Abstract: A system for at least one of homogenization and lysis of a sample includes one or more walls forming an enclosed chamber, a permanent magnet within the enclosed chamber, a magnet guide, and one or more magnets located outside the chamber. The enclosed chamber has an inlet and one or more fluidic connections configured to introduce at least the sample into the chamber. The permanent magnet has a positive pole and a negative pole. The magnet guide is configured to laterally guide the permanent magnet between a first position and a second position and maintain a substantially constant orientation of the permanent magnet during the movement. Movement of the magnets outside the chamber changes a magnetic field between the one or more magnets and the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet moves between the first and second positions in response to the changing magnetic field.

Abstract: A system for transferring an object from a first surface to a second surface that includes a housing dimensioned to span a distance between the first surface and the second surface, a first elongated roller positioned along a first edge of the housing, and a second elongated roller positioned along a second edge of the housing. A continuous belt is positioned in conveying relation with respect to the first roller and the second roller. A portion of the continuous belt conveys an object while another portion of the continuous belt passes through the housing. The continuous belt does not touch the first or second surface. A support structure having at least one portion positioned within the continuous belt is connected to a first end and a second end of the housing.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for associating multiple data sources into a web-accessible framework. Health data is received from multiple data sources and is used to populate a framework comprising at least one topic focused data mart. Each topic focused data mart has a common structure and is associated with a web service providing standard features supported by each topic focused data mart and custom features specific to a topic associated with each topic focused data mart. In various embodiments, demographic information is received from a clinician and is utilized to present context-specific data derived from the topic focused data mart.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for remotely and selectively controlling fluid flow through tubular string disposed within a wellbore and further control fluid flow between the tubular string inner flow passage and the annular flow passage. The present invention further discloses a method of selectively and remotely receiving and interpreting a form of command or information at a desired apparatus within the wellbore caused by the operator on earth surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the in vitro diagnostic detection of an infection with a microorganism, comprising placing a biological sample, in a single assay receptacle, in the presence of particles, each carrying at least one specific detectable physical parameter, and belonging to at least two different groups, one of the groups carrying an anti-IgM capture antibody and the other group carrying a capture antigen derived from said microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a surface coated support material wherein said process comprises contacting a support material with an aqueous dispersion of nanocellulose. The surface coated support material can be used in a composite material. The invention therefore further relates to the surface coated support material per se, a composite comprising the material, a process for the production of the composite material and an article produced from the composite material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a state of charge of a battery on a mobile device are disclosed. An exemplary method may include obtaining, when the battery is applying a level of current below a threshold level, an initial state of charge of the battery based upon a measured open circuit voltage value that is applied by the battery. Charge drawn from, and provided to, the battery is monitored from a time after the measured open circuit voltage value is obtained and a state of charge value is calculated when the battery is loaded after the initial open circuit voltage value is obtained based upon the monitored charge. An estimated open circuit voltage for the battery is calculated based upon simultaneous measurements of battery voltage and battery current, and a corrected state of charge value is generated using the estimated open circuit voltage.

Abstract: A system and a method for setting up, commissioning, and operating a wind power plant having a plurality of wind turbine generators (WTGs) operatively connected to a power grid, the system including a reconfigurable power plant controller comprising: a first regulator, a second regulator, and a management system operatively connected to the first and second regulators. The management system comprises a control mode compatibility unit that determines, according to a predefined compatibility table, the compatibility of any new control mode to be selected in one of the regulators with the currently selected control modes, and a control mode prioritization unit that establishes, according to a predefined set of priority rules, the sequence in which the selected control modes are implemented in the regulators.

Abstract: A method for erecting a pre-stressed sectionalized and segmented concrete tower for wind power or heliostatic generator or chimney is provided. The method includes the step of providing a plurality of assembling supports and lifting harnesses in order to support to the concrete segments for assembling concrete section from the concrete segments using a small capacity crane, and installing, with a high capacity crane the assembled concrete sections to conform the concrete tower. The lifting harness provides safety scaffolds for personnel during prestressing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting in the optimization of a complex, hierarchical data structure, such as a process flow model, comprising a plurality of elements such as tasks to be carried out, each element having data dependency upon other elements within the hierarchy. The apparatus includes a database for maintaining a data set incorporating a plurality of dependency structure matrices, each dependency structure matrix corresponding to one hierarchical level in the data set; display means for displaying, to the user, a representation of said dependency structure matrices; user input means for effecting the change of a data dependency of a selected element at a selected level in said hierarchy; and data manipulation means for effecting consequential changes in the data set representing said changes in dependency of elements throughout the hierarchical structure.

Abstract: Device and method for dispensing a liquid, comprising a liquid container; a plurality of dispensing openings connecting to the liquid container for controlled dispensing of the liquid to a substrate, and at least one membrane which connects onto the dispensing openings and which is displaceable between a first sealing position, in which the dispensing openings are covered by the membrane, and a second opened position in which the dispensing openings are left clear by the membrane, which device is also provided with a medium-filled control system which connects to the membrane such that the membrane is displaceable between the first and the second position by means of pressure variation on the medium.

Abstract: Methods for hydrocracking a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock (e.g., heavy oil and/or coal resid) employ a catalyst composed of well dispersed metal sulfide catalyst particles (e.g., colloidally or molecularly dispersed catalyst particles, such as molybdenum sulfide), which provide an increased concentration of metal sulfide catalyst particles within lower quality materials requiring additional hydrocracking. In addition to increased metal sulfide catalyst concentration, the systems and methods provide increased reactor throughput, increased reaction rate, and higher conversion of asphaltenes and lower quality materials. Increased conversion of asphaltenes and lower quality materials also reduces equipment fouling, enables processing of a wider range of lower quality feedstocks, and leads to more efficient use of a supported catalyst if used in combination with the well dispersed metal sulfide catalyst particles.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a general method for the chronic treatment, potential cure, or prevention of various metabolic and related diseases in people, including diabetes, by modulating IRS2 activity in cells and tissues in the body. IRS1 and IRS2 are part of the insulin or insulin-like growth factor signaling pathway. By upregulating the levels or functional activity of IRS2, insulin is used more efficiently by the body to control nutrient levels. By upregulating IRS2 levels or functional activity in pancreatic ?-cells, glucose sensing and insulin secretion are enhanced.

Abstract: A wrapper for wrapping bales, in particular round bales of crop material, includes a frame, a wrapping table to support the bale during wrapping, a wrapping device to wrap wrapping material about the bale. In particular, the wrapper has at least two lateral guiding elements arranged to enclose a bale supported on the wrapping table to limit lateral movement of the bale. At least one of the lateral guiding elements is movable between an open position and a closed position, so that the distance between top ends of the lateral guiding elements is larger in the open position than in the closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, method, and/or apparatus to scan and/or visualize a document placed on a document placement deck and to automatically adjust the image of the document scanned using a mobile device. In one embodiment, the document scanning and visualization system comprises a base element comprising a document placement deck; a neck element comprising a head end and a base end and coupled to the base element at the base end; and a doublet of lighting arms comprising a first lighting arm and a second lighting arm. In this embodiment, the first lighting arm and the second lighting arm are coupled to at least one of the base element and the neck element and are positioned above the base element.

Abstract: Management of patient activities for a clinician is provided via a patient activity list. The patient activity list includes a timeline view comprising a two-dimensional representation in which a first dimension corresponds with one or more patients assigned to the clinician and a second dimension corresponds with time periods. The timeline view includes one or more scheduled clinical activities, each scheduled clinical activity being presented in the timeline view based on a scheduled time and a corresponding patient. In response to a user selection of a time period in the timeline view, details of scheduled clinical activities corresponding with the selected time period are provided within the timeline view.

Abstract: A skin removal instrument that comprises first and second resilient arms. Each of the first and second arms includes a main body that has a middle, an attachment end and a nipping end opposite the attachment end. The attachment ends are attached to one another, thereby forming a spring area that allows the nipping ends to resiliently move toward and away from each other. Each of the first and second arms includes an outer gripping area disposed offset from the middle of the main body of the first and second arms, respectively. The outer gripping area has a substantially bulbous shape. Each of the nipping ends of the first and second arms includes an extension portion that extends from the main body and a nipping blade portion that extends from the extension portion. Each of the nipping blade portions has an angled surface angled downwardly from an inner surface of the extension portions, respectively, such that the nipping blade portions converge toward one another.

Abstract: A locking device for a display mounting assembly comprises, a base frame, two mounting racks and two locking members, wherein the assembly and disassembly of the mounting racks and the base frame can be easily achieved by a simple action of pulling and pressing of the locking members. Furthermore, it doesn't have to drill through holes and the elongated holes in the mounting racks, which consequently reduces manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for driving a fluorescent lamp are provided. The apparatus submitted by the present invention includes a power switching circuit, an LC resonator and an automatic frequency tracing circuit. The power switching circuit is coupled between an input voltage and a ground potential, and is used for switching and outputting the input voltage and the ground potential in response to a ramp signal and a comparison voltage so as to generate a square signal. The LC resonator is used for receiving and converting the square signal to generate a sinusoidal driving signal for driving the fluorescent lamp. The automatic frequency tracing circuit is used for generating and adjusting the ramp signal according to a feedback signal related to the sinusoidal driving signal, so as to make a frequency of the sinusoidal driving signal automatically following a resonant frequency of the LC resonator.

Abstract: A sharpening device with an abrasive material, a polishing coat encapsulating the abrasive material and an instruction card coupled to the polishing coat. The abrasive material having a property of conforming to the shape of a pointed article penetrating the abrasive material and a property of applying resistance pressure to the pointed article. The sharpening pad may be used in the sharpening and polishing of conically and other shaped points as found on various articles such as machine and hand sewing needles, quilting needles, pins, darts, miscellaneous tools, barb-less fishhooks and the like, including various fine pointed articles.