Abstract: An apparatus and method for irradiating a fluid containing a material to be irradiated, comprising at least one irradiation chamber having at least one inlet port and outlet port, at least one fluid cooling chamber having at least one inlet port and outlet port, one or more UV radiation sources coupled to the irradiation chamber(s); and at least one heat exchange mechanism thermally coupled to the radiation source(s) and the cooling chamber(s). At least a portion of the interior surface of the cooling chamber(s) may comprise at least a portion of the exterior surface of the irradiation chamber(s) so the cooling chamber(s) is in fluid communication with the irradiation chamber(s).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for irradiating a fluid containing a material to be irradiated, comprising at least one irradiation chamber having at least one inlet port and outlet port, at least one fluid cooling chamber having at least one inlet port and outlet port, one or more UV radiation sources coupled to the irradiation chamber(s); and at least one heat exchange mechanism thermally coupled to the radiation source(s) and the cooling chamber(s). At least a portion of the interior surface of the cooling chamber(s) may comprise at least a portion of the exterior surface of the irradiation chamber(s) so the cooling chamber(s) is in fluid communication with the irradiation chamber(s).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for irradiating a fluid containing a material to be irradiated, comprising at least one irradiation chamber having at least one inlet port and outlet port, at least one fluid cooling chamber having at least one inlet port and outlet port, one or more UV radiation sources coupled to the irradiation chamber(s); and at least one heat exchange mechanism thermally coupled to the radiation source(s) and the cooling chamber(s). At least a portion of the interior surface of the cooling chamber(s) may comprise at least a portion of the exterior surface of the irradiation chamber(s) so the cooling chamber(s) is in fluid communication with the irradiation chamber(s).

Abstract: Many embodiments provide a hybrid data processing system (HySDS) of an end-to-end geodetic imaging data system enabling near-real-time science, assessment, response, and rapid recovery. The HySDS may be an operation data processing system that integrates data from many different geodetic data sources and/or sensors, including interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR), GPS, pixel tracking, seismology, and/or modeling, and processes the data to generate actionable high quality science data products. The HySDS may provide for an automated imaging and analysis capabilities that is able to handle the imminent increases in raw data from new and existing geodetic monitoring sensor systems.

Abstract: A septal closure device can include an expandable frame having a central portion defining a lumen. The frame can have a plurality of arms extending radially outward from the central portion. The arms can be connected to the central portion at angularly spaced locations on the central portion that intersect a common plane perpendicular to a central axis of the lumen. The closure device can further include a blood occluding member supported on the frame and positioned to block at least the flow of blood from the left atrium to the right atrium through the lumen of the frame when the device is implanted in the septum.

Abstract: A method of generating data for use in image based lighting rendering, including displaying a 2-dimensional canvas (202), each point on the 2-dimensional canvas representing a surface co-ordinate of a 3-dimensional object having at least one surface. User input describing creation/modification of at least one shape (205, 205?) having an associated lightness value for use in image based lighting rendering is received via the 2-dimensional canvas. The 2-dimensional canvas is updated in accordance with the user input to display a representation of the at least one shape as created/modified by the user input, the representation on the canvas being distorted to indicate mapping of the at least one shape with respect to at least one said surface of the 3-dimensional object. Data describing the at least one shape for use in graphics rendering is generated.

Abstract: A method of managing an online support group to increase the odds that users will attain their wellness goals is disclosed. A request from a user to join a support group is received. A preference of the user with respect to a type of the support group is received. The support group is selected from a plurality of support groups based on the preference of the user and a preference of a member of the support group. Based on an acceptance by the user of an option to join the support group, the plurality of support groups is reorganized.

Abstract: A portable electronic lock for luggage, comprising: a housing and a securement member in cooperation with the housing to secure an item to the lock; a locking mechanism in the housing in communication with the securement member to releasably secure the securement member to the housing; a communications module in the housing for operating the locking mechanism to release and secure the securement member in response to a wireless signal; and a secondary release system for releasing the locking mechanism, wherein the secondary release system is selectively operable by a user.

Abstract: A steerable micro-endoscope comprising a cylindrical elongated member having at least a first lumen, a tensioning wire running in the first lumen and attached at the distal end of the elongated member; the elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, having respectively a first durometer and a second durometer lower than the first durometer; the first lumen being arranged such that the distal portion of the elongated body bends when the tensioning wire is pulled; wherein the elongated member comprises a second lumen; an electrode wire being arranged in the second lumen such that the distal end of the electrode wire does not protrude from the distal portion of the elongated member when the elongated member is not bent, and such that the distal end of the electrode wire protrudes from the distal portion of the elongated member when the elongated member is bent.

Abstract: A method of managing an online support group to increase the odds that users will attain their wellness goals is disclosed. A request from a user to join a support group is received. A preference of the user with respect to a type of the support group is received. The support group is selected from a plurality of support groups based on the preference of the user and a preference of a member of the support group. Based on an acceptance by the user of an option to join the support group, the plurality of support groups is reorganized.

Abstract: A method of predicting food items consumed by a user of a food-logging application is disclosed. Loggings of consumptions of food items are received. A predictive model is generated based on the received loggings. The predictive model generates a prediction of one or more additional food items that a target user will consume or is likely to have consumed (e.g., at a particular time). The prediction is generated based on an application of the predictive model to one or more data items (e.g., data items streaming into the system in real time from the target user or other users that are relevant to food consumptions by the target user). The prediction of the consumption of the one or more additional food items by the user may then be communicated for presentation to the target user in a user interface.

Abstract: A periodontal endoscope includes an imaging handle having an imaging end that supports a camera sensor and an introducer including an introducer blade such that the introducer blade is selectively rotatable about the camera sensor for engaging gingival tissue in the field of view for any rotational orientation of the introducer blade relative to the camera while illuminated by an optical fiber bundle. An automatic illuminance controller controls an illumination light source at least within each frame as the frame is scanned based on dynamic range of the camera sensor such that high intensity areas of the frame receive a reduced amount of illumination light by reducing the illumination drive signal as compared to low intensity areas of the frame which receive an increased amount of illumination light by increasing the illumination drive signal relative to the high intensity areas.

Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting audio signals via infrared light includes a first mounting board and a first plurality of narrow angle LED emitters and a first plurality of wide angle LED emitters attached to a front surface of the first mounting board. The first plurality of narrow angle LED emitters and the first plurality of wide angle LED emitters are configured to emit a beam of infrared light having a wide portion and a narrow portion, the wide portion being proximate the LED emitters and the narrow portion being distal to the LED emitters. An infrared audio system includes a transmitter and an expansion transmitter. The expansion transmitter may include a second plurality of narrow angle LED emitters and a second plurality of wide angle LED emitters. A method of making a transmitter includes attaching a plurality of narrow angle LED emitters and a plurality of wide angle LED emitters to a mounting board of a transmitter.

Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting audio signals via infrared light includes a first mounting board and a first plurality of narrow angle LED emitters and a first plurality of wide angle LED emitters attached to a front surface of the first mounting board. The first plurality of narrow angle LED emitters and the first plurality of wide angle LED emitters are configured to emit a beam of infrared light having a wide portion and a narrow portion, the wide portion being proximate the LED emitters and the narrow portion being distal to the LED emitters. An infrared audio system includes a transmitter and an expansion transmitter. The expansion transmitter may include a second plurality of narrow angle LED emitters and a second plurality of wide angle LED emitters. A method of making a transmitter includes attaching a plurality of narrow angle LED emitters and a plurality of wide angle LED emitters to a mounting board of a transmitter.

Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting audio signals via infrared light includes a first mounting board and a first plurality of narrow angle LED emitters and a first plurality of wide angle LED emitters attached to a front surface of the first mounting board. The first plurality of narrow angle LED emitters and first plurality of wide angle LED emitters are configured to emit a beam of infrared light having a wide portion and narrow portion, the wide portion being proximate the LED emitters and the narrow portion being distal to the LED emitters. An infrared audio system includes a transmitter and an expansion transmitter. The expansion transmitter may include a second plurality of narrow angle LED emitters and a second plurality of wide angle LED emitters. A method of making a transmitter includes attaching a plurality of narrow angle LED emitters and a plurality of wide angle LED emitters to a mounting board of a transmitter.

Abstract: A flexible tube includes a first layer comprising a polyolefin material having a flexural modulus of not greater than 150 MPa and includes a second layer directly bonded to and in direct contact with the first layer. The second layer comprising a blend of propylenic polymer and styrenic block copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing unwanted antibody aggregates, and/or antibody dimers, and/or antibody pre-monomers.

Abstract: An implement for applying a volume of liquid to a treatment surface includes a support onto which is mounted a receptacle. The receptacle defines a reservoir space which receives the liquid. The receptacle includes a wall having a working surface that is used to spread the liquid over the treatment surface. The wall is resiliently deformable such that in use the working surface maintains contact with the treatment surface when spreading the liquid. The implement is used in applying a transdermal lotion to the axilla area of a user. A system for transdermal administration of a physiological active agent from a liquid composition and a method of conducting the same are also provided.

Abstract: An ammonia capture recovery system is disclosed. The ammonia capture recovery system may include pretreatment with conventional solid removal devices and a single or a series of hydrophobic membrane concentrators receiving a heated ammonium containing influent either heated to a sufficient temperature to convert ammonia to ammonium or containing sufficient alkali to convert ammonia to ammonium in the influent. The heated ammonium containing liquid is pumped through the hydrophobic membrane concentrator and the hydrophobic membrane concentrator receives an acid. The acid then reacts with the extracted gaseous ammonia and ultimately forms a saturated ammonium salt product that is discharged from the hydrophobic membrane concentrator, the hydrophobic membrane concentrator includes a feed line, a plurality of hydrophobic membrane modules, a diluted acid source and a concentrated acid source and tanks to receive the saturated ammonium salt product and the low ammonia effluent.

Abstract: A method of generating data for use in image based lighting rendering, including displaying a 2-dimensional canvas (202), each point on the 2-dimensional canvas representing a surface co-ordinate of a 3-dimensional object having at least one surface. User input describing creation/modification of at least one shape (205, 205?) having an associated lightness value for use in image based lighting rendering is received via the 2-dimensional canvas. The 2-dimensional canvas is updated in accordance with the user input to display a representation of the at least one shape as created/modified by the user input, the representation on the canvas being distorted to indicate mapping of the at least one shape with respect to at least one said surface of the 3-dimensional object. Data describing the at least one shape for use in graphics rendering is generated.