Abstract: A medical device is described having a handle, a shaft coupled to the handle and an end effector coupled to the shaft. In one embodiment, the device includes an ultrasonic transducer and is arranged so that ultrasonic or electrical energy can be delivered to a vessel or tissue to be treated. Various novel sensing circuits are described to allow a measure of the drive signal to be measured and fed back to a controller. An active fuse circuit is also described for protecting one or more batteries of the device from an over-current situation.

Abstract: Prosthetic tegmen plates are provided. The prosthetic tegmen plates include a body that defines at least one engagement surface that substantially conforms to a region of a corresponding surface of a subject's temporal bone having a tegmen defect. The prosthetic tegmen plates are configured to cover the tegmen defect. Methods for manufacturing prosthetic tegmen plates by additive manufacturing and surgically implanting prosthetic tegmen plates are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions including probiotic compositions and methods for treating metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, neurological diseases, inflammatory or autoimmune diseases and cancer.

Abstract: A method of making a pressurized packaged liquid beverage including filling a container including a one-way valve with a liquid mixture including a base liquid and a gum; sealing the container; introducing a volume of gas through the one-way valve after sealing the container; and agitating the container. When the container is opened, the liquid mixture increases in volume and separates into a liquid phase and a drinkable foam phase, which may persist for an extended period of time. The base liquid includes milk, coffee, fruit juice, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a pressurized packaged liquid beverage. The method includes filling a container including a one-way valve with a liquid beverage, sealing the container, introducing a volume of gas through the one-way valve after sealing the container, and agitating the liquid beverage inside the sealed container, When the container is opened, the liquid beverage increases in volume and separates into liquid phase and a drinkable foam phase. The method may be carried out in a sealed container including a one-way valve adapted to allow a gas to enter the first container but not exit or a circulatory agitation system according to other embodiments. Thee liquid beverage may include milk, coffee, fruit juice, or mixtures thereof, particularly mixtures of milk and coffee, and may further include a gum. The gas may be nitrous oxide.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of lighting devices connected in a network to communicate in a service area, and a smart tag configured to communicate with one or more of the lighting devices. Each respective lighting device is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal including a device identifier of the respective lighting device. In response to expiration of a time period or an occurrence of an event, the smart tag is configured to transition from a low power consumption sleep mode to an awake mode. During the awake mode, the smart tag is configured to provide information that enables a processor or other computing device to determine a position of the smart tag or any asset associated with the smart tag in the service area. Upon transmission of the information, the smart tag is transitioned from the awake mode back to the low power consumption sleep mode.

Abstract: An example of a technique for maintaining a previously calibrated mobile device positioning system to account for changes in perturbers of the Earth's magnetic field. A mobile device obtains a corrected heading estimate of the mobile device within a space based on a previously recorded heading correction value. The mobile device also calculates a device heading relative to a previously orientated map of the space. The mobile device subsequently updates the heading correction value with any deviation between the corrected heading estimate and the calculated device heading.

Abstract: A flash ironmaking drop tube furnace includes a primary reaction section having a refractory, an induction coil around the refractory, insulation located between the refractory and the induction coil, and a susceptor located inside the refractory, the susceptor being formed of a material that is heated by induction when electrical current flows through the induction coil, and having at least one interior channel through which particles can pass. The furnace further includes a muffle, located below the primary reaction section; an outer shell surrounding the muffle; at least one heater located adjacent to the muffle; insulation located between the at least one heater and the outer shell; at least one particle feeder that feeds a predetermined volume of particles into the furnace above the primary reaction section; and an inlet port for injecting gas into the furnace, the inlet port being located so that the gas flows through the susceptor and muffle in parallel with the particles.

Abstract: A method of determining the location of a candidate object in an environment, the method including the steps of: (a) capturing a 3D point cloud scan of the object and its surrounds; (b) forming a surface geometry model of the candidate object. (c) forming a range hypothesis test comparing an expected range from the geometry model of the candidate object in comparison with the measured range of points in the Lidar point cloud scan and deriving an error measure there between; (d) testing the range hypothesis for a series of expected locations for the surface geometry model of the candidate object and determining a likely lowest error measure.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and uses thereof in methods for treating an inflammatory disease, disorder or condition in a subject, in particular an inflammatory disease, disorder or condition of the digestive tract such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and/or colorectal cancer. The invention also relates to probiotic compositions and the use of the compositions for treating gastrointestinal disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flow apparatus (10) having a flow control valve (12) having a housing (14), an aperture (16), an aperture obturator (18) and an actuator (20) for moving said obturator (16) between a first closed position and multiple open positions (B-L), characterised by a valve position monitor (21) for monitoring the position of the valve (12) and comprising a plurality of discrete sensors (28a to 28e) associated with a plurality of open positions (B-L) of said valve for monitoring the presence or absence of one or more members (26) movable with said valve (12). The arrangement may be used to monitor the valve position and such monitoring may be of use in the prediction of the amount of fluid remaining within a cylinder (32) to which it has been attached.

Abstract: A system includes radio frequency (RF) communication devices, for example, in luminaires, located in a service area offering a location determination service, and a portable device used in commissioning the communication devices. The communication devices transmit a primary location determination system's RF signals for receipt by the portable device. The portable device determines its location using a secondary system. The RF communication devices' transmitted RF signals include an identifier. A received signal strength indication (RSSI) of each signal received by the portable device is measured, and stored with an estimate of the portable device's corresponding location. The portable device is moved to another location to measure RSSI of RF signals. When the number of measurements or number of locations is sufficient, the locations of each of the respective luminaires or communication devices may be determined using the RSSI values and the portable device's estimated indiscriminate location.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of lighting devices connected in a network to communicate in a service area, and a smart tag configured to communicate with one or more of the lighting devices. Each respective lighting device is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal including a device identifier of the respective lighting device. In response to expiration of a time period or an occurrence of an event, the smart tag is configured to transition from a low power consumption sleep mode to an awake mode. During the awake mode, the smart tag is configured to provide information that enables a processor or other computing device to determine a position of the smart tag or any asset associated with the smart tag in the service area. Upon transmission of the information, the smart tag is transitioned from the awake mode back to the low power consumption sleep mode.

Abstract: A tag is configured to provide information that enables a processor or other computing device to locate the tag and any asset associated with the tag in an area. The tag incorporates a motion sensor responsive to movements of the tag above a predetermined rate and a predetermined magnitude. In response to the movements above the predetermined rate and magnitude, the motion sensor generates a voltage exceeding a predetermined threshold. An energy-saving process exploits the tag's microcontroller's transitions between a “sleep” state and an “awake” state. While asleep, the microcontroller maintains a clock and data in memory, and monitors an input from the motion sensor. In response to voltages at the input over the predetermine threshold, the microcontroller receives signals from one or more nearby beacon nodes in a network operating in the area, process the signals and transmit information based on the processed signals, for a position determination.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by coupling a base of the cartridge to a carriage that is transported via a track. The track transports the carriages between various substations at which one or more parts are added to the base. The carriage may be lifted from the track by a lifter mechanism at each substation in order to perform assembly operations on the base. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion at or between the various substations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by coupling a base of the cartridge to a carriage that is transported via a track. The track transports the carriages between various substations at which one or more parts are added to the base. The carriage may be lifted from the track by a lifter mechanism at each substation in order to perform assembly operations on the base. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion at or between the various substations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by coupling a base of the cartridge to a carriage that is transported via a track. The track transports the carriages between various substations at which one or more parts are added to the base. The carriage may be lifted from the track by a lifter mechanism at each substation in order to perform assembly operations on the base. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion at or between the various substations.

Abstract: A system includes radio frequency (RF) communication devices, for example, in luminaires, located in a service area offering a location determination service, and a portable device used in commissioning the communication devices. The communication devices transmit a primary location determination system's RF signals for receipt by the portable device. The portable device determines its location using a secondary system. The RF communication devices' transmitted RF signals include an identifier. A received signal strength indication (RSSI) of each signal received by the portable device is measured, and stored with an estimate of the portable device's corresponding location. The portable device is moved to another location to measure RSSI of RF signals. When the number of measurements or number of locations is sufficient, the locations of each of the respective luminaires or communication devices may be determined using the RSSI values and the portable device's estimated indiscriminate location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Clostridium species comprising a non-native gene capable of expressing (R)-3-hydroxybutyryl-Co A dehydrogenase. Also provided is a method of producing (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid, or a salt thereof, and/or (R) 1,3-butanediol using such Clostridium.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by coupling a base of the cartridge to a carriage that is transported via a track. The track transports the carriages between various substations at which one or more parts are added to the base. The carriage may be lifted from the track by a lifter mechanism at each substation in order to perform assembly operations on the base. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion at or between the various substations.