Abstract: A system and method of extracting essential oils from plant material through the use of a low pressure alcohol-based closed system that includes a solvent chamber connected to a material column that is, in turn, connected to a kettle. Plant material in the material column and the solvent in the solvent chamber are cooled using a cooling liquid, such as nitrogen. A vacuum pump connected to the kettle creates a vacuum in the kettle to draw the cooled solvent through the cooled plant material and extract essential oils, which are collected in the kettle.

Abstract: A device (10) is provided for facilitating insertion of a needle or a cannula into a vein of a patient. The device comprises a fluid chamber (23) adapted to be held in operable engagement with a surface of the patient's skin by a fastener (30/34/35) that extends about a limb of the patient. The device is adapted to create a volume of reduced pressure within the fluid chamber, so as to facilitate expansion of an underlying part of the vein. The device enables insertion of a needle or cannula into the expanded part of the vein, whilst the fluid chamber remains operably engaged with the surface of a patient's skin.

Abstract: Embodiments include active protection systems and methods for an aerial platform. An onboard system includes one or more radar modules, detects aerial vehicles within a threat range of the aerial platform, and determines if any of the plurality of aerial vehicles are an aerial threat. The onboard system also determines an intercept vector to the aerial threat, communicates the intercept vector to an eject vehicle, and causes the eject vehicle to be ejected from the aerial platform to intercept the aerial threat. The eject vehicle includes a rocket motor to accelerate the eject vehicle along an intercept vector, alignment thrusters to rotate a longitudinal axis of the eject vehicle to substantially align with the intercept vector, and divert thrusters to divert the eject vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intercept vector. The eject vehicle activates at least one of the alignment thrusters responsive to the intercept vector.

Abstract: An improved lath is disclosed having a water drainage layer provided in association with the lath. The water drainage layer serves to remove water that might otherwise build up between the lath and wall structure.

Abstract: It would be to provide a method which will work with future versions of LTE-A, be backwards compatible and alleviate interference to signals for basic system operation. The method includes generating one or more Reference Signals associated with the one or more Channel Quality Indicators, and includes mapping the one or more Channel Quality Indicator-Reference Signals to the last symbol of the second slot of the one or more subframes.

Abstract: Kits of parts comprising a coloring solution, a porous zirconia article, optionally application equipment, the solution comprising cation(s) of coloring agent(s) in an amount above about 0.05 mol/l, solvent(s) for the ion(s), optionally complexing agent(s), optionally thickening agent(s), optionally organic marker substance(s), optionally additive(s), the porous zirconia article showing a N2 adsorption and desorption of isotherm type IV according to IUPAC classification. Methods for coloring a zirconia article comprising the steps of providing a porous zirconia article and a coloring solution, applying the coloring solution to at least a part of the outer surface of the porous zirconia article, optionally drying the porous zirconia article of the preceding step, sintering the porous zirconia article to obtain a colored zirconia ceramic article.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of constructing a diagnostic image of a sample from MRI data acquired while subjecting the sample to an inhomogeneous polarizing magnetic field, the method comprising the steps of: i) deriving an estimate of the spatial map of the inhomogeneous polarizing magnetic field; ii) acquiring the MRI data; iii) processing the estimate of the spatial map with the acquired MRI data to obtain an estimate of the diagnostic image; iv) calculating an acquired data error in response to the estimates of the spatial map and the diagnostic image; v) updating the estimate of the spatial map in response to the calculated error; and repeating the steps iii) to v) to improve the estimate of the spatial map of the earlier iteration and the estimate of the diagnostic image, wherein the repetition is stopped when the calculated error of the latest iteration reaches within a tolerance range and wherein the estimate of the diagnostic image from the latest iteration be

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of RFID chips affixed to a medical item, a device reader such as a data collection engine device, and a server device. The data collection engine wirelessly transmits power to an RFID chips and receives first medical data from the RFID chip while the RFID chip is activated by the power receiver. The data collection engine generates a first message indicative of the first medical data to be sent to the server device. The server device can determine aspects of the medical item such as position and risk states based upon the first medical data.

Abstract: A method of using a plurality of blades within a fixation device to attach to a vertebra is provided. Each blade includes a body having a central opening configured to rotate on a shaft within a housing of the fixation device, control openings on opposing sides of the central opening sized to engage prongs of a rotating tool, and at least one cutting extension with a sharp leading edge extending from the body in an orientation about an axis of the shaft, wherein upon rotation of the blade by the rotating tool about the shaft in a direction in which the at least one cutting extension is oriented, the at least one cutting extension will break an endplate of a vertebra and hook into the vertebra.

Abstract: A portable, impact-absorbing apparatus having a striking portion, an energy-absorbing portion, and a mounting portion. The striking portion may be a padded plate and the mounting portion may be a collar that may mount to the vertical frame member of a squat rack. The energy-absorbing portion may be an insert that slides into the barrel of a hollow sleeve in which a spring is disposed. The sleeve may have slots in the top and bottom for bolts or pins, which are inserted therethrough for attachment to the insert, to define the longitudinal limits of the insert's extension.

Abstract: Disclosed is an energy collector system applicable to internal combustion engines. It may include: a) a collector of thermal energy from the exhaust gases; b) a thermal tank covered by helical tubes to gain heat by the exhaust gases; c) a heat exchanger; and d) an outer element capable of converting thermal energy into mechanical energy, such as a closed Brayton cycle turbine, a Stirling engine, a Rankine turbine or an open loop air motor for converting mechanical energy (coupling the difference in rpm) into electrical energy with an electrical generator. The thermal energy collector may be composed of a heat exchanger that collects energy from the exhaust gases. The electrical energy generated may be used for driving a hybrid vehicle. The thermal tank is capable of storing energy as heat, as well.

Abstract: An article having properties allowing same to absorb a body fluid. The article includes at least three paths for the propagation of fluid from a fluid capture zone to at least one storage and/or evaporation area, each fluid propagation path being delimited by a fluid barrier preventing the passage of liquid from one path to another.

Abstract: A dynamic natural adaptive charging method, comprises: (a) connecting a charger with a main charging circuit of a lithium battery pack to be charged and a BMS communication interface, regulating an excitation voltage of the charger to a voltage of the lithium battery pack to be charged, and switching on the charger and the lithium battery pack to be charged when the output voltage of the charger is equal to the voltage of the battery pack; (b) increasing the excitation voltage by 0.6 to 1V for charging until the charging current is decreased to a first set value; (c) repeating step (b) until voltages of all single batteries in the lithium battery pack to be charged reach a second set value; and (d) regulating the excitation voltage to a nominal voltage of the lithium battery pack to be charged and charging with the maximum output current of the charger.

Abstract: A C-type CNC machine center generally includes a chassis, a displaceable table, a work table, a working spindle, a coupling seat, and a driver device. The chassis has a working area, a power area, and a displacement channel communicating with the working area and the power area. The displaceable table is slidably mounted to the chassis and located in the working area. The coupling seat is slidably coupled to the base seat in the power area and includes an elongate hollow body and is fixedly mounted, with an end thereof, to the displaceable table. The driver device includes a motor mounted to the base seat in the power area and a ball screw coupled to the motor and the coupling seat to drive the coupling seat and the displaceable table to synchronously conduct reciprocal movement in a given direction. The coupling seat separates the ball screw from the working area.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis comprising a femur component defining a ball-like femoral condyle and a tibia component defining a cavity on its medial side corresponding to the ball-like condyle. The knee prosthesis enables pivoting of the tibia component about the medial side of the femur component as a function of the flexion angle ? as long as there is joint compression applied to the knee prosthesis as exemplified by muscle forces, weight, and ligament tensions, to enforce contact between the tibia component and the femur component. The geometries of the spherical load bearing surfaces of the medial tibia condyle and medial femur condyle provide the kinematic degrees of freedom and the geometric constraints required for proper guiding of the rolling and sliding surfaces of the femoral component and tibial component during articulation of the present knee prosthesis.

Abstract: The disclosure herein provides methods, systems, and devices for electronic smoking. The embodiments disclosed herein can be utilized to ignite combustible substances in all conditions and do not require supplementary igniters or tools. The embodiments disclosed herein provide an all-in-one smoking experience. Further, in some embodiments described herein comprise a cartridge system for easy insertion, removal, and/or replacement of loose-leaf products in a pod or cartridge for smoking. Some embodiments herein relate to all-in-one, integrated smoking systems or devices comprising compartments for holding and lighting combustible substances, a combustion device such as a lighter or high voltage electric combustion system, insulating components, and one or more electric batteries or other power devices.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect, a method for predictive Intra coding is provided. The method comprises: determining a set of Intra prediction modes used for prediction unit (PU) blocks with a plurality of different block sizes comprising a 4×4 block size and at least two other block sizes; applying predictive Intra coding to a first PU block having a first block size that matches a block size in the plurality of different block sizes based on one or more neighboring PU blocks according to a first Intra prediction mode selected from the set of Intra prediction modes; and applying predictive Intra coding to a second PU block having a second block size that is different from the first block size and matches a block size in the plurality of different block sizes according to a second Intra prediction mode selected from the set of Intra prediction modes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a Communications system, in particular, a software defined networking communications system, comprising at least one network device comprising at least one data forwarding unit configured to forward at least one data packet, wherein the network device comprises at least one first peer-to-peer module, wherein the first peer-to-peer module is configured to communicate with at least one peer-to-peer application of at least one peer-to-peer network, wherein the peer-to-peer application comprises at least one controlling means configured to manage at least the network device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-implemented method of determining characteristics of enzyme catalysis, comprising receiving, from a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) instrument, SPR data indicative of binding of anenzyme and a substrate, and determining one or more characteristics of the enzyme catalysis based on a multi-centre particle density (MPD) model and the SPR data.

Abstract: Provided is a drug superior for preventing and/or treating dementia. It contains a carbostyril derivative of the following formula (1) (wherein R is a cycloalkyl group, A is a lower alkyl group, and a single bond or a double bond is present between the 3-position and the 4-position of the carbostyril nucleus) and dihydroquercetin.