Abstract: The present invention is generally related to a high capacity, high efficiency nonwoven filtration media comprising a gradient pore structure. In particular, the filtration media can comprise thermoplastic synthetic microfibers, fibrillated fibers, staple fibers, and a binder. Furthermore, the filtration media may be produced without the use of glass fibers or microglass fibers. A process for making the filtration media is also provided. Consequently, the filtration media of the present invention does not cause the same issues as conventional filtration media that comprises glass fibers and/or microglass fibers. Moreover, the filtration media can be used to treat fuel, lubrication fluids, hydraulic fluids, and various other industrial gases.

Abstract: A seat structure includes a substrate structure and a pad structure affixed to a top surface of the substrate structure. The seat structure has a support region configured to provide a support for a user's buttocks, and a downwardly sloped nose portion. The seat structure is bump-less in that there is no raised portion at an area between the user's legs which would extend upwardly from adjacent laterally outward portions.

Abstract: A multi-functional electrosurgical plasma accessory having a handpiece and an extendable probe assembly. The extendable probe assembly has a shaft member, a tube, an electrode, a spacer and a collet. The shaft member and tube each may be formed of a plurality of structures assembled together, each may be of a single unitary design, or both together may be of a single unitary design. The shaft member has an interior channel, a distal end and a proximal end comprised of a neck portion at the distal end of the shaft member, a grip. The elongated portion of the shaft is movable within the spacer between a first position in which a portion of a distal end of the electrode extends out of the tube and a second portion in which the distal end of the electrode does not extend out of the tube.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to tissue sealant compositions comprising: a multi-arm reactive polyethylene glycol polymer having at least 3 electrophilic groups; albumin; a buffer; water; and entrained gas as bubbles; wherein concentration of albumin in a liquid component of the sealant is within range of 50-200 mg/ml; and wherein concentration of multi-arm PEG in said liquid component of the sealant is within range of 25-100 mg/mL.

Abstract: A handle device is provided comprising a first wing and a second wing. The first wing and the second wing are configured to pivot about a common axis to one another. The first wing has one or more first ridge, and a first one or more clearance spaces. The second wing has one or more second ridges and a second one or more clearance spaces. The one or more first ridges is configured to be received within the second one or more clearance spaces and the one or more second ridges is configured to be received within the first one or more clearance spaces when the first wing is pivoted about the common axis to the second wing in a folded configuration.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for optical waveguides that are well-suited for use in wearable heads-up displays (WHUDs) are described. An optical waveguide includes a volume of optically transparent material, a first holographic optical element (HOE) and a second holographic optical element, wherein the first HOE and the second HOE are carried by the volume of optically transparent material, and the first HOE is positioned across a width of the volume of optically transparent material from the second HOE. Light enters the optical waveguide and is propagated down a length of the waveguide by reflection between the first HOE and the second HOE. Propagation of the light within the optical waveguide does not require total internal reflection. The optical waveguide may include means to in-couple the light into the waveguide and means to out-couple the light from the waveguide. WHUDs that employ such optical waveguides are also described.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and high performance electrochemical devices employing electroactive particles having a sandwich structure are described. The electroactive particle includes an electroactive layer between a pair of dimension-control layers. The electroactive layer includes an electroactive material configured to receive cations and experience a volumetric change in response thereto. The dimension-control layers are configured to inhibit planar dimensional changes of the electroactive particle such that the volumetric change of the electroactive layer occurs through a vertical dimension of the electroactive particle. The vertical dimension is orthogonal to the planar dimensions.

Abstract: In some aspects, a conveyor chain includes a first link, a second link, and a coupler link coupled between the first link and the second link. The first link includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion oriented parallel to and laterally spaced apart from the first portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging pin protruding laterally. The second link includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a first sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally, and the second portion includes a second sprocket-engaging portion protruding laterally. A flight bar is positioned adjacent an end of the first sprocket-engaging portion of the first link.

Abstract: The fretboard system provides a replaceable fretboard with customized placement of frets along the fretboard for a stringed instrument. A configuration of magnets on the neck of the stringed instrument secure the fretboard to the stringed instrument. The magnets attract a metallic underside, such as a sheet metal, of the detachable fretboard. A separating layer, including but not limited to a layer of wood or other composite material, separates the magnets from the sheet metal. At least one, preferably two or more, reinforcing members extend longitudinally along the neck of the stringed instrument to reinforce the neck.

Abstract: A well tool assembly can include a well screen configured to filter fluid flow between an interior and an exterior of a tubular string, and an outflow control section that permits the fluid flow in an outward direction and prevents the fluid flow in an inward direction, the outflow control section including at least two outflow control valves arranged in series. A method can include installing a well tool assembly including a well screen, flowing a fluid from an exterior to an interior of a tubular string through the well screen and an inflow control valve of the well tool assembly, and flowing another fluid from the interior to the exterior of the tubular string through the well screen and at least one outflow control valve of the well tool assembly.

Abstract: A differentiated routing system includes an electronic service in communication with an ingress gateway that receives a communication service, such as a call from a terminal, over a trunk. The service receives a request from the ingress gateway for establishing a communication service for the calling party terminal. The service obtains information associated with the calling party terminal, which may be based on the trunk and its relationship to a customer, in which the information is to be used for applying at least one of a routing decision and policy decision to the communication service, and appends a tag to the request based on the information. The service may then transmit the request appended with the information to a routing device, which may then use the information when providing the service.

Abstract: The color correction method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can comprise the steps of: acquiring an image from a captured image; detecting the face and eyes from the captured image; separating the sclera and pupil of the detected eye(s); correcting the image by comparing the areas of the sclera and pupil extracted by separating the sclera and pupil with the reference values stored in a database; and extracting the skin color of the face from the corrected image.

Abstract: The knitted textiles include a knitted structure including a plurality of hollow yarns. Each hollow yarn includes a yarn body and defines a yarn hole extending through the yarn body to allow expansion of the yarn body upon inflation of each hollow yarn through the yarn hole. The knitted structure is configured to transition from an unexpanded state to an expanded state in response to the inflation of the hollow yarns through the yarn hole. The knitted structure has a first porosity in the unexpanded state, and the knitted structure has a second porosity in the expanded state. The second porosity is less than the first porosity such that a visibility through the knitted structure is greater when the knitted structure is in the unexpanded state than when the knitted structure is in the expanded state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining a generating a user interface based upon a location and an orientation of a smart device supported by an Agent in a structure. The interface may include “as built features” of the structure. A location of the Agent may be determined via wireless communications and a direction of interest based upon a directional sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a vent monitoring system that includes a first sensor configured to provide feedback indicative of an amount of a substance accumulated in the vent, a second sensor configured to provide feedback indicative of a temperature in the vent, and a control system communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor, where the control system is configured to generate a notification when the feedback from the first sensor exceeds a first target level and when the feedback from the second sensor exceeds a second target level.

Abstract: A vascular intervention device delivery system includes a thumbwheel rotatably mounted in a handle. A termination assembly is mechanically connected to the handle. A catheter extends through the termination assembly and has a proximal end attached to the handle, and a distal carrier segment for mounting a vascular intervention device. A retractable sheath is movable from a first position covering the distal carrier segment to a second position retracted proximally to uncover the distal carrier segment. A pull extends between the thumbwheel and the retractable sheath, and through the termination assembly. A stability sheath that receives the pull and the inner catheter has a proximal end that terminates in the termination assembly.

Abstract: The process for synthesizing a poly(amic acid) polymer or a polyimide polymer is improved by using a solvent system consisting essentially of: (A) a first component consisting essentially of at least one of a sulfoxide, e.g., DMSO, and an alkyl phosphate, e.g., triethyl phosphate, and (B) optionally, a second component consisting essentially of at least one aprotic glycol ether, e.g., dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for providing on-site electrical power to a fracturing operation, and an electrically powered fracturing system. Natural gas can be used to drive a turbine generator in the production of electrical power. A scalable, electrically powered fracturing fleet is provided to pump fluids for the fracturing operation, obviating the need for a constant supply of diesel fuel to the site and reducing the site footprint and infrastructure required for the fracturing operation, when compared with conventional systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for determining neural network architectures. One of the methods includes generating, using a controller neural network, a batch of output sequences, each output sequence in the batch specifying a respective subset of a plurality of components of a large neural network that should be active during the processing of inputs by the large neural network; for each output sequence in the batch: determining a performance metric of the large neural network on the particular neural network task (i) in accordance with current values of the large network parameters and (ii) with only the subset of components specified by the output sequences active; and using the performance metrics for the output sequences in the batch to adjust the current values of the controller parameters of the controller neural network.

Abstract: A “black box” space vehicle solution may allow a payload developer to define the mission space and provide mission hardware within a predetermined volume and with predetermined connectivity. Components such as the power module, radios and boards, attitude determination and control system (ADCS), command and data handling (C&DH), etc. may all be provided as part of a “stock” (i.e., core) space vehicle. The payload provided by the payload developer may be plugged into the space vehicle payload section, tested, and launched without custom development of core space vehicle components by the payload developer. A docking station may facilitate convenient development and testing of the space vehicle while reducing handling thereof.