Abstract: An Anti-Terrorism water quality monitoring system for continuously monitoring a potable water treatment system and related potable water distribution network that provides potable water to a municipality, city, housing development or other potable water consumer. The system includes the collection of data from the water distribution system and from the water treatment facility and from advanced separation processes which are integrated into analytical instruments. The data collected are stored in a remote database on a remote server computer or bank of computers and accessible by Homeland Security or its designated agency. Preferred parameters of monitoring include the turbidity and disinfectant such as chlorine, hypochlorous acid, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, ozone, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid.

Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine, in particular a spark-ignition engine, having inlet valves for controlling air flow to the internal combustion engine, which air flow is compressed by an exhaust gas turbocharger, wherein, during partial load operation, the inlet valves are closed at an early first point in time (t1) or at a late second point in time (t2), and during a transition from partial load operation to full load operation, for a predefined time, the inlet valves are closed at an early third point in time (t3) or at a late fourth point in time (t4) with the third point time (t3) occurring after the first point in time (t1) and the fourth point in time (t4) occurring before the second point in time (t2).

Abstract: A camera system, particularly for minimally-invasive surgery, comprising an optics, wherein the optics is connected to at least one transparent film and the film is removable. Further, there is provided a method for cleaning a camera in minimally-invasive surgery wherein an optics of the camera is cleaned intra-corporally by use of a cleaning device.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to computer-implemented methods for determining a geographic location of a computing device. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a first set of authentication credentials, corresponding to a user, from a first computing device. The method further includes receiving a second set of authentication credentials, corresponding to the same user, from a second computing device. The method includes correlating the first set of authentication credentials and the second set of authentication credentials, to determine that the same user is associated with each of the first computing device and the second computing device. The method further includes receiving location information from the second computing device. The method further includes associating with the first computing device, based on the correlation, the location information received from the second computing device.

Abstract: A portable foldable display comprises a pair of end sections and a plurality of intermediate sections. The intermediate sections are joined together in a manner which permits the intermediate sections to be rotated with respect to each other for folding and unfolding of the display. The display also comprises a plurality of shelves which may extend from the front or back of any of the intermediate sections and outwardly from the end sections. The vertical spacing between the shelves is adjustable. The display is on wheels to permit easy transport.

Abstract: An intragastric balloon (10) for use in the stomach including a sealed container and separated expandable foaming substances within the sealed container, wherein the substances are adapted to expand and cure to a foam when mixed.

Abstract: A door system for a vehicle comprises a first vehicle door (16) hingedly mountable to a vehicle for articulation about a pivot axis (123) between a closed position and an open position, the door comprising a cavity; an actuator mechanism (100) disposed within the cavity, the actuator mechanism being pivotally coupleable to the vehicle at a position offset from the pivot axis; and drive means for driving the actuator mechanism to articulate the first vehicle door between said closed and said open positions.

Abstract: An ignition system includes: a step-up transformer having a primary side and a secondary side; an electrical energy source configured to be selectably connected to the primary side; a spark gap which is configured to guide a current transferred by the step-up transformer to the secondary side. The step-up transformer has a bypass for transferring electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the secondary side. The ignition system is configured to couple electrical energy in series or in parallel to the secondary side of the high voltage generator for the purpose of maintaining an ignition spark as an electrical voltage in the form of a controlled pulse sequence, e.g., within the kilo-hertz range.

Abstract: Urea (multi)-(meth)acrylate (multi)-silane precursor compounds, synthesized by reaction of (meth)acrylated materials having isocyanate functionality with aminosilane compounds, either neat or in a solvent, and optionally with a catalyst, such as a tin compound, to accelerate the reaction. Also described are articles including a substrate, a base (co)polymer layer on a major surface of the substrate, an oxide layer on the base (co)polymer layer; and a protective (co)polymer layer on the oxide layer, the protective (co)polymer layer including the reaction product of at least one urea (multi) (meth)acrylate (multi)-silane precursor compound synthesized by reaction of (meth)acrylated materials having isocyanate functionality with aminosilane compounds. The substrate may be a (co)polymer film or an electronic device such as an organic light emitting device, electrophoretic light emitting device, liquid crystal display, thin film transistor, or combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunomodulatory agents that are useful for treating or preventing joint damage. More particularly, immunomodulators are disclosed for use in eliciting an antigen-specific tolerogenic response to an aggrecan polypeptide including citrullinated forms thereof to treat or prevent joint damage, including joint damage in subjects with early RA or incipient RA.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is configured to reduce stress in one or more film layers in the device. According to one embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a substrate, a discontinuous dielectric layer on a first surface of the substrate, and a substantially continuous encapsulation layer over the first surface of the substrate and the discontinuous dielectric layer. Notably, the dielectric layer may be broken into one or more dielectric sections in order to relieve stress in the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method of securing an optical fiber to a ferrule involves heating the ferrule to cause thermal expansion. A ferrule bore of the ferrule increases in diameter as a result of the thermal expansion, and an optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule bore. The ferrule is then cooled so that the ferrule bore decreases in diameter and forms a mechanical interface with the optical fiber. Finally, the optical fiber is fused to the ferrule by irradiating the optical fiber and the ferrule with laser energy.

Abstract: A device may receive first common public radio interface (CPRI) information associated with a first CPRI format. The device may determine a translation key associated with the first CPRI format. The translation key may include information associated with translating the first CPRI information to a second CPRI format. The second CPRI format may be different from the first CPRI format. The device may generate second CPRI information based on processing the first CPRI information with the translation key. The second CPRI information may be associated with the second CPRI format. The device may provide the second CPRI information associated with the second CPRI format.

Abstract: An orthopedic device for implanting between adjacent vertebrae comprising: an arcuate balloon and a hardenable material within said balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon has a footprint that substantially corresponds to a perimeter of a vertebral endplate. An inflatable device is inserted through a cannula into an intervertebral space and oriented so that, upon expansion, a natural angle between vertebrae will be at least partially restored. At least one component selected from the group consisting of a load-bearing component and an osteobiologic component is directed into the inflatable device through a fluid communication means.

Abstract: This disclosure discusses various methods and devices for capturing plaque that is to be removed from a blood vessel after the plaque has been separated from the blood vessel or remaining plaque.

Abstract: A method of treating a tear in a knee meniscus of a patient. The method includes exposing the torn knee meniscus to a protein crosslinker during surgery to repair the tear. Also provided is a fixation device for the surgical repair of tears of the meniscus of the knee, where the device contains one or more protein crosslinking reagents.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include storing musical elements in a database and processing performance data, where the musical elements including a plurality of reference accent pattern data and a plurality of reference system pattern data. Processing performance data can include receiving input data corresponding to a musical performance, determining an accent pattern for the musical performance, matching the accent pattern data to one or more reference accent pattern data in the database, and selecting one of the matching reference accent patterns. Processing performance data further includes receiving input corresponding to a selection of a musical style, one or more musical performance parameters, and generating a musical accompaniment based on the processed performance data, the selected musical style, and the selected one or more musical performance.

Abstract: Tetrafluoroethene-based fluoropolymers of low gel content, methods of making the fluoropolymers, methods of extruding the fluoropolymers into articles, and extruded articles comprising the fluoropolymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluidic device that can be used for the analysis of surface-dwelling multicellular layers, some of which comprise biofilm and can be referred to as biofilms, and their formation under controlled dynamic conditions. More particularly, the surface in the fluidic chamber on which the multicellular layer is grown is detachable and/or removable from the fluidic chamber, thereby providing a highly versatile device.

Abstract: An implant for insertion into a disc space between vertebrae, wherein the implant includes a spacer portion, a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion, two bone fixation elements for engaging the vertebrae and a retention mechanism for preventing the bone fixation elements from postoperatively backing-out of the plate portion. The retention mechanism may be in the form of a spring biased snapper element that is biased into communication with the bone fixation elements so that once the bone fixation element advances past the snapper element, the snapper element is biased back to its initial position in which the snapper element interfaces with the bone fixation elements. Alternatively, the retention mechanism may be in the form of a propeller rotatable between a first position in which the bone fixation elements are insertable to a second position where the bone fixation elements are prevented from backing-out.