Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a subject having a medical condition associated with a pathogenic microorganism, the method comprising administering to said subject a potentiating effective amount of nitric oxide; and administering to said subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antimicrobial agent, wherein said antimicrobial agent is other than said nitric oxide.

Abstract: A wearable sound device includes a venting module, configured to form at least one vent to connect a volume within the wearable sound device and ambient, and a sound producing device, configured to produce sound according to an equalized input signal. The venting module, including at least one venting device, operates among a plurality of statuses corresponding to a plurality of degrees of opening. A controller generates the equalized input signal according to a degree of opening among the plurality of degrees of opening, in order to counteract a roll off caused by the at least one vent.

Abstract: An intravascular imaging system includes a catheter with an elongate outer sheath and a torque cable axially translatable and rotatable in the elongate outer sheath, a pullback and rotation unit for axially translating and rotating the torque cable, a sensor configured to provide an output indicative of an axial force exerted by the torque cable on a rotor in the pullback and rotation unit, and a controller configured to cause the pullback and rotation unit to operate in a remedial mode if the output exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to relates to heterogeneous catalysts useful for the synthesis of ammonia under electromagnetic irradiation, processes for preparing the disclosed heterogeneous catalysts, processes for synthesizing ammonia at ambient pressures using hydrogen and nitrogen. The disclosed heterogeneous catalysts can be utilized in disclosed processes for efficient synthesis of ammonia utilizing a variable frequency reactor with an electromagnetic frequency generator and a reactor chamber. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, including a magnet and a body encompassing the magnet, wherein the implantable medical device includes structural components in the body configured to move away from one another upon initial rotation of the magnet relative to the body when the magnet is subjected to an externally generated magnetic field, thereby limiting rotation of the magnet beyond the initial rotation.

Abstract: A method of enhancing plume spreading, the method comprising: injecting a first fluid having a first viscosity into a second fluid having a second viscosity; wherein the first viscosity is lower than the second viscosity; and wherein an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid has a surface area that is greater than a reference surface area of an interface between two fluids having a same viscosity, thereby enhancing plume spreading of the first fluid into the second fluid.

Abstract: A filtration system is described that can be used to filter out plant material within a solution. One or more sieves can be disposed in series to receive a flow of solution. As the solution flows through the one or more sieves, progressively smaller particles can be filtered out. One or more transducers can apply sound waves or other agitation during the filtering process. The sound waves help in suspending solid particles in the solution and making for more efficient and quicker filtering.

Abstract: A pedal unit for a vehicle has a sensor surface which includes at least two functional regions and is designed to detect an actuation by the driver. The pedal unit also has at least one evaluation and control unit coupled to the sensor surface and designed to evaluate an actuation of one of the at least two functional regions detected by the sensor surface and, as a function of this evaluation, control a vehicle function associated with the corresponding functional region of the sensor surface. At least one region of the sensor surface is raised or lowered and enables a haptic differentiation between the at least two functional regions of the sensor surface.

Abstract: Methods for marking a seat belt webbing with an infrared compound are described herein. The methods comprise ablating a surface of the seat belt webbing by directing one or more laser pulses toward the seat belt webbing; and coating the ablated surface of the seat belt webbing with the infrared compound, wherein the infrared compound increases absorptivity or reflectivity of the seat belt webbing to infrared radiation. Methods for optically monitoring operation of the seat belt webbing in a vehicle and distinguishing between proper positioning and improper positioning of the seat belt webbing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A separation and/or humidification element that employs fibrous hollow membrane tubes is provided, which may be used for water vapor transfer between different gas streams in a fuel cell application, such as to humidify the reaction gas. At least one and typically two composite end caps encapsulate ends of a bundle of the fibrous hollow membrane tubes. Each composite end cap comprises adhesive (e.g. epoxy) and a preform such as a plastic annular shroud.

Abstract: It is well understood in the medical industry that medical disorders can manifest as serious problems for the affected subjects, their families, and society. Today, psychiatrists, neurologists and other physicians treat these disorders with a variety of medications, many of which have significant negative side effects. The teachings provided herein are directed to a novel system and methods for treating certain neurological, psychological, psychiatric and medical disorders by delivering a “magnetic stimulation” to a subject's neural and perineural system using either a static or electromagnetic field to generate a modulated variable power multi-spectral magnetic stimulation on three axis; the modulated stimulation using methods that have predictable, controlled, modifiable, and repeatable characteristics.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to collecting and containing samples and particularly, but not exclusively, to technology for collecting and containing a stool specimen. The technology provides a device for collecting and containing a stool specimen, the device comprising ergonomic features optimized for a geriatric user. The technology also provides an enclosing holder for securing the ergonomic stool specimen container in a leak-proof manner e.g., during mechanical shaking.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an additively manufactured transport structure. The transport structure includes cavities into which components that use an external interface are inserted. A plurality of components are assembled and integrated into the vehicle. In an embodiment, the components and frame are modular, enabling reparability and replacement of single parts in the event of isolated failures.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for the rapid processing and analysis of samples. In particular, a small-volume sample (e.g., nucleic acid sample) is exposed to (e.g., contacted with) different temperature zones within a device to process (e.g., amplify) and/or analyze (e.g., quantitate) the sample in an assay.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment relates to a container. The container includes a base, a canister configured to engage a portion of the base, and a lid configured to be removably coupled to the canister such that the lid is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The base includes a bottom wall having a central portion, a peripheral portion, and an angle portion between the central portion and the peripheral portion. The base includes a first sidewall extending from a periphery of the peripheral portion and about a periphery of the bottom wall and a second sidewall extending from an end of the peripheral portion opposite the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend perpendicular to the peripheral portion such that the peripheral portion, first sidewall, and second sidewall define a first gap.

Abstract: Lumber sorting systems and methods that use adaptive lumber management to tailor the distribution of lumber to improve the yield and aesthetic properties of a product are disclosed. An adaptive lumber management system in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise a lumber scanner configured to record one or more characteristics of each board and create a data file for each board comprising information regarding the characteristic of the board. A processor may be configured to determine a target tray for each board based on the data files. The processor may be further configured to generate at least one mapping. The system may further comprise a sorting mechanism configured to sort the plurality of boards into their respective target trays and at least one tipple configured to select each board or the plurality of boards from the plurality of trays according to the at least one mapping.

Abstract: A delivery station for delivering goods, including a main track, one or more storage devices located along the main track, where the storage devices store the goods delivered by the delivery station, a push-pull device configured to move along the main track, where the push-pull device is configured to carry one of the storage devices along the main track, the push pull device including an actuator for moving the push-pull device, and a mechanism configured to lock on one of the storage devices and to move the one of the one or more storage devices in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the main track.

Abstract: Strapping devices and methods are provided. The strapping device can include a member. The strapping device can include a first actuator coupled with the member to move the member between a first position and a second position. The strapping device can include a sensor to detect an electrical characteristic of the first actuator and to transmit a signal indicative of the electrical characteristic. The strapping device can include a data processing system. The data processing system can receive the signal and determine the member is in contact with a welding component based on the electrical characteristic. The data processing system can determine the second position of the member based on the member being in contact with the welding component. The data processing system can transmit a control signal to the first actuator and a second actuator to initiate a welding cycle with the member at the second position.

Abstract: A rock rail assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting structure, an arm mounted to the mounting structure, a motor bracket coupled to the mounting structure, a motor mounted to the motor bracket, a pivot bar pivotably coupled with the mounting structure, a rail coupled with the pivot bar and operable to move between stowed and deployed positions, and a sector gear coupled to the pivot bar. The motor has a shaft that includes a first end, a second end, and a worm gear portion. Operation of the motor drives rotation of the shaft. The sector gear is operably engaged with the worm gear portion of the shaft, such that rotation of the shaft by the motor drives pivotal movement of the pivot bar relative to the mounting structure, causing movement of the rail coupled thereto between the stowed and deployed positions.

Abstract: A support structure for a roof track on a vehicle, including a rear bracket. The rear bracket includes a roof rail configured to contact an interior side of a vehicle roof, a bar foot configured to engage a safety bar, and a support member extending between the roof rail and the bar foot. The roof rail and the bar foot are each pivotably and rotatably connected to the support member.