Abstract: A variable-solidity propeller apparatus, comprising a propeller having at least one rotatable hub carrying at least one row of propeller blades, wherein the propeller has a first configuration in which the propeller has a first average solidity, and a second configuration in which the propeller has a second average solidity which is greater than the first average solidity.

Abstract: Size-reduction units, size-reduction machines, and methods capable of producing size-reduced products from a variety of solid and semisolid materials. A size-reduction unit includes a circular cutter adapted and arranged to cut a product into strips, a rotating cross-cutter adapted and arranged to receive the strips from the circular cutter, and a stripper plate. The cross-cutter has knives with cutting edges that are adapted and arranged to cut the strips into a size-reduced product, and the stripper plate defines a shear edge in proximity to the cutting edge of each knife of the cross-cutter as its cutting edge encounter the shear edge during rotation of the cross-cutter. The cross-cutter has a helical fluted shape comprising flutes between adjacent pairs of the knives.

Abstract: A system and method dynamically schedule wireless transmissions without collision. A master transmitter periodically transmits a time mark during a first predefined time slot of a plurality of consecutive time slots that form a transmission block. Multiple consecutive transmission blocks form a frame. An announcement transmission from a wireless transmitting device is received via at least one receiver during a second predefined time slot of the plurality of time slots. An allocator allocates, at least partly based upon the received announcement transmission, a third time slot of the plurality of time slots to the wireless transmitting device. A time slot reservation area of at least one subsequently transmitted time mark includes indication of the allocation of the third time slot to the wireless transmitting device. The wireless transmitting device receives the subsequently transmitted time mark and transmits only during the third time slot of subsequent frames.

Abstract: Technologies are provided herein for a modular deposition tool design that allows for both, the fast interchanging of materials and for easy cleaning of all wetted surfaces. A drive assembly for use in a solid freeform fabrication system, includes a drive module having a drive mechanism and a detachable material bay assembly that is detachable from the drive module. The material bay assembly includes a material bay holder, a material deposition tool, and a corresponding material bay actuation mechanism that can engage with the drive mechanism of the drive module when the material bay assembly is coupled to the drive module such that when the drive mechanism of the drive module is actuated, the material bay actuation mechanism is actuated, which causes the material deposition tool to deposit material from a material bay inserted in the material bay holder.

Abstract: A method of reducing an effect of stroke in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a compound that inhibits VEGF-B signaling

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating blood-neural barrier (BNB) for the treatment of CNS conditions such as edema, and for increased drug delivery efficacy across the BNB. The present invention further relates to improved tPA treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular and related diseases in combination with antagonism of the PDGF signaling pathway. The inventive method and composition is particularly suitable for conjunctive therapy of ischemic stroke using tPA and an anti-PDGF-C antagonist or an anti-PDGFR-? antagonist.

Abstract: A system and method dynamically schedule wireless transmissions without collision. A master transmitter periodically transmits a time mark during a first predefined time slot of a plurality of consecutive time slots that form a transmission block. Multiple consecutive transmission blocks form a frame. An announcement transmission from a wireless transmitting device is received via at least one receiver during a second predefined time slot of the plurality of time slots. An allocator allocates, at least partly based upon the received announcement transmission, a third time slot of the plurality of time slots to the wireless transmitting device. A time slot reservation area of at least one subsequently transmitted time mark includes indication of the allocation of the third time slot to the wireless transmitting device. The wireless transmitting device receives the subsequently transmitted time mark and transmits only during the third time slot of subsequent frames.

Abstract: A valve body in a passage of a housing connected to a through hole in a sealed machine casing can allow an inspection apparatus into an interior of the casing when open, and prevents fluid flow through the passage when closed. Seals can engage the inspection apparatus to prevent fluid flow through the passage during inspection or inspection apparatus movement. A guide conduit in the casing can include branches and can guide the inspection apparatus to multiple inspection sites. Guide marks can identify the branches to assist with navigation within the casing.

Abstract: The disclosed implementations describe techniques and workflows for a computer graphics (CG) animation system. In some implementations, systems and methods are disclosed for representing scene composition and performing underlying computations within a unified generalized expression graph with cycles. Disclosed are natural mechanisms for level-of-detail control, adaptive caching, minimal re-compute, lazy evaluation, predictive computation and progressive refinement. The disclosed implementations provide real-time guarantees for minimum graphics frame rates and support automatic tradeoffs between rendering quality, accuracy and speed. The disclosed implementations also support new workflow paradigms, including layered animation and motion-path manipulation of articulated bodies.

Abstract: The breakaway assembly includes a first breakaway subassembly and a second breakaway subassembly. The subassemblies are configured to connect, which causes bellows sheaths in each subassembly to compress and open pores, allowing fluid to flow through the subassemblies. The subassemblies can be connected to luer tip. The luer tips can be connected to an intravenous (IV) fluid line or other types of lines used in the medical field to move fluids. This allows the movement of fluid from a fluid-holding component to a patient. Unless the subassemblies are locked together, the subassemblies will be disconnected under the correct amount of pressure. This disconnection closes the pores on the subassemblies, which keeps fluid from leaking, and prevents the contamination of the IV line. Luer tips may also be connected to the subassemblies. Some of the luer tips allow for the quick connection of the luer tip to the subassembly through a flange being inserted into a notch or flange acceptor.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating blood-neural barrier (BNB) for the treatment of CNS conditions such as edema, and for increased drug delivery efficacy across the BNB. The present invention further relates to improved tPA treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular and related diseases in combination with antagonism of the PDGF signaling pathway. The inventive method and composition is particularly suitable for conjunctive therapy of ischemic stroke using tPA and an anti-PDGF-C antagonist or an anti-PDGFR-? antagonist.

Abstract: A compute device can receive a signal associated with a quantity of real-world activity (e.g., exercise) performed by a user. The compute device can define a quantity of virtual activity based, at least in part, on the quantity of real-world activity. The quantity of virtual activity can be different from the quantity of real-world activity. The compute device can send an indication of progress in a virtual world to an output device, for example, such that the user's progress is displayed.

Abstract: An automated assistant automatically recognizes speech, decode paraphrases in the recognized speech, performs an action or task based on the decoder output, and provides a response to the user. The response may be text or audio, and may be translated to include paraphrasing. The automatically recognized speech may be processed to determine partitions in the speech, which may be in turn processed to identify paraphrases in the partitions. A decoder may process an input utterance text to identify paraphrases content to include in a segment or sentence. The decoder may paraphrase the input utterance to make the utterance, updated with one or more paraphrases, more easily parsed by a parser. A translator may process a generated response to make the response sound more natural. The translator may replace content of the generated response with paraphrase content based on the state of the conversation with the user, including salience data.

Abstract: The breakaway assembly includes a first breakaway subassembly and a second breakaway subassembly. The subassemblies are configured to connect, which causes bellows sheaths in each subassembly to compress and open pores, allowing fluid to flow through the subassemblies. The subassemblies can be connected to luer tip. The luer tips can be connected to the an intravenous (IV) fluid line or other types of lines used in the medical field to move fluids. This allows the movement of fluid from a fluid-holding component to a patient. Unless the subassemblies are locked together, the subassemblies will be disconnected under the correct amount of pressure. This disconnection closes the pores on the subassemblies, which keeps fluid from leaking, and prevents the contamination of the IV line. Luer tips may also be connected to the subassemblies. Some of the luer tips allow for the quick connection of the luer tip to the subassembly through a flange being inserted into a notch or flange acceptor.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner has a handle by which it can be manoeuvred across a floor in a floor cleaning mode, the handle being part of a releasable suction wand which can be used in an above-floor cleaning mode. The suction wand has a first section which comprises the handle, a second section, and a third section which comprises a suction nozzle. The first section is movable relative to the second section between floor cleaning and above-floor cleaning positions. The third section is extendable and retractable relative to the second section. The suction wand has a linkage which is configured to couple movement of the first section towards one of said positions, and extension or retraction of the third section.

Abstract: A suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner, the suction nozzle comprising a suction chamber, an outlet duct extending from the suction chamber for connection to a vacuum source on the vacuum cleaner, a soleplate for supporting the nozzle on a carpeted floor, a suction opening in the soleplate which opens into the suction chamber, and a valve which can be manually operated to open or close a bleed path through the front of the nozzle into the suction chamber, the bleed path being defined by a channel formed on the underside of the soleplate which is fluidly connected to the outlet duct, the channel terminating in an entrance slot on the front of the nozzle for admitting debris as the suction nozzle is pushed in a forward direction, the channel defining a throat downstream of the entrance slot, the throat having a smaller cross-sectional area than the entrance slot.

Abstract: The disclosed implementations describe techniques and workflows for a computer graphics (CG) animation system. In some implementations, systems and methods are disclosed for representing scene composition and performing underlying computations within a unified generalized expression graph with cycles. Disclosed are natural mechanisms for level-of-detail control, adaptive caching, minimal re-compute, lazy evaluation, predictive computation and progressive refinement. The disclosed implementations provide real-time guarantees for minimum graphics frame rates and support automatic tradeoffs between rendering quality, accuracy and speed. The disclosed implementations also support new workflow paradigms, including layered animation and motion-path manipulation of articulated bodies.

Abstract: The invention relates to plasminogen activator-1 (PAI-1) inhibitor compounds and uses thereof in the treatment of any disease or disorder associated with elevated PAI-1. The invention includes, but is not limited to, the use of such compounds to prevent or reduce thrombosis and fibrosis, to promote thrombolysis, and to modulate lipid metabolism and treat diseases or disorders associated with elevated PAI-1, cholesterol, or lipid levels.

Abstract: A turbine case cooling system including a turbine assembly having an inlet and an outlet and surrounded by a turbine casing. The turbine case cooling system is arranged to selectively impingement cool at least part of the turbine casing. The system includes an annular structure that is radially spaced from the turbine casing and includes a downstream end. The system includes an annular duct that is spaced radially outwardly from the turbine casing and radially inwardly from the annular structure. The duct is sealingly coupled to the turbine casing at a first end towards the turbine inlet, and a second end extends axially towards the downstream end of the annular structure and the turbine outlet.