Abstract: Disclosed techniques relate to fragment launching. In an example, a fragment launcher has a casing, a launch aperture and a detonation position. An inner profile of the casing tapers from the main body towards the fragment launch aperture and from the main body to the detonation position. A fragment is held within the launch aperture such that when in use an explosive charge can be initiated to launch the fragment from the launcher. The launcher is particularly suited to uses where there is a requirement to launch a fragment in a consistent and repeatable manner.

Abstract: Systems and methods permit generation of a digital scan of a user's face such as for obtaining of a patient respiratory mask, or component(s) thereof, based on the digital scan. The method may include: receiving video data comprising a plurality of video frames of the user's face taken from a plurality of angles relative to the user's face, generating a three-dimensional representation of a surface of the user's face based on the plurality of video frames, receiving scale estimation data associated with the received video data, the scale estimation data indicative of a relative size of the user's face, and scaling the digital three-dimensional representation of the user's face based on the scale estimation data. In some aspects, the scale estimation data may be derived from motion information collected by the same device that collects the scan of the user's face.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium that stores instructions executable by one or more processors, in which the instructions cause the one or more processors to determine a threshold value associated with an axial acceleration oscillation amplitude at a drill bit, in which the drill bit is a part of a drilling system. The instructions further cause the one or more processors to receive an operating parameter value of the drilling system, compare the operating parameter value with the threshold value, and adjust an operation of the drilling system in response to comparing the operating parameter value with the threshold value.

Abstract: A visual guide for assisting a user with the positioning of an object relative to the user’s eye is provided. The visual guide comprises: a first positioning indicator provided on an axis; and a second positioning indicator, visually distinct from the first. The first and second positioning indicators are offset along the axis. Furthermore, visual contact of the first and second positioning indicators occurs when the object is located within a predetermined locus of the user’s eye.

Abstract: Methods and systems determine health condition(s) from health data of a user of a respiratory system or operational conditions of a respiratory system. The health data or operational data are collected by processing device(s) local to the user. The method and system include analyzing the collected data to make an initial determination of potential health condition(s) associated with the user, or potential operational fault conditions of the respiratory system. In response to determining potential condition(s), a command is transmitted for receipt by a remote server. The command is to provide health assessment module(s) including instructions for analyzing the health data, or operational fault assessment modules including instructions for analyzing the operational data, to further assess the initially determined potential condition(s).

Abstract: A device for dispensing a metered dose of fluid is provided. The device comprises a housing comprising: a non-pressurised reservoir sized to accommodate a plurality of doses of fluid; a springloaded metering chamber sized to hold at least a single dose of fluid; a first valve enabling fluid communication between the reservoir and the metering chamber; and a kink valve enabling the fluid in the metering chamber to exit the device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining, by way of an input, input data relating to speech provided by a user; deriving one or more hypotheses for each of a plurality of user data fields from the input data; obtaining one or more reference values for each of the plurality of user data fields for each of one or more candidate users; calculating a score for at least one candidate user of the one or more candidate users, calculating the score comprising: calculating a plurality of user data field scores comprising, for each of the plurality of user data fields, a respective user data field score using the one or more hypotheses and the one or more reference values for the candidate user for the respective user data field; performing one or more fuzzy logic operations on the plurality of user data field scores; using the score for a candidate user of the one or more candidate users to perform a verification or identification process for the user.

Abstract: Ultra-high temperature carbide (UHTC) foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The UHTC foams are produced in a three-step process, including UHTC slurry preparation, freeze-drying, and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The fabrication methods allow for the production of any kind of single- or multi-component UHTC foam, while also providing flexibility in the shape and size of the UHTC foams to produce near-net-shape components.

Abstract: Hybrid carbon nanofiber (Cnf) products (e.g., mats, yarns, webs, etc.) and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The hybrid Cnf products are flexible and lightweight and have high thermal conductivity. An electrospinning process can be used to fabricate the hybrid Cnf products and can include preparation of an electrospinning solution, electrospinning, and carbonization (e.g., under a vacuum condition).

Abstract: A pressure sensing retractor device and method is provided for measuring orbital compartment pressure of an eye. The device uses nested claw-like retractors where the inner claw retractor is capable of pulling an eyelid of the eye of a patient, and the outer claw retractor is capable of sensing the orbital compartment pressure of the eye. The pressure sensing retractor outputs the force sensor signal as a continuous signal of the orbital compartment pressure of the eye. Embodiments of the invention can be applied towards analysis of orbital compartment syndrome, retrobulbar hemorrhage (RBH), and canthotomy/cantholysis. Unlike applanation tonometry, retractor placement with the retractor provided herein requires no specialized training. Ease of use can help facilitate appropriate clinical decision, especially in environments without immediate access to ophthalmic consultation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a patient interface for sealed delivery of a flow of air at a continuously positive pressure with respect to ambient air pressure to an entrance to the patient's airways includes collecting anthropometric data of a patient's face. Anticipated considerations are identified from the collected anthropometric data during use of the patient interface. The collected anthropometric data is processed to provide a transformed data set based on the anticipated considerations, the transformed data set corresponding to at least one customised patient interface component. At least one patient interface component is modelled based on the transformed data set.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for monitoring the physical state of a stimulating assembly to, for example, detect the occurrence of an adverse event. More specifically, an elongate stimulating assembly comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced contacts is at least partially implanted into a recipient. Electrical measurements are performed at one or more of the plurality of contacts and the electrical measurements are evaluated relative to one another to determine the physical state of the stimulating assembly.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions of hydrogels and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A proportional integral derivative (PID) controller implements control over a drilling system based on an integral term and a proportional term. The integral term is the integral of an operating drilling fluid pressure compared to a target drilling fluid pressure. The proportional term is the difference between an operating weight on bit and a target weight on bit. The sum of the proportional term and the integral term is multiplied by a controller parameter to determine a surface rate of penetration. A drill pipe lowering rate may be changed based on the determined surface rate of penetration, and the process may repeat in an iterative cycle until the integral term is reduced to an acceptable degree.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a patient interface for sealed delivery of a flow of air at a continuously positive pressure with respect to ambient air pressure to an entrance to the patient's airways includes collecting anthropometric data of a patient's face. Anticipated considerations are identified from the collected anthropometric data during use of the patient interface. The collected anthropometric data is processed to provide a transformed data set based on the anticipated considerations, the transformed data set corresponding to at least one customised patient interface component. At least one patient interface component is modeled based on the transformed data set.

Abstract: A system comprising: an input configured to receive input speech data originating from a user; an output configured to output speech or text information; and a processor configured to: provide first input data to a character sequence determination module to determine a character sequence from the first input data, wherein determining a character sequence comprises: obtaining a first list of one or more candidate character sequences from the first input data; selecting a first candidate character sequence from the first list; generating a first confirm request to confirm the selected first candidate character sequence, wherein the first confirm request is outputted by way of the output; if second input data indicating that the first candidate character sequence is not confirmed is received, selecting a second candidate character sequence and generating a second confirm request to confirm the selected second candidate if the second candidate character sequence is different from the first candidate character s

Abstract: A system includes a collar that is worn around a neck of the user. A stimulator is coupled to the collar such that the stimulator is positioned adjacent to an airway of the user. The sensor is coupled to the collar and configured to generate data associated with the airway of the user. The memory is coupled to the collar and storing machine-readable instructions. The control system is coupled to the collar and includes one or more processors configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to determine, based at least on an analysis of the generated data, that the user is currently experiencing an apnea event. In response to the determination, the control system causes the stimulator to provide electrical stimulation, at a first intensity level, to one or more muscles of the user that are adjacent to the airway to aid in stopping the apnea event.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for modeling future asset value, which may establish planning simulation and optimization parameters for an individual, execute a planning simulation based on the parameters, analyze results of the planning simulation to determine candidate plans with highest chances of success, determine, from among the candidate plans, an optimal plan, based on executing concurrent gradient descent that includes executing steps of gradient descent in parallel, and report the optimal plan. Embodiments may also provide systems and methods for describing a portfolio and investment goals in a manner comprehensible by the investor, modeling financial plans that meet those goals, simulating those plans over time, selecting the plans that demonstrate the greatest utility for the investor, executing those plans in the market, and continually revising plans as circumstances change.

Abstract: Presented herein are techniques for monitoring the physical state of a stimulating assembly to, for example, detect the occurrence of an adverse event. More specifically, an elongate stimulating assembly comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced contacts is at least partially implanted into a recipient. Electrical measurements are performed at one or more of the plurality of contacts and the electrical measurements are evaluated relative to one another to determine the physical state of the stimulating assembly.

Abstract: Ultra-high temperature carbide (UHTC) foams and methods of fabricating and using the same are provided. The UHTC foams are produced in a three-step process, including UHTC slurry preparation, freeze-drying, and spark plasma sintering (SPS). The fabrication methods allow for the production of any kind of single- or multi-component UHTC foam, while also providing flexibility in the shape and size of the UHTC foams to produce near-net-shape components.