Abstract: A surgical illumination apparatus comprises a fiber optic input, and illuminated surgical instrument, and an optical coupling bracket for coupling the fiber optic input to the illuminated surgical instrument. The coupling bracket comprises an elongate frame having a proximal end, a distal end, and a central channel extending therebetween, wherein the central channel is sized to receive and support optical fibers of the fiber optic input. The proximal end of the bracket is coupled to the fiber optic input, and the distal end of the bracket is coupled to an illumination element of the illuminated surgical instrument. The apparatus may further comprise a shroud disposed around the illumination element that is coupled to the bracket.

Abstract: A modular step composed of a fiber reinforced thermoplastic. The modular step has a body and two flanges and is configured in size and shape to be detachably affixed to a window well. The modular step mates to the window using a friction fit, mechanical fasteners or tabs/slots. Multiple modular steps can be attached to a single window well. The modular step can be used to facilitate egress through a window well and improves the visual aesthetics of a window well.

Abstract: An external actuation device includes a housing, a motor, a driving magnet, a sensor, and a controller. The motor includes a driveshaft that is rotatable about a rotation axis. The driving magnet is rotatably coupled with the driveshaft and is rotatable together with the driveshaft about the rotation axis. The sensor is associated with the driving magnet and is configured to detect a magnetic force between the driving magnet and a driven magnet disposed adjacent to the driving magnet. The controller is in communication with the motor and the sensor.

Abstract: A suspension member for suspending and/or driving an elevator car of an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members extending along a length of the suspension member including a plurality of fibers extending along the length of the suspension member bonded into a polymer matrix. A jacket substantially retains the plurality of tension members. The suspension member is configured to be deformed at a suspension member end to allow for installation of the suspension member end into a termination assembly of the elevator system. A method of installing a suspension member of an elevator system into a termination assembly includes deforming a suspension member end and reforming it to a selected shape, inserting the suspension member end into the termination assembly and curing and/or hardening it, and applying a load thereto or to the socket or the wedge to secure the suspension member end in the termination assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for machine tool operations optimization is disclosed. The computer based system contains vibrational data for at least one machine tool, where the vibrational data is used to determine optimal machining, parameters for the machine tool and where an amount of profit improvement gained by adopting the optimal machining parameters is calculated.

Abstract: A phone grip attachment includes a base configured for attachment to a phone and a finger-hold attached to the base. The finger-hold has a top member and a bottom member. The finger-hold is movable between an extended position in which an opening is defined between the top member and the bottom member for use in gripping the phone and a collapsed position in which the top member is substantially flat against the bottom member. The finger-hold can be biased to the extended position. The finger-hold can be rotatably attached to the base.

Abstract: The application discloses cellulose ester compositions comprising two or more miscible blends of cellulose ester each comprising a plurality of propionyl substituents having tunable rheology and physical properties not achievable by any one of the cellulose esters alone. These cellulose ester compositions can be further processed, with or without other materials such as plasticizers, flame retardants, and blowing agents, and converted into articles. These cellulose ester compositions have higher modulus and have low to no butyryl/butyric acid content relative to cellulose acetate butyrate (“CAB”) cellulose ester compositions made from CABs having a butyryl content of greater than 30 wt %.

Abstract: A lightweight and durable window well is composed of a long fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFRT). The lightweight and durable window well has at least some fibers that are omnidirectional relative to the other fibers in the thermoplastic. Additionally, at least some fibers of the LFRT have a length greater than 40 mm. The window well also has a body having a plurality of ribs interposed between a plurality of wall surface portions. Additionally, each rib is positioned between two different wall surface portions and is defined by a variable height and a variable depth. Furthermore, the wall surface portions have a variable thickness that varies from a minimal thickness of less than 3 mm to a maximum thickness of greater than 5 mm, with the wall surface being thicker near the ribs than at portions furthest from the ribs in the wall surface.

Abstract: This document describes techniques, apparatuses, and systems of a metal antenna assembly with integrated features. The described antenna assembly comprises an antenna structure including an antenna body having at least one antenna element formed from a metal alloy while in a thixotropic state. The antenna structure includes a surface having a corrosion inhibitor coating. The antenna assembly further includes an air-waveguide structure. In implementations, the antenna structure is configured to attach to a mounting. The antenna structure includes at least one integrated alignment feature promoting alignment during manufacturing of the antenna assembly. The antenna structure further includes an internal portion in the antenna body defining an integrated heatsink portion and an integrated electromagnetic interference portion within which circuit components can reside.

Abstract: A carousel ride system includes a first rotatable platform and multiple second rotatable platforms. Each second rotatable platform of the multiple second rotatable platforms is positioned within a respective opening in the first rotatable platform. A first drive system is configured to drive rotation of the first rotatable platform and multiple second drive assemblies are configured to drive rotation of the multiple second rotatable platforms. Multiple figures extend over the multiple second rotatable platforms and multiple figure drive assemblies are configured to independently lift and rotate the multiple figures relative to the multiple second rotatable platforms. One or more processors are configured to coordinate operation of the first drive system, the multiple second drive assemblies, and the multiple figure drive assemblies to maintain the multiple figures in a forward-facing orientation relative to a direction of travel of the first rotatable platform during operation of the carousel ride system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for modulating a macrolide antimicrobial, modulating an immune function, increasing the effectiveness of an antibiotic, and/or increasing the number and effectiveness of alveolar macrophages in treating a vertebrate animal. The method comprises feeding to the animal a feed composition comprising (1, 3), (1, 6), beta-glucans and optionally mannans to increase the number of alveolar macrophage cells, and administering a macrolide antibiotic to the animal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a blade tip for a turbine engine can include an blade, such as a cooled turbine blade, having a tip rail extending beyond a tip wall enclosing an interior for the blade at the tip. A plurality of film-holes can be provided in the tip rail. A flow of cooling fluid can be provided through the film-holes from the interior of the blade to cool the tip of the blade.

Abstract: A vehicle heat transfer system includes a flow through heat exchanger, a surface heat exchanger, at least a first vehicle component, and a controller that is operable to selectively transfer heat to or from the first vehicle component with either or both of the flow through heat exchanger and the surface heat exchanger based on one or more operating conditions. In a further aspect, a vehicle heat transfer system includes, a vehicle component positioned on a vehicle that is heated or cooled by a fluid, and a surface heat exchanger positioned on the vehicle, the surface heat exchanger having an inlet that receives the fluid used to heat or cool the vehicle component, an outlet that returns the fluid to heat or cool the vehicle component, and a closed fluid path extending between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: A system comprising one or more computers implements a data retrieval interface. The data retrieval interface provides a unified schema definition language for data queries. Also the data retrieval interface implements a routing layer that applies default or custom prioritization parameters to select a data source from which to obtain data requested in a query from an application. The data retrieval interface may take into consideration connectivity, latency, costs, or other user specified parameters when selecting a data source and/or when selecting connection path to a selected data source to be used to obtain data in response to a query.

Abstract: An end-to-end automated testing platform that allows for standardized, enterprise-wide process, compliance and operational exposure testing. The testing platform is self-service, in that, users can manage the process by which (i) data sources are identified and data connections established, (ii) data is mapped from the data sources to meet test requirements, (iii) schedules for executing the test are established, and (iv) rules sets are established as the baseline for testing criteria. In addition, the platform provides for definition of the business rule logic to be used to perform the testing, application of the rule logic against appropriate business data to determine testing results and the dissemination of those results. Additionally, the platform provides for automated generation of test code, execution of the test code and compilation and dissemination of test results.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for adaptively buffering content of a media asset from a media source when a different media asset from a different media source is being played at user equipment. The media guidance application may predict when and which channel or other media source the user is likely to switch to and then buffer content from the predicted channel or other media source accordingly. The pre-tuning buffering may enhance the user experience by reduce tuning latency when the user switches channels.

Abstract: A multi-actuator capable vehicle headrest includes a headrest support and a multi-cam release mechanism mounted to the headrest support. The multi-cam release mechanism includes a first cam and a second cam. A headrest shell member is pivotally mounted to the headrest support through the multi-cam release mechanism. An actuator is mounted to the headrest shell member. The actuator includes a first actuator portion operable to disengage the multi-cam release mechanism based on a first input and a second actuator portion operable to disengage the multi-cam release mechanism based on a second input that is distinct from the first input allowing the multi-actuator capable vehicle headrest to transition between a deployed configuration and a folded configuration.

Abstract: A polyaxial rod connector comprising a body having an external surface. The connector body is intersected by an imaginary first reference plane and an imaginary second reference plane perpendicular to the first plane. The first body portion is on one side of the first plane and defines a first spinal rod passage defining a first passage axis and a first set screw opening defining a first axis perpendicular to the first passage axis. A second body portion is adjoined to the first body portion, defining a second spinal rod passage defining a plurality of passage axes, and a second set screw opening defining a second axis perpendicular to the plurality of second passage axes. The first passage axis is non-parallel with one of second passage axes in the second plane. Either the first or second spinal rod passage have an hourglass shaped cross-section parallel to the second plane.

Abstract: A device and method for converting a consumable into an aerosol with high heat without burning the consumable by packaging the consumable containing an internal susceptor inside an encasement with an induction heating element wrapped around the consumable-containing package to heat the susceptor using a magnetic field generated by the induction heating element. Combustion of the consumable-containing package is minimized by limiting air inside the consumable-containing package by coating a plurality of holes in the encasement material that melts at high temperatures. The coating may also include a flavoring.

Abstract: An enterprise platform may retrieve, from a collaboration data store, information about a selected enterprise team. The enterprise platform may then transmit, from a set of integration tools to a workflow tool of a remote cloud-based environment, a data payload including a notification request associated with a channel. The enterprise platform may also transmit, from a runtime environment to a business communication platform of the cloud-based environment, a request to post a notification to the channel and arrange for a member of the selected enterprise team to receive an adaptive information card, pushed by the business communication platform via the channel, containing information associated with at least one of the integration tools. The member who receives the adaptive information card may also, via selection of a graphical icon on the card, respond to the business communication platform via bi-directional communication.