Abstract: A battery separator for a lead/acid battery is resistant to oxidation arising from the use of water or acid containing contaminants, for example chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu), and the like. The separator is a microporous membrane including a rubber. The rubber is no more than about 12% by weight of the separator. The rubber may be rubber latex, tire crumb, and combinations thereof. The rubber may be impregnated into the microporous membrane. The microporous membrane may be a microporous sheet of polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, phenol-formaldehyde resins, cross-linked rubber, or nonwoven fibers. A method for preventing the oxidation and/or extending battery life of the separator is also included.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assigning a treatment to a patient is provided. A set of genetic data representing a patient. A polygenic score representing the likelihood that a patient will benefit from intensive glycemia treatment is generated from the set of genetic data. A parameter representing a response of the patient to intensive glycemia treatment is assigned according to the polygenic score.

Abstract: A feedstock delivery system transfers a carbonaceous material, such as municipal solid waste, into a product gas generation system. The feedstock delivery system includes a splitter for splitting bulk carbonaceous material into a plurality of carbonaceous material streams. Each stream is processed using a weighing system for gauging the quantity of carbonaceous material, a densification system for forming plugs of carbonaceous material, a de-densification system for breaking up the plugs of carbonaceous material, and a gas and carbonaceous material mixing system for forming a carbonaceous material and gas mixture. A pressure of the mixing gas is reduced prior to mixing with the carbonaceous material, and the carbonaceous material to gas weight ratio is monitored. A transport assembly conveys the carbonaceous material and gas mixture to a first reactor where at least the carbonaceous material within the mixture is subject to thermochemical reactions to form the product gas.

Abstract: A method of producing liquid fuel and/or chemicals from a carbonaceous material entails combusting a conditioned syngas in pulse combustion heat exchangers of a steam reformer to help convert carbonaceous material into first reactor product gas which includes carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and other gases. A portion of the first reactor product gas is transferred to a hydrogen reformer into which additional conditioned syngas is added and a reaction carried out to produce an improved syngas. The improved syngas is then subject to one or more gas clean-up steps to form a new conditioned syngas. A portion of the new conditioned syngas is recycled to be used as the conditioned syngas in the pulse combustion heat exchangers and in the hydrocarbon reformer. A system for carrying out the method include, a steam reformer, a hydrocarbon reformer, first and second gas-cleanup systems, a synthesis system and an upgrading system.

Abstract: A system configured for and a method includes introducing a carbonaceous feedstock to a gasifier unit to produce a syngas stream. In addition, the system configured for and the method includes passing the syngas stream to a catalytic reactor unit that is configured to facilitate an exothermic catalytic reaction by use of the syngas stream to produce a heated syngas stream having a greater temperature than the syngas stream. Further, the system configured for and the method includes transferring heat into a carbon-dioxide-containing (CO2-containing) stream of a power production unit utilizing of the heated syngas stream, where the power production unit is configured to circulate the CO2-containing stream to produce electrical power.

Abstract: A water pressure regulator with check valve for sprinklers comprising a housing, a shaft assembly, a spring, and a skirt element. The pressure regulator is a separate unit that can be inserted into the stem or movable riser of a typical pop-up sprinkler or other sprinklers. As the irrigation water passes through the pressure regulator of the present invention, the water pressure displaces the shaft assembly upward relative to the housing. The higher the shaft assembly is displaced, the smaller the cross-sectional area through which water passes within the housing or skirt element. The variation in the size of the cross-sectional area allows the present invention to regulate the out flowing water pressure of the irrigation water. When the flow of irrigation water stops, the spring pushes the shaft assembly downward so as to seal the hole through which water flows thus serving as a check valve.

Abstract: A modular implant system can include a first component and a second component. The first component can include a stem adapted to be anchored within a medullary canal of a bone and a mounting boss defining an outer coupling surface and an inner coupling surface. The second component can include a collar defining a first coupling surface adapted to engage the outer coupling surface of the mounting boss to secure the second component to the first component.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing fluids from a patient. A time series of images of a conduit are received, and a conduit image region in the images is identified. The conduit image region may include a shallow section and/or a deep section. The shallow section includes a dimension of the conduit along an optical axis of the camera such that opacity of the fluids from redness associated with red blood cells or hemoglobin is limited to permit pixel color visualization in the images. The deep section includes a dimension is along the optical axis such that the redness provides a minimum opacity to permit the pixel color visualization. A concentration of a blood component of the fluids is determined based on the pixel color visualization. A volume of blood passing through the conduit is estimated based on the estimated concentration of the blood component and an estimated volumetric flow rate.

Abstract: A system for using carbonaceous material includes a steam reformer, a hydrocarbon reformer, and at least one gas-cleanup system. Also described are methods of producing liquid fuel and/or chemicals from carbonaceous material.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing fluids from a patient. A time series of images of a conduit are received, and a conduit image region in the images is identified. A flow type of the fluids passing through the conduit may be classified as one of air, laminar liquid, and turbulent liquid by evaluating an air-liquid boundary of the fluid. A volumetric flow rate of the fluids in the conduit is estimated. The volumetric flow rate may be based on the classified flow type. A concentration of a blood component of the fluids passing through the conduit may be estimated based on the images. A proportion of the fluid that is blood may also be determined, and a volume of blood that has passed through the conduit within a predetermined period of time may be estimated based on the estimated total volumetric flow rate and the determined proportion.

Abstract: A sensing device may include a housing and one or more features configured to couple the housing against the outer surface of the bone of the patient. A sensing device may include onboard electronics carried by the housing, the onboard electronics comprising: communication circuitry, one or more sensors configured to generate data regarding one or more characteristics of the patient; and processing circuitry configured to activate the communication circuitry to send the generated data to a device outside the patient.

Abstract: A humerus cutting assembly includes a guide frame having an attachment member adapted to be secured to a humerus adjacent to a humeral head. A cutting guide is releasably connected to the guide frame, the cutting guide configured to guide a tool in altering the humeral head. One or more inertial sensor units is on the cutting guide, the inertial sensor unit tracking an orientation of the cutting guide relative to the humerus based on the releasable connection between the cutting guide and the guide frame.

Abstract: A humeral arthroplasty system includes a sensor device, a humeral head including a first portion of circuitry of the sensor device and an adapter socket, a taper adapter configured to seat within the adapter socket, a stemless humeral anchor couplable to the taper adapter, and a second portion of circuitry of the sensor device extending into the adapter socket. The taper adapter and the stemless humeral anchor can comprise a central bore extending therethrough, and the second portion of the circuitry of the sensor device can be connected to the first portion by an electrical circuit extending through the taper adapter. The humeral head can comprise a ceramic material. The second portion of circuitry can comprise a force sensor extending into the adapter socket, wherein the taper adapter is configured to engage the force sensor when seated in the adapter socket.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing a condition in an individual by analyzing the individual's breath are provided. Sensors may be configured to capture data associated with the breath of an individual. The data captured by the sensors may include a change in resistance measurements recorded by solid-state sensors when the sensors are exposed to the individual's breath at several different temperatures. This captured data may be analyzed to identify one or more volatile organic compound (VOC) biomarkers in the individual's breath. Based on the identified VOC biomarkers, a condition associated with the individual may be determined. For example, a medical condition, or a condition of drowsiness or fatigue associated with the individual may be determined based on the VOC biomarkers in the individual's breath. In some examples, the sensors may be positioned inside a vehicle for determination of condition associated with a driver of the vehicle.

Abstract: A feedstock delivery system transfers a carbonaceous material, such as municipal solid waste, into a product gas generation system. The feedstock delivery system includes a splitter for splitting bulk carbonaceous material into a plurality of carbonaceous material streams. Each stream is processed using a weighing system for gauging the quantity of carbonaceous material, a densification system for forming plugs of carbonaceous material, a de-densification system for breaking up the plugs of carbonaceous material, and a gas and carbonaceous material mixing system for forming a carbonaceous material and gas mixture. A pressure of the mixing gas is reduced prior to mixing with the carbonaceous material, and the carbonaceous material to gas weight ratio is monitored. A transport assembly conveys the carbonaceous material and gas mixture to a first reactor where at least the carbonaceous material within the mixture is subject to thermochemical reactions to form the product gas.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing cane tip apparatus for user comfort and improved cane tip longevity includes a tip base having a base top side, a base bottom side, and a base perimeter. A tip sidewall is coupled to the tip base. The tip sidewall has a sidewall outer face, a sidewall inner face, and a sidewall top rim. The sidewall inner face defines a cane cavity to slidingly receive a tip end of a cane. A bottom plate is coupled to the tip base within the cane cavity. A compression spring is coupled to the bottom plate and is oriented perpendicular to the base top side. A top plate is coupled to the compression spring and engages a distal end of the tip end of the cane to compress the compression spring when weight is pushed onto the cane.

Abstract: An inverted telescoping mast configured to be mounted to a ceiling or other structure within a building for supporting a payload at a range of heights within the building. The mast can include cable management for routing of cables external the mast for supplying/exchanging power, control signals, data etc. to the payload. An internal spring retains the mast in the retracted position. A tension control system restricts extension and/or retraction of the mast when actuating cable tension is above or below respective tension thresholds.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing fluids from a patient. A time series of images of a conduit are received, and a conduit image region in the images is identified. A flow type of the fluids passing through the conduit may be classified as one of air, laminar liquid, and turbulent liquid by evaluating an air-liquid boundary of the fluid. A volumetric flow rate of the fluids in the conduit is estimated. The volumetric flow rate may be based on the classified flow type. A concentration of a blood component of the fluids passing through the conduit may be estimated based on the images. A proportion of the fluid that is blood may also be determined, and a volume of blood that has passed through the conduit within a predetermined period of time may be estimated based on the estimated total volumetric flow rate and the determined proportion.

Abstract: A specific recipe for soap that eliminates the extremely stubborn smell of jet fuel or other hydrocarbon liquid.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing cane tip apparatus for user comfort and improved cane tip longevity includes a tip base having a base top side, a base bottom side, and a base perimeter. A tip sidewall is coupled to the tip base. The tip sidewall has a sidewall outer face, a sidewall inner face, and a sidewall top rim. The sidewall inner face defines a cane cavity to slidingly receive a tip end of a cane. A bottom plate is coupled to the tip base within the cane cavity. A compression spring is coupled to the bottom plate and is oriented perpendicular to the base top side. A top plate is coupled to the compression spring and engages a distal end of the tip end of the cane to compress the compression spring when weight is pushed onto the cane.