Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving air into a device that includes an actuator for generating one or more toroidal vortices and determining whether to generate a toroidal vortex for conditioning air in an environment of the device or whether to generate a toroidal vortex for a non-temperature-related functionality. The method further includes generating, based on the determination and by the actuator, one or more toroidal vortices and transmitting, by the device, the one or more toroidal vortices into the environment.

Abstract: A method of converting thermoplastics to short chain hydrocarbons is provided. Thermoplastic is heated such that it decomposes into a plurality of molecules. The plurality of molecules includes at least one olefin that has at least one terminal carbon-carbon double bond. Water, in the form of steam, is provided during the heating of the thermoplastic such that the oxygen atoms in the steam react with the plurality of molecules as the thermoplastic decomposes. The reaction with the steam consumes the at least one terminal carbon-carbon double bonds from the at least one olefin to create a hydrocarbon fuel and at least one byproduct. The hydrocarbon fuel is collected.

Abstract: Methods of detecting the level of inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) free calcium (Ca2+) signaling activity in the cultured cells induced by an agonist of IP3R Ca2+ signaling are described herein. The detection of IP3R Ca2+ signaling allows for diagnosing the risk of a patient or subject for developing an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Additionally, methods described herein could be used for identifying potential therapeutic anti-ASD agents. The methods for treatment and monitoring of the disease are also outlined.

Abstract: A portable electric fence energizer is described, having a housing and an electric pulse generating circuit located within the housing. The energizer further includes a post securing mechanism configured to secure the housing relative to an electrically conductive post. The post securing mechanism includes at least one electrical contact configured to contact the post when secured by the post securing mechanism. A conductive link between the electrical contact and the electric pulse generating circuit may be used to provide an earth connection for the energiser, or an output connection between the electric pulse generating circuit and a wire of the electric fence.

Abstract: The present invention provides delivery systems for positioning a gastrointestinal implant in a patient, for example, for treatment of a metabolic disease. Also provided are methods for assembling the delivery systems, methods of positioning a gastrointestinal implant, and methods of treatment of metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity, and related comorbidities thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrical device may inject one or more first electrical signals into a resistive layer of a touch sensor. The device may receive one or more second electrical signals each corresponding to a first electrical signal injected by a first electrode. The device may determine, based on the one or more second electrical signals, a vector with each element of the vector corresponding to a value associated with a particular second electrical signal. Each element may depend at least on: a relative location between the first electrode injecting the first electrical signal and a second electrode receiving the second electrical signal, the signal frequency, and a user touch location on the touch sensor. The device may determine the user touch location based on the vector using at least one of a lookup table, a curve-fitting coefficient set, or a machine-learning model.

Abstract: The present invention features methods of detecting the level of inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) free calcium (Ca2+) signaling activity in the cultured cells induced by an agonist of IP3R Ca2+ signaling. The detection of IP3R Ca2+ signaling allows for diagnosing the risk of a patient or subject for developing an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Additionally, methods described herein could be used for identifying potential therapeutic anti-ASD agents. The methods for treatment and monitoring of the disease are also outlined.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrical device may inject one or more first electrical signals into a resistive layer of a touch sensor. The device may receive one or more second electrical signals each corresponding to a first electrical signal injected by a first electrode. The device may determine, based on the one or more second electrical signals, a vector with each element of the vector corresponding to a value associated with a particular second electrical signal. Each element may depend at least on: a relative location between the first electrode injecting the first electrical signal and a second electrode receiving the second electrical signal, the signal frequency, and a user touch location on the touch sensor. The device may determine the user touch location based on the vector using at least one of a lookup table, a curve-fitting coefficient set, or a machine-learning model.

Abstract: The present invention features methods that allow for diagnosing a risk for a patient or subject developing an Autism Spectrum Disorder, for identifying potentially therapeutic anti-ASD agents, and methods for treatment monitoring as specified in the independent claims.

Abstract: The present invention features methods that allow for diagnosing a risk for a patient or subject developing an Autism Spectrum Disorder, for identifying potentially therapeutic anti-ASD agents, and methods for treatment monitoring as specified in the independent claims.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are biomarkers for determining susceptibility to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Susceptibility to ASD is determined by detecting IP3R Ca2+ signaling activity level in cells, wherein a decrease in IP3R Ca2+ activity is indicative of ASD susceptibility. Also disclosed herein are methods of screening a therapeutic agent for ASD. A candidate drug is determined to be a therapeutic agent for treatment of ASD if the IP3R Ca2+ signaling activity is higher in the presence of the candidate drug than in its absence. Further disclosed herein are methods for prognosis, diagnosis, or treatment for an ASD, comprising determining IP3R Ca2+ signaling activity level in a said biological sample; and comparing it to a reference value from a control subject, where a lower activity level than the reference value in the sample is indicative of the presence of an autism spectrum disorder.

Abstract: A method for identifying the chemical species of various textural elements in a targeted region of tissue wherein a volume of interest (VOI) is selectively excited and a k-encode gradient pulse is applied to induce phase wrap to create a spatial encode for a specific k-value and orientation. The specific k-value is selected based on anticipated texture within the VOI. Multiple sequential samples of the NMR RF signal encoded with the specific k-value are recorded as signal data. The Fourier Transform of the acquired signal data is then taken, wherein for each k-encode, the signal recorded is indicative of the spatial frequency power density at that point in k-space. Each peak in the NMR spectrum is then evaluated, whereby the relative contribution to the texture of tissue in the VOI at a k-value for each chemical species is determined.

Abstract: A method for identifying the chemical species of various textural elements in a targeted region of tissue wherein a volume of interest (VOI) is selectively excited and a k-encode gradient pulse is applied to induce phase wrap to create a spatial encode for a specific k-value and orientation. The specific k-value is selected based on anticipated texture within the VOI. Multiple sequential samples of the NMR RF signal encoded with the specific k-value are recorded as signal data. The Fourier Transform of the acquired signal data is then taken, wherein for each k-encode, the signal recorded is indicative of the spatial frequency power density at that point in k-space. Each peak in the NMR spectrum is then evaluated, whereby the relative contribution to the texture of tissue in the VOI at a k-value for each chemical species is determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved means for preventing eversion and subsequent obstruction of thin-walled, floppy gastrointestinal liners implanted in the digestive tract of an animal. The implantable devices include an anchor adapted for attachment within a natural body lumen and a thin-walled, floppy sleeve open at both ends and defining a lumen therebetween. A substantial length of the sleeve has material characteristics that result in the sleeve being prone to eversion in the presence of retrograde pressures. Exemplary eversion-resistant features provide an increased stiffness and/or an increased friction coefficient between the anchor and the proximal end of the sleeve to resist eversion. In some embodiments, the eversion-resistant feature includes an anti-buckling element, such as a wire coupled along the substantial length of the sleeve.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safety system comprising an elongate signal carrying device having a first end and a second end. At least a part of the elongate signal carrying device is selectively manipulable at a manipulation point to generate a measurable non-electric signal that can be carried by the signal carrying device. The safety system further comprises an output device for causing an audible or visible alarm signal or an electric signal to be outputted in response to the non-electric signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved means for preventing eversion and subsequent obstruction of thin-walled, floppy gastrointestinal liners implanted in the digestive tract of an animal. The implantable devices include an anchor adapted for attachment within a natural body lumen and a thin-walled, floppy sleeve open at both ends and defining a lumen therebetween. A substantial length of the sleeve has material characteristics that result in the sleeve being prone to eversion in the presence of retrograde pressures. Exemplary eversion-resistant features provide an increased stiffness and/or an increased friction coefficient between the anchor and the proximal end of the sleeve to resist eversion. In some embodiments, the eversion-resistant feature includes an anti-buckling element, such as a wire coupled along the substantial length of the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved means for preventing eversion and subsequent obstruction of thin-walled, floppy gastrointestinal liners implanted in the digestive tract of an animal. The implantable devices include an anchor adapted for attachment within a natural body lumen and a thin-walled, floppy sleeve open at both ends and defining a lumen therebetween. A substantial length of the sleeve has material characteristics that result in the sleeve being prone to eversion in the presence of retrograde pressures. Exemplary eversion-resistant features provide an increased stiffness and/or an increased friction coefficient between the anchor and the proximal end of the sleeve to resist eversion. In some embodiments, the eversion-resistant feature includes an anti-buckling element, such as a wire coupled along the substantial length of the sleeve.