Abstract: A perfusion system apparatus includes a subject simulator for simulating a subject. The subject simulator includes a circulatory system having an inlet line for receiving fluid from the perfusion system, an outlet line for transferring fluid to the perfusion system, at least one sensor for sensing at least one fluid property and at least one control device coupled to at least one of the inlet line and the outlet line. The control device manipulates the at least on fluid property based at least partially on signals from the at least one sensor, to thereby simulate a least one of compliance and resistance of the simulated subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for integrating electronic learning (eLearning) platforms with Enterprise Social Networks (ESNs) in corporate learning settings.

Abstract: An anchoring system for a movable structure is provided. The anchoring system can include a base plate and an anchor rod assembly. The base plate includes a slot configured for receiving a portion of the anchor rod assembly. The slot can include a pocket for receiving and retaining the portion of the assembly. The assembly can be secured to the movable structure and can include a handle component, an extension component and an anchor rod having a threaded member engaged with the extension component and handle component so that the anchor rod can be lifted and lowered relative to the extension component. The system can be operated by moving the structure so that the anchor assembly engages the slot of the base plate and enters the pocket. The anchor rod is then retracted within the pocket, thereby securing the structure.

Abstract: A system and method to assist an instructor in managing, understanding, and drawing conclusions about the learning behavior. The system includes methods for processing data collected about users as they interact with the various modalities of learning that may be integrated into the course, and rendering this information into visualizations that are displayed on an instructor dashboard and updated in real time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods and systems to assist an author in constructing an electronic course or textbook (referred to generally as a course). The system allows an author to integrate various types of content into his/her course, and to specify a set of rules that will determine if and how the content will be individualized to each end user; the resultant courses are thus termed Integrated and Individualized Courses (IIC). Through the system, an author is able to import content files into an authoring application, and then use this application to edit the files, arrange them into segments, and define the course structure as a sequence of these segments, all through drag and drop functionality.

Abstract: Wax dispersion and domain size can be effectively controlled by incorporating a small amount of a hybrid resin binder and or a wax compatibilizer in the toner formulation. Such toners show smaller wax domain size and improved fusing offset window, fusegrade and filming resistance, and therefore improved print quality and reliability. The hybrid resin contains a polyester unit via condensation reaction and a vinyl-based polymer unit via radical polymerization. The hybrid resin is highly compatible with the polyester resin binder, and at same time, can well accommodate low molecular weight polyolefin waxes in the vinyl polymer entity enabling a desirable smaller wax domain size. The wax compatibilizer is a thermoplastic styrenic block copolymer.

Abstract: A kit of patient-specific guides for use in preparing a proximal femur to receive a prosthesis is described, and includes patient-specific preparation guides. The femoral resection guide has a body including a proximal cut guide surface and a distal conforming surface contoured to rest against and substantially conform to a femoral neck and/or a metaphysis of the proximal femur. The proximal cut guide surface is configured to guide a cutting instrument for resecting the head of the proximal femur. The femoral canal preparation guide has a body including a proximal surface and a distal surface having a first confirming portion contoured to rest against and substantially conform to an unresected portion of a femoral neck and/or a metaphysis of the proximal femur. The body includes a guide aperture extending therethrough that is dimensioned to guide an instrument for preparing a canal of the proximal femur.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of water, including for example treatment in connection with hydrocarbon production operations. Silica in water produces undesirable scaling in processing equipment, which causes excess energy usage and maintenance problems. Electrocoagulation (EC) at relatively high water temperature, followed by any of membrane distillation or forward osmosis (FO), may be combined with a subsequent process of ceramic ultra-filtration (UF filtration) employed to treat water. Water to be treated may be produced water that has been pumped from a subterranean reservoir. The treated water may be employed to generate steam. The treatment units (e.g., EC, forward osmosis, UF filtration, etc) can be configured into one system as an on-site installation or a mobile unit for on-site or off-site water treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of water, including for example treatment in connection with hydrocarbon production operations. Silica in water produces undesirable scaling in processing equipment, which causes excess energy usage and maintenance problems. Electrocoagulation (EC) at relatively high water temperature followed by ultra-filtration (UF filtration) may be combined with forward osmosis (FO) to treat water. Water to be treated may be produced water that has been pumped from a subterranean reservoir. The treated water may be employed to generate steam. The treatment units (e.g., EC, forward osmosis, UF filtration, etc) can be configured into one system as an on-site installation or a mobile unit for on-site or off-site water treatment.

Abstract: A training device comprising a track having one or more channels extending along part of the length of the track, and one or more skates comprising bearings that can spin freely and are positioned to engage the one or more channels of the track. One or more foot blocks are affixed to the top surface of the one or more skates, wherein the skates can move along the length of the channels in the track.

Abstract: Apparatus use with a perfusion system, the apparatus including a subject simulator for simulating subject. The subject simulator includes a circulatory system having an inlet line for receiving fluid from the perfusion system, an outlet line for transferring fluid to the perfusion system, at least on sensor for sensing at least one fluid property and at least one control device coupled to at least one of the inlet line and the outlet line. In use this, allows the control device to manipulate the at least on fluid property based at least partially on signals from the at least one sensor, to thereby simulate a least one of compliance and resistance of the simulated subject.

Abstract: A training device, comprising a plurality of track bars mounted to vertical posts with a plurality of tracks extending between the track bars forming a swing plane guide that can be used to guide a batter's swing along a bat path. In various exemplary embodiments, movable balls are positioned on one or more of the tracks, and the tracks are made of bungee cord.

Abstract: Silylethynyl pentacenes and compositions containing silylethynyl pentacenes are disclosed. Exemplary pentacene compounds have 6,13-silylethynyl substitution with one or more groups (e.g., R, R? and R?) covalently bonded to each Si atom of the silylethynyl groups. Methods of making and using silylethynyl pentacenes and compositions containing silylethynyl pentacenes are also disclosed. Substrates and devices comprising the silylethynyl pentacenes and compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nasal irrigation system for rinsing nasal and sinus passages or cavities includes a solution preparation unit and a dispensing container. The solution preparation unit includes a first water reservoir, a filter that is in fluid communication with an outlet of the first water reservoir and filters water passing therethrough, a second water reservoir that is in fluid communication with the filter, and a heating element that brings filtered water in the second water reservoir to a boil to clean the filtered water, and a filler port. The dispensing container receives a nasal rinse solution from the solution preparation unit, via the filler port, and administers the nasal rinse solution to a user via a direct nostril interface. The solution preparation unit can also include a cooling element, additive reservoirs for materials to calibrate salinity or to provide a pH buffer, and a control circuit to control operation thereof.

Abstract: The method of placing regenerators along a trail connecting a source network node with a destination network node of an automatically switched optical network first identifies N tentative regeneration sites and n+1 optical paths along the trail. Wavelengths are assigned to each optical path, and the performance of the trail is assessed based on regenerator placement data and wavelength assignment data.

Abstract: A system for determining the shape of a surgical instrument includes an elongate instrument body having a selectively steerable distal tip, a pair of automatically controlled segments proximal to the selectively steerable distal tip, and a joint that couples the pair of adjacent automatically controlled segments together. An actuator changes an angle of the joint and a position encoder provides information associated with the joint angle. A controller receives the information associated with the angle of the joint and generates a three dimensional model of a shape of the instrument. A method for determining the three dimensional shape of an instrument includes providing axial position data to a controller, providing angular position data to the controller from a respective segment controller, and generating a three-dimensional model of a shape of said instrument using the axial position data and the angular position data.

Abstract: A method of forming a mold for use with a baseball or softball glove comprising covering a substantial portion of the inner surface of the glove with a thin sheet of flexible material, applying a forming material to the flexible material such that the flexible material generally conforms to the shape of the inner surface of the glove, removing the hardened forming material from the glove, and removing the flexible material from the glove. The hardened forming material can be a mold for the glove, or can be used as a form to manufacture glove molds. The glove mold can be placed in the glove when it is not in use and secured in position by a strap or other suitable mechanism.

Abstract: A steerable endoscope has an elongated body with a selectively steerable distal portion and an automatically controlled proximal portion. The endoscope body is inserted into a patient and the selectively steerable distal portion is used to select a desired path within the patient's body. When the endoscope body is advanced, an electronic motion controller operates the automatically controlled proximal portion to assume the selected curve of the selectively steerable distal portion. Another desired path is selected with the selectively steerable distal portion and the endoscope body is advanced again. As the endoscope body is further advanced, the selected curves propagate proximally along the endoscope body, and when the endoscope body is withdrawn proximally, the selected curves propagate distally along the endoscope body. This creates a serpentine motion in the endoscope body allowing it to negotiate tortuous curves along a desired path through or around and between organs within the body.

Abstract: A cargo tie down device includes a bracket for mounting on a vehicle such as a truck, trailer, rail car or the like. The bracket may be U-shaped and a hand ratchet may be mounted between the ends of the bracket to wind up a load strap on a spindle rotated by a pivotally mounted handle. A tension release mechanism operates independently of the load strap to safely release the load on the strap. In some embodiments, the bracket slides on a rail of the underside of the vehicle so it may be positioned at any of a series of locations on the vehicle. The device eliminates a conventional removable winch bar and thereby eliminates safety problems associated with winch bars.

Abstract: A method of forming a mold for use with a baseball or softball glove comprising covering a substantial portion of the inner surface of the glove with a thin sheet of flexible material, applying a forming material to the flexible material such that the flexible material generally conforms to the shape of the inner surface of the glove, removing the hardened forming material from the glove, and removing the flexible material from the glove. The hardened forming material can be a mold for the glove, or can be used as a form to manufacture glove molds. The glove mold can be placed in the glove when it is not in use and secured in position by a strap or other suitable mechanism.