Abstract: The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.

Abstract: A device (1) for purification of water driven by gravity through a purification unit between an upper dirt water container (2) and a lower clean water tank (3). A backwash system may be integrated, the system comprising a receptacle (8) for accumulation of the backwash water to prevent consumption thereof by mistake.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle capable of suppressing failure of an inverter while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost by unitizing an engine and a motor. A drive unit as a drive source for travel of the vehicle has the engine and the motor. A torque tube is connected to a rear portion of the motor. The torque tube covers a propeller shaft that is coupled to an output shaft of the drive unit. An inverter is arranged above the torque tube. The inverter is separated from the drive unit and is separated from the torque tube. A terminal of the inverter and a terminal of the motor are connected by three wire harnesses. Each of the wire harnesses has a wire length that is longer than a linear distance connecting the terminal and the terminal by the shortest distance.

Abstract: A disposable device for tissue retraction, including first and second elongated curved members, each having respective proximal and distal ends, a hinge pivotably connecting first and second elongated curved members, wherein first and second curved members curve away from one another, a first blade extending from the distal end of the first elongated curved member, and a second blade extending from the distal end of the second elongated curved member. The device further includes a first latching portion extending from the proximal end of the first elongated curved member, a second latching portion extending from the proximal end of the second elongated curved member, and a third bladed elongated member lockingly engageable to the hinge. The first and second latching portions are lockingly engageable. The retractor is made of a generally electrically insulating nonmagnetic radiolucent material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing a battery management system (BMS) are provided. The method includes: obtaining training data, wherein the training data comprises data from a target vehicle and data from auxiliary vehicles, and the auxiliary vehicles are vehicles mounted with a same or similar battery system as the target vehicle; optimizing a BMS related algorithm for the target vehicle by performing transfer learning based on the training data, wherein the BMS related algorithm comprises one or a combination of: a battery model, parameters for the battery model, a battery management algorithm, and parameters for the battery management algorithm.

Abstract: Reinforced surgical constructs and methods of tissue repairs. A surgical construct can offer both repair and shuttling capabilities to allow for a single pass to load multiple sutures at once. A surgical construct includes one or more repair sutures provided with one or more junctions (one or more releasable stitches), to allow the repair sutures to be joined and subsequently released. At least one of the one or more junctions (releasable stitches) can be formed by weaving back and forth another flexible strand (releasing suture) through the one or more repair sutures. When the flexible strand is pulled, it pulls out the one or more junctions (releasable stitches) from the repair sutures, freeing the repair sutures. The surgical construct may be part of a knotless or knotted construct.

Abstract: A mountable portable device retainer for a steering wheel is an apparatus that secures a portable device, preferably a smart phone, against a steering wheel. The apparatus more specifically positions the portable device along a line of sight for a user while driving a vehicle. The apparatus includes a malleable bracing strip, a securing hook, and at least one portable device holder. The malleable bracing strip positions the at least one portable device holder across the steering wheel. The securing hook attaches the malleable bracing strip, and consequently the at least one portable device holder, with the corresponding portable device, with the steering wheel. The at least one portable device holder mounts the portable device with the steering wheel. The at least one portable device may press the portable device against the wheel of the steering wheel or mount the portable device beside the steering wheel.

Abstract: A sheath for guiding and controlling a length of a catheter, the sheath comprising a body defining a longitudinal axis. The body can include a proximal portion and a distal portion, a bore extending along the longitudinal axis between and through the proximal portion and the distal portion, and a looped portion located between the proximal portion and the distal portion.

Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a vehicle includes a millimeter-wave radar sensor, a processor, and a memory communicably coupled to the processor. The memory stores a sensor control module configured to automatically control operation of the radar sensor to perform at least one radar scan of at least a portion of an interior of the vehicle. The sensor control module is also configured to determine, using information acquired by the at least one radar scan of the vehicle interior, at least one characteristic of a child car seat positioned in the interior. The sensor control module is also configured to compare the at least one determined characteristic of the child car seat with child car seat comparison information and, responsive to the comparison of the at least one determined characteristic with the child car seat comparison information, control an operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system for sensing occlusions in an optical system includes a first laser source configured to generate optical signals and a set of optical elements arranged to receive the optical signals from the first laser source and to direct the optical signals along a beam path. The system also includes a detector arranged to receive reflections of the optical signals traveling along at least a portion of the beam path and a control system communicably coupled to the detector. The control system is configured to detect, based on signals generated by the detector, reflection signals associated with the reflections of the optical signals, and disable a second laser source based on detection of the reflection signals.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a quadrangular shell having five faces and non-developable trihedral connectors between the faces. Plies having continuous fibers are cut to cover the five faces of the shell outside of the trihedral connector zones. Four connector components consolidated in the shape of the trihedral connectors are obtained. Each of the components includes an integration zone between the plies. Plies are positioned and laid up. The four consolidated components are inserted in the trihedral connection zones by inserting the integration zones between two plies to form an assembly obtain a preform. The preform is placed in a tool and the consolidation of the stack of fibrous plies is performed by subjecting the assembly to a predetermined pressure/temperature cycle.

Abstract: Acellular amnion derived therapeutic compositions are described having a number of various compositional embodiments. An acellular amnion derived therapeutic composition has essentially no live or active amniotic cells. The amniotic cells may be destroyed and the cells and cell debris may be removed from the acellular amnion derived therapeutic composition. An acellular amnion derived therapeutic composition may comprise micronized placental tissue particles, and/or amniotic fluid. An acellular amnion derived therapeutic composition may be a dispersion of micronized amniotic membrane combined with a fluid, such as plasma, saline, amniotic fluid, combinations thereof and the like. An acellular amnion derived therapeutic composition may be combined with a matrix component to form a composite. An acellular amnion derived therapeutic composition may be used in conjunction with a composition comprising viable cells, such as stem cells.