Abstract: A system for clearing a blockage in a patient can include a tubular member that defines a channel and is insertable into an esophagus of the patient. The system can include a catheter assembly that includes a catheter tube defining a length greater than a length of the tubular member and being passable through the channel of the tubular member. The catheter tube can include a distal tip that defines a cutting element to core the blockage positioned in the esophagus. The catheter assembly can further include a catheter hub fixedly secured to the catheter tube and couplable with a vacuum line such that, when suction is provided via the vacuum line, advancement of the catheter tube into contact with the blockage cores a piece from the blockage that is passed through the catheter tube.

Abstract: The invention includes a system for solidification of pharmaceutical wastes. The system may be for use in connection with a container serving as the medication bottle. The system includes an absorbent composition including a plurality of surface cross-linked superabsorbent particles. Additionally, a soluble packet may be included so that the absorbent composition is released upon dissolution of the packet and medication is rendered unavailable. The invention also includes a method of solidifying pharmaceutical waste.

Abstract: A customizable tile system includes a tile disposed atop a surface; a forced fluid system comprising a pipe disposed below the tile and operatively coupled to a pump; a bladder operatively connected to the pipe, wherein the bladder is selectively inflatable; a sensor operatively coupled to the bladder; and a control system operable to control the pump. The control system includes a processor in data communication with the sensor, and computer memory, the computer memory comprising a program having machine readable instructions that, when effected by the processor, predicts a location of an impact upon the tile and selectively forces fluid through the pipe to inflate the bladder prior to the impact upon the tile.

Abstract: A fluid and wind turbine system suitable for horizontal or vertical axis applications comprising (i) blades radially spaced around a rotational axis attached to a shaft by mounting formations so that the length axis of the mounting formations are substantially parallel to the width axis of the blades which mounting formations suspend the blades from the rotational axis creating a passageway allowing the air flow to pass through the turbine and impart a unidirectional rotational force to the shaft at all times the blades are exposed to the air flow on both the windward and leeward sides of the rotational axis (ii) an air flow director which shields the rotating blades from the air flow for a portion of their 360-degree rotation.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilizing a first housing magnet of a vaporizing device cartridge port substantially oriented in a first polar configuration and a second housing magnet of the cartridge port substantially oriented in a second polar configuration, wherein the second polar configuration is substantially opposite the first polar configuration, to properly orient and seat a cartridge in a vaporizing device. Systems and methods can further include alternative or complementary aspects for imposing cartridge orientation and fit, such as mechanical interference aspects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to self-foaming hot melt adhesive compositions and methods of making and using the same. Self-foaming hot melt adhesive compositions are formed by admixing a dispersion concentrate including a chemical blowing agent and a compatible carrier (liquid or molten) with a molten base hot melt adhesive composition at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the chemical blowing agent. The resolidified material is processed through a device that heats the material above the decomposition temperature of the chemical agent and cools it below such temperature before being dispensed. The device preferably includes sensors and a controller configured to prevent the material from accumulating an adverse thermal history during processing.

Abstract: Rotatable elements for use with earth-boring tools include a movable element and a stationary element. The rotatable element may include a void within the support structure and at least one pin protruding from the void through an exterior side of the support structure. The rotatable element may further include at least one aperture configured to provide a vent to the void. The rotatable element may be disposed at least partially within a cavity of the stationary element. The stationary element may further include a track configured to interact with the at least one pin.

Abstract: A flow transported obturating tool for actuating a valve in a wellbore includes a housing including a radially translatable engagement assembly, a core slidably disposed in the housing, an interrupt member disposed radially between the core and the housing, a bore sensor disposed in the housing and in engagement with the interrupt member, and a biasing member disposed in the housing and in engagement with the interrupt member.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to load a valve packing are described. An example load apparatus to load a valve packing includes a guide including a flange and a wall protruding from the flange. The wall defines a cavity to receive a biasing element and a stop movable between a non-active state and an active state. The stop in the non-active state to enable movement of the guide in a first rectilinear direction relative to a longitudinal axis of a packing bore of a fluid valve and the stop in the active state to prevent movement of the guide in the first rectilinear direction. The stop to control an amount of deflection of the biasing element in the first rectilinear direction when the stop is in the active state.

Abstract: A vehicle control system includes an object-detector, a location-detector, a configuration-map, and a controller-circuit. The object-detector is configured to detect objects proximate to a host-vehicle. The location-detector is configured to indicate a location of the host-vehicle. The configuration-map is configured to indicate a configuration of the object-detector for the location of the host-vehicle when the host-vehicle is operated in an automated-mode. The controller-circuit is in communication with the location-detector, the configuration-map, and the object-detector. The controller-circuit is configured to operate the object-detector in accordance with the configuration for the location of the host-vehicle when the host-vehicle is operated in an automated-mode, detect a human-override of the automated-mode at the location, and update the configuration-map for the location in accordance with objects detected and in response to the human-override of the automated-mode.

Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to methods, apparatus, and computer readable media for real-time induced seismicity management. A distribution value, such as a b value, and an uncertainty of the distribution value is calculated based on the received magnitude data, wherein the distribution represents the proportion of each magnitude earthquake observed in the distribution. A seismogenic index is calculated based on a set of fluid injection rates and the distribution value, wherein the seismogenic index represents the proportion of earthquakes per volume of fluid injected into the earth at a particular location. A distribution of a number of earthquakes that will be induced of each magnitude from future injection is forecasted based on the seismogenic index. A ground motion prediction model is calculated, representing shaking intensity and distance based on the forecasted distribution of earthquakes. Seismicity can then be managed to not exceed a tolerated chance of induced shaking consequences.

Abstract: A payload interposer (PIP) board provides an interface for hosting payloads on a space vehicle platform. Payload development may be performed via the PIP board in a manner that “abstracts” the hardware of the space vehicle from the payload developer. The PIP board may include a host side payload interface connector that connects to a space vehicle and a payload side payload interface connector that connects to a payload. Power, CDH, and other space vehicle functionality may thus be provided to the payload from the space vehicle via the PIP board.

Abstract: A seating assembly for athletes includes seats having a back and seat portion, a base, an adjustable element, a user interface device, and a controller. The back portion includes a back heating member that provides heat to a user's torso. The seat portion includes a lower limb heating member that provides heat to the user's lower limbs. The base supports each seat. The adjustable element is coupled to the base and one of the seats and adjusts height of the seat. The user interface device receives an input regarding a desired temperature of the back heating member and the lower limb heating member. The controller receives the input and adjusts an operation of the back heating member and the lower limb heating member to achieve the desired temperature. The user interface device receives a second input to adjust the a height of the seat relative to the floor surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of plant enhancement comprising administration of a composition comprising microalgae biomass to improve seed germination rate, seed germination time, seedling emergence, seedling emergence time, seedling size, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, utilization, fruit production, leaf production, leaf formation, leaf size, leaf area index, plant height, thatch height, plant health, plant resistance to salt stress, plant resistance to heat stress, plant resistance to heavy metal stress, plant resistance to drought, maturation time, yield, root length, root mass, color, insect damage, blossom end rot,-fruit quality, flowering, or sunburn.

Abstract: An improved roller device includes a plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments is configured to form a tubular shape. In addition each of the plurality of segments are coupled to neighboring segments of the plurality of segments and each of the plurality of segments include a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first edge is opposite the second edge. Each segment includes a plurality of protrusions on each respective edge for interfacing with a respective complementary edge with complementary protrusions of a neighboring segment. The roller device also includes a coupling mechanism for coupling the first edge of a segment to a second edge of a first neighboring segment and coupling the second edge of the segment to a first edge of a second neighboring segment, wherein the coupling mechanism allows the plurality of segments to convert from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A system for flight control in electric aircraft includes a flight controller configured to provide an initial vehicle torque signal including a plurality of attitude commands. The system includes a mixer configured to receive the initial vehicle torque signal and a vehicle torque limit, receive prioritization data including a prioritization datum corresponding to each of the plurality of attitude command, determine a plurality of modified attitude commands as a function of the vehicle torque limit, the attitude commands, and the prioritization data, generate, as a function of modified attitude commands, an output torque command including the initial vehicle torque signal adjusted as a function of the vehicle torque limit, generate, as a function of the output torque command, a remaining vehicle torque. The system includes a display, wherein the display is configured to present, to a user, the remaining vehicle torque and the output torque command.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for inserting payment information into payment forms without user interaction. A system can identify that a user has navigated to a web page operated by a merchant computer system for a merchant and identify a payment form within the web page. The system can then execute a payment request API which generates a query for saved payment credentials for the user from the merchant computer system. When the merchant computer system indicates it does not have the saved payment credentials for the user, the system can identify browser-saved payment credentials stored in the Internet browser, then generate a virtual payment information associated with the browser-saved payment credentials. The virtual payment information can then be inserted into corresponding fields of the payment form without the user entering any additional information.

Abstract: An attachable table leg apparatus is disclosed. Specific implementations of a table leg apparatus may include a first portion including a plurality of recesses. The plurality of recesses may be configured to receive a table support. The table support may include a first table leg and a second table leg. The table leg apparatus may also include a second portion configured to removably couple over the first portion. The first portion and the second portion may also fully enclose the first table leg and the second table leg of the table support.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing write IO bandwidth and latency in an active-active clustered system using storage object affinity to a single node. The active-active clustered system can include at least a primary storage node and a secondary storage node that maintain their own journals. The respective journals are directly accessible to both storage nodes. The journals are synchronized for each page or entity of a storage object when a storage IO request is issued to a storage node to which the storage object does not have affinity. Such synchronization is performed in the framework of acquiring a lock on the entity of the storage object during internode communications. To facilitate recovery from a disaster, data loss, and/or data corruption, transaction IDs associated with storage IO operations are employed to facilitate identification of the most up-to-date reference or description information for a given data or metadata page of a storage object.