in the order they are produced at the primary process in a first in, first out fashion from the pick side of the first store lane to the drop side of the first store lane using an automated guided vehicle sized and configured to pass through each of the plurality of receiving volumes.

Abstract: The present invention automates the process of receiving transportation documentation and producing advance loading manifests therefrom to optimize load planning and dynamic product shipment and delivery control. Methods provide for receipt of the transportation documentation, initial preparation, and transmission of the documentation from on board a vehicle or while the vehicle is in transit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flexible, multi-modal system useful in communications among users, capable of synchronizing real world and augmented reality, wherein the system is deployed in centralized and distributed computational platforms. The system comprises a plurality of input devices designed and configured to generate signals representing speech, gestures, pointing direction, and location of a user, and transmit the same to a multi-modal interface. Some of the signals generated represent a message from the user intended for dissemination to other users.

Abstract: Methods and systems of reducing the start-up time for a fuel cell are described. One method of reducing the start-up time includes: concurrently supporting load requests for the fuel cell and stabilizing the voltage of the fuel cell; wherein stabilizing the voltage of the fuel cell comprises: providing a flow of hydrogen to the fuel cell and opening an anode valve, wherein the hydrogen flow continues for predetermined volume or a predetermined time; and ending voltage stabilization after the predetermined volume or predetermined time is exceeded while continuing to support load requests for the fuel cell.