Abstract: There is provided a multi-ring animal collar that can be used to restrain the animal or to provide a choking force on the animal. The unit features a plurality of rings spaced around the periphery of the collar thus facilitating attachment of a leash or other restrain at or near the top of the animal's head. This eliminates the need to access the lower area of the animal's neck thereby improving both convenience and safety when attaching the leash to the collar. The collar may be formed from steel chain or the like or from straps of material such as leather or nylon. Multiple rings allow for two modes of operation: restraint or restraint and choking force. These modes are selected by selecting different attachment rings according to the function desired. The varying length of the links that comprise the collar enables the user to impose varying degrees of choking force upon an animal. Stops included on the varying length links halt the increase of the choking force applied to the animal.

Abstract: Core-shell particles, composite anode material, anodes made therefrom, lithium ion cells and methods are provided, which enable production of fast charging lithium ion batteries. The composite anode material has core-shell particles which are configured to receive and release lithium ions at their cores and to have shells that are configured to allow for core expansion upon lithiation. The cores of the core-shell particles are connected to the respective shells by conductive material such as carbon fibers, which may form a network throughout the anode material and possibly interconnect cores of many core-shell particles to enhance the electrical conductivity of the anode. Ionic conductive material and possibly mechanical elements may be incorporated in the core-shell particles to enhance ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness toward expansion and contraction of the cores during lithiation and de-lithiation.

Abstract: Methods of making anode active materials include milling graphite particles with carbohydrate particles to yield graphite-carbohydrate particles, milling the particles with anode material and carbonizing to form composite anode material particles. The anode active materials thus producted are provided with an at least partially porous carbon-graphite coating with both electronic and ionic conductivity.

Abstract: Core-shell particles, composite anode material, anodes made therefrom, lithium ion cells and methods are provided, which enable production of fast charging lithium ion batteries. The composite anode material has core-shell particles which are configured to receive and release lithium ions at their cores and to have shells that are configured to allow for core expansion upon lithiation. The cores of the core-shell particles are connected to the respective shells by conductive material such as carbon fibers, which may form a network throughout the anode material and possibly interconnect cores of many core-shell particles to enhance the electrical conductivity of the anode. Ionic conductive material and possibly mechanical elements may be incorporated in the core-shell particles to enhance ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness toward expansion and contraction of the cores during lithiation and de-lithiation.

Abstract: Core-shell particles, composite anode material, anodes made therefrom, lithium ion cells and methods are provided, which enable production of fast charging lithium ion batteries. The composite anode material has core-shell particles which are configured to receive and release lithium ions at their cores and to have shells that are configured to allow for core expansion upon lithiation. The cores of the core-shell particles are connected to the respective shells by conductive material such as carbon fibers, which may form a network throughout the anode material and possibly interconnect cores of many core-shell particles to enhance the electrical conductivity of the anode. Ionic conductive material and possibly mechanical elements may be incorporated in the core-shell particles to enhance ionic conductivity and mechanical robustness toward expansion and contraction of the cores during lithiation and de-lithiation.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating solar cells having junctions retracted from cleaved edges, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a light-receiving surface, a back surface, and sidewalls. An emitter region is in the substrate at the light-receiving surface of the substrate. The emitter region has sidewalls laterally retracted from the sidewalls of the substrate. A passivation layer is on the sidewalls of the emitter region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-program products for archive validation and retention parameter determination for documents. The system may generate or receive image documents. Utilizing image quality and data storage metrics the system may trigger the purging and/or retention of documents in image and/or paper form. Furthermore, the system may identify a duration of storage, location of storage, and the like. Upon retention, the system may continually monitor the documents and store metadata associated with the use of the retained documents. This monitoring may identify a period for purging the document, efficiently allowing for physical or server space availability.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems, methods, and computer-program products for a feedback loop for enhancing archive validation and retention parameter determination for documents. The system may generate or receive image documents. Utilizing image quality and data storage metrics the system may trigger the purging and/or retention of documents in image and/or paper form. Upon retention, the system may continually monitor the documents and store metadata associated with the use of the retained documents. Once the documents are purged, the system compiles historic data points associated with the image quality and data storage metrics. Furthermore, the system extracts the metadata associated with the monitoring of retained documents. These data points and metadata are reviewed to provide revisions in retention parameters for specific documents. A feedback loop directly communicates and integrates the revisions to the metric and criteria for instant integration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mixed reality surgical navigation system (10) to be worn by a user (106) during a surgical procedure comprising: a display device (104), to be worn by a user (106) during a surgical procedure, comprising a processor unit (102), a display generator (204), a sensor suite (210) having at least one camera (206) or depth sensor wherein the processing unit (102) creates a reference surface map (5804) of an exposed surface (5806) of an anatomical object (4204) with data received from the sensor suite (210); the processing unit (102) establishes a reference frame (5810) relative to the sensor suite (210) for the reference surface map (5804); orientation of the reference frame (5810) is established by creating additional surface maps (5834) of other anatomical features (5824) of the anatomical object (4204); the processing unit (102) tracks a pose of the anatomical object (4204) relative to the system (10) by creating a displaced surface map (5814) of the exposed surface (5806) and rot

Abstract: Improved anodes and cells are provided, which enable fast charging rates with enhanced safety due to much reduced probability of metallization of lithium on the anode, preventing dendrite growth and related risks of fire or explosion. Anodes and/or electrolytes have buffering zones for partly reducing and gradually introducing lithium ions into the anode for lithiation, to prevent lithium ion accumulation at the anode electrolyte interface and consequent metallization and dendrite growth. Various anode active materials and combinations, modifications through nanoparticles and a range of coatings which implement the improved anodes are provided.

Abstract: Improved anodes and cells are provided, which enable fast charging rates with enhanced safety due to much reduced probability of metallization of lithium on the anode, preventing dendrite growth and related risks of fire or explosion. Anodes and/or electrolytes have buffering zones for partly reducing and gradually introducing lithium ions into the anode for lithiation, to prevent lithium ion accumulation at the anode electrolyte interface and consequent metallization and dendrite growth. Various anode active materials and combinations, modifications through nanoparticles and a range of coatings which implement the improved anodes are provided.

Abstract: Improved anodes and cells are provided, which enable fast charging rates with enhanced safety due to much reduced probability of metallization of lithium on the anode, preventing dendrite growth and related risks of fire or explosion. Anodes and/or electrolytes have buffering zones for partly reducing and gradually introducing lithium ions into the anode for lithiation, to prevent lithium ion accumulation at the anode electrolyte interface and consequent metallization and dendrite growth. Various anode active materials and combinations, modifications through nanoparticles and a range of coatings which implement the improved anodes are provided.

Abstract: A uterine fibroid tissue removal device includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube and configured to be translated and rotated relative to the outer tube, and a separately formed unitary distal tip member attached to a distal end of the inner tube, such that the distal tip member translates and rotates relative to the outer tube along with the inner tube, wherein a distal facing open cutting end of the distal tip member in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the distal tip member translates across a tissue resection window in a sidewall of the outer tube so as to sever tissue extending therethrough, the distal tip member axial lumen being in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the inner tube, wherein an outer diameter of the distal tip member is greater than an outer diameter of the inner tube.

Abstract: Methods of making anode active materials include milling graphite particles with carbohydrate particles to yield graphite-carbohydrate particles, milling the particles with anode material and carbonizing to form composite anode material particles. The anode active materials thus producted are provided with an at least partially porous carbon-graphite coating with both electronic and ionic conductivity.

Abstract: Improved anodes and cells are provided, which enable fast charging rates with enhanced safety due to much reduced probability of metallization of lithium on the anode, preventing dendrite growth and related risks of fire or explosion. Anodes and/or electrolytes have buffering zones for partly reducing and gradually introducing lithium ions into the anode for lithiation, to prevent lithium ion accumulation at the anode electrolyte interface and consequent metallization and dendrite growth. Various anode active materials and combinations, modifications through nanoparticles and a range of coatings which implement the improved anodes are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for extracting inertial information from nonlinear periodic signals. A system for determining an inertial parameter can include circuitry configured for receiving a first periodic analog signal from a first sensor that is responsive to motion of a proof mass, converting the first periodic analog signal to a first periodic digital signal, determining a result of trigonometrically inverting a quantity, the quantity based on the first periodic digital signal, and determining the inertial parameter based on the result.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for brewing coffee of higher quality and better taste than any apparatus and method currently available, while also enabling users to utilize less coffee grounds per brewing cycle, thereby achieving significant cost savings for users. A basket that houses a packet of coffee grounds is housed within a chamber that stores water. The basket is fabricated so that water may enter therein and exit therefrom, and the packet of coffee grounds enables water and natural coffee oils to penetrate the packet, but does not allow coffee grounds to escape the packet. The water chamber is filled with water that is gradually heated from at or around tap temperature to approximately boiling. While the water in the chamber is heated, the basket is agitated. This causes the gradually heating water to enter the basket and agitate the packet, thereby extracting natural coffee oil from the grounds stored within the packet, which creates brewed coffee.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for brewing coffee of higher quality and better taste than any apparatus and method currently available, while also enabling users to utilize less coffee grounds per brewing cycle, thereby achieving significant cost savings for users. A basket that houses a packet of coffee grounds is housed within a carafe that stores water. The basket is fabricated so that water may enter therein and exit therefrom, and the packet of coffee grounds enables water and natural coffee oils to penetrate the packet, but does not allow coffee grounds to escape the packet. The carafe is filled with water that is gradually heated from at or around tap temperature to approximately boiling. While the water in the chamber is heated, the basket is agitated. This causes the gradually heating water to enter the basket and agitate the packet, thereby extracting natural coffee oil from the grounds stored within the packet, which creates brewed coffee.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood processing system comprises a plastic molded compact manifold that supports a plurality of molded blood and dialysate fluidic pathways along with a plurality of relevant sensors, valves and pumps. A disposable dialyzer is connected to the molded manifold to complete the blood circuit of the system. The compact manifold is also disposable in one embodiment and can be detachably installed in the dialysis machine.

Abstract: A system for resolving item-processing exceptions typically includes a processor, a memory, and an exception resolution module stored in the memory. The exception resolution module is typically configured for: receiving an item-processing exception; determining a source of the item-processing exception; based on the source of the item-processing exception, identifying a defined exception resolution process; based on the defined exception resolution process, creating and configuring a pipeline context for resolving the item-processing exception, the pipeline context including the defined exception resolution process; storing the pipeline context in a pipeline database; adding the pipeline context to a pipeline queue; selecting, via a pipeline manager service, the pipeline context from the pipeline queue; and executing, via a worker thread, the pipeline context by executing the defined exception resolution process.