Abstract: A device is suitable for revealing spatial variations in polarization of an electromagnetic radiation, in a form of localized temperature variations. The device includes a surface of a carrier which is electrically and thermally insulating, and includes an array of patterns which each consist of at least one rectilinear segment of a sensitive material, of which the orientation is variable within each pattern or between neighboring patterns. Such device may be used with a thermal camera to reveal, in infrared images, temperature variations which are localized at segments not perpendicular to a local direction of linear polarization of the radiation.

Abstract: A breathing assistance apparatus and method of controlling a breathing assistance apparatus is disclosed. Particularly, the breathing assistance apparatus is controlled such that it has a drying cycle to enable drying of the tubing that supplies gases to a user and prevent the harbouring of pathogens within the tube. The drying cycle is preferably operated automatically by internal controllers in the apparatus. However, it may be manually activated by pressing a button on the apparatus. The drying cycle is preferably activated at the end of a user's treatment session.

Abstract: Encrypted information retrieval can include generating a database that is partitioned into shards each having a shard identifier, and database entries in each shard that are partitioned into buckets having a bucket identifier. A batch of client-encrypted queries are received. The batch of client-encrypted queries are processed using a set of server-encrypted data stored in a database. The processing includes grouping the client-encrypted queries according to shard identifiers of the client-encrypted queries, executing multiple queries in the group of client-encrypted queries for the shard together in a batch execution process, and generating multiple server-encrypted results to the multiple queries in the group of client-encrypted queries. The multiple server-encrypted results for each shard are transmitted to the client device.

Abstract: The gases temperature supplied to a patient when the patient is undergoing treatment such as oxygen therapy or positive pressure treatment for conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is often measured for safety and to enable controlling of the humidity delivered to the patient. The invention disclosed is related to measurement of properties, particularly temperature (thermistor), of gases flowing through a heated tube, supplying gases to a patient, which utilises the heating wire within the tube.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of delivering an agent to the lumen of the vas deferens under guidance of ultrasound imaging. The methods include vas-occlusive contraception in which the vas deferens is non-surgically isolated and an occlusive substance is percutaneously administered into the lumen of the vas deferens under ultrasound. Also disclosed are methods of reversal of vas-occlusive contraception and methods of delivering an agent to the lumen of the vas deferens. Also disclosed are compositions for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A fluidic solar actuation array, the fluidic solar actuation array comprising a plurality of separate actuator nodes disposed in a node line. The node line comprises a set of two or more actuator nodes and a pressure supply line that fluidically couples the set of two or more actuator nodes, with each of the two or more actuator nodes comprising a fluidic solar actuator that includes at least a first fluidic inflatable actuator.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a body forming a bucket having a sidewall extending between an open end and a closed end along a bucket axis. A first conduit and a second conduit extend from the sidewall, wherein the first and the second conduits extend along a conduit axis that is perpendicular to the bucket axis. A frame inserts into the bucket along the bucket axis and includes a valve seat and a valve member biased against the valve seat. A guide is provided in the bucket between the closed end and the frame and extends along a guide axis between a first opening arranged in a first plane and aligned to receive fluid flow from the first conduit and a second opening arranged in a second plane and aligned to direct fluid flow through the valve seat. The first and second planes are not parallel to one another.

Abstract: A check valve for a backflow prevention assembly includes a linkage with a platform having a proximal end and a distal end and a first coupling member supported by the platform for engaging a bias assembly. A stop protrudes from the proximal end of the platform to engage a frame of the check valve for limiting travel of the platform. A branch depends from the proximal end of the platform, the branch having a hinge pin configured to nest in a slot defined by check valve. A second coupling member depends from the distal end of the platform for engaging a valve member.

Abstract: A fluidic solar actuation system comprising a plurality of fluidic solar actuators that each include a first fluidic inflatable actuator, and a second fluidic inflatable actuator. The system also includes a fluidic routing system configured to covey a fluid originating from a fluid source to: the respective first fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the first fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the first fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the second fluidic inflatable actuators, and the respective second fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the second fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the second fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the first fluidic inflatable actuators.

Abstract: A test cock is configured to connect to a test cock port. The test cock includes a body portion defining a flowpath between a distal end and a proximal end. The test cock includes an intake stem at the proximal end that has external threads to connect the test cock to the test cock port. The intake stem defines an intake opening connected to the flowpath, the intake opening having a non-circular shape, such as a hexagonal shape. The test cock also includes an extraction tool having an end forming the non-circular shape of the intake opening, the end being sized to fit within and engage the intake opening.

Abstract: A fluidic solar actuation system comprising a plurality of fluidic solar actuators that each include a first fluidic inflatable actuator, and a second fluidic inflatable actuator. The system also includes a fluidic routing system configured to covey a fluid originating from a fluid source to: the respective first fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the first fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the first fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the second fluidic inflatable actuators, and the respective second fluidic inflatable actuators of the plurality of fluidic solar actuators, the second fluidic inflatable actuators ganged so as to be fluidically connected such that the second fluidic inflatable actuators are configured to be inflated together and separate from the first fluidic inflatable actuators.

Abstract: A check valve for a backflow prevention assembly includes a linkage with a platform having a proximal end and a distal end and a first coupling member supported by the platform for engaging a bias assembly. A stop protrudes from the proximal end of the platform to engage a frame of the check valve for limiting travel of the platform. A branch depends from the proximal end of the platform, the branch having a hinge pin configured to nest in a slot defined by check valve. A second coupling member depends from the distal end of the platform for engaging a valve member.

Abstract: A backflow preventer including a body having an inlet for connection to an upstream portion of a plumbing system and an outlet for connection to a downstream portion of the plumbing system, a first check valve and a second check valve located in the body for preventing the reverse flow of water between the outlet and the inlet. An inlet pressure zone is positioned between the inlet and the first check valve, an outlet pressure zone is positioned between the outlet and the second check valve, and an intermediate pressure zone is positioned between the first and the second check valves. Position sensors sense the positions of the check valves, and pressure sensors sense the pressures in the zone. A controller in communication with the position sensors and the pressure sensors calculates the opening and closing pressures of the check valves.

Abstract: A system with an interactive user interface for users to view and interact with sanitized log data received from a plurality of hosts, such as those associated with various services of an organization. The system may receive from hosts log files and/or metadata that have been filtered by agents executing on the respective hosts to remove or anonymize any sensitive or confidential information prior to transmission to the system. In some embodiments the system does further filtering of the sanitized data. Received sanitized data is parsed, indexed, and/or otherwise processed for optimal searching, and stored in a log pipeline. The system causes display of an electronic visualization interface.

Abstract: A leak detection system for a building includes a pressure regulating valve (PRV) having a PRV inlet and a PRV outlet. The PRV is operative during a flow of water through the PRV, and a PRV pressure at a lockup pressure during no water flow through the PRV. An outlet pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to the PRV outlet to measure a PRV outlet pressure. A processor is operatively coupled to the outlet pressure sensor. The processor is configured to run a pressure monitoring process to detect changes in pressure at the PRV outlet when the PRV pressure falls below the lockup pressure while remaining above a setpoint pressure to give an indicia of a fixture leak. A method to give an indicia of a fixture leak is also described.

Abstract: A backflow preventer for preventing a reverse flow of water in a plumbing system including a body having an inlet and an outlet. The body forms an intermediate zone between the inlet and outlet. An inlet check valve prevents the reverse flow of water from the intermediate zone through the inlet. An outlet check valve prevents the flow of water from the outlet into the intermediate zone. An inlet pressure sensor, an intermediate pressure sensor and an outlet pressure sensor provide readings for the respective zones. A controller monitors a pressure differential between the outlet pressure zone and the intermediate pressure zone to compare the pressure differential to a pre-set range. The controller generates a warning/error message when the pressure differential is outside the pre-set range. The controller can also monitor an inlet pressure in the inlet zone to generate a message if the inlet pressure varies inappropriately.

Abstract: A system with an interactive user interface for users to view and interact with sanitized log data received from a plurality of hosts, such as those associated with various services of an organization. The system may receive from hosts log files and/or metadata that have been filtered by agents executing on the respective hosts to remove or anonymize any sensitive or confidential information prior to transmission to the system. In some embodiments the system does further filtering of the sanitized data. Received sanitized data is parsed, indexed, and/or otherwise processed for optimal searching, and stored in a log pipeline. The system causes display of an electronic visualization interface comprising a dynamic electronic search configured to receive an indication of various log search criteria, such as an error or trace identifier, that are used to identify matching log files meeting the provided criteria, such as log files associated with services executed on different hosts.

Abstract: A leak detection system for a building includes a pressure regulating valve (PRV) having a PRV inlet and a PRV outlet. The PRV is normally operative in a best operating range mode during flow conditions, and a PRV pressure at a lockup pressure during a no flow condition. An outlet pressure sensor is fluidly coupled to the PRV outlet to measure a PRV outlet pressure. A processor is operatively coupled to the outlet pressure sensor. A pressure monitoring process runs on the processor. The pressure monitoring process detects changes in pressure at the PRV outlet when the PRV pressure falls below the lockup pressure while remaining above a setpoint pressure to give an indicia of a building leak condition. A method to give an indicia of a building leak condition is also described.

Abstract: A backflow preventer including a body having an inlet for connection to an upstream portion of a plumbing system and an outlet for connection to a downstream portion of the plumbing system, a first check valve and a second check valve located in the body for preventing the reverse flow of water between the outlet and the inlet. An inlet pressure zone is positioned between the inlet and the first check valve, an outlet pressure zone is positioned between the outlet and the second check valve, and an intermediate pressure zone is positioned between the first and the second check valves. Position sensors sense the positions of the check valves, and pressure sensors sense the pressures in the zone. A controller in communication with the position sensors and the pressure sensors calculates the opening and closing pressures of the check valves.

Abstract: A solar actuator system comprising at least one actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes: a top coupler; an angled bottom coupler having a top-end and respective first and second faces on opposing first and second sides of the top-end, the angled bottom coupler coupled to the top coupler via a one-degree-of-freedom joint between the top coupler and the angled bottom coupler; and at least a first and second actuator, with the first actuator disposed on the first side of the angled bottom coupler and the second actuator disposed on the second side of the angled bottom coupler.