Abstract: A solution of acid deficient uranyl nitrate has a formula of UO2(OH)y(NO3)2-y, where y ranges from 0.1 to 0.5. The solution is prepared by placing UxOz in aqueous nitric acid to produce a uranium solution, wherein x is 1 to 3 and z is 2 to 8; placing the uranium solution under a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in a sealed reaction chamber; and heating the uranium solution to a desired temperature of between 150° C. and 250° C. by applying microwave energy to the uranium solution. The uranium solution is maintained at the desired temperature under a pressure of from 5 atmospheres to 40 atmospheres for a hold time of 15 minutes to 6 hours to produce the desired acid deficient uranyl nitrate.

Abstract: A muffler includes a housing defining a first chamber, a second chamber and a third chamber. The muffler includes at least a pair of nested protrusions in communication with an inlet. The pair of nested protrusions is coupled to a respective surface of a pair of plates disposed in the housing such that one of the pair of nested protrusions is spaced apart from and opposite another of the pair of nested protrusions to define a tortuous path that terminates at an outlet defined along an outer circumference. The first chamber is downstream from the pair of plates. The muffler includes a first tube fluidly coupled to the first chamber to direct the exhaust gases from the first chamber to the second chamber. The muffler includes a second tube fluidly coupled to the second chamber to direct the exhaust gases from the second chamber to the third chamber.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser assembly, comprises a sun gear configured to receive input from an electric motor and one or more planet gears having radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth that engage the sun gear; a first ring gear, having radially-inwardly extending gear teeth that engage the radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth of the sun gear, configured to receive rotational output provided by a crankshaft; a second ring gear, having radially-inwardly extending gear teeth that engage the radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth of the sun gear, configured to couple to a camshaft; one or more planet gear pins that carry the planet gear(s) and engage a planetary gear set to prevent the relative rotation of the planet gear pin(s) relative to the planetary gear set; and one or more springs that bias the planet gear pin(s) and the planetary gear(s) toward the first ring gear and the second ring gear.

Abstract: A first ventricular surface anchor can be placed against a first right ventricular surface, wherein the first ventricular surface anchor is connected to a first tension member. A first tension anchor against a tension anchor surface of a heart, wherein the first tension anchor is connected to a second tension member. The first tension member connected to the first ventricular surface anchor can extend towards the second tension member connected to the first tension anchor; and the first tension member and the second tension member, can be draw the first right ventricular surface toward the first tension anchor. The surface anchor can include a nitinol frame forming an outer perimeter and a hole. The nitinol frame can have an austenite state in a deployed configuration when a temperature of the nitinol frame is body temperature. The surface anchor can also include a grommet comprising a distal tubular portion connected to a proximal finger portion.

Abstract: A first ventricular surface anchor can be placed against a first right ventricular surface, wherein the first ventricular surface anchor is connected to a first tension member. A first tension anchor against a tension anchor surface of a heart, wherein the first tension anchor is connected to a second tension member. The first tension member connected to the first ventricular surface anchor can extend towards the second tension member connected to the first tension anchor; and the first tension member and the second tension member, can be draw the first right ventricular surface toward the first tension anchor. The surface anchor can include a nitinol frame forming an outer perimeter and a hole. The nitinol frame can have an austenite state in a deployed configuration when a temperature of the nitinol frame is body temperature. The surface anchor can also include a grommet comprising a distal tubular portion connected to a proximal finger portion.

Abstract: Medical devices for accessing the central nervous system, as well as making and using medical devices, are disclosed. An example medical device may include an expandable access sheath having a proximal end region and a distal end region. The expandable access sheath may be designed to shift between a first configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable access sheath may include a tubular body having one or more axial support members disposed along the tubular body. The medical device may include an expansion member designed to shift the expandable access sheath between the first configuration and the expanded configuration.

Abstract: Medical devices for accessing the central nervous system, as well as making and using medical devices, are disclosed. An example medical device may include an expandable access sheath having a proximal end region and a distal end region. The expandable access sheath may be designed to shift between a first configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable access sheath may include a tubular body having one or more axial support members disposed along the tubular body. The medical device may include an expansion member designed to shift the expandable access sheath between the first configuration and the expanded configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preventing, reducing, or treating the incidence and/or severity of a disorder caused by stress-induced cellular damage in the ear of a subject, such as vestibular disorders, hearing impairment, and conditions related to hair cell degeneration or death. Specifically, this invention pertains to formulations comprising probucol or a probucol ester, a bioavailability-enhancing compound comprising a bile acid, and optionally a carrier. The administration of these formulations can treat hearing loss and/or hair cell degeneration or death.

Abstract: A muffler includes a housing defining a first chamber, a second chamber and a third chamber. The muffler includes at least a pair of nested protrusions in communication with an inlet. The pair of nested protrusions is coupled to a respective surface of a pair of plates disposed in the housing such that one of the pair of nested protrusions is spaced apart from and opposite another of the pair of nested protrusions to define a tortuous path that terminates at an outlet defined along an outer circumference. The first chamber is downstream from the pair of plates. The muffler includes a first tube fluidly coupled to the first chamber to direct the exhaust gases from the first chamber to the second chamber. The muffler includes a second tube fluidly coupled to the second chamber to direct the exhaust gases from the second chamber to the third chamber.

Abstract: A method includes determining a value of an operational motor current limit and setting a value of a startup current limit equal to a predetermined value in excess of the value of the operational motor current limit if a set of predetermined conditions is satisfied. The method includes determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the startup current limit after determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, determining that operation of the engine has resumed, and operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the operational motor current limit after determining that operation of the engine has resumed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for generating a digital image using an unencrypted key. A server computing device generates an initial digital image comprising a plurality of image areas. The server computing device converts an unencrypted key associated with a remote computing device into an encrypted key using an encryption algorithm. The server computing device assigns a color value to each character of the encrypted key. The server computing device maps each character of the encrypted key to one of the plurality of image areas of the initial digital image. The server computing device generates an updated digital image by applying, to each of the plurality of image areas, a color that corresponds to the color value assigned to the character of the encrypted key that is mapped to the image area. The server computing device stores the updated digital image in a database record.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a beam, a chip coupled to the beam, a cable coupled to the beam by a first material located at opposite edges of the cable, and wire bonds extending from pads of the cable to pads of the chip. An apparatus includes a beam and a chip coupled to the beam. The chip includes an array of magnetic transducers for transducing data on a magnetic recording tape. The apparatus includes a cable coupled to the beam by a first material located at opposite edges of the cable, wire bonds extending from pads of the cable to pads of the chip, and a second material encapsulating ends of the wire bonds that are located adjacent the cable. The second material does not contact the chip.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) device, comprising: an input configured to receive rotational force from an electric motor; an output configured to couple with a camshaft of an internal combustion engine; a planet gear having radially outwardly extending gear teeth configured to engage ring gears and a radially-inwardly-facing surface; a planet pin, supporting the planet gear, having an outer surface and an axis of rotation about which the planet gear rotates; and a spring applying force in a substantially axial direction along the axis of rotation that moves the planet gear in a radial direction.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser assembly, comprises a sun gear configured to receive input from an electric motor and one or more planet gears having radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth that engage the sun gear; a first ring gear, having radially-inwardly extending gear teeth that engage the radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth of the sun gear, configured to receive rotational output provided by a crankshaft; a second ring gear, having radially-inwardly extending gear teeth that engage the radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth of the sun gear, configured to couple to a camshaft; one or more planet gear pins that carry the planet gear(s) and engage a planetary gear set to prevent the relative rotation of the planet gear pin(s) relative to the planetary gear set; and one or more springs that bias the planet gear pin(s) and the planetary gear(s) toward the first ring gear and the second ring gear.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) device, comprising: an input configured to receive rotational force from an electric motor; an output configured to couple with a camshaft of an internal combustion engine; a planet gear having radially outwardly extending gear teeth configured to engage ring gears and a radially-inwardly-facing surface; a planet pin, supporting the planet gear, having an outer surface and an axis of rotation about which the planet gear rotates; and a spring applying force in a substantially axial direction along the axis of rotation that moves the planet gear in a radial direction.

Abstract: A method includes determining a value of an operational motor current limit and setting a value of a startup current limit equal to a predetermined value in excess of the value of the operational motor current limit if a set of predetermined conditions is satisfied. The method includes determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the startup current limit after determining that operation of the engine has been interrupted, determining that operation of the engine has resumed, and operating the electric motor of the variable valve timing mechanism with a current having a magnitude that is less than or equal to the operational motor current limit after determining that operation of the engine has resumed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a methods and compositions for treating a patient having a skin condition characterized by vascular hyper-reactivity, such as chronic or episodic flushing or blushing, and/or rosacea. The method comprises applying a topical composition to affected areas of the patient's skin. The topical composition comprises an effective amount of a botulinum neurotoxin for decreasing vasodilation in cutaneous microvasculature, and a carrier for effectively transporting the botulinum toxin to the cutaneous microvasculature. The invention thereby provides a safe, effective, comfortable, and/or convenient manner of treating vascular hyper-reactivity in skin.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) assembly includes a gearbox assembly including an input; an electric motor having a rotor, a stator, and a motor shaft that is coupled with the input of the gearbox assembly, wherein the motor shaft includes etchings, on an outer surface of the motor shaft, that releasably couple the motor shaft to the rotor at a center aperture of the rotor when an amount of torque exerted on the motor shaft via the gearbox assembly is less than or equal to a predetermined torque value, and the etchings are further configured to decouple the motor shaft from the rotor when the amount of torque exerted on the motor shaft is greater than the predetermined torque value.

Abstract: A mounting system includes multiple mounting-related devices to execute a mounting-related process for mounting a component on a mounting target that are arranged side by side along the conveyance direction of the mounting target. The mounting-related device used in the mounting system includes an execution unit configured to execute the mounting-related process; a first interface configured to enable a mobile work device to access the execution unit, the mobile work device moving a member related to the mounting-related process; and an operation panel disposed in a second interface, being located on an opposite side of the first interface, to which an operator is allowed to access without access of the mobile work device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to off-line generation, storage, and usage of digital assets, such as cryptocurrency. In particular, methods and systems are disclosed for generating off-line cryptographic key pairs for the off-line storage of digital assets using storage techniques that do not involve connecting to the Internet. In one example, a method for generating off-line cryptographic key pairs includes receiving user input from a user, determining a key generation algorithm based on the user input, wherein the key generation algorithm relates to a digital asset, generating an off-line cryptographic key pair based on the user input and key generation algorithm, and outputting the off-line cryptographic key pair.