Abstract: Devices for encapsulating biological entities (e.g., cells) where the encapsulating devices are implanted into a tissue bed of a patient to provide biological therapy are disclosed. The encapsulation device includes a inactive region (e.g., weld area) located around the periphery of the device. The inactive region is non-porous and prevents cellular ingrowth and/or vascularization therein. An anchor region containing an ingrowth layer and a bonding layer may be attached or otherwise affixed to the inactive region. The open microstructure of the ingrowth layer permits for rapid cellular and/or vascular ingrowth to stabilize the encapsulation device within the host tissue. In some embodiments, inactive regions can be formed in location(s) on the cell retaining region of the encapsulation device.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein enable the automation of perforation gun deployment to a downhole location in a well at an oilfield. For example, at least one perforation gun may be deployed into the well with a conveyance line coupled to a head of a downhole tool string that includes the at least one perforation gun, and advanced with pump assistance from at least one pump unit at the oilfield. Deployment of the at least one perforation gun may be adjusted by a coordinated controller in an automated manner based at least in part on monitoring of a pump rate of the at least one pump unit and a tension at a head of the downhole tool string.

Abstract: Systems for distributed, event-based computation are provided. In various embodiments, the systems include a plurality of neurosynaptic processors and a network interconnecting the plurality of neurosynaptic processors. Each neurosynaptic processor includes a clock uncoupled from the clock of each other neurosynaptic processor. Each neurosynaptic processor is adapted to receive an input stream, the input stream comprising a plurality of inputs and a clock value associated with each of the plurality of inputs. Each neurosynaptic processor is adapted to compute, for each clock value, an output based on the inputs associated with that clock value. Each neurosynaptic processor is adapted to send to another of the plurality of neurosynaptic processors, via the network, the output and an associated clock value.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein enable the automation of perforation gun deployment to a downhole location in a well at an oilfield. For example, at least one perforation gun may be deployed into the well with a conveyance line coupled to a head of a downhole tool string that includes the at least one perforation gun, and advanced with pump assistance from at least one pump unit at the oilfield. Deployment of the at least one perforation gun may be adjusted by a coordinated controller in an automated manner based at least in part on monitoring of a pump rate of the at least one pump unit and a tension at a head of the downhole tool string.

Abstract: A method for transfer of data to a client computer, the data being stored on a remote server computer in a hierarchical database having hierarchical relationships. The method comprises generating a query having query parameters, generating a call for data based on the query, the plurality of query parameters being sent from the client computer to the server computer, data is provided from the server computer to the client computer according to the query parameters, the provided data comprising a plurality of resources and their hierarchical relationships, and the data connection between the client computer and the server computer is terminated, and outputting the provided data to a user of the client computer. A status of the database is subject to continuous change, wherein the structure and/or content of the database is variable, wherein the query is generated manually by input of the user of the client computer, and customized.

Abstract: Systems for distributed, event-based computation are provided. In various embodiments, the systems include a plurality of neurosynaptic processors and a network interconnecting the plurality of neurosynaptic processors. Each neurosynaptic processor includes a clock uncoupled from the clock of each other neurosynaptic processor. Each neurosynaptic processor is adapted to receive an input stream, the input stream comprising a plurality of inputs and a clock value associated with each of the plurality of inputs. Each neurosynaptic processor is adapted to compute, for each clock value, an output based on the inputs associated with that clock value. Each neurosynaptic processor is adapted to send to another of the plurality of neurosynaptic processors, via the network, the output and an associated clock value.

Abstract: Glass inspection systems are provided for detecting particles and defects in or on a glass sheet or glass ribbon (2, 14). The system is mounted so that the surface (1) to be inspected is in the object plane of a reflective lens (10). The lens images a thin stripe area, long in the direction tangent to the lens circumference and short in the radial direction, onto a linescan camera (18). A line illuminator (12) can be mounted so that it illuminates the stripe area. To perform the inspection, the system is moved with respect to the glass in the direction perpendicular to the long axis of the stripe, either by moving the system over the glass or by moving the glass while the system is fixed. Image information is collected by the linescan camera during this motion and assembled into an image.

Abstract: A distortion measurement and inspection system is presented. In one embodiment, a vision system is implemented. The vision system performs dual focal plane imaging where simultaneous imaging of two focal planes is simultaneously performed on a sample substrate and a reference substrate to determine distortion. In addition, a highly reflective background is implemented to provide for more resolution during distortion measurement.

Abstract: Glass inspection systems are provided for detecting particles and defects in or on a glass sheet or glass ribbon (2, 14). The system is mounted so that the surface (1) to be inspected is in the object plane of a reflective lens (10). The lens images a thin stripe area, long in the direction tangent to the lens circumference and short in the radial direction, onto a linescan camera (18). A line illuminator (12) can be mounted so that it illuminates the stripe area. To perform the inspection, the system is moved with respect to the glass in the direction perpendicular to the long axis of the stripe, either by moving the system over the glass or by moving the glass while the system is fixed. Image information is collected by the linescan camera during this motion and assembled into an image.

Abstract: A distortion measurement and inspection system is presented. In one embodiment, a vision system is implemented. The vision system performs dual focal plane imaging where simultaneous imaging of two focal planes is simultaneously performed on a sample substrate and a reference substrate to determine distortion. In addition, a highly reflective background is implemented to provide for more resolution during distortion measurement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shoe with a sole member having an upper surface for receiving a user's foot and a lower surface for contacting a support surface. The sole member has a first sidewall and a second sidewall that are spaced apart and extend between the upper and lower surfaces. The sole member also has a slot defined therethrough, with the slot extending between the first and second sidewalls. A strap has a pair of opposed ends and a midportion therebetween. The midportion is designed to be received in and retained by the slot. The slot also has a closure member for joining the opposed ends. When the midportion of the strap is received in the slot and the closure member joins the opposed ends, the strap and the sole cooperate to form a shoe upper for receiving the foot.

Abstract: A storage and dispensing device for material provided on rolls includes a base and a material holder. The base has an outer shell, an opening and an interior space defined within the outer shell. The material holder has a stowed position wherein the holder is disposed at least partially in the interior space and a dispensing position wherein the holder at least partially extends from the base. The holder includes a plurality of elongated dispensing tubes each configured to receive a roll of material. Each tube has an opening for dispensing material from the roll.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved footwear that overcomes many of the limitations of the prior art. A shoe according to the present invention, includes a sole member with an upper surface for receiving a user's foot and a lower surface for contacting a support surface. The sole member has a first sidewall and a second sidewall that are spaced apart and extend between the upper and lower surfaces. The sole member also has a slot defined therethrough, with the slot extending between the first and second sidewalls. A strap has a pair of opposed ends and a midportion therebetween. The midportion is designed to be received in and retained by the slot. The slot also has a closure member for joining the opposed ends. When the midportion of the strap is received in the slot and the closure member joins the opposed ends, the strap and the sole cooperate to form a shoe upper for receiving the foot.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved footwear that overcomes many of the limitations of the prior art. A shoe according to the present invention, includes a sole member with an upper surface for receiving a user's foot and a lower surface for contacting a support surface. The sole member has a first sidewall and a second sidewall that are spaced apart and extend between the upper and lower surfaces. The sole member also has a slot defined therethrough, with the slot extending between the first and second sidewalls. A strap has a pair of opposed ends and a midportion therebetween. The midportion is designed to be received in and retained by the slot. The slot also has a closure member for joining the opposed ends. When the midportion of the strap is received in the slot and the closure member joins the opposed ends, the strap and the sole cooperate to form a shoe upper for receiving the foot.

Abstract: A shade is designed for use with a hanging pot of the type having a pot portion with an upwardly facing plant-receiving area and one or more upwardly extending members for supporting the pot portion in a hanging position. The shade includes a shade element with a central region and an outwardly extending perimeter region. The central region includes a connection feature configured to interconnect the shade element with one or more upwardly extending members of the hanging pot so as to position the shade element above the plant-receiving area.

Abstract: A communication system and method for monitoring operation of a system in a facility and for sending out repair request has a monitoring device coupled to a system in the facility to be monitored. The monitoring device sends a notification signal when an operational problem is monitored. A receiving device is used for receiving the notification signal sent from the monitoring device. A client communication system is utilized for entering information for a repair order for the operational problem monitored. A repair maintenance server is coupled to the first computer system. The repair maintenance server receives the repair order information and sends bid requests to designated repair vendors. A plurality of vendor computer systems is coupled to the repair maintenance server for repair vendors to submit bids for the repair order. The repair maintenance server will select a vendor and notify the vendor of a winning bid.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus having a base, a shaft, a swivel joint assembly and plural stories. The base is fixed relative to the ground. The shaft extends vertically through the apparatus. The shaft is mounted to the base. The swivel joint assembly is mounted in the base coaxially with the shaft. The swivel joint rotatably connects fixed utility lines extending into the base with corresponding utility lines secured within the apparatus. Each of the plural stories defines an enclosed living area and is rotatably supported, at least in part, via the shaft. Each story has a drive mechanism adapted to rotate the story about the shaft at a speed controllable within the story.

Abstract: A steering column assembly for a motor vehicle having adjustable tilt including a tilt housing pivotally connected to a support housing on an upper end of a tubular column sleeve. Pivotal connection is accomplished through a pair of coaxially aligned fasteners extending along a horizontal tilt axis and positioned on opposite sides of a rotatable steering shaft carried inside the column sleeve. The fasteners are separately actionable to reversibly adjust their lengths and thereby create a tuned frictional engagement between the support housing and the tilt housing so that objectionable rattling noises in the column assembly can be attenuated.