Abstract: A Thorium molten salt energy system is disclosed that includes a proton beam source for producing a proton beam, that can vary between a first energy level and a second energy level of, where the generated proton bean can be directed into a main assembly containing both Thorium-containing molten salt and Thorium fuel rods, each containing an inner Beryllium element and an outer solid Thorium element. The generated proton beam can be shaped and directed to impinge upon Lithium within the molten salt to promote the generation of thermal neutrons and the fission of Uranium within the molten salt. The generated proton beam can also be shaped and directed to impinge upon the Beryllium within the Thorium fuel rods to promote the generation of high energy neutrons.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for treating neurovascular venous outflow obstructions, with or without implantation of a prosthetic valve. The valve may be carried by a support, such as a stent, which may be self-expandable or balloon expandable. Both transvascular and direct surgical access is contemplated.

Abstract: Dosage forms, drug delivery systems, and methods related to sustained release of dextromethorphan or improved therapeutic effects are disclosed. Typically, bupropion or a related compound is orally administered to a human being to be treated with, or being treated with, dextromethorphan.

Abstract: A real-time perception adjustment and correction and driving adaption method for autonomous driving is provided. The system will analyze the driving behaviors of surrounding vehicles surrounding an ADV, which is utilized to improve its original perception based on the analysis and to adapt to the updated driving environment. In one embodiment, in addition to the perception information provided by the sensors, the system analyzes the behaviors of the surrounding vehicles based on the perception information. Based on the behaviors of the surrounding vehicles, the system may detect there is may be an obstacle that has not been detected based on the perception information. Alternatively, the system may detect that an obstacle determined based on the perception information actually may not exist based on the behaviors of the surrounding vehicles. The paths created for the ADV may then adjusted accordingly to improve the autonomous driving of the ADV.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for communicating among participants in a conference at a location, the computer-implemented method comprising: configuring a number of badges, each badge having a processor connected to a memory, a storage, a Bluetooth communications device, and a badge display; and storing a number of programs in the storage; wherein a first program of the number of programs is configured to broadcast one or more keywords; wherein a second program of the number of programs is configured to detect particular keywords in a received broadcast; and wherein the number of badges are configured to be wearable and visible to others when worn.

Abstract: A device and method is provided to gain access to interior body regions. The system includes a safety needle, a stylet assembly, a blade assembly, an obturator assembly, a cannula assembly, a handle assembly, an actuator assembly, and a lock assembly. The safety needle accesses an interior body region. The actuator assembly, lock assembly, and handle assembly interact to expose the blade assembly, after which the blade assembly expands the pathway created by the safety needle. The obturator then further expands the pathway and delivers the cannula assembly to the desired location. The safety needle, obturator assembly, blade assembly, handle assembly, actuator assembly, and lock assembly are removed, leaving the cannula assembly in place for future procedures.

Abstract: An automatic tire sipe forming machine for forming sipes of uniform depths and at uniform intervals across the circumferential surface of a tire. The automatic tire sipe forming machine includes means for indexing a tire a fixed rotational interval and a reciprocating mechanism for forming the sipes. The automatic tire sipe forming machine further includes means for changing the angle of the sipes and for accommodating various widths and sizes of tires.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for generating a focus sweep to produce a focus stack. In use, an image is sampled as image data. Next, a first focus region is identified and a second focus region is identified. Next, first focus target information corresponding to the first focus region is determined and second focus target information corresponding to the second focus region is determined. Further, a focus is adjusted, based on the first focus target information and at least one first image is captured based on the first focus target information. Additionally, the focus is adjusted, based on the second focus target information and at least one second image is captured based on the second focus target information. Lastly, the at least one first image and the at least one second image are saved to an image stack. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect, the intra prediction direction of a neighboring, intra-predicted block is used in order to predict the extension direction of the wedgelet separation line of a current block, thereby reducing the side information rate necessitated in order to convey the partitioning information. In accordance with a second aspect, the idea is that previously reconstructed samples, i.e. reconstructed values of blocks preceding the current block in accordance with the coding/decoding order allow for at least a prediction of a correct placement of a starting point of the wedgelet separation line, namely by placing the starting point of the wedgelet separation line at a position of a maximum change between consecutive ones of a sequence of reconstructed values of samples of a line of samples extending adjacent to the current block along a circumference thereof. Both aspects may be used individually or in combination.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a tangible, non-transitory machine-readable medium that includes machine-readable instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to receive multimedia content that includes a plurality of multimedia content portions of the multimedia content. The instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, also cause the processing circuitry to receive text data corresponding to words spoken in the multimedia content. The text data includes a plurality of text data subdivisions of the text data. Moreover, the instructions, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the processing circuitry to align the multimedia content and the text data by determining, for each of the plurality of multimedia content portions, a corresponding subdivision of the plurality of text data subdivisions.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprises an end effector that has a shaft coupled thereto that is coupled to a robotic system. A tool mounting portion includes an electric, DC motor connected to a drive train in the shaft for powering the drive train. A power pack that comprises at least one charge-accumulating device connected to the DC motor for powering the DC motor is provided.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions, comprising an agent that binds members of the TNFRSF and a benzamide compound and methods for use thereof, for example in the treatment of cancer. In some implementations, the methods for use include methods of treating conditions where enhanced immunogenicity is desired such as increasing tumor immunogenicity for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating brine to produce distilled water and dried NaCl are disclosed. The brine enters a crystallization plant and is heated. Once heated, the brine is circulated to an evaporator. The evaporator increases the concentration of NaCl in the brine to a point about the super saturation level. Once above the super saturation level, NaCl crystals are formed. The larger crystals are circulated to a centrifuge for drying and the smaller crystals are recirculated through the evaporator for continued growth. The NaCl crystals are dried in the centrifuge.

Abstract: A weighted target applicator is an apparatus that applies weight directly to specific parts of the body of a user. The apparatus includes at least one pad, a setting, a structural base, and a barbell mount. The pad is detachably attached onto the setting, the structural base is mounted onto the setting, opposite to the pad. The barbell mount is mounted onto the structural base, opposite the setting. In a first embodiment and a second embodiment, the structural base is rotatably connected to the setting. The at least one pad of the first embodiment conforms to the chest. The at least one pad of the second embodiment conforms to the hip. In a third embodiment, the structural base is fixed to the setting. The at least one pad of the third embodiment includes a first pad and a second pad that are shaped to receive the face of the user.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for hydrocracking a distillate stream and provides for separation into product cuts without a separate debutanizer column, a naphtha splitter column or a sponge absorber column. The product cuts include a C3-C5 LPG stream and a heavy naphtha stream which can be useful as a reforming feed stream. Additionally, as few as two heaters that rely on external utilities may be required for reboiling fractionator column bottoms.

Abstract: A toy dart gun is provided including a gun shell, a trigger assembly, and a compression assembly. The trigger assembly includes a swing arm coupled to the gun shell and movable between a safe position and a fire position, and a swing arm pusher extending from the gun shell and having an inclined surface. The compression assembly includes a compression chamber positioned within the gun shell and having a barrel opening and an opposite holder opening, and a plunger slidably insertable through the holder opening and movable between a retracted position and an extended position. As the swing arm moves toward the fire position, the swing arm engages the plunger and pulls the plunger toward the extended position. When the swing arm is in the fire position, the swing arm pusher deflects the swing arm from engagement with the plunger and the plunger is biased toward the retracted position.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking compliance of a company against a regulatory requirement. The system includes a database, an administrative module, a user entry module, a database access module, a question module, an evaluation module and a report module. The database contains records relating to the company, question information relating to the requirement, answer information and user information. The administrative module provides the company's administrative data to the database. The user entry module provides the user data to the database. The database access module determines relevant questions for the user after accessing the database. The question module provides questions to the user, accepts answers to the questions and stores the answers in the database. The evaluation module evaluates compliance by the company to the requirement after it evaluates records in the database. The report module generates a report of regulatory compliance of the company.