Abstract: A system and method for an intelligent hair drying/styling apparatus with user information transmission and storage capabilities is herein provided. The hair drying/styling apparatus houses a control circuit board and an infrared or temperature sensor (or camera) in order detect an individual's hair condition moisture level to determine a user specific, customizable dryer setting. The information detected by the sensor is stored locally, on a proximal Internet-enabled device, or on a remote or cloud-based server and accessed by the hair drying/styling apparatus through a wireless local area network connectivity function. This innovation will enable any number of hair professionals and or end consumers to improve styling and dry time. According to the present invention, energy usage is reduced to enable a more efficient design.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ingestible athletic performance enhancement composition comprising l-menthol wherein the composition does not contain alcohol. The present invention further includes athletic performance enhancement compositions wherein the amount of l-menthol is between 0.01 to 0.5 weight percent of the composition. The invention also includes methods of improving athletic performance comprising the ingestion of a composition comprising l-menthol, wherein the amount of l-menthol is sufficient to induce a cooling sensation while maintaining palatability and minimizing side effects.

Abstract: Instruments and surgical techniques may be used to correct a bone deformity, such as a bunion in which a metatarsal is misaligned with respect to a medial cuneiform. In some examples, a bone cutting guide is utilized to cut an end of the metatarsal and/or an end of the medial cuneiform to facilitate realignment of the bones. The cutting guide can have a pivotable cut guide surface along which a cutting instrument is translated to provide a precise bone cut. In some applications, after suitably preparing and aligning the bones, the bones are compressed together using a fixation pin. The fixation pin can be driven through one of the bones, into the second bone, and then further driven to compress the bones together.

Abstract: Dual-stage multi-roll leveler embodiments of the general inventive concept include independent sets of first stage work rolls and second stage work rolls, with each set of work rolls including one or more upper work rolls disposed above one or more lower work rolls. An adjustable but equal entry side-to-exit side gap is present between the upper and lower work rolls of each work roll set. An exemplary dual-stage leveler removes shape defects and coil set and/or curl from a moving strip material through a combination of work roll gap adjustment and first and/or second stage work roll bending. Because there is no feathering out of work roll penetration in either stage, differential roll speed and the problems associated therewith are eliminated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stroke detection in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

Abstract: A volumetric builder machine for enhanced fabrication of sand-casting molds, cores and/or 3-dimensional shapes in printed layers within a build box. A bi-directional layer builder assembly passes back-and-forth over the build box, and with each pass deposits an even layer of loose sand while printing a water-based binder agent according to a pattern representing the mold and/or core to be formed. Heater banks carried on the traveling layer builder assembly accelerate the binder drying module process. The build box has a build plate that is incrementally lowered by a lift unit to accommodate each new sand layer. A strategic heating system preheats the sand, heats the build plate, and directs heat to the sand layer after it has been printed with binder. A ventilation system removes vapors driven from the binder. A sand filling station periodically refills the layer builder assembly. A cleaning station removes binder residue from the printheads.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for improving the safety of excavation activities and the accuracy of excavation polygons generated by users of the system and underlying reference data. An exemplary system as described herein comprises a software module for comparing ticket and reference polygons, wherein the ticket polygons are generated by users of the system and the reference polygons are generated based on data contained within a reference database comprising parcel data, line map data, facility map data, ortho map data, road features data, water features data, a highway data, building footprint data, route data, TIGER file data and the like. Methods are described for improving ticket accuracy and underlying map data, improving user training measures, preventing safety accidents and providing historical reports on excavation activities and system effectiveness. It is an object of the invention to improve the safety of excavation activities based on ticket scoring algorithms.

Abstract: A system and method for manufacturing, assembling, and installing an extruded aluminum wall panel frame by manufacturing an extrusion profile that comprises a stud, a sole plate, and a sill plate and other components used to configure the extrusion profile into a frame either fully or partially assembled prior to transport and installation at the building site where the frame may be installed as a single-level structure or multi-level structure of varying lengths, widths, and floorplans.

Abstract: Bone-secured dental arch veneers and methods for fabricating and utilizing the same. The dental arch veneers include a veneer assembly having one or more tooth veneers and a support structure configured to support the tooth veneer(s). The dental arch veneers also include a coupling structure configured to interconnect the veneer assembly to a bone mount that is anchored along a user's maxilla or mandible. The coupling structure also is configured to permit the veneer assembly to be selectively and repeatedly interconnected with and disconnected from the bone mount. The methods include determining a target region within the user's mouth, obtaining a representation of the target region, manipulating the representation to create a desired arrangement of the user's teeth within the target region, determining anchoring positions proximate the target region for anchoring the bone mount, and forming the dental arch veneer based on the anchoring positions and the desired arrangement.

Abstract: A method of correcting an alignment between bones of a foot may involve positioning a first cutting slot of a bone cutting guide over a first metatarsal and inserting a first fixation pin through a first fixation aperture of the bone cutting guide and into the first metatarsal. The method may also involve inserting a cutting member through the first cutting slot to remove a portion of the first metatarsal and adjusting an alignment of the first metatarsal relative to a first cuneiform. In some examples, the method further includes positioning a second cutting slot of the bone cutting guide over the first cuneiform and inserting a second fixation pin through a second fixation aperture of bone cutting guide into the first cuneiform. The method can involve inserting a cutting member through the second cutting slot to remove a portion of the first cuneiform and causing the first metatarsal to fuse to the first cuneiform in the moved position.

Abstract: A clarifier can comprise a floor, inner and outer walls that each extends upwardly from the floor such that a tank is at least partially defined by the inner wall and a launder channel is at least partially defined between the inner and outer walls and is disposed along at least a majority of a periphery of the tank. A launder cover comprising one or more flexible sheets can be disposed over at least a majority of the launder channel. Each of the sheet(s) can have opposing inner and outer edges, the inner edge coupled to the inner wall and the outer edge coupled to the outer wall, and can be configured such that, when a single one of the inner and outer edges is decoupled from the inner and outer walls, the sheet is deformable to at least partially uncover the launder channel.

Abstract: A modular swimming pool includes a precast base unit and a precast riser unit that can be assembled at an installation site to define an interior volume in which a human can swim. The precast riser unit is secured to the base unit. The upper surface of the precast base unit and at least one internal surface of the precast riser unit define the interior volume of the modular pool when the precast base unit and the precast riser unit are secured together. A modular swimming pool assembly is also provided. A method of assembling a modular swimming pool is also provided.

Abstract: A bone positioning device can include a fixation pin for attachment to a first bone and a fixation pin for attachment to a second bone. A first block having an aperture can be included for slidably receiving a fixation pin, and a second block having an aperture can be included for slidably receiving a fixation pin. A multi-axis joint can connect the first block and the second block, where the multi-axis joint allows the first second blocks to move with respect to each other about more than one axis.

Abstract: A method of preparing a tarsometatarsal joint can include imaging a tarsometatarsal joint of a patient between a metatarsal and a cuneiform to determine a size and/or angle of a wedge-shaped bone portion to be cut at the tarsometatarsal joint. The method can include obtaining a bone preparation guide that includes a first guide surface positionable over the metatarsal and a second guide surface positionable over the cuneiform, where an angle of the first guide surface relative to the second guide surface is selected corresponding to the size and/or angle of the wedge-shaped bone portion to be cut as determined via imaging of the tarsometatarsal joint. The method can include positioning the guide surfaces over the metatarsal and cuneiform and guiding a tissue removing instrument with the guide surfaces to cut an end of the metatarsal and to cut an end of the cuneiform.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a patrol vehicle speed, comprising initiating a calibration cycle at a speed detection radar unit mounted in a vehicle, operating the vehicle to generate a vehicle speed signal using the speed detection radar unit and exiting the calibration cycle if the vehicle speed signal matches an observed speed from an independent source signal.

Abstract: A system and method for an intelligent hair drying/styling apparatus with user information transmission and storage capabilities is herein provided. The hair drying/styling apparatus houses a control circuit board and an infrared or temperature sensor (or camera) in order detect an individual's hair condition moisture level to determine a user specific, customizable dryer setting. The information detected by the sensor is stored locally, on a proximal Internet-enabled device, or on a remote or cloud-based server and accessed by the hair drying/styling apparatus through a wireless local area network connectivity function. Accordingly, a user's hair temperature-drying profile may be stored and later recalled to provide optimal hair styling setting customized for that user. This innovation will enable any number of hair professionals and or end consumers to improve styling and dry time.

Abstract: Lift frames for a vehicle in this disclosure may include a frame body on a top portion of a frame, the frame body extending from a first end to a second end; a lift mechanism moveable with respect to the first end of the frame body, the lift mechanism comprising: a lift body having a first end and a second end, a lifting surface on the first end of the lift body and the second end of the lift body being positioned so as to be movable with respect to the first end of the frame body, wherein the lifting surface is positioned to engage an underside of a cargo container when placed on an upper side of the frame body; and an inflatable air bag having an upper side and a lower side and mounted on the lower side to a platform positioned on the frame beneath the lift body, wherein the inflatable air bag is connected on the upper side thereof to a mounting surface attached to the lift body; and a source of compressed air in fluid communication with the inflatable air bag.

Abstract: A cable termination that enables the attachment of SMA connectors to controlled-impedance cables with a conductive foil wrap shield; for the separate ferrule embodiment, the sheath is stripped back on the cable, exposing the foil shield surrounding the dielectric; a ferrule is slid or clamped over the foil shield and bonded; the face of the ferrule is dressed so that the foil shield and dielectric are flush with the ferrule face and the signal conductor protrudes from the face this cable subassembly is installed in the boss of a housing that prevents movement of the ferrules relative to each other and so that each ferrule face is aligned with an opening in the boss through which an SMA connector barrel is attached to the ferrule a cover secures the cable subassembly in the housing.