Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating (in one alternative correcting) the cervical curvature of a user, the apparatus having a top, a bottom, a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side, wherein: proximate the top, a thoracic section for receiving the upper back region of a user, preferably for receiving the thoracic region of the user; proximate the top, a cervical section for receiving the cervical curve region of the user; the cervical section is movable with a traction path in at least one of the following planes vertical, horizontal and combinations thereof; in one alternative, the cervical section is movable in an arc-like motion along the vertical plane.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for securing an autoclave bag to a composite fixture are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a flange sealing device including a forward flange at a first end and an aft flange at a second end, and a composite fixture including a forward groove to locate and seal with the forward flange of the flange sealing device to affix an autoclave bag, an aft groove to locate and seal with the aft flange of the flange sealing device to affix the autoclave bag, and an aft locating ring to position the autoclave bag.

Abstract: Audio systems, methods, and processor instructions are provided that detect voice activity of a user and provide an output voice signal. The systems, methods, and instructions receive a plurality of microphone signals and combine the plurality of microphone signals according to a first combination and a second combination. The first combination produces a primary signal having enhanced response in the direction of the user's mouth, and the second combination produces a reference signal having reduced response in the direction of the user's mouth. The primary signal and the reference signal are added and subtracted to produce a summation signal and a difference signal, respectively. The summation signal and the difference signal are compares and an output voice signal is provided based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A device for safely approaching vertebral disc space utilizing stereotactic guidance, clearing material from the disc space, a device for expanding the disc space, stereotactic methods for implant planning and monitoring articulating instrument end effectors and a device for implantation into the disc space for the purpose of fusion or disc replacement.

Abstract: A computer system provides personalized location-based weather services. Weather data for a location is processed to generate a plurality of panels, wherein each panel comprises weather information organized according to a topic of the panel. An order is determined for the plurality of panels, wherein the order is based on one or more factors including an interaction of a user with one or more previously presented panels, a selected event being identified, and a proximity of a forecasted event to a current time. A visualization is generated on a display, including the plurality of panels configured to be navigated according to the determined order. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and program product for providing personalized location-based weather services in substantially the same manner described above.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides an apparatus and method of controlling an audible signal generated by an audio device to improve the sound quality of the generated audible signal and/or sound quality perceived by a user. In some embodiments, the audio device is able to improve the sound quality generated by the audio device that is generating audible sound based on any type of audio signal. The processes described herein allow the audible signal processor to determine the acoustic fingerprint of the environment in which the audio device is positioned, and thus by use of the method steps disclosed herein to optimize the sound quality in one or more frequency bands of a generated audible signal in real time based on the determined acoustic fingerprint.

Abstract: A device for safely approaching vertebral disc space utilizing stereotactic guidance, clearing material from the disc space, a device for expanding the disc space, stereotactic methods for implant planning and monitoring articulating instrument end effectors and a device for implantation into the disc space for the purpose of fusion or disc replacement.

Abstract: Systems and methods include providing an annular seal stack for an assembly. The seal stack assembly is disposed between a probe and a housing of the assembly and configured to provide a radial seal between the probe and the housing. The seal stack assembly includes a first metallic seal, a second metallic seal, and a wiper assembly disposed between the first metallic seal and the second metallic seal. The wiper assembly includes a first wiper housing component having a tapered inner surface, a second wiper housing component having a tapered inner surface opposite the tapered inner surface of the first wiper housing component, and a wiper disposed between the first wiper housing component and the second wiper housing component.

Abstract: Systems and methods include providing an annular seal stack for an assembly. The seal stack is disposed within an annulus formed between a probe and a housing of the assembly and configured to provide a radial seal between the probe and the housing. The seal stack includes a first support retainer, a first lipseal, a first seal support system comprising at least one support ring disposed between the first support retainer and the first lipseal, a second support retainer configured to support the first lipseal, a second lipseal, a second seal support system comprising at least one support ring disposed between the second support retainer and the second lipseal, and a third support retainer configured to support the second lipseal.

Abstract: Audio systems, methods, and processor instructions are provided that detect voice activity of a user and provide an output voice signal. The systems, methods, and instructions receive a plurality of microphone signals and combine the plurality of microphone signals according to a first combination and a second combination. The first combination produces a primary signal having enhanced response in the direction of the user's mouth, and the second combination produces a reference signal having reduced response in the direction of the user's mouth. The primary signal and the reference signal are added and subtracted to produce a summation signal and a difference signal, respectively. The summation signal and the difference signal are compares and an output voice signal is provided based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods include providing an annular bimetallic seal for an assembly. The bimetallic seal includes a first sealing component formed from a first material, a second sealing component formed from a second material that is different than the first material, and a joint formed between the first sealing component and the second sealing component. The bimetallic seal is configured to form a radial seal between a first assembly component and a second assembly component formed from dissimilar metallic materials. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the first material and the second material are configured maintain the radial seal at extreme operating temperatures between the dissimilar metallic materials of the components of the assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods include providing an annular seal for an assembly. The seal includes a metallic annular body comprising an inner sealing leg having a first sealing lip, a second sealing lip, and a valley disposed between the first sealing lip and the second sealing lip. The valley contains a plating reserve, such that the plating thickness in the valley is greater than the plating thickness on the first sealing lip and the second sealing lip.

Abstract: A computer system provides personalized location-based weather services. Weather data for a location is processed to generate a plurality of panels, wherein each panel comprises weather information organized according to a topic of the panel. An order is determined for the plurality of panels, wherein the order is based on one or more factors including an interaction of a user with one or more previously presented panels, a selected event being identified, and a proximity of a forecasted event to a current time. A visualization is generated on a display, including the plurality of panels configured to be navigated according to the determined order. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and program product for providing personalized location-based weather services in substantially the same manner described above.

Abstract: A computer system provides location-based weather services. Weather data is processed to determine one or more weather values for a location. The one or more weather values are compared to baseline weather data for the location to identify a weather event, wherein the weather event is identified in response to determining that the one or more weather values deviate from a corresponding one or more baseline values of the baseline weather data by a threshold amount. A request is received from a user device for weather information for the location. Information relating to the weather event is provided to the user device. Embodiments of the present invention further include a method and program product for providing location-based weather services in substantially the same manner described above.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides an apparatus and method of controlling an audible signal generated by an audio device to improve the sound quality of the generated audible signal and/or sound quality perceived by a user. In some embodiments, the audio device is able to improve the sound quality generated by the audio device that is generating audible sound based on any type of audio signal. The processes described herein allow the audible signal processor to determine the acoustic fingerprint of the environment in which the audio device is positioned, and thus by use of the method steps disclosed herein to optimize the sound quality in one or more frequency bands of a generated audible signal in real time based on the determined acoustic fingerprint.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling arrangement of content (display elements) on a display presented to a user on a device. A set of display elements is received from a server. A primary tier and one or more secondary tiers are populated with display elements from the set of display elements according to a default pattern to establish an arrangement of the display elements. Interactions of the user with the display elements are monitored, wherein information obtained from monitoring is stored locally on the device. A level of interest of the user for the display elements is inferred based on the interactions. The arrangement of the display elements is updated with regard to the primary tier and the one or more secondary tiers to correspond to the level of interest of the user.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling arrangement of content (display elements) on a display presented to a user on a device. A set of display elements is received from a server. A primary tier and one or more secondary tiers are populated with display elements from the set of display elements according to a default pattern to establish an arrangement of the display elements. Interactions of the user with the display elements are monitored, wherein information obtained from monitoring is stored locally on the device. A level of interest of the user for the display elements is inferred based on the interactions. The arrangement of the display elements is updated with regard to the primary tier and the one or more secondary tiers to correspond to the level of interest of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that include providing an outer tubular member, an inner tubular member telescopically disposed within the outer tubular member, and an annular seal disposed between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member, the annular seal being resilient to permit relative movement between the outer tubular member and the inner tubular member, and the annular seal having in a radial cross-section: a first annular leg portion terminating at an end that is radially inward or radially outward, the first annular leg portion comprising a first open loop; and a second annular leg portion extending from the first annular leg portion and terminating at an end that is the other of radially inward or radially outward, the second annular leg portion comprising a second open loop.

Abstract: Novel or improved microporous single or multilayer battery separator membranes, separators, batteries including such membranes or separators, methods of making such membranes, separators, and/or batteries, and/or methods of using such membranes, separators and/or batteries are provided. In accordance with at least certain embodiments, a multilayer dry process polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene microporous separator which is manufactured using the inventive process which includes machine direction stretching followed by transverse direction stretching and a subsequent calendering step as a means to reduce the thickness of the multilayer microporous membrane, to reduce the percent porosity of the multilayer microporous membrane in a controlled manner and/or to improve transverse direction tensile strength.