Abstract: Methods and systems for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. A method includes providing a nanogas dispersion comprising a plurality of stable gas-filled cavities dispersed within an electrochemically activated (“ECA”) aqueous solution, the ECA aqueous solution comprising an electrolyte and water; and introducing an effective amount of the nanogas dispersion into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation, wherein the plurality of stable gas-filled cavities of the nanogas dispersion enter into an interstitial space defined as between the hydrocarbon and the hydrocarbon-bearing formation thereby reducing interfacial tension between the hydrocarbon and the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A system includes a pump configured to introduce the effective amount of the nanogas dispersion into the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; and a recovery device configured to collect the hydrocarbon from the hydrocarbon-bearing formation.

Abstract: An implantable system includes an implantable medical device (IMD) and a non-transvenous lead that is configured to be implanted outside of a heart. The IMD includes an output configured to be connected at least to the lead, a current generator (CG) circuit configured to generate pacing pulses, a switching circuit coupled between the CG circuit and the output, one or more capacitors coupled in parallel with the CG circuit and the switching circuit, and a control circuit coupled to the CG circuit. The control circuit is configured to manage the CG circuit to generate the pacing pulses with a constant current at the output.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds that activate IRE1/XBP1s, and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and methods of using the compounds for treating a subject having a disease or disorder that may be ameliorated by increasing IRE1/XBP1s activity.

Abstract: A tooling system is disclosed for wood or metal working including a working element, and a work piece engagement surface at least partially surrounding, positioned adjacent to, or positioned proximate to, the working element, the work piece feedable toward the working element or the working element feedable across the work piece when the work piece is positioned against or supported by the work piece engagement surface; wherein the work piece engagement surface includes a low friction and/or non-stick coating. The workpiece engagement surface may be roughened up such that it has an average surface roughness (RA) of between about 1 micrometer and about 4 micrometers to facilitate its adhesion with the low friction coating while providing a low friction coating with a low coefficient of kinetic friction.

Abstract: A band saw is disclosed that includes a frame, a guide wheel, and a blade disposed around the guide wheel. A guide wheel chassis can be movably disposed on the frame, the guide wheel rotatably disposed on the guide wheel chassis. The band saw can include a blade tension adjustment assembly including a tensioning motor, wherein operation of the tensioning motor produces movement of the guide wheel chassis and the guide wheel relative to the frame to adjust the tension of the blade. A tension gauge can be positioned to determine a tension in the blade, and a controller can be communicated with the tensioning motor and the tension gauge, the controller operable to receive tension data from the tension gauge and control operation of the tensioning motor based on the tension data to control the tension of the blade.

Abstract: Stiffened skin panels comprise alternating truss core portions and solid laminate portions sandwiched between inner and outer facesheets, all formed from a fiber reinforced thermoplastic. The components of the panels are co-consolidated using induction heating. The panels are stiffened with spars fastened to the solid laminate portions.

Abstract: A bedside airborne pathogen control apparatus and system. A bedside airborne pathogen control apparatus and system may include an air treatment unit configured to be selectively coupled to a first surface of a hospital bed (e.g., a headboard, a footboard, or a side rail), an air terminal configured to be selectively coupled to a second surface of the hospital bed (e.g., the headboard, the footboard, or the side rail), and a flexible duct extending between the air treatment unit and the air terminal, wherein the flexible duct is configured to deliver a supply of air from an air outlet of the air treatment unit to the air terminal. The air treatment unit and the air terminal may be configured to establish a flow of air around the hospital bed to reduce the dissemination of airborne pathogens from an occupant of the hospital bed.

Abstract: A thin, lightweight control surface is fabricated by induction consolidation of thermoplastic components. The control surface includes a forward section co-consolidated with a rear section. The front section includes a cover and the rear section includes a truss core covered by an outer skin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a composite structure. A plurality of consolidated overbraided thermoplastic preforms are co-consolidated in a circumferential stackup that is circumferentially constrained. Fibers of the plurality of consolidated overbraided thermoplastic preforms are tensioned during co-consolidation.

Abstract: A portable airborne pathogen control apparatus and system. Aspects of the present disclosure provide for a portable airborne pathogen control apparatus configured to be selectively positioned within an interior room and configured to enable a floor-to-ceiling flow of air within the interior room. The portable airborne pathogen control apparatus may comprise a housing with an air intake disposed at a lower area of a base housing and an air outlet disposed at an upper area of an elongated duct extending from the base housing. A blower fan housed within an interior chamber of the housing may be configured to direct a floor-to-ceiling flow of air through the interior chamber from the air intake to the air outlet. A volume of air directed through the interior chamber of the housing may be disinfected using one or more UV-C emitters and/or cold plasma generator(s) housing in the interior chamber of the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tacking and trimming a thermoplastic tow. A thermoplastic tow is received from a braiding system over a braided structure on a surface. The thermoplastic tow is tack welded to the braided structure. A portion of the thermoplastic tow is trimmed to thereby trim the thermoplastic tow received over the braided structure.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to devices and related systems and methods for motion sickness prevention and mitigation. In an embodiment, a method of preventing or mitigating motion sickness in a subject is included, the method tracking motion of the subject using a first motion sensor; estimating a vestibular system input based on tracked motion of the subject; tracking head position of the subject using the first motion sensor; estimating a visual system input based on tracked head position of the subject; estimating consistency between the vestibular system input and the visual system input; and initiating a responsive measure if the estimated consistency crosses a threshold value. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a composite structure. A stackup comprising a plurality of overbraided thermoplastic members and an overbraided thermoplastic skin is built. The stackup is placed between an inner tooling and an outer tooling. The inner tooling, the stackup, and the outer tooling are held in place together using a load constraint. The inner tooling, the stackup, the outer tooling, and the load constraint form a consolidation setup. The consolidation setup is heated to form the composite structure.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for favorably coordinating a timing relationship between a musculoskeletal activity cycle and a cardiac cycle of a user. A method may include repetitively detecting a signal that correlates to a blood volume in the user; determining an actual value of the signal that varies with the timing relationship; computing a trend of the actual value of the signal; and adjusting the movement guidance based on the trend of the actual value. A system may include a prompt device configured to provide recurrently a movement guidance to the user for guiding performance of the rhythmic musculoskeletal activity; a sensor configured to provide a signal that correlates to a blood volume in the user; and a processor configured to determine an actual value of the signal that varies with the timing relationship and to adjust the movement guidance based on the trend of the actual value.

Abstract: A processing system is configured to obtain data indicating answers of a user of one or more hearing instruments to a questionnaire. Additionally, the processing system is configured to determine an initial audiogram based on the answers. Furthermore, the processing system is configured to perform an initial fitting of the one or more hearing instruments based on the initial audiogram.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to devices and related systems and methods for motion sickness prevention and mitigation. In an embodiment, a method of preventing or mitigating motion sickness in a subject is included, the method tracking motion of the subject using a first motion sensor; estimating a vestibular system input based on tracked motion of the subject; tracking head position of the subject using the first motion sensor; estimating a visual system input based on tracked head position of the subject; estimating consistency between the vestibular system input and the visual system input; and initiating a responsive measure if the estimated consistency crosses a threshold value. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A multimodal airborne pathogen control apparatus and system configured to direct and decontaminate a volume of indoor air of occupied spaces and reduce the risk of spreading airborne contagions. Certain aspects of the multimodal airborne pathogen control apparatus and system may include one or more infection control modalities including, but not limited to, dielectric Cold Plasma generation, non-ozone producing UV-C light, True HEPA filtration comprising a monoterpene phenol-impregnated filter material, and configurable intake/output ducting to direct airflow to/from a desired area and regulate interior atmospheric pressure. Embodiments of the present disclosure include a door-mounted control unit comprising a door panel having one or more directional intake vents at a floor-level of the door panel, an interior chamber housing a blower fan and one or more germicidal irradiation/inactivation means, and one or more directional output vents at a head level of the door panel.

Abstract: A computing system may store user profile information of a user of an ear-wearable device, where the user profile information includes parameters that control operation of the ear-wearable device. The computing system may also obtain audio data from one or more sensors that are included in the ear-wearable device and determine whether to generate speech assessment data based on the user profile information of the user and audio data. In some examples, the computing system may compare one or more acoustic parameters determined based on the audio data with an acoustic criterion determined based on the user profile information of the user. If one or more acoustic parameters satisfy the acoustic criterion, the computing system may generate speech assessment data based on the determination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a composite structure. A stackup comprising a plurality of overbraided thermoplastic members and an overbraided thermoplastic skin is built. The stackup is placed between an inner tooling and an outer tooling. The inner tooling, the stackup, and the outer tooling are held in place together using a load constraint. The inner tooling, the stackup, the outer tooling, and the load constraint form a consolidation setup. The consolidation setup is heated to form the composite structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a composite structure. An inner tooling, a stackup, and an outer tooling are held in place together using a load constraint. A bladder and a plurality of stringer bladders in the stackup are pressurized to cause expansion of the bladder and the plurality of stringer bladders, thereby pushing together an overbraided thermoplastic skin and a plurality of overbraided thermoplastic members in the stackup. The overbraided thermoplastic skin and the plurality of overbraided thermoplastic members are co-consolidated while the bladder and the plurality of stringer bladders are pressurized to form the composite structure.