Abstract: A respiratory mask system is provided. The respiratory mask system has a patient interface that is secured to a user's head by a headgear. The patient interface comprises a seal, a frame and a gas delivery conduit. The frame is configured to secure the seal and gas delivery conduit together. The frame comprises a recessed channel and/or headgear retaining features configured to connect the headgear to the patient interface. The frame can include an inlet collar that connects to a gas delivery conduit. The inlet collar can include bias flow holes. The headgear comprises a top strap, a pair of side arms, a yoke and a rear strap. The yoke is configured to connect to the recessed channel of the frame. The top strap, side arms and yoke form an integrally formed closed loop. The top strap can include two portions adjustably connected to each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the various embodiments may provide metal electrodes for electrochemical cells. In various embodiments, the electrodes may comprise iron. Various methods may enable achieving high surface area with low cost for production of metal electrodes, such as iron electrodes.

Abstract: A respiratory mask system is provided. The respiratory mask system has a patient interface that is secured to a user's head by a headgear. The patient interface comprises a seal, a frame and a gas delivery conduit. The frame is configured to secure the seal and gas delivery conduit together. The frame comprises a recessed channel and/or headgear retaining features configured to connect the headgear to the patient interface. The frame can include an inlet collar that connects to a gas delivery conduit. The inlet collar can include bias flow holes. The headgear comprises a top strap, a pair of side arms, a yoke and a rear strap. The yoke is configured to connect to the recessed channel of the frame. The top strap, side arms and yoke form an integrally formed closed loop. The top strap can include two portions adjustably connected to each other.

Abstract: A connection system includes a first connector and a second connector configured for establishing one or more electrical connections through a drape. The first connector can include an alignment protrusion and a first piercing element having one or more electrical contacts configured to pierce the drape. The second connector can include an alignment notch, a channel, and a first receptacle configured to receive the first piercing element when inserted therein. The alignment notch can be configured to accept the alignment protrusion when the first connector is aligned with the second connector then disposed over the second connector. The channel can be configured to allow the alignment protrusion to slide along a length of the second connector. The first receptacle can have one or more electrical contacts configured to form at least a first electrical connection of the one or more electrical connections with the first connector.

Abstract: A shape-sensing system can include a stylet, an optical interrogator, a console, and a display screen. The stylet can include an optical fiber with fiber Bragg grating (“FBG”) sensors along a length of the optical fiber. The optical interrogator can be configured to send input optical signals into the optical fiber and receive FBG sensor-reflected optical signals from the optical fiber. The console can be configured to convert the reflected optical signals with the aid of filtering algorithms of some optical signal-converter algorithms into plottable data for displaying plots thereof on the display screen. The plots can include a plot of curvature vs. time for each FBG sensor of a selection of the FBG sensors for identifying a distinctive change in strain of the optical fiber as the stylet is advanced into a superior vena cava of a patient.

Abstract: A compact audio woofer arrangement for a motor vehicle includes an enclosure installed in the motor vehicle. The enclosure contains a woofer or subwoofer emitting a sound. The enclosure includes a primary and secondary through-hole. The primary through-hole allows the woofer to interface with the interior of the vehicle and provides sound directly from the enclosure into a passenger compartment at the primary location. A extended vent acting as an acoustic transmission line is coupled to the second through-hole. The vent transmits sound from the enclosure to a secondary location remote from the primary location, such that the sound is emitted into the adjacent passenger compartment. The primary and secondary acoustic outputs differ by physical location in the motor vehicle, and also by frequency response of the emitted sound, thereby emulating a quasi-stereo environment.

Abstract: A testing system for a wellbore operation and method of testing a fluid sample from a wellbore. A fluid sample is obtained from the wellbore operation. The fluid sample is received at a first test station having a first robot arm for performing a test on the fluid sample. A controller receives data on the wellbore operation, selects the test based on the data and controls the first robot arm to perform the test. A result of the test is used to adjust a parameter of the wellbore operation.

Abstract: A passive cooling system for wellbore operations fluids includes a wellbore operations fluid reservoir including an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid containment area. At least one heat pipe is arranged in the wellbore operations fluid reservoir. The at least one heat pipe includes a first end arranged in the fluid containment area, a second end that extends outwardly of the fluid containment area, and a hollow interior containing a working fluid.

Abstract: A testing system for a wellbore operation and method of testing a fluid sample from a wellbore. A fluid sample is obtained from the wellbore operation. The fluid sample is received at a first test station having a first robot arm for performing a test on the fluid sample. A controller receives data on the wellbore operation, selects the test based on the data and controls the first robot arm to perform the test. A result of the test is used to adjust a parameter of the wellbore operation.

Abstract: A drilling system and method of obtaining a flow pattern in a wellbore. The drilling system includes a device for adjusting an operational parameter of the drilling system, and a processor. The processor trains a machine learning program to identify a flow boundary in parameter space between a first flow pattern region related to a first flow pattern for a multiphase flow and a second flow pattern region related to a second flow pattern for the multiphase flow. The processor identifies the flow boundary for a flow of the multiphase flow in the wellbore and adjusts an operating parameter of the drilling system in the wellbore based on the identified flow boundary to operate the drilling system in one of the first flow pattern region and the second flow pattern region to obtain one of the first flow pattern and the second flow pattern in the wellbore.

Abstract: A once-through steam generator comprises a duct having an inlet end in communication with a source of a hot gas; and a tube bundle installed in the duct and comprising multiple heat transfer tubes. The tube bundle has an economizer section, an evaporator section, and a superheater section. A steam separating device may be positioned between the evaporator section and the superheater section, wherein, as part of a wet start-up, hot water collected by the steam separating device is delivered from the steam separating device to mix with cold feedwater before it is introduced into the economizer section. A start-up module may be positioned in the duct near the inlet end, wherein, as part of a dry start-up, cold feedwater is delivered into the start-up module to generate hot water that is then mixed into the feedwater stream before it is introduced into the economizer section.

Abstract: An aircraft comprising a fuselage and a plurality of wings. The fuselage may be positioned between a first wing and a second wing, wherein said first wing and said second wing each comprise (a) a plurality of sensors and (b) a plurality of flaperons. A flight controller may be configured to (1) receive measurement data from each of said plurality of sensors and, (2) independently actuate each of said plurality of flaperons.

Abstract: A once-through steam generator comprises a duct having an inlet end in communication with a source of a hot gas; and a tube bundle installed in the duct and comprising multiple heat transfer tubes. The tube bundle has an economizer section, an evaporator section, and a superheater section. A steam separating device may be positioned between the evaporator section and the superheater section, wherein, as part of a wet start-up, hot water collected by the steam separating device is delivered from the steam separating device to mix with cold feedwater before it is introduced into the economizer section. A start-up module may be positioned in the duct near the inlet end, wherein, as part of a dry start-up, cold feedwater is delivered into the start-up module to generate hot water that is then mixed into the feedwater stream before it is introduced into the economizer section.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides multifunctional cytoprotective materials applied to coat living cells or aggregates of cells such as, but not limited to, pancreatic islets. The coating utilizes hydrogen-bonded interactions of a natural polyphenol (tannic acid) with poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) deposited on the cell aggregate surface via non-ionic layer-by-layer assembly. The coating is conformal over the surface of such as mammalian islets. The coated islets maintain their viability and cell functionality for at least 96 hours in vitro. The coating demonstrates immunomodulatory cytoprotective properties suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesis in stimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages and diabetogenic BDC-2.5 T cells. The coating material combines high chemical stability under physiologically relevant conditions with capability of suppressing cytokine synthesis, crucial parameters for prolonged islet integrity, viability, and function in vivo.

Abstract: A method of producing male or female sterile plants comprising the steps of transforming plant material with a polynucleotide which encodes at least one enzyme which reacts with a non-phytotoxic substance to produce a phytotoxic one, and regenerating the thus transformed material into a plant, wherein the said non-phytotoxic substance is applied to the plant up to the time of male or female gamete formation and/or maturation, so that the non-phytotoxic substance provides for the production of a phytotoxic one which selectively prevents the formation of or otherwise renders the said gametes non-functional, wherein the enzyme is expressed preferentially in either male or female reproductive structures, characterised in that (i) the non-phytotoxic substance is D-phosphinothricin and (ii) the enzyme is a D-amino acid oxidase.

Abstract: A floor cleaning kit is described which contains a first cleaning composition that is formulated to reduce or remove film buildup caused by cleaning and polishing agents. The floor cleaning kit also contains a second cleaning composition formulated to clean with minimal film residue.

Abstract: A blender for breaking down food at an averagely faster rate, it comprises of; a jar 2 with a tubular body with outer treading on one end; having a screwed on bottom portion 3 which has a set of rotatable blades 10 built in. The bottom portion 3 of the jar 2 has a cavity of its base along the inner circumference, said cavity includes: at the bottom; a gasket 9, then a stationary blades assembly 4 which is a continuous structure made up of; a ring base 7; on opposite side of its inner circumference of said ring 7 are vertical extensions 5 that each have a portion at the top 6 curved inwards at right angle with one edge sharp 11, these curved inward portions 6 serves as the actual blades 6, another gasket 8 is then places over the ring base 7 of the stationary blades 4 assembly, and the rim close to said outer treading, of the body of the jar 2, sit on the gasket 8 on top.