Abstract: A seat support mechanism that is adapted to constrain motion of a bottom of a seat relative to a floor as the seat bottom moves up and down relative to the floor, where the seat has a seat back, and where the seat is constructed and arranged to support an occupant thereof above the floor, wherein the seat bottom has a front edge, and wherein the seat bottom supports the occupant's thighs with the knees in front of the front edge of the seat bottom. The seat support mechanism is constructed and arranged such that as the seat bottom is moved up and down, the seat support mechanism causes the seat bottom to pivot about a virtual lateral horizontal pivot axis located farther from the front edge of the seat bottom than the occupant's knees. The seat support mechanism is further constructed and arranged such that the back of the seat remains at a relatively constant angle to the floor as the seat bottom moves up and down and pivots.

Abstract: A seat system for a vehicle includes a seat having a seat bottom on which a person can sit. An intermediate support structure is secured to the seat and the vehicle which allows the seat to rotate relative to the vehicle. An actuator can interact with the seat to cause the seat to rotate relative to the vehicle. The combined motion of the vehicle relative to the earth and the seat relative to the vehicle results in motion of the seat moving about a virtual pivot point. A user control is provided for adjustment of the location of the virtual pivot point.

Abstract: A crimp tool includes a frame, a lead screw and a nut assembly connected to the lead screw. A spring member is connected to the frame and movable with rotation of the lead screw. A first transducer is connected to the nut assembly to measure a first force applied on the nut assembly. A second transducer is connected to the spring member to measure a second force applied thereon by the spring member.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, methods, apparatus, and systems to minimize environmental impact, water use, and overall cost of drilling and hydraulic fracturing for crude oil and natural gas. Some variations of the invention provide a fracturing-fluid additive composition comprising a water-soluble portion of a biomass-pyrolysis liquid. In some embodiments, the fracturing-fluid additive composition is substantially biodegradable and is not toxic. Some variations provide improved proppants for oil or gas well fracturing. Other variations of this invention relate to drilling-fluid additive compositions, and methods of using these compositions. This invention can significantly improve the environmental, economic, and social sustainability associated with drilling and fracturing for production of oil and gas.

Abstract: A hydraulically powered cutting tool includes a blade holder for securing a piece of cutting material during the shearing process. The assembly includes a tool head having a receiving area for the blade holder. A powered actuator is attached to the tool head adjacent the receiving area for actuating a moving blade. The moving blade includes a first end attached to the powered actuator and a second end with a cutting surface facing a fixed blade. The blade holder is attached to the tool head and includes an arcuate bottom surface adjacent the receiving area at a first end and a sleeve at a second end. The fixed cutting blade is received in the sleeve and includes a cutting surface disposed facing the moving blade.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for detecting and regulating neuroendocrine control. The systems involve measurement of real time pulsatile endocrine hormone levels in a subject and calculation of an appropriate dose of an analyte for treating the subject based on several factors. The systems are preferably closed loop systems.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and/or controlling a state of consciousness of a subject experiencing anesthesia are provided. In some aspects, the system includes a plurality of sensors placed about the subject and configured to acquire electroencephalogram (“EEG”} data therefrom while the subject is receiving anesthesia, and at least one processor configured to receive the EEG data from the plurality of sensors, and perform a phase-amplitude coupling analysis using the received EEG data to determine a phase-amplitude frequency distribution. The at least one processor is also configured to identify a state of consciousness of the subject using the determined phase-amplitude frequency distribution, and generate a report indicative of the state of consciousness of the subject.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying physiological states of a patient are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a time-series of physiological data, and generating a multinomial regression model that includes regression parameters representing signatures of multiple neural states. The method also includes estimating probabilities for each of the neural states by applying the regression model to the time-series of physiological data, and identifying one of a current and future brain state of the patient using the estimated probabilities. The method further includes generating a report indicating a physiological state of the patient.

Abstract: The present disclosure is in the field of plant breeding. The disclosure provides methods for breeding corn plants having a brachytic trait using marker-assisted selection. The disclosure further provides brachytic germplasm, markers associated with a brachytic trait for introgressing the trait into elite germplasm in a breeding program. This disclosure also provides brachytic or dwarf elite corn varieties having yield equal to or higher than conventional non-brachytic corn varieties.

Abstract: A crimp tool includes a frame, a lead screw and a nut assembly connected to the lead screw. A spring member is connected to the frame and movable with rotation of the lead screw. A first transducer is connected to the nut assembly to measure a first force applied on the nut assembly. A second transducer is connected to the spring member to measure a second force applied thereon by the spring member.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and medical devices, and in particular, biodegradable scaffolds capable of repairing and replacing cartilagenous meniscuses. Also provided herein are methods of using scaffolds for treating degenerative tissue disorders. In certain embodiments, such scaffolds can promote tissue regeneration of a temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) meniscus.

Abstract: At least one of transesterification, esterification and hydrolysis can occur with a method as shown and described herein. Preferably pressures are lower than supercritical pressures for the alcohol employed and the conversion rate is at least 95%, if not 99% in a single reactor which may be counter or co-flow or even a batch process. Meanwhile, bound glycerin may be separated from alkyl esters for at least some processes.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and medical devices, and in particular, biodegradable scaffolds capable of repairing and replacing cartilagenous meniscuses. Also provided herein are methods of using scaffolds for treating degenerative tissue disorders. In certain embodiments, such scaffolds can promote tissue regeneration of a temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) meniscus.

Abstract: A seat support mechanism that is adapted to constrain motion of a bottom of a seat relative to a floor as the seat bottom moves up and down relative to the floor, where the seat has a seat back, and where the seat is constructed and arranged to support an occupant thereof above the floor, wherein the seat bottom has a front edge, and wherein the seat bottom supports the occupant's thighs with the knees in front of the front edge of the seat bottom. The seat support mechanism is constructed and arranged such that as the seat bottom is moved up and down, the seat support mechanism causes the seat bottom to pivot about a virtual lateral horizontal pivot axis located farther from the front edge of the seat bottom than the occupant's knees. The seat support mechanism is further constructed and arranged such that the back of the seat remains at a relatively constant angle to the floor as the seat bottom moves up and down and pivots.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and medical devices, and in particular, biodegradable scaffolds capable of repairing and replacing cartilagenous meniscuses. Also provided herein are methods of using scaffolds for treating degenerative tissue disorders. In certain embodiments, such scaffolds can promote tissue regeneration of a temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) meniscus.

Abstract: A control circuit identifies users within a presentation zone that includes a plurality of displays. The control circuit then automatically selects at least two particular presentations from amongst a plurality of available presentations. By one approach one of the selected presentations corresponds to one of the identified users while another of the selected presentations corresponds to another of the identified users. The control circuit then automatically presents, at least substantially simultaneously, the selected presentations using the plurality of displays in the presentation zone.

Abstract: Methods, processes, apparatus, systems, and compositions are disclosed for improving the sustainability of oil sands processing. In some embodiments, bitumen is combined with biodiluent comprising one or more liquid pyrolysis fractions obtained from pyrolyzing biomass and collecting multiple liquid fractions. The bitumen may be any source of bitumen, such as bitumen obtained from oil sands. In some embodiments, a water-rich pyrolysis liquid displaces water use in an oil sands process. The water-rich pyrolysis liquid may be used for primary separation of bitumen from oil sands or for hydrotransport, for example. Also, biochar produced from biomass pyrolysis may be introduced to an oil sands tailing pond with various benefits. Water may be recycled from a tailing pond. Integration of a pyrolysis and separation process into an oil sands refining process reduces the overall greenhouse-gas emissions on a well-to-refined product basis by 10-70% or more. Various compositions and products are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions comprising anesthesia-reversing agents which facilitate or increase the time of awakening or reverse the effects of general anesthesia-induced unconsciousness. In some embodiments, the anesthesia reversing agent can be selected from any or a combination of methylphenidate (MPH), amphetamine, modafinil, amantadine, caffeine, or analogues or derivatives thereof. In some embodiments, compositions comprising at least one or more anesthesia-reversing agents can be used to facilitate awakening from anesthesia without or decreasing occurrence of delirium, and can be used in methods to treat or prevent the symptoms associated with emergence delirium, as well as treat a subject oversedated with general an esthesia. The invention also relates to methods for administering these compositions comprising anesthesia-reversing agents to subjects and for use.

Abstract: Methods, processes, apparatus, equipment and systems are disclosed for converting carboxylic acids into esters by esterification with alcohol and a dual catalyst. The method combines a homogenous and heterogeneous catalyst in one or more reactors to increase the conversion of carboxylic acids compared to using a homogenous and/or heterogeneous catalyst independently. The invention converts free fatty acids into esters by esterification with alcohol and a dual catalyst such that the reaction mixture contains sufficiently low free fatty acids and the amount of free fatty acids in the product stream leaving the process remains stable over time.

Abstract: Systems and method for age-compensated monitoring of a patient experiencing administration of at least one drug having anesthetic properties are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a plurality of sensors configured to acquire physiological data from the patient and at least one processor configured to receive the physiological data from the plurality of sensors, and determine, from the physiological data, signal markers indicative of an apparent or likely patient age. The at least one processor is also configured to at least one of scale and regulate the physiological data using at least the apparent patient age to create age-compensated data, and generate a report including the age-compensated data.