Abstract: In various embodiments, the present description relates to the use of factors related to survival. The methods, compositions and systems described herein may be used to determine factors affecting survival, assess survival risk based on factors related to survival and/or make suggestions to increase the likelihood of survival longer than otherwise predicted.

Abstract: An antibacterial implantable medical device or medical material. The surface of an implantable medical device or medical material has a titanium coating formed thereon. Titanium nitride nanowires are formed that extend from the titanium coating at a selected angle to exert a mechanical force on bacteria bilayer membranes sufficient to at least partially disrupt the bacteria bilayer membranes. In one aspect, the titanium nitride nanowires are formed from grown titanium dioxide nanowires by converting the titanium dioxide nanowires to titanium nitride in a heated nitrogen-containing environment. The titanium nitride nanowires are optionally charged to further enhance antibacterial properties.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electrolyte composition including a metal silicate or a metal aluminate, a metal phosphate, zinc oxide particles, and a complexing agent useful for plasma electrolytic oxidation treatment of a surface of a metal substrate.

Abstract: A multi-stage lid ultraviolet sterilizing waste container is disclosed which contains a housing, base, lid assembly, support structure for receiving flexible bag assemblies and at least one UV light source for sterilizing the inside of the container. The waste container further includes sensors and motors to automate certain steps.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing a waste container with ultraviolet (UV) light is disclosed which includes, inserting an article of waste into the waste container, sealing the container from an external environment to prevent UV light from shining out, activating a UV sanitizing routine stored in a UV light module having at least one UV light source and irradiating an interior surface of the diaper pail with the UV light.

Abstract: An ultraviolet sterilizing waste container is disclosed which contains a housing, base, lid assembly, support structure for receiving flexible bag assemblies and at least one UV light source for sterilizing the inside of the container.

Abstract: Novel hybrid materials and fabrication methods thereof are provided. The novel hybrid materials can include a biodegradable polymer and a biodegradable metallic material. The hybrid material can also include a coupling agent between the biodegradable metallic material and the biodegradable polymer. A method of fabricating a hybrid material can include performing a surface treatment process on the biodegradable metallic material, and then either performing a solvent formation method or a thermal formation method.

Abstract: Novel hybrid materials and fabrication methods thereof are provided. The novel hybrid materials can include a biodegradable polymer and a biodegradable metallic material. The hybrid material can also include a coupling agent between the biodegradable metallic material and the biodegradable polymer. A method of fabricating a hybrid material can include performing a surface treatment process on the biodegradable metallic material, and then either performing a solvent formation method or a thermal formation method.

Abstract: The design and synthesis of six nickel charge transfer (CT) complexes are described herein. The six nickel CT complexes have a nickel center, two organic ligands coordinated with the nickel center to form a dianionic square planar supramolecule and an organic counter-cation as represented by The ligands and counter-cations are selected to optimize properties, such as molecular alignment, film morphology, and molecular packaging. Described herein, the ligands can be 2,3-pyrazinedithiol (L1), 1,2-benzenedithol (L2) or 2,3-quinoxalinedithol (L3) and the counter-cations can be diquat (2,2?-ebpy) or methyl viologen (4,4?-mbpy). The six nickel CT complexes can also be utilized semiconductor devices, such as thin film transistors or inverters. Processes are also provided for the fabrication of semiconductors devices. The processes can include fabricating a substrate with a bilayer octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA)/Al2O3 dielectric and applying one of the six nickel charge transfer (CT) complexes to the substrate.

Abstract: The design and synthesis of six nickel charge transfer (CT) complexes are described herein. The six nickel CT complexes have a nickel center, two organic ligands coordinated with the nickel center to form a dianionic square planar supramolecule and an organic counter-cation as represented by The ligands and counter-cations are selected to optimize properties, such as molecular alignment, film morphology, and molecular packaging. Described herein, the ligands can be 2,3-pyrazinedithiol (L1), 1,2-benzenedithol (L2) or 2,3-quinoxalinedithol (L3) and the counter-cations can be diquat (2,2?-ebpy) or methyl viologen (4,4?-mbpy). The six nickel CT complexes can also be utilized semiconductor devices, such as thin film transistors or inverters. Processes are also provided for the fabrication of semiconductors devices. The processes can include fabricating a substrate with a bilayer octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA)/Al2O3 dielectric and applying one of the six nickel charge transfer (CT) complexes to the substrate.

Abstract: The design and synthesis of six nickel charge transfer (CT) complexes are described herein. The six nickel CT complexes have a nickel center, two organic ligands coordinated with the nickel center to form a dianionic square planar supramolecule and an organic counter-cation as represented by The ligands and counter-cations are selected to optimize properties, such as molecular alignment, film morphology, and molecular packaging. Described herein, the ligands can be 2,3-pyrazinedithiol (L1), 1,2-benzenedithol (L2) or 2,3-quinoxalinedithol (L3) and the counter-cations can be diquat (2,2?-ebpy) or methyl viologen (4,4?-mbpy). The six nickel CT complexes can also be utilized semiconductor devices, such as thin film transistors or inverters. Processes are also provided for the fabrication of semiconductors devices. The processes can include fabricating a substrate with a bilayer octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA)/Al2O3 dielectric and applying one of the six nickel charge transfer (CT) complexes to the substrate.

Abstract: The equipment size of a hearing device is intended to be reduced. Therefore, a hearing device, in particular an ITE hearing aid, is proposed with a shell having a user-specific shape, a faceplate for closing-off the shell and an electronic component which is attached to the faceplate using a support. The support is individually formed taking into account the shape of the shell, and/or a position of the support on the faceplate is individually determined taking into account the shape of the shell. As a result of the individual support, it is possible to cut down on installation space and therefore the shell can be shortened. In particular, the support can be formed integrally with the faceplate in order to simplify the production method.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an engine hood for an automobile, comprising: an outer panel; and an inner panel provided below the outer panel and connected to the outer panel, wherein the inner panel is provided with a center element of cell structure in the center portion thereof and an outer frame formed around the center element and disposed in the peripheral portion of the inner panel, each unit cell of the cell structure is bounded by a plurality of wall segments. An automobile comprising the engine hood is also disclosed.

Abstract: The design and synthesis of six nickel charge transfer (CT) complexes are described herein. The six nickel CT complexes have a nickel center, two organic ligands coordinated with the nickel center to form a dianionic square planar supramolecule and an organic counter-cation. The ligands and counter-cations are selected to optimize properties, such as molecular alignment, film morphology, and molecular packaging. Described herein, the ligands can be 2,3-pyrazinedithiol (L1), 1,2-benzenedithol (L2) or 2,3-quinoxalinedithol (L3) and the counter-cations can be diquat (2,2?-ebpy) or methyl viologen (4,4?-mbpy). The six nickel CT complexes can also be utilized semiconductor devices, such as thin film transistors or inverters. Processes are also provided for the fabrication of semiconductors devices. The processes can include fabricating a substrate with a bilayer octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA)/Al2O3 dielectric and applying one of the six nickel charge transfer (CT) complexes to the substrate.

Abstract: A hearing aid has an operating device with an operating element for activating a first operating function and a second operating function of the hearing aid. The operating device is configured to cause an execution of an operating function of the hearing aid by activating the corresponding operating function via the operating element. The operating device suppresses the execution of the first operating function by activating the first operating function via the operating element if the second operating function is activated via the operating element.

Abstract: Novel hybrid materials and fabrication methods thereof are provided. The novel hybrid materials can include a biodegradable polymer and a biodegradable metallic material. The hybrid material can also include a coupling agent between the biodegradable metallic material and the biodegradable polymer. A method of fabricating a hybrid material can include performing a surface treatment process on the biodegradable metallic material, and then either performing a solvent formation method or a thermal formation method.

Abstract: This invention involves a plasma treated and controllable release antimicrobial peptide coated titanium alloy for surgical implantation, where the alloy with antimicrobial properties is fabricated using surface techniques without adversely compromising its biocompatibility and original mechanical properties. The surface techniques form antimicrobial layers on the alloy capable of resisting microbial adhesion and proliferation, while allowing mammalian cell adhesion and proliferation when the alloy is implanted to human body. In one embodiment, PIII&D is applied to incorporate ions, electrons, free radicals, atoms or molecules on a titanium alloy substrate. A pressurized hydrothermal treatment can be carried out to establish reactive functional groups for antimicrobial purpose or for connecting the substrate and external antimicrobial molecules.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making surface treated shape memory materials such as from NiTi alloy using plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition and related ion-beam and plasma-based techniques to alter the surface properties of those materials primarily for biomedical applications. The surfaces are treated with nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon, but become bio-inactive after implanted with other elements such as silicon.

Abstract: The equipment size of a hearing device is intended to be reduced. Therefore, a hearing device, in particular an ITE hearing aid, is proposed with a shell having a user-specific shape, a faceplate for closing-off the shell and an electronic component which is attached to the faceplate using a support. The support is individually formed taking into account the shape of the shell, and/or a position of the support on the faceplate is individually determined taking into account the shape of the shell. As a result of the individual support, it is possible to cut down on installation space and therefore the shell can be shortened. In particular, the support can be formed integrally with the faceplate in order to simplify the production method.

Abstract: A control system for a motor-driven washing machine. The control system includes an electrical motor; a driving unit that applies an input voltage to the motor to drive the motor; a voltmeter that measures a reverse voltage generated by the motor for each predetermined period; and a microprocessor reducing a speed of the motor if the measured reverse voltage is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage level.