Abstract: A neuromodulation catheter includes an elongate shaft and a neuromodulation element. The shaft includes two or more first cut shapes and two or more second cut shapes along a helical path extending around a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The first cut shapes are configured to at least partially resist deformation in response to longitudinal compression and tension on the shaft and torsion on the shaft in a first circumferential direction. The second cut shapes are configured to at least partially resist deformation in response to longitudinal compression on the shaft and torsion on the shaft in both first and second opposite circumferential directions.

Abstract: A smoking device comprised of a rectangular middle panel comprising a central rectangular subpanel hingably joined to a lower rectangular subpanel, and hingably joined to an upper rectangular subpanel; a left panel hingably joined to a left edge of the rectangular middle panel and comprising a plurality of left panel facets hingably joined to each other; and a right panel hingably joined to a right edge of the rectangular middle panel and comprising a plurality of right panel facets hingably joined to each other. The lower rectangular subpanel and upper rectangular subpanel are pivotable with respect to the central subpanel to an opposed position forming an enclosed cavity. The left panel facets and right panel facets are pivotable so as to collapse and be contained within the enclosed cavity. Alternative embodiments with additional multifunctional capabilities are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ankle prosthesis including a talar implant, a tibial implant, and an intermediate implant designed to be mounted to move relative to said talar implant in order to impart mobility to the ankle, said prosthesis further including embedded adjustment structure designed to alternate between a releasing state, in which they allow the intermediate implant to move relative to the tibial implant, and a locking state, in which they hold the prosthesis in the chosen assembly configuration, said prosthesis being characterized in that said adjustment structure can be controlled to be operable while the prosthesis is in the assembled state in vivo.

Abstract: A pivot joint system of a rear view device includes a base to be fixed to a vehicle and a head rotatable relative to the base, the pivot joint system acting between two components that rotate with respect to one another around an axis to control rotation from a first set position to at least one second set position, with each of the two components including a cylindrical section and a resilient means being arranged within a cylindrical space between said cylindrical sections to act between the two components.

Abstract: An ice-lined vaccine refrigerator includes a vaccine storage compartment, an electrically powered cooling circuit, the electrically powered cooling circuit being configured to generate an ice-lining and to cool the vaccine storage compartment; an AC power inlet adapted for connection to an external supply of AC power; and a refrigerant compressor forming part of the electrically powered cooling circuit and adapted to be powered by the external supply of AC power through the AC power inlet. Reliability is improved by using a DC powered compressor and an AC/DC convertor to convert AC power received at the AC power inlet to DC power to power the compressor.

Abstract: An optical time domain reflectometer for determining properties of an optical transmission fiber, the optical time domain reflectometer comprising an electro-absorption modulator comprising a waveguide and two electrodes, wherein the waveguide is arranged between the electrodes, a light source configured for emitting sampling light into the waveguide, wherein the waveguide is connected or to be connected between the fiber and the light source, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the light source and a modulation voltage between the electrodes. The electro-absorption modulator is capable of assuming an absorption state, wherein the electro-absorption modulator is further configured for receiving reflected light pulses resulting from the reflection of the pulses of sampling light in the fiber, wherein the absorption of reflected light pulses in the electro-absorption modulator results in the creation of a photocurrent between the electrodes.

Abstract: A set of media channel (MCh) widths is determined for an optical network. Based on a topology of the network, a first set of original MCh widths are computed for tentative use in the optical network, the first set of original MCh widths defining a target spectral efficiency. A reduced set of new MCh widths are generated from the first set of MCh widths by respectively mapping each of the original MCh widths of the first set of original MCh widths to a corresponding, or respective, new MCh width. An optimization algorithm is used in an example embodiment to facilitate the mapping.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a decoder 10 for decoding a family of L rate compatible parity check codes, said family of parity check codes comprising a first code that can be represented by a bipartite graph having variable nodes, check nodes, and edges, and L?1 codes of increasingly lower code rate, among which the i-th code can be represented by a bipartite graph corresponding to the bipartite graph representing the (i?1)-th code, to which an equal number of ni variable nodes and check nodes are added, wherein the added check nodes are connected via edges with selected ones of the variable nodes included in said i-th code, while the added variable nodes are connected via edges with selected added check nodes only. The decoder comprising L check node processing units 14, among which the i-th check node processing unit processes only the check nodes added in the i-th code over the (i?1)-th code, wherein said L check node processing units 14 are configured to operate in parallel.

Abstract: Microwave catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that incorporate a catheter treatment device comprising an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft is sized and configured to deliver a microwave transmission element to a renal artery via an intravascular path. Renal neuromodulation may be achieved via dielectric heating in the presence of microwave irradiation that modulates neural fibers that contribute to renal function or alters vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an architecture for deploying non-terrestrial cellular network base stations, so as to enable cellular network coverage in remote areas, where no fixed infrastructure is available. The proposed methods allow for efficient power management at the terminal devices that need to synchronize to the airborne or spaceborne cellular base stations. This is particularly important for IoT devices, which have inherently limited power are computing resources.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electro-hydraulic control system for directing fluid to at least one hydraulic actuator, the system comprising at least one electronic controller; first and second pilot valves being electrically connected to the at least one electronic controller which is arranged to control the operation of the first and second pilot valves, third and fourth pilot valves being electrically connected to the at least one electronic controller which is arranged to control operation of the third and fourth pilot valves. A pilot operated main valve is configured to control fluid flow to at least one hydraulic actuator. Each of the first and second pilot valves and the third and fourth pilot valves is a fail-safe pilot valve arranged to drain a regulated outlet port to a low pressure reservoir if a spool of the fail-safe pilot valve becomes stuck in an open state.

Abstract: A seal between a frame part of a vehicle door window and the upper edge of a lowerable window pane of the vehicle door window. A seal profiled element of plastic is provided, which is slid onto a flange protruding upward from the frame part of the vehicle window and/or which is connected to a tube-shaped seal section for forming a seal between the frame part and a border surface of a door opening in a vehicle body.

Abstract: A rear view assembly for a rear view device of a vehicle includes a rear view element, a carrier plate for the rear view element, and a heating and lighting unit arranged between the rear view element and the carrier plate. The heating and lighting unit may include a light module including a printed circuit board having at least one LED and having no power stripes, and a heater pad. The heater pad may include a circuit or printed circuit board, at least one recess or at least one transparent window, and first contacts or contact elements for contacting a printed circuit board of the light module.

Abstract: A positioning system for a rear view display device includes at least a first gear rod for positioning a cover plate, a second gear rod for positioning the cover plate, a spring jack, and a position sensing means. The first gear rod, the second gear rod, and the spring jack may include conductive material. The spring jack may be adapted to contact the first gear rod and the second gear rod. The position sensing means may be adapted to sense the position of the first gear rod relative to the spring jack with at least a first resistance value of a first conductive path between at least a first point on the first gear rod and the spring jack varying with the position of the first gear rod relative to the spring jack.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structured-light based system for providing a 3D image of at least one object within a field of view within a body cavity, comprising: a. An endoscope; b. at least one camera located in the endoscope's proximal end, configured to real-time provide at least one 2D image of at least a portion of said field of view by means of said at least one lens; c. a light source, configured to real-time illuminate at least a portion of said at least one object within at least a portion of said field of view with at least one time and space varying predetermined light pattern; and, d. a sensor configured to detect light reflected from said field of view; e. a computer program which, when executed by data processing apparatus, is configured to generate a 3D image of said field of view.

Abstract: Methods for treating anxiety disorders and for reducing a risk associated with developing an anxiety disorder in patients via therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated systems are disclosed herein. Sympathetic nerve activity can contribute to several cellular and physiological conditions associated with anxiety disorders as well as an increased risk of developing an anxiety disorder. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods for improving a patient's calculated risk score corresponding to an anxiety disorder status in the patient. Other aspects are directed to reducing a likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder in patients presenting one or more anxiety disorder risk factors. Renal sympathetic nerve activity can be attenuated to improve a patient's anxiety disorder status or risk of developing an anxiety disorder. The attenuation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a therapeutic assembly configured to use, e.g.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine permits automated preparation of a variety of beverages. A plurality of stations add ingredients to a beverage container and process the contents directly in the container in some embodiments. Parallel preparation of more than one beverage may be performed in some embodiments. A robotic arm moves the beverage container to the stations. The robotic arm may include a weight sensor as part of controlling the addition of ingredients.

Abstract: Catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed to a treatment device having a multi-electrode array configured to be delivered to a renal blood vessel. The array is selectively transformable between a delivery or low-profile state (e.g., a generally straight shape) and a deployed state (e.g., a radially expanded, generally helical shape). The multi-electrode array is sized and shaped so that the electrodes or energy delivery elements contact an interior wall of the renal blood vessel when the array is in the deployed (e.g., helical) state. The electrodes or energy delivery elements are configured for direct and/or indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or otherwise electrically modulate neural fibers that contribute to renal function or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.

Abstract: A locking unit (10), for a vehicle seat (1), includes a locking pawl (80) which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position and which has a retention contour (27) for securing a locking bolt (12) in the closed position. At least one claw (90, 91, 92), offset in the axial direction with respect to the locking pawl (80), is mounted so as to be pivotable about the same pivot axis. The claw (90, 91, 92) has a closure contour (25). The locking pawl (80) can be pivoted from the open position to the closed position by the closure contour (25) being acted upon by the locking bolt (12).

Abstract: ‘R202’ apple tree is a new variety selected for its distinctive and flavorful red-and-white fleshed fruit, which is well-suited for the fresh market.