Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument is disclosed, including an elongated tube defining a proximal portion and a distal portion; an end effector removably coupled to the distal portion, the end effector including first and second elements pivotably coupled to one another; an anchor coupled to the tube and a pivot point of the end effector to restrict axial movement of the end effector; and a sleeve movably coupled to the tube, where the sleeve is slidable across at least a portion of the end effector to secure the end effector to the tube.

Abstract: A bowl is provided for rapid and repeatable high quality cooking of rice or other grains within a microwave. The bowl includes a reservoir with a floor and walls extending up from the floor to a rim. Handles are preferably provided extending laterally from the rim. A rice line is provided which is visible to a user and defines a height at which rice should be added for cooking within the bowl. A water line is provided above the rice line which defines an elevation to which water should be added for cooking of the rice. In one embodiment walls of the reservoir are tapered to accommodate boiling and frothing without boiling over and still maintaining a compact cooking space within the bowl.

Abstract: A bowl is provided for cooking pasta in a microwave in a simple high quality fashion. The bowl includes a reservoir with a floor and at least one wall extending up from the floor to a rim. Handles optionally extend laterally from opposite sides of the rim in a generally horizontal direction. A water line is provided on the at least one wall which is visible to a user. An optional pasta line is also provided beneath the water line. Pasta is provided from a package of pasta and flavorant with the bowl sized to match the amount of pasta in this package. Water is provided up to the water line. The bowl is then placed within a microwave and heated for a predetermined amount of time, preferably with a pause for stirring during this predetermined amount of time. The flavorant from the package is then added to the pasta.

Abstract: A turbine flowpath apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: a flowpath component exposed at least partially to a primary combustion gas flowpath of the engine, the flowpath component comprising low-ductility material; a metallic annular stationary structure surrounding the flowpath component, including a bearing surface which bears against the flowpath component, so as to restrain the flowpath component from axial movement in a first direction; and a spring element disposed between the flowpath component and the stationary structure which resilient urges the flowpath component in the first direction against the bearing surface.

Abstract: A terminal assembly configured to conduct current from an external power source to a hermetical motor-compressor unit. The terminal assembly includes a terminal board, at least one opening defined through the thickness of the terminal board, at least a conductive pin received in the opening, and an insulator having a convoluted contour. The insulator may be disposed over the conductive pin and spaced away from the terminal board.

Abstract: A sodium-ion electrochemical cell described herein comprises a cathode, an anode, and a non-aqueous sodium-containing electrolyte therebetween. The electrolyte comprises a sodium salt dissolved in a liquid organic carrier. The cathode comprises at least one transition metal chalcogenide compound in an initial discharged or partially discharged state and having the formula NaxMX2Cln, wherein 0<x?1; M is at least one transition metal having a +3, +4, or +5 fully discharged oxidation state, i.e., when x is 1. X is at least one chalcogen selected from the group consisting of S and Se, and n is 0 when the discharged oxidation state of M is +3, n is 1 when the discharged oxidation state of M is +4, and n is 2 when the discharged oxidation state of M is +5. In some embodiments, the cathode comprises NaxVS2, NaxTiS2, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A shoe having a sole and an upper extending from the sole. The upper having an eyelet which carries a strap. The strap extends between a first end and a second end. The second end is attached to the upper and the first end includes a catch. The catch is adapted for manipulation with a dressing stick, such that the dressing stick enables a user to fasten the shoe with the aid of the catch.

Abstract: A high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus and method are presented. The high-velocity scanned item distribution apparatus permits bagging operations for multiple purchase transactions to occur in parallel. Overlapping the bagging operation of multiple purchase transactions allows the scanning and payment operations of the purchase transactions to continue at higher speeds. In addition, point of sale terminals with high-velocity item scanners are allowed to function at higher speeds.

Abstract: A system and method to manage delivery of healthcare via a plurality of resources to a patient is provided. The system and method track and output a signal representative of a location of at least one of a series of resources relative to a control volume associated with the patient, acquire at least one signal representative of detecting ingress or egress of at least one of the plurality of resources relative to the control volume; and output a first signal representative of one of a series of milestones as defined in a predetermined protocol in response to detecting ingress or egress of at least one of the resources relative to the control volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods of authenticating users using a possession factor communicate a first authentication code to the user device and a second authentication code to an authentication device that is assumed to be the user's possession. Both authentication codes are presented to the user via their respective devices. An authentication application on the authentication device asks the user to compare the authentication codes and respond, via the authentication device, if these two authentication codes match. Authentication codes may be identical or different and match based on a user association. If a message from the authentication device indicates that the two codes match, then it is confirmed that the user possesses the authentication device and has authorized the authentication to proceed. For enhanced security, the authentication application may optionally be installed and executed on a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) installed in the authentication device.

Abstract: Device for use in a biosensor comprising a multisite array of test sites, the device being useful for modulating the binding interactions between a (biomolecular) probe or detection agent and an analyte of interest from a biological by modulating the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor. The device provides a biosensor which is more accurate, reliable and the results of which are more reproducible. Analytic methods for more accurately measuring an analyte of interest in a biological sample are also provided.

Abstract: Lateral flow assay devices for determining the concentration of a biomolecular analyte in a sample and methods for measuring analyte concentration in sample using such lateral flow assay devices.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to reserving physical resources in an enterprise via an electronic reservation environment. An electronic search request for an availability of one or more resources in an enterprise is received from a user through a web page and/or a mobile application and is submitted to a reservation engine. The search request includes one or more resource search parameters received via a graphical user interface associated with the electronic reservation environment. A result identifying resources that satisfy the resource search parameters in the request is received in response to the search request and an electronic metadata request is automatically submitted in response to receipt of the result. The electronic metadata request including resource identifiers corresponding to the resources identified in the result.

Abstract: A system and method to manage delivery of healthcare via a plurality of resources to a patient is provided. The system and method track and output a signal representative of a location of at least one of a series of resources relative to a control volume associated with the patient, acquire at least one signal representative of detecting ingress or egress of at least one of the plurality of resources relative to the control volume; and output a first signal representative of one of a series of milestones as defined in a predetermined protocol in response to detecting ingress or egress of at least one of the resources relative to the control volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a current speed of a wrist-worn mobile electronic device. In some configurations, a wrist-worn mobile electronic device is provided that includes a motion sensor configured to sense motion of the user's wrist and generate acceleration data, a position determining module, a non-transitory memory configured to store scale factors corresponding to a plurality of average acceleration points, and a processor operable to determine a cadence for the user, an average acceleration of the user's wrist, select a scale factor and compute a current speed for the mobile electronic device based on the cadence, determined average acceleration and selected scale factor.

Abstract: The invention provides a container for cooking ramen style block noodles, the container comprising a main body having a generally rectangular base, two generally parallel and spaced side walls connected to the base and two generally parallel and spaced end walls connected to the base and to the side walls, the tops of the side walls and the end walls forming an upper rim. The container is dimensioned so that between about 7 and about 9 ounces of water will fill a container holding a typical 3 ounce mass of ramen style block noodle to a level equal to the top of the noodle mass.

Abstract: A user/machine interface comprising a panel having a surface, the panel being capable of supporting bending waves, a touch-sensitive input device associated with the surface, and means including a force transducer for providing force feedback to the input device. The force is in the form of pulses to the panel, the pulses being in the form of a modulated signal shaped as a damped sinusoid whereby a button click sensation is provided to the user's finger tip. The modulated signal may be produced by a narrow-band sine wave having a carrier frequency in the range 150 to 750 Hz and being of a duration of at least 10 ms.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for domain controller safety-features and cloning. Embodiments include cloning virtual domain controllers. Cloning permits virtual domain controllers to be rapidly deployed by copying/cloning the entire operating system state of an existing virtual domain controller. Other embodiments provide safety features protecting domain controllers running within virtual machines from introducing distributed corruption into a directory services data system. Protection is facilitated by detecting when a hypervisor or Virtual Machine Manager (“VMM”) uses features that cause a virtual machine to be rolled back in time outside of an operating system's awareness. In response to detecting a feature that causes rollback, safeties can be implemented to compensate for otherwise divergent state and prevent the introduction of duplicate unique identifiers.

Abstract: A sodium-ion electrochemical cell described herein comprises a cathode, an anode, and a non-aqueous sodium-containing electrolyte therebetween. The electrolyte comprises a sodium salt dissolved in a liquid organic carrier. The cathode comprises at least one transition metal chalcogenide compound in an initial discharged or partially discharged state and having the formula NaxMX2Cln, wherein 0<x?1; M is at least one transition metal having a +3, +4, or +5 fully discharged oxidation state, i.e., when x is 1. X is at least one chalcogen selected from the group consisting of S and Se, and n is 0 when the discharged oxidation state of M is +3, n is 1 when the discharged oxidation state of M is +4, and n is 2 when the discharged oxidation state of M is +5. In some embodiments, the cathode comprises NaxVS2, NaxTiS2, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A positive electrode is disclosed for a non-aqueous electrolyte lithium rechargeable cell or battery. The electrode comprises a lithium containing material of the formula NayLixNizMn1-z-z?Mz?Od, wherein M is a metal cation, x+y>1, 0<z<0.5, 0?z?<0.5, y+x+1 is less than d, and the value of d depends on the proportions and average oxidation states of the metallic elements, Li, Na, Mn, Ni, and M, if present, such that the combined positive charge of the metallic elements is balanced by the number of oxygen anions, d. The inventive material preferably has a spinel or spinel-like component in its structure. The value of y preferably is less than about 0.2, and M comprises one or more metal cations selected preferably from one or more monovalent, divalent, trivalent or tetravalent cations, such as Mg2+, Co2+, Co3+, B3+, Ga3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Al3+, and Ti4+.