Abstract: An apparatus washes/disinfects, at a time, a plurality of endoscopes having a plurality of channels with different diameters, and dewaters the channels at a time. For the dewatering, the apparatus includes plural ports for receiving air supply, and a plurality of tubes for connecting between each of the plurality of ports and each of the plurality of channels in each of the plurality of endoscopes. The apparatus also includes an on-off valve for intermittently supply air to the ports, and a control unit for opening/closing the valve a plurality of times at a predetermined ratio. Water droplets remaining in a large-diameter channel are mainly moved by wind pressure of continuously flowing air while the valve is open, and discharged. Water droplets in a smaller-diameter channel are mainly moved by hammer effect of high-pressure air caused while the valve is closed, and discharged. The valve opening/closing is repeated for complete dewatering.

Abstract: A magazine for storage rods for receiving sausage-shaped products, comprising one or a plurality of vertically extending shafts 2 in which the storage rods 3 are to be arranged one above the other, wherein a separation means is provided at the bottom end of the respective shafts 2, said separation means having retention devices 4, 5 which can be moved into the interior of the shaft for successive operating positions for releasing the bottommost storage rods 7.

Abstract: Coatings for stents that include a polymer and a drug are provided. A method of forming the coatings is also provided.

Abstract: A tissue cutting device includes an insertion section which is inserted inside a specimen and extends from a distal end to a proximal end, openings which are formed in a distal end side of the insertion section inserted into the specimen, tissue cutting members which pass through the openings, extend such as to protrude in a direction intersecting the axial line of the length direction from the distal end of the insertion section to the proximal end, and are drawn into the insertion section from the same openings after forming a loop which tissue can be inserted into, a control member which is connected to the tissue cutting members, and a controller for controlling the control member; tissue passed through the loops being cut by controlling the control member and drawing the tissue cutting members from the openings into the insertion section.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a hands-free system is provided. The hands-free system comprising a hands-free unit and a mobile phone, the method comprising the following steps of setting up a connection between the hands-free system and a distant terminal via a mobile telephony network of the mobile phone, transmitting a predetermined test signal from one of the hands-free system and the distant terminal to the other of the hands-free system and the distant terminal, the predetermined test signal being provided in both the hands-free system and the distant terminal as reference test signal, comparing the received test signal to the reference test signal stored in the other of the hands-free system and the distant terminal, and determining the calibration parameters of the hands-free system in accordance with the comparison.

Abstract: Coatings for stents that include a polymer and a drug are provided. A method of forming the coatings is also provided.

Abstract: Non-invasive methods for detecting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and identifying the presence or absence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in a subject utilize one or more biomarkers. The methods can differentiate between subjects with NASH and those with simple steatosis. Kits containing one or more agents for measuring the level of the biomarkers can be utilized to perform the described methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the generation of compost are provided. In one embodiment, the system for generating compost comprises a positively aerated floor, a semi gas and liquid impermeable compost cover sized to cover a compost biomass pile placed on the positively aerated floor, and a suction system positioned under or substantially close to the compost cover and generally near a top of the compost biomass pile, wherein the floor comprises a plurality of channels connected to at least one gas flow pipe installed below or above grade, wherein gas drawn by suction system at the top of the biomass compost pile maintains a negative pressure across the compost cover, thereby generating suction between the compost cover and the top of the compost biomass pile, and wherein the compost cover directs substantially all of the gas flow towards the suction system.

Abstract: Described herein are fingerboards and neck assemblies for use with stringed musical instruments. The neck assembly can include a light-system disposed therein. The light system has a light matrix of light elements. The fingerboard is adapted to conceal the presence of the light elements when the light elements are not illuminated and to allow the passage of at least some illumination from the light elements when the light elements are illuminated.

Abstract: A lithium-ion rechargeable cell is described which contains an electrolyte comprising a pyrazolium cation, an imidazolium cation, or a combination thereof, as well as lithium ion, and at least one non-Lewis acid derived counter-ion and which has a ratio of cathode capacity to anode capacity of 1 or less, 1 or greater, and preferably about 1.3 or greater. Electrochemical cells containing an anode, a cathode, and the ionic liquid electrolytes preferably have effective charge/discharge capacity and charging efficiency at low temperatures and at high temperatures.

Abstract: A method for modulating a content signal (18) to contain an auxiliary signal, the content signal (18) having content segments, the method comprising logging detections of a test content signal (20) to create one or more log files (44); parsing the one or more log files (44) to create a profile file (46); scheduling the profile file (46) to create an encode file (48); and encoding the content signal (18) with the auxiliary signal according to the encode file (48) and a modulation method.

Abstract: A system and method for performing circuit simulation is described. The present approach provides methods and systems that create reusable and independent measurements for use with circuit simulators. Also disclosed are parallelizable measurements having looping constructs that can be run without interference between parallel iterations. Reusability is enhanced by having parameterized measurements. Revisions and history of the operating parameters of circuit designs subject to simulation are tracked. Mechanisms are provided that allow for viewing, measurement or other manipulation of signals at specific locations in a circuit design for simulation, such as parameters that include observation points which are implemented using probes. One approach to executing a measurement is via a controllable and flexible control statement, which in one embodiment is the “run” statement. Improved interfaces for viewing, controlling, and manipulating simulations and simulation results are also provided.

Abstract: A sealed worm gear type finger joint unit for a robot hand has a circular opening in a gear box case of the unit, and the opening is closed by a rubber bush. When the rubber bush is removed, a shaft end face of a worm shaft section is exposed from the circular opening, and this makes a tool engagement section formed on the shaft end face is accessible from the outside. A tool for turning the worm shaft section is fitted in the tool engagement section, and the worm shaft section can be easily turned by the tool. Turning the worm shaft section turns a worm, turning a worm wheel meshing with the worm, and this turns the joint shaft. As a result, a swing arm connected to shaft end sections of the joint shaft can be moved to a predetermined position. In the finger joint unit, the joint shaft can be easily manually turned.

Abstract: A stent fixture for supporting a stent during formation of a coating is provided.

Abstract: A fluid sensing system and method for sensing properties of a flowing fluid. The system and method entail a microfluidic device having a micromachined tube supported above a substrate, a tube passage within a freestanding portion of the tube, an inlet and outlet in fluidic communication with the tube passage and an exterior of the microfluidic device, elements for vibrating the freestanding portion of the tube, and elements for sensing movement of the freestanding portion of the tube so as to measure the vibration frequency and/or deflection of the freestanding portion and produce therefrom at least one output corresponding to a property of a fluid flowing through the tube passage. The system and method further entail placing the microfluidic device in a flowing fluid so that a fraction of the fluid enters the tube passage, and processing the output of the device to compute a property of the fluid.

Abstract: The foldable warning cone (10) is formed from paper, thin plastic, fabric, or a combination thereof, and includes two tapered side panels (12) and a base panel (14). The base panel (14) extends between the lower edges (34) of the side panels and includes a central folding seam (16), which allows the base panel to be folded upward so that the cone can collapse into a very thin configuration.

Abstract: An information handling system comprises a TCP/IP network connected via a modem to an IP telephony device that is then coupled to a network device. Data sent from the network device is addressed for transmission through the IP telephony device to the TCP/IP network. The IP telephony device monitors when an amount of data being received over the network falls below a predetermined threshold. If this occurs, the IP telephony device will throttle data being received by the IP telephony device from the connected network device.

Abstract: Integrated processing of multimedia signals can eliminate unnecessary signal processors and converters without losing the functionality of typical home entertainment system components. The integrated system includes a main player that captures and processes signals digitally, a dummy display, and a dummy speaker. The dummy display may only have a display panel and a panel driver. The dummy speaker may only have a driving unit and no crossover logic. The main player may have a PC architecture and process all signals digitally for outputting signals tailored for the display device and the individual driving units of the dummy speaker. The integrated system may generate parameters for optimizing display of a video source. These parameters can be shared among users over a network connection.

Abstract: An X-ray CT device including a stationary part; a rotary part rotatable relative to the stationary part; an X-ray tube provided at the rotary part for radiating X-ray beams on an object; an X-ray detector provided at the rotary part opposing the X-ray tube, and that detects the X-ray beams passed through the object; an image processor that generates cross-sectional images of the object based on a detection signal outputted from the X-ray detector; a display that shows the cross-sectional images based on output signals delivered from the image processor; a first transmitting section configured by a rotary step-up transformer having a primary and secondary windings residing at the stationary and the rotary part respectively, and that steps up AC voltage provided by AC power source, and that further executes non-contact power transmission from the stationary part to the rotary part for supplying power to the X-ray tube.