Abstract: A device for securing a motorcycle to a surface such as a trailer bed includes a base assembly attached to the surface and including a base plate and a pair of eccentric pivot support brackets, a pin assembly, an eccentric pivot rotatably mounted to each of the eccentric pivot support brackets and having an aperture formed therein such that the height of the aperture is adjustable by rotating the eccentric pivot, and a pin bracket attached to a motorcycle. The motorcycle is secured to the surface by positioning the motorcycle with the attached pin bracket over the base assembly attached to the surface and using the pin assembly to connect the pin bracket to the apertures in the eccentric pivots. The rotatable eccentric pivots allow the device to be adjusted for use with motorcycles having various ride heights. Locking structures are provided for locking the rotational position of the eccentric pivots with respect to the eccentric pivot support brackets after such an adjustment is made.

Abstract: A bed assembly (10) includes a frame (22) which supports four curved mattress support panels (50-56) which are able to move with pivoting of the various parts of the frame (22). The curved panels (50-56) better conform to a patient's body shape and provide an effective lengthening of the mattress support (50-56), particularly when the back rest (30, 50) is raised to a sitting position. The support panels (50-56) are located below the pivot points of the frame (22), which further enhances the lengthening effect. The assembly also includes first and second patient retention panels (80, 82) with complementary edges (92, 94) which can slide over one another. A key pad unit (100) protrudes from the retention panel (80) at a convenient patient position and can be gripped by a patient's hand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrode catheter for defibrillation, mapping or ablation of cardiac tissue. Said catheter comprises a terminal (40) on the proximal end of the electrode catheter and one or more sensing and/or treatment electrodes (14, 16) that are situated on or in the vicinity of the distal end of the electrode catheter, in addition to at least one electric conductor (44, 62), which is used to electrically connect a respective sensing or treatment electrode to the terminal. The electric conductor (44, 62) is composed of carbon and the electrode catheter is configured to be suitable for us as part of magnetic resonance tomography and for connection to electrophysiotherapy equipment. Said catheter comprises at least one defibrillation electrode, or at least one sensing electrode (14, 16) for the recording and evaluation of cardiac tissue potentials, or at least one treatment electrode (14) for delivering high-frequency currents for ablation purposes.

Abstract: A medical device having a sensor for sampling a biological signal, the biological signal representing a signal waveform and forming a waveform vector composed of the biological signal samples, and a memory for storing a least two threshold vectors composed of boundary samples representing at least two boundaries related to the biological signal defining subspaces for the biological signal samples. One threshold vector is an upper threshold vector composed of upper boundary samples and the other threshold vector is a lower threshold vector composed of lower boundary samples. An evaluation unit connected to the sensor determines a similarity index (ASCI) by comparing each of the biological signal samples of the waveform vector to corresponding boundary samples of the threshold vectors, thus determining to which subspace each biological signal sample belongs to and creating a trichotomized signal vector, and calculating the signed correlation product of two trichotomized signal vectors.

Abstract: A system (10) for managing data transmission for a medical device (20) has several data transmission protocols (15, 15?, 15?), each having a differentiating designation (30). Each of several medical devices (20) have an identification (45) which identifies the medical device (20), and a data transmission interface (35) for data transmission from and to the medical device (20). A management unit (25) has a query unit (45) for the designation (30) of the data transmission protocol (15, 15?, 15?) of a medical device (20) on the basis of its identification (30), and a storage unit (50) for storing data transmission protocols (15, 15?, 15?). The management unit (25) provides, on the basis of the designation query of an external device (55), a data transmission protocol (15, 15?, 15?) from the storage unit (50) which is compatible with the data transmission protocol (15, 15?, 15?) of the medical device (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to atom probes, atom probe specimens, and associated methods. For example, certain aspects are directed toward methods for analyzing a portion of a specimen that includes selecting a region of interest and moving a portion of material in a border region proximate to the region of interest so that at least a portion of the region of interest protrudes relative to at least a portion of the border region. The method further includes analyzing a portion of the region of interest. Other aspects of the invention are directed toward a method for applying photonic energy in an atom probe process by passing photonic energy through a lens system separated from a photonic device and spaced apart from the photonic device. Yet other aspects of the invention are directed toward a method for reflecting photonic energy off an outer surface of an electrode onto a specimen.

Abstract: A grasping tool for obtaining a firm grasp on a nut or other fastener structure that may be deformed in size or shape by time and damage. The tool includes a series of elongated fingers arranged radially in a group and mounted for longitudinal movement in a sleeve. A nut or other fastener to be removed is placed between ends of the fingers extending from the sleeve. As the sleeve is moved toward the nut or other fastener the wall of the sleeve pushes the ends of the fingers inward, to grasp firmly the nut or other fastener to be removed. Various structures and methods may be used to move the sleeve over the fingers and to rotate the grasping tool once attached firmly to the nut or other structure to remove the nut or other structure.

Abstract: Described is a method for making a composition comprising alkanes. The composition is suitable for use as a liquid transportation fuel in general, and jet fuel in particular. The method includes dehydrating a feedstock solution comprising a carbohydrate, in the presence of an acid catalyst, to yield at least one furan derivative compound, in a reaction vessel containing a biphasic reaction medium: an aqueous reaction solution and a substantially immiscible organic extraction solution. The furan derivative compound is then subjected to a self-aldol condensation reaction or a crossed-aldol condensation reaction with another carbonyl compound to yield a beta-hydroxy carbonyl compound and/or an alpha-beta unsaturated carbonyl compound. The beta-hydroxy carbonyl and/or alpha-beta unsaturated compounds are then hydrogenated to yield a saturated or partially saturated compound, followed by hydrodeoxygenation (e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a corresponding apparatus for converting a biomass reactant into synthesis gas. The method includes the steps of (1) heating biomass in a first molten liquid bath at a first temperature, wherein the first temperature is at least about 100° C., but less than the decomposition temperature of the biomass, wherein gas comprising water is evaporated and air is pressed from the biomass, thereby yielding dried biomass with minimal air content. (2) Recapturing the moisture evaporated from the biomass in step 1 for use in the process gas. (3) Heating the dried biomass in a second molten liquid bath at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is sufficiently high to cause flash pyrolysis of the dried biomass, thereby yielding product gases, tar, and char. (4) Inserting recaptured steam into the process gas, which may optionally include external natural gas or hydrogen gas or recycled syngas for mixing and reforming with tar and non-condensable gases.

Abstract: A premixing injector for use in gas turbine engines assists in the lean premixed injection of a gaseous fuel/air mixture into the combustor of a gas turbine. The premixing injector is designed to mix fuel and air at high velocities to eliminate the occurrence of flashback of the combustion flame from the reaction zone into the premixing injector. The premixing injector includes choked gas ports, which allow the fuel supply to be decoupled from any type of combustion instability which may arise in the combustor of the gas turbine and internal passages to provide regenerative cooling to the device.

Abstract: A low-temperature catalytic process for converting biomass (preferably glycerol recovered from the fabrication of bio-diesel) to synthesis gas (i.e., H2/CO gas mixture) in an endothermic gasification reaction is described. The synthesis gas is used in exothermic carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions, such as Fischer-Tropsch, methanol, or dimethylether syntheses. The heat from the exothermic carbon-carbon bond-forming reaction is integrated with the endothermic gasification reaction, thus providing an energy-efficient route for producing fuels and chemicals from renewable biomass resources.

Abstract: A rotary valve for controlling air supply in an inflatable device comprises a first rotor (11) and the second rotor (12) driven by motor (13) with a drive pulley (14) fixed directly onto its drive spindle (15). A toothed belt (16) driven by the drive pulley (14) engages with the toothed perimeter profile of the first rotor (11), to rotate rotors (11) and (12) relative to a stator (10). As the first and/or second rotor(s) are rotated, channels and ports on the airtight interfaces between the rotors (11, 12) and the stator (10) are connected and disconnected as required by the desired inflation sequence, including all the ports sealed in one position or all the ports exhausting to atmosphere in another position. The valve can be used in conjunction with any type of inflating device, where complex porting or air routing is required, the valve achieving this in a simpler manner.

Abstract: An automated system and method is provided for configuring an object (e.g., a room). In accordance with a preferred embodiment, configuration is facilitated through the use of layering functionality and frame-based inferences to evaluate stored knowledge of object attributes. The frame-based inferences may be supplemented by a rules-based inference system. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a graphics-based user interface may be used to permit interactive configuration using two-dimensional and three-dimensional models of the object, and incorporating engineering specifications, as well as functional and physical attributes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fusion protein including a full-length TAT-utrophin or an anti-dystrophinopathic fragment thereof, a method of treating dystrophinopathies (including Duchenne muscular dystrophy) using the fusion protein, a pharmaceutical composition for treating dystrophinopathies in mammals comprising the fusion protein, and nucleic acid constructs for expressing the fusion protein.

Abstract: In accordance with preferred embodiments and applications of the invention, an automated custom configuration system (and method) is provided for facilitating the configuration and customization of desired products, services, or other objects that require users to gather and assimilate disparate relevant information (e.g., knowledge of makes, models, types, features, options, limitations, codes, and prices of the desired product/service (or group of the same) to be configured and customized). In accordance with a preferred embodiment, custom configuration may be facilitated through a parametric drawing engine which provides illustrations of configuration data.

Abstract: Disclosed are isolated, unnatural polypeptides containing cyclically-constrained ?-amino acid residues and cyclically-constrained ?-amino acid residues. The compounds are unnatural and because they contain rotationally constrained residues that are not amenable to enzymatic degradation, the compounds are useful to probe protein-protein and other large molecule interactions.

Abstract: A compression sleeve (10) has twelve inflatable cells (13) to be wrapped around a limb. The cells (13) are inflated to set pressures and duration by a fluid source. The cells (13) are numbered (1) to (12), with (1) being at the toe, or the wrist, and (12) being at the thigh, or the shoulder. In use, the inflation sequence begins with a peristaltic wave at cell (1) and finishes at cell (12). Then cell (12) is inflated and deflated 5 times, then cell (11) is inflated and deflated 5 times in the same way as cell (12), followed by a single peristaltic wave beginning at cell (12) to cell (11). This compression regime is repeated along the compression sleeve until cell (1) is inflated and deflated (5) times followed by a peristaltic wave from cell (1) to cell (12). The described compression sequence is particularly useful for lymphatic drainage.

Abstract: A device is connected to electrode leads which performs intracardiac impedance measurements, conducts a transient pacing protocol, analyses the impedance measurements, and generates an LV lead position quality factor. The transient pacing protocol includes a repeated change (“transitions”) between ventricular intrinsic rhythm and biventricular paced rhythm and may also include a variation of the atrioventricular delay (AVD) and/or the interventricular delay (VVD). The quality factor expresses the degree to which hemodynamic properties have improved due to BiV stimulation for the current LV lead position compared to intrinsic ventricular rhythm.

Abstract: Described is a process for making closed cell fluoropolymer foam, and the foam so made. The process includes subjecting a fluoropolymer resin an inert gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric to drive gas into the resin, raising the temperature of the resin to or above its softening point, and reducing the pressure while maintaining the temperature at or above the softening point of the resin, in order to expand the resin to result in closed cell fluoropolymer foam. The resin is cross-linked prior to expansion. The resulting foams can be used in various applications, such as in flotation devices and for making thermal and/or acoustic insulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is configured for reflecting a beam of light incident at a primary mirror by rotating a first mirror segment to align a selected facet of the mirror segment to be generally orthogonal to the principal axis. The first mirror segment is translated in a motion parallel to the principal axis to a first position such that the mirrored segment at a facet comprising a mirror is brought into alignment with at least one second mirrored segment to form at a facet a first parabolic mirror. The incident beam of light is then reflected by collimating the first parabolic mirror by rotation and translation of the first mirror segment to strike a first secondary element.