Abstract: The present invention provides a flameless candle, a flameless candle charging system, and methods for using the flameless candle charging system. The charging system generally includes a plurality of flames candles, a charging tray having a tray hollow body with a planar outwardly facing surface on which the plurality of flameless candles may be placed, and a metallic plate positioned within the hollow body, and a remote control for selectively operating the plurality of candles and including a body having a magnet positioned therein. The remote control may be magnetically attached to the charging tray by positioning the magnet in proximity to said metallic plate.

Abstract: In a computing environment with multiple work queues and limited resources, an initial assignment of computing threads is given to each work queue. The utilization of these initially allocated computing threads is monitored as they perform computing jobs, and work queues with unused computing threads assigned to them may have those unused computing threads reassigned to a shared pool, where other work queues which are fully utilizing their assigned computing threads can temporarily borrow computing threads to complete additional computing jobs assigned to them. Work queues cannot borrow from the thread pool until they have recalled all of their reassigned computing threads back from the thread pool.

Abstract: An orthosis walking boot includes a posterior plastic shell with an open foot supporting portion extending outward from an integral open vertical leg extension to support a user's foot and leg and an anterior plastic shell with a horizontal foot covering portion for overlapping and covering the open foot supporting portion of the posterior shell and an integral open vertical leg extension for positioning within the posterior open vertical leg extension of the posterior shell. A two layer foam posterior liner extends upward within the posterior shell open vertical leg extension to receive the user's leg and adjustable fastening units secure the anterior shell to the posterior shell. An alternative orthosis walking boot with integrally attached foam liners on the posterior plastic shell and the anterior plastic shell is provided.

Abstract: A controller has two irrigation station module connection areas within it and can either accept two irrigation station modules at the same time or one larger module that spans both connection areas. The larger module, however, includes more irrigation station terminals than both of the smaller irrigation station modules combined. Therefore, a greater number of irrigation stations can be connected to the controller when the larger module is substituted for the two smaller modules.

Abstract: Electromagnetic shields for sub-modules of electronic modules are disclosed. Electronic modules may include multiple sub-modules arranged on a substrate with an electromagnetic shield arranged to conformally cover the sub-modules as well as portions of the substrate that are uncovered by the sub-modules. Electromagnetic shields are disclosed that are configured to extend between sub-modules to form one or more divider walls. The one or more divider walls may be configured to extend below mounting surfaces of electronic components in the sub-modules to provide improved reduction of electromagnetic interference (EMI) or crosstalk between various sub-modules. Electromagnetic shields are also disclosed that form perimeter sidewalls that extend below mounting surfaces of electronic components of sub-modules to provide improved reduction of EMI from other modules or other external sources.

Abstract: A cortical malformation identification method includes quantitatively evaluating, using a processor of a computer that includes the processor and a memory, digital image data from a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan on a cerebral cortex to produce quantified scan data. The method also includes automatically detecting a cortical malformation based on the quantified scan data. An image of the cerebral cortex may be color-coded so that the cortical malformation is shown in a different color than the remainder of the cerebral cortex in the image, based on the quantified scan data. Additionally or alternatively, a 3-dimensional representation of the cerebral cortex may be mapped to the quantified scan data to produce a mapped image of the cerebral cortex including the detected cortical malformation.

Abstract: An underwater breathing apparatus includes an elastic interior bag designed to hold air. The interior bag is contained within an outer container, which is designed to hold a weighted material which functions to offset positive buoyancy created by the air in the interior bag. The elasticity of the interior bag, as well as a slider mechanism, functions to provide pressure such that the air is accessible to a human diver while underwater. The apparatus also contains a pump that is used to fill the interior bag with air, and a mouthpiece that functions to allow the user to draw air from the apparatus.

Abstract: A handpiece for laser treatment of a target surface on a patient, such as a skin surface, mitigates the effects of backscattered radiation at high optical power levels that can heat the handpiece to dangerous levels, as well as exposing practitioners and patients to the backscattered light and/or the handpiece structures heated thereby. A standoff affixed to the handpiece is configured to guide the handpiece position with respect to the target surface during use, such that the angle of incidence of treatment light is held near a predetermined angle that is not perpendicular to the target surface. This angle decreases the fraction of treatment light scattered directly back toward the handpiece, and the standoff may additionally be used to set a preferred distance to the target surface. Systems for laser treatment using a handpiece having these features, and methods for laser treatment using the handpiece are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flameless candle, a flameless candle charging system, and methods for using the flameless candle charging system. The charging system generally includes a plurality of flames candles, a charging tray having a tray hollow body with a planar outwardly facing surface on which the plurality of flameless candles may be placed, and a metallic plate positioned within the hollow body, and a remote control for selectively operating the plurality of candles and including a body having a magnet positioned therein. The remote control may be magnetically attached to the charging tray by positioning the magnet in proximity to said metallic plate.

Abstract: A corona protection device can include a body. The corona protection device can include an arm. The arm can extend from the body. The corona protection device can include a retention member. The retention member can define a cavity adapted to engage a portion of an end fitting of an insulator assembly.

Abstract: In a computing environment with multiple work queues and limited resources, an initial assignment of computing threads is given to each work queue. The utilization of these initially allocated computing threads is monitored as they perform computing jobs, and work queues with unused computing threads assigned to them may have those unused computing threads reassigned to a shared pool, where other work queues which are fully utilizing their assigned computing threads can temporarily borrow computing threads to complete additional computing jobs assigned to them. Work queues cannot borrow from the thread pool until they have recalled all of their reassigned computing threads back from the thread pool.

Abstract: In a computer system with multiple job queues and limited resources, an initial allocation of resources is given to each job queue. The utilization of these initially allocated resources is monitored, and queues with excess resources may have those resources stolen and temporarily redistributed to queues with unmet resource needs.

Abstract: Systems for electronic media distribution includes a differential versioning server configured to receive a first media file including a first set of data with a first set of attributes and a second media file including a second set of data with a second set of attributes, generate a first differential data file as a function of differences between the first media file and the second media file, and generate a first differential metadata file including an encoding data set configured to enable a media decoder to regenerate the second media file by applying the first differential data file to the first media file. Systems for electronic media distribution may also include a receiver communicatively coupled to a differential versioning decoder configured to receive the first media file and the first differential data file and generate the second media file by applying the first differential data file to the first media file.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an adaptive NK cell, an isolated population of adaptive Natural Killer (NK) cells, a composition including an adaptive NK cell, and methods for producing, preparing, and using an adaptive NK cell or an isolated population or composition including an adaptive NK cell. The adaptive NK cells may be used to treat a viral infection or a tumor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making a mask for patterning a three-dimensional substrate. A mandrel includes a form machined in a surface corresponding to a shape of the substrate. A layer of material is deposited in a first region of the form and a metal layer is deposited in a second region of the form. A portion of the mandrel is subsequently removed. The present invention also provides a method of patterning a three-dimensional substrate with a mask.

Abstract: Systems for electronic media distribution includes a differential versioning server configured to receive a first media file including a first set of data with a first set of attributes and a second media file including a second set of data with a second set of attributes, generate a first differential data file as a function of differences between the first media file and the second media file, and generate a first differential metadata file including an encoding data set configured to enable a media decoder to regenerate the second media file by applying the first differential data file to the first media file. Systems for electronic media distribution may also include a receiver communicatively coupled to a differential versioning decoder configured to receive the first media file and the first differential data file and generate the second media file by applying the first differential data file to the first media file.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating discovery and usage of digital content and services include accessing a stored rights profile of a user and determining access privileges of the user to content items or services provided by various sources. Based on the access privileges of the user, multiple access options are determined to a content item or to a service available to the user. The multiple access options include access options for accessing the content item or the service from different sources. The access options are presented to a user and a selection of an access option is received from the user. Stored business rules for the source are accessed, which identify a consumption mode specified by the source for enabling users to consume content items or services provided by the source. The user is enabled to perceive the content item or receive the service in accordance with the consumption mode.

Abstract: A magnetic zipper pull tab apparatus includes a zipper pull tab and zipper body that contain corresponding magnetic elements. The zipper pull tab is shaped and functions much like a traditional zipper tab, and the zipper functions like a traditional zipper. The magnetic elements allow the zipper tab to magnetically secure to the zipper body when the zipper is in a closed position. The zipper tab and zipper body contain magnetic elements by way of having magnets affixed to or located inside of them, or are themselves made from magnetic materials.

Abstract: Methods and alternatives for the efficient and cost-effective production of high-octane fuel blends from C9 aromatic feeds including methyl benzenes and C2 and/or higher alkyl benzenes, The fuel blend can serve as a high-octane unleaded fuel or fuel blending component for a wide range of applications, particularly aviation gasoline and other high-performance transportation fuels.