Abstract: Apparatus for measuring at least one optical property, for instance turbidity, of a fluid, such as drinking water, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a measurement section having a conduit for the fluid, at least one light source, at least one photodetector, a diffuse reflecting surface, and a processing unit for processing at least one signal received from the at least one photodetector for use in determining the at least one optical property of the fluid. The at least one light source, the at least one photodetector and the diffuse reflecting surface are configured such that, when light is emitted by the at least one light source and the fluid is in the conduit, the light passes through the fluid and is reflected from the diffuse reflecting surface towards the at least one photodetector.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring a fluid stream is disclosed. The apparatus includes a measurement section having a flow tube with a flow passage, a quasi-reference electrode in fluid communication with the flow passage, a working electrode in fluid communication with the flow passage, a circuit configured to measure the potential difference between the quasi-reference electrode and the working electrode; and an interface for outputting the potential difference. The quasi-reference electrode is a coated metal electrode consisting of a metal electrode having a surface that is coated at least part with a layer of an insoluble salt of the metal.

Abstract: A modular system is disclosed for handheld nozzles to facilitate distinguishing various nozzles in terms of nozzle type, owner, or type of fluid. Modular attachments are removably coupled to handles of the nozzles to provide the distinguishing characteristics. The modular attachment are secured to the handles without the use of mechanical fasteners or adhesives, and, instead, utilize integral mechanical attachment methods. The modular attachments can be made in a variety of colors to enable color-coding the distinguishing characteristics.

Abstract: A modular system is disclosed for handheld nozzles to facilitate distinguishing various nozzles in terms of nozzle type, owner, or type of fluid. Modular attachments are removably coupled to handles of the nozzles to provide the distinguishing characteristics. The modular attachment are secured to the handles without the use of mechanical fasteners or adhesives, and, instead, utilize integral mechanical attachment methods. The modular attachments can be made in a variety of colors to enable color-coding the distinguishing characteristics.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a fluid inlet that mitigates uptake of undesired debris into fluid transport system. A fluid inlet can direct fluid toward one or more fluid inlets, and debris entrained in the fluid may bypass the fluid inlet(s). The fluid inlet can be used to mitigate uptake of debris into a fluid transport system, when placed in the path of fluid flow. A shape of the fluid inlet can be configured to direct fluid flow into the fluid inlet(s), while the shape allows debris entrained in the fluid to flow past the fluid inlet(s).

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a valve. An exemplary valve may be able to provide a more compact profile than current valves, allowing for installation in locations that have size limitations, and/or may allow for more room in areas where prior non-compact valves are installed. Such a valve may be used for fluid intake to a pressurized fluid dispensing system. A compact valve can comprise a valve actuator that is disposed in line with the fluid intake of the valve, and not offset and extending from the valve, such that the flow of fluid passes through a point of rotation of the actuator. Further, a transmission may be used to transfer user actuation input to an internal flow control component, such as a ball-type flow controller, to move the flow control between an open and closed position.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a fluid inlet that mitigates uptake of undesired debris into fluid transport system. A fluid inlet can direct fluid toward one or more fluid inlets, and debris entrained in the fluid may bypass the fluid inlet(s). The fluid inlet can be used to mitigate uptake of debris into a fluid transport system, when placed in the path of fluid flow. A shape of the fluid inlet can be configured to direct fluid flow into the fluid inlet(s), while the shape allows debris entrained in the fluid to flow past the fluid inlet(s).

Abstract: An implantable medical device applies an electric signal to at least a portion of a heart in a subject. A resulting electric signal is collected from the heart and is used together with the applied signal for determining a cardiogenic impedance signal. The impedance signal is processed in order to estimate an isovolumetric contraction time, an isovolumetric relaxation time and an ejection time for a heart cycle. These three time parameters are employed for calculating a Tei-index of the heart. The Tei-index can be used as myocardial performance parameter in heart diagnosis and/or cardiac therapy adjustment.

Abstract: An implantable medical device applies an electric signal to at least a portion of a heart in a subject. A resulting electric signal is collected from the heart and is used together with the applied signal for determining a cardiogenic impedance signal. The impedance signal is processed in order to estimate an isovolumetric contraction time, an isovolumetric relaxation time and an ejection time for a heart cycle. These three time parameters are employed for calculating a Tei-index of the heart. The Tei-index can be used as myocardial performance parameter in heart diagnosis and/or cardiac therapy adjustment.

Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for incentivizing a player of an online game to invite the player's social network connections to install or access the online game (or a different online game). The I.R. Engine receives a selection of at least one social network user by a player of an online game. The I.R. Engine sends to a social network account of a selected social network user a notification to perform an online game action. The I.R. Engine credits the player with an in-game reward based on the selected social network user performing the online game action.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a valve. An exemplary valve may be able to provide a more compact profile than current valves, allowing for installation in locations that have size limitations, and/or may allow for more room in areas where prior non-compact valves are installed. Such a valve may be used for fluid intake to a pressurized fluid dispensing system. A compact valve can comprise a valve actuator that is disposed in line with the fluid intake of the valve, and not offset and extending from the valve, such that the flow of fluid passes through a point of rotation of the actuator. Further, a transmission may be used to transfer user actuation input to an internal flow control component, such as a ball-type flow controller, to move the flow control between an open and closed position.

Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises a connector connectable to an implantable oxygen sensor configured to generate a sensor signal representative of oxygen concentration in coronary sinus blood in a subject's heart. An ischemia detector is connected to the connector and configured to detect an ischemic event in the heart if the sensor signal indicates a temporary decrease in oxygen concentration in the coronary sinus blood below a normal level followed by a temporary increase in oxygen concentration in the coronary sinus blood above the normal level.

Abstract: An implantable medical device, IMD, (100) is connectable to at least one ventricular lead (210) having a ventricular basal electrode (214) and a ventricular apical electrode (212). The IMD (100) comprises a pulse generator (120) for generating pacing pulses applied to a heart (10) through the ventricular lead (210). The operation of this pulse generator (120) is controlled by a controller (130) that is configured to control the pulse generator to first deliver a pacing pulse to the ventricular basal electrode (214) to stimulate the basal portion of the ventricle (12, 14) before a pacing pulse is delivered to the apical portion of the ventricle (12, 14) by the ventricular apical electrode (212). This pulse sequence achieves a biologically more correct cardiac stimulation and a contraction pattern that reduces the risk for valvular regurgitation.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is connected to a multipolar LV lead and an implantable sensor. The sensor signal from the sensor is used to identify a time point of mitral valve closure for a cardiac cycle when a ventricular pulse generator generates pacing pulses that are applied to the electrodes of the multipolar LV lead according to a pacing sequence. A time interval processor determines the time interval from onset of LV activation to the time point of mitral valve closure. This procedure is repeated for multiple different pacing sequences of a sequence set. The pacing sequence that resulted in shortest time interval is then selected by a selector as the currently optimal pacing sequence for the patient.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is connectable to an epicardial left ventricular lead having at least one epicardial electrode and a myocardium penetrating catheter with at least one endocardial electrode and present in a lumen of the lead. The device comprises a pulse generator controller that controls a ventricular pulse generator to generate pulses to be applied to the epicardial and endocardial electrodes. The controller uses an endocardial-to-epicardial time interval or epicardial-to-endocardial time interval to coordinate endocardial and epicardial activation of the left ventricle to thereby achieve cardiac pacing that closely mimics the natural electrical activation pattern of a healthy heart.

Abstract: In an implantable heart monitoring device and method, particularly for monitoring diastolic dysfunction, a control circuit (a) detects the heart rate, (b) derives information correlated to the stroke volume of the heart at the detected heart rate, and (c) stores the detected heart rate and the derived information correlated to the stroke volume in a memory. The control circuit automatically implements (a), (b) and (c) at a number of different occasions for a number of different, naturally varying heart rates, so that the memory contains information indicating the stroke volume as a function of the heart rate.

Abstract: In an implantable heart monitoring device and method, particularly for monitoring diastolic dysfunction, a control circuit (a) detects the heart rate, (b) derives information correlated to the stroke volume of the heart at the detected heart rate, and (c) stores the detected heart rate and the derived information correlated to the stroke volume in a memory. The control circuit automatically implements (a), (b) and (c) at a number of different occasions for a number of different, naturally varying heart rates, so that the memory contains information indicating the stroke volume as a function of the heart rate.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is connected to a multipolar LV lead and an implantable sensor. The sensor signal from the sensor is used to identify a time point of mitral valve closure for a cardiac cycle when a ventricular pulse generator generates pacing pulses that are applied to the electrodes of the multipolar LV lead according to a pacing sequence. A time interval processor determines the time interval from onset of LV activation to the time point of mitral valve closure. This procedure is repeated for multiple different pacing sequences of a sequence set. The pacing sequence that resulted in shortest time interval is then selected by a selector as the currently optimal pacing sequence for the patient.

Abstract: A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. An incentive reward is generated that is to be provided to at least one member of a group of users of a game networking system based on the group exercising a level of influence over a location during a time period that is greater than a level of influence of an additional group of users over the location during the time period. It is determined that the group exercised the level of influence over the location during the time period. The incentive reward is provided to the at least one member of the group based on the determining that the level of influence exercised by the group is greater than the level of influence of the additional group over the location during the time period.

Abstract: A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. A first group of a plurality of players of a computer-implemented game is notified that each member of the first group is to receive an incentive reward based on a level of influence of the first group over a location being greater than a level of influence of a second group of the plurality of players over the location. The level of influence of the first group over the location is determined to be greater than the level of influence of the second group over the location. The incentive reward is provided to the first group based on the determined level of influence of the first group over the location being greater than the level of influence of the second group over the location.