Abstract: An adaptable working-channel apparatus comprising: at an external working channel attached at its proximal end to a first mounting coupling; a handle-mounting sleeve for surrounding an endoscope shaft or handle, and having on its radially outer peripheral side at least one second mounting coupling for releasable mounting engagement with the first mounting coupling. The first mounting coupling comprises two spring-loaded clamping branches that are hinged together like a clothes pin and each form a clamping portion and an actuation portion. The second mounting coupling has a mounting rail extending in the longitudinal direction of the handle-mounting sleeve and has or forms at least one undercut that can be interlockingly clasped by the clamping branches of the first mounting coupling. Also provided is a distal tissue-clip application adapter that is connectable to the adaptable working-channel apparatus; and a surgical equipping system, having the working-channel apparatus and tissue-clip application adapter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a virtual reality (VR) simulation of a retail store, which simulation is configured and displayed on an immersive VR display device that enables a user to experience the simulated retail store as if it were a physical retail store. The systems enable the user to arrange display cases and other interior store components, and to populate shelves, racks, and the like, with products to be sold in the retail store. A VR platform enables multiple users to synchronously view the VR simulation and make coordinated changes to develop an optimized configuration of the retail store. Marketing, sales, merchant, and other data may be collected, aggregated, and analyzed to identify purchase trends of certain products; the analyzed data may identify user shopping preferences, and the VR platform may generate a customized retail store including only products relevant to a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a virtual reality (VR) simulation of a retail store, which simulation is configured and displayed on an immersive VR display device that enables a user to experience the simulated retail store as if it were a physical retail store. The systems enable the user to arrange display cases and other interior store components, and to populate shelves, racks, and the like, with products to be sold in the retail store. A VR platform enables multiple users to synchronously view the VR simulation and make coordinated changes to develop an optimized configuration of the retail store. Marketing, sales, merchant, and other data may be collected, aggregated, and analyzed to identify purchase trends of certain products; the analyzed data may identify user shopping preferences, and the VR platform may generate a customized retail store including only products relevant to a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a virtual reality (VR) simulation of a retail store, which simulation is configured and displayed on an immersive VR display device that enables a user to experience the simulated retail store as if it were a physical retail store. The systems enable the user to arrange display cases and other interior store components, and to populate shelves, racks, and the like, with products to be sold in the retail store. A VR platform enables multiple users to synchronously view the VR simulation and make coordinated changes to develop an optimized configuration of the retail store. Marketing, sales, merchant, and other data may be collected, aggregated, and analyzed to identify purchase trends of certain products; the analyzed data may identify user shopping preferences, and the VR platform may generate a customized retail store including only products relevant to a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a virtual reality (VR) simulation of a retail store, which simulation is configured and displayed on an immersive VR display device that enables a user to experience the simulated retail store as if it were a physical retail store. The systems enable the user to arrange display cases and other interior store components, and to populate shelves, racks, and the like, with products to be sold in the retail store. A VR platform enables multiple users to synchronously view the VR simulation and make coordinated changes to develop an optimized configuration of the retail store. Marketing, sales, merchant, and other data may be collected, aggregated, and analyzed to identify purchase trends of certain products; the analyzed data may identify user shopping preferences, and the VR platform may generate a customized retail store including only products relevant to a user.

Abstract: A pin used in investment casting, or the lost wax process, to support the ceramic core of a mold includes a core formed of a metal which provides suitable strength to maintain the position of the ceramic core during pouring of molten metal into the mold but which is susceptible to oxidation during firing of the mold. The pin core is encased with an outer coating formed of a metal which resists oxidation during firing of the mold and resists chemical interaction during processing of the cast part. An intermediate coating is preferably disposed between the core and outer coating and is likewise formed of a metal which resists oxidation during firing of the mold and resists chemical interaction during processing of the cast part. The invention also includes an investment casting mold using a plurality of these pins and methods of making the pin and the mold.

Abstract: A variation on casino poker requires each player to place a multi-part bet on the table at the outside of a round. At that point, each player can elect to qualify for a progressive jackpot and special prizes by making a further qualifying wager. Three cards are dealt out to each player and to the dealer, whose gives each player the choice of withdrawing or leaving successive parts of the bet as the cards before the dealer are turned over. Only those players who have participated in jackpot betting have the option of using the third card dealt to the dealer as the “sixth card” of their overall holding, from which they build their possible five-card poker hand. The combined use of a progressive jackpot and a “sixth” card to determine winning jackpot combinations affords a dimension of play to heighten interest in participating.

Abstract: A variation on casino poker requires each player to place a multi-part bet on the table at the outside of a round. At that point, each player can elect to qualify for a progressive jackpot and special prizes by making a further qualifying wager. Three cards are dealt out to each player and to the dealer, whose gives each player the choice of withdrawing or leaving successive parts of the bet as the cards before the dealer are turned over. Only those players who have participated in jackpot betting have the option of using the third card dealt to the dealer as the “sixth card” of their overall holding, from which they build their possible five-card poker hand. The combined use of a progressive jackpot and a “sixth” card to determine winning jackpot combinations affords a dimension of play to heighten interest in participating.

Abstract: A thermally controlled equipment cabinet for telephone systems has a gas-tight, sealed compartment for mounting sensitive active electronic components and has jacket 20 partially encompassing at least three sides of the sealed compartment. The sealed compartment utilizes either forced or natural convection to dissipate the heat generated by the components to the surrounding air. The heat is then dissipated to the ambient air through a highly heat-conductive corrugated roof and side panels. The jacket provides a cooling air passage around the sealed compartment and over the corrugated roof removing heat thereof. Nonsensitive passive components, mounted in the cooling air passage near the air inlet of the jacket, provide protrusions in the cooling air passage causing a slightly turbulent air flow in the passage thereby enhancing heat transfer. Storage batteries, such as used in telephone systems, are mounted within the cooling air passage near the air exhaust of the jacket.