Abstract: An apparatus for spreading tissues. The apparatus includes a sheath member including an open end, a closed end, and a barrel extending between the open end and the closed end; and at least one flap-tip for engaging with tissues, wherein the at least one flap-tip is attached to the sheath member, each flap-tip projecting from the sheath member, wherein the at least one flap-tip is moved in response to movement of the sheath member.

Abstract: A method can be provided that includes measuring sound waves using a sound measuring device, determining, at a central controller of an air mattress system, one or more parameter values of the sound waves, comparing the one or more parameter values with values, ranges, or patterns indicative of snoring, identifying a snoring state of a user, and initiating, with the central controller, a change to one or more adjustable features of the air mattress system.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and dispensing a fluid from a flexible portable fluid container is provided. The apparatus includes a bottom surface and at least one sidewall that defining a cavity configured to receive a flexible portable fluid container. A support member extends from the bottom surface of the body into the cavity to help support the flexible portable fluid container. An extruding member extends outwardly from the outside portion of the sidewall and defines a channel that extends from the inside portion of the sidewall through the extruding member.

Abstract: A device for applying a directed contact pressure force to a multitude of samples. A first part of the device includes a multitude of sample receptacles that receive a multitude of joining surface modules of the same kind, and a second part of the device is connected to the first part in such a manner that a multitude of fluidically intercommunicating hydraulic cylinders in one of the two parts can load the joining surface modules simultaneously in a loading direction at a predetermined force that is substantially identical in respect to all samples.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing and dispensing a fluid from a flexible portable fluid container. The apparatus includes a bottom surface and at least one sidewall that defining a cavity configured to receive a flexible portable fluid container. A support member extends from the bottom surface of the body into the cavity to help support the flexible portable fluid container. An extruding member extends outwardly from the outside portion of the sidewall and defines a channel that extends from the inside portion of the sidewall through the extruding member. The channel is sized to receive the spout of the flexible portable fluid container.

Abstract: A method for applying or embedding nanoparticles or microparticles of any substance in a defined manner onto or into a layer to be applied to a substrate surface by plasma coating before, during or after the plasma coating operation in a magnetron or plasmatron. The particles are introduced from the outside into the vacuum chamber of the magnetron or plasmatron via at least one pressure stage. The particles are spatially distributed in the plasma space between the target and the substrate. The particles in the plasma space are preferably exposed to an electric field generating a movement of the particles toward the substrate. It is advantageous for this purpose if the particles are electrically charged before being introduced into the plasma space.

Abstract: Problems to be solved: To provide a sliding member capable of achieving low friction properties and low wearing properties under dry conditions (i.e., in the absence of a lubricant). Solution: A sliding member including: a sliding-element 1; and a sliding-element 2 which serves as a counterbody to the sliding-element 1, in which the sliding-element 1 is made of oxide ceramics and the sliding-element 2 is made of a thin film containing hydrogen and sp3/sp2-hybridized carbon. Advantages: The sliding member achieves low friction properties and low wearing properties and in which the friction coefficient is unrelated to the sliding speed.

Abstract: A stretching device comprises a shoulder or body harness with an adjustable central hold arranged around the upper body connected with an adjustable extension strap configured to engage a foot at a distal end. The extension strap is slidably connected to the central strap to move along the length of the central strap. The wearable device and method of using the device provides a comfortable tension and facilitates hands free stretching in the supine position, for improving duration of the stretching and range of motion. The device straps may be quickly disassembled with a strap independently used, or in a combination rearranged for connection by interlocking the central strap with either a shoulder strap or the extension strap, for upper body and shoulder stretching.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for sintering objects by means of time-resolved detection of two- or three-dimensional surface profiles and, optionally, by means of temperature measurement in a high temperature furnace on the basis of optical measurement methods. During sintering, each surface point on an object can be measured for its position and, optionally, its temperature, and a change can be determined by successive measurements. The measured change additionally permits control of the sintering regime. The method comprises the steps of: placing an object 4 into a high temperature furnace 5; heating the furnace 5; generating a two- or three-dimensional surface profile at least of a subregion of the object 4 by: irradiating the object 4 with light from a light source 2a; detecting the light scattered by the object 4 with the aid of a detector 2b; determining the geometric surface profile from the detected light.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide for an apparatus for storing and dispensing a fluid from a flexible portable fluid container. The apparatus includes a bottom surface and at least one sidewall that defining a cavity configured to receive a flexible portable fluid container. A support member extends from the bottom surface of the body into the cavity to help support the flexible portable fluid container. An extruding member extends outwardly from the outside portion of the sidewall and defines a channel that extends from the inside portion of the sidewall through the extruding member.

Abstract: A method for producing a moulded body is proposed, comprising: applying a layer of particles and applying a binder and curing a moulded body; and a device for producing a metallic or ceramic moulded body, having a storage volume, which is configured for receiving a suspension of metallic or ceramic particles that are dispersed in a suspension fluid, a layer-forming application device, which is configured for removing an amount of suspension repeatedly from the storage volume and transferring it into a working volume and applying it there as a layer, a dehumidfying device, which is configured for dehumidifying the applied layer in the working volume, a binder application device, which is configured for applying a binder locally to the dehumidified layer in accordance with a layer model of the moulded body to be produced, in such a way that particles in the dehumidified layer are adhesively bonded locally to one another and optionally in addition to particles of at least one layer lying under the dehumidified l

Abstract: A method for determining the plasto-elastic properties of a test sample, which can be affected by the action of pressure, includes pressing a test body against a surface of the test sample with a defined force. Plasto-elastic changes of the surface resulting therefrom are recorded during and/or after the pressure application. A centrifugal force generated by rotating the test body around an axis is utilized as a pressure force which is generated by radially movably guiding the test body, which is disposed between the test sample and the axis, relative to the radially fixed test sample.

Abstract: Pressure sensing devices for use with an inflatable bladder and monitoring apparatus for an at rest subject are disclosed herein. The device can comprise a housing comprising a recess and configured to be welded in a seam of the inflatable bladder. A pressure sensor can be located within the recess with a sensing side configured to be exposed to the cavity of the inflatable bladder and a reference side configured to be exposed to ambient air. A printed circuit board can be located within the recess and coupled to the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is operable to detect a pressure change within the cavity due to a force exerted by a subject on the inflatable bladder.

Abstract: Some embodiments of invention provide a method for creating a player made tournament. The method can comprise displaying a tournament creation page including a plurality of variables and at least one option for each of the plurality of variables. Some embodiments further provide receiving the at least one option for each of the plurality of variables. In some embodiments, operational parameters of the player made tournament can substantially comprise the at least one option for each of the plurality of variables received. Some further embodiments provide processing the operational parameters to create a player made tournament, and then displaying the player made tournament on a tournament main page.

Abstract: A water-retaining element (2) for forming a temporary water-retaining structure (1) includes a bottom (6), a plurality of side walls (8, 10), and connections (20). The plurality of side walls are immovably connected to the bottom and extend upwards from the bottom to form a water-fillable container (12). The connections connect the water-retaining element in a water-retaining manner to least one adjacent water-retaining element. The water-fillable container (12) is open at the top to receive a second water-retaining element (2) during transport and/or storage.

Abstract: Provided is a method for detecting composite defects between a first material and a second material, comprising the steps of: (a) introducing horizontally polarized low-frequency transverse waves into an upper surface of the composite material; (b) detecting an ultrasound echo of the emitted low-frequency horizontally polarized transverse waves; (c) displaying the detected ultrasound echoes on a display device.

Abstract: A sleeping monitoring system includes a first padding layer. A fluid bladder is beneath the first padding layer. A sensor is in fluid communication with the fluid bladder. The sensor is configured to output a vital sign signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to difluoroboradiazaindacene dyes of the formula (1) where R1=fluoro-substituted phenyl residue C6HmFn where n=1 to 5 and m+n=5; or fluoro-substituted naphthyl residue C10HmFn where n=1 to 9 and m+n=9; R2=CH3, C2H5, C3H7, or C4H9; R3=alkyl, aryl, or vinyl aryl; R4, R5=H, F, or an R4 and R5 bridging residue CH?CH—CH?CH; R6, R7=H, F, or an R6 and R7 bridging residue CH?CH—CH?CH; and R8=alkyl or aryl.

Abstract: A folding wagon has a folding frame with a stowed and open position. The folding frame has a pair of front vertical supports, and a pair of rear vertical supports. A lower front horizontal support connects between the pair of front vertical supports, and a lower rear horizontal support connects between the pair of rear vertical supports. An upper front horizontal support connects between the pair of front vertical supports, and an upper rear horizontal support connects between the pair of rear vertical supports. The folding frame has supplemental links that form a frame for seats including a front seat bar extending between a pair of front seat vertical members and including a rear seat bar extending between a pair of rear seat vertical members. Sidewall members have a pair of horizontal supports pivotally connected to the front vertical supports and the rear vertical supports.

Abstract: A calibration system characterizes luminescence measurement systems, in particular spectrally resolving, wide-field and/or confocal imaging systems. The calibration system has a baseplate with at least one flow-through channel, wherein the at least one channel is formed as a sample chamber for the luminescence measurement system, at least one reservoir in communication with the at least one channel and adapted to receive a liquid, and at least one focusing device integrated into a baseplate for setting a defined measurement beam focus of the luminescence measurement system to be calibrated by using a focusing surface.