Abstract: A modular surgical system is disclosed. The modular surgical system comprises a header module, a first surgical module, a second surgical module, and a module identification circuit. The second surgical module is arrangeable in a stack configuration with the header module and the first surgical module. The module identification circuit is configured to cause a pre-determined current to be transmitted to the first surgical module through the second surgical module in the stack configuration, detect a first voltage indicative of a first position of the first surgical module in the stack configuration, and detect a second voltage indicative of a second position of the second surgical module in the stack configuration. The second voltage is different than the first voltage.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are presented for systems and methods for identifying characteristics of a return pad in a monopolar electrosurgical system using contact quality monitoring (CQM) and near field communication (NFC) signals. In some aspects, resistance or impedance materials are sensed that may help identify what kind of return pad is being used, including what is the structure of the pad. In some aspects, NFC signals are used to identify characteristics of the return pad. In some aspects, the grounding or return pad may include two separate materials that form an interconnecting or interwoven mesh and both act as non-active electrodes when both contact the patient. A non-zero impedance may separate conductive lines connecting the two separate materials that may be analyzed to obtain a defining signature about that is linked to structural characteristics about the return pad.

Abstract: Brain-targeted (BT) and ROS-activable nanoconstructs (NC) comprising a metal oxide nanoparticle embedded in a matrix of lipid and a brain targeted polymer (BTP)/platform configured to facilitate blood brain barrier (BBB) penetration and accumulation in a disease area of the central nervous system (CNS), as well as compositions having the BT and ROS-activable NC and methods of using the BT and ROS-activable NC to treat and diagnose a CNS disease or condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to plants and selective cutting of undesirable plant material. The apparatus includes a base, a brush and an elevation device for maintaining the base at desirable height. The base has a first longitudinal axis and a plurality of grooves, the grooves being oriented approximately perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The brush has a second longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles and/or blades extending outwardly from the second longitudinal axis. The brush is attached to the apparatus such that the second longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the brush is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The brush is spaced from the base such that the plurality of bristles engage the plurality of grooves. The base is adjustable enabling the operator to move the base closer or further from the rotating brush/blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to plants and selective cutting of undesirable plant material is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a brush and an elevation device for maintaining the base at desirable height. The base has a first longitudinal axis and a plurality of grooves, the grooves being oriented approximately perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The brush has a second longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles and/or blades extending outwardly from the second longitudinal axis. The brush is attached to the apparatus such that the second longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the brush is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The brush is spaced from the base such that the plurality of bristles engage the plurality of grooves. The base is adjustable enabling the operator to move the base closer or further from the rotating brush/blades.

Abstract: A method of improving wear tolerance of desirable plants and reducing weed pressure involves periodically applying mechanical abrasion to the desirable plants and the undesirable plants, wherein the level of mechanical abrasion is selected to be damaging to the undesirable plants and substantially within the wear tolerance of the desirable plants. The desirable plants may include turfgrasses and/or forage grasses. The mechanical abrasion may be applied by a rotating cylindrical brush with bristles engaging a base having a plurality of grooves. In one example, the period of applying mechanical abrasion is about once per week.

Abstract: A packaging assembly comprises a bulk box having a shock absorber to dampen a kinetic energy of product being dispensed from a conveyor system. The shock absorber may be a rectangular sheet shock absorber disposed diagonally in the bulk box, a shuttle tray shock absorber disposed in an opening of the bulk box, a deflector net disposed in an opening of the bulk box, or a inflatable bag shock absorber disposed in the bulk box, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to plants is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a brush and an elevation device for maintaining the base at desirable height. The base has a first longitudinal axis and a plurality of grooves, the grooves being oriented approximately perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The brush has a second longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles and/or blades extending outwardly from the second longitudinal axis. The brush is attached to the apparatus such that the second longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the brush is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The brush is spaced from the base such that the plurality of bristles engage the plurality of grooves. The base is adjustable enabling the operator to move the base closer or further from the rotating brush/blades.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to plants is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a brush and an elevation device for maintaining the base at desirable height. The base has a first longitudinal axis and a plurality of grooves, the grooves being oriented approximately perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The brush has a second longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles and/or blades extending outwardly from the second longitudinal axis. The brush is attached to the apparatus such that the second longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the brush is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The brush is spaced from the base such that the plurality of bristles engage the plurality of grooves. The base is adjustable enabling the operator to move the base closer or further from the rotating brush/blades.

Abstract: A packaging assembly comprises a bulk box having a shock absorber to dampen a kinetic energy of product being dispensed from a conveyor system. The shock absorber may be a rectangular sheet shock absorber disposed diagonally in the bulk box, a shuttle tray shock absorber disposed in an opening of the bulk box, a deflector net disposed in an opening of the bulk box, or a inflatable bag shock absorber disposed in the bulk box, for example.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a desired amount of mechanical abrasion to plants is provided. The apparatus includes a base, a brush and an elevation device for maintaining the base at desirable height. The base has a first longitudinal axis and a plurality of grooves, the grooves being oriented approximately perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis. The brush has a second longitudinal axis and a plurality of bristles and/or blades extending outwardly from the second longitudinal axis. The brush is attached to the apparatus such that the second longitudinal axis is substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis and the brush is rotatable about the second longitudinal axis. The brush is spaced from the base such that the plurality of bristles engage the plurality of grooves. The base is adjustable enabling the operator to move the base closer or further from the rotating brush/blades.