Abstract: A seal assembly for use in a pressure containment device for containing a fluid pressure in an annular space around a drill string while allowing the drill string to rotate in the pressure containment device. The seal assembly includes a seal comprising and an inner surface and a tubular body, and a wear sensor embedded in the tubular body. The wear sensor emits an alert signal when the inner surface of the seal has been worn away by a preset amount.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes a core (30) and a cladding (32) surrounding the core. One or more indentations (42) extend into the fiber from outside of the core. The indentations desirably extend into the core and desirably define surfaces (44) transverse to the axis (36) of the fiber and extending into the core. A solid filler material (52) desirably is disposed within the indentations. The indentations and filler facilitate extraction of light from the core. The fiber desirably is a polymeric multimode fiber.

Abstract: An air maintenance tire assembly is provided in which an elongate groove is located within a first sidewall of a tire. The groove forms an elongate channel within the first sidewall and an elongate groove access passage extends from the elongate channel to an access opening located at an outward surface of the first sidewall. An air pumping tube inserts through the groove access passage and is positioned within the groove channel. A cover strip attaches to the first sidewall to enclose the access opening of the groove access passage. The cover strip is positioned along the first sidewall at a higher distance from the bead region of the first sidewall than the groove channel to avoid contact with a wheel rim flange when the tire is mounted to a wheel rim.

Abstract: In corneal crosslinking by applying a photoactivated crosslinking facilitator such as riboflavin to the cornea and irradiating the cornea with light, the cornea is contacted with a liquid (33) containing a source of oxygen during irradiation. The liquid transfers oxygen to the cornea to facilitate crosslinking.

Abstract: A device and method for applying light to the cornea of the eye as, for example, to promote crosslinking of collagen in the cornea for vision correction. The device may include a structure having form and size similar to a conventional contact lens. The structure may include an optically dispersive element such as a mass of an optically dispersive material that may be contained in a cavity of a reflective element. Light applied to the dispersive mass as, for example, by an optical fiber connected to the structure is dispersed in the structure and passes into the cornea. The patient may blink or close the eye during the procedure, which increases patient comfort and aids in maintaining hydration of the cornea.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are formed ceramic substrates comprising an oxide ceramic material, wherein the formed ceramic substrate comprises a low elemental alkali metal content, such as less than about 1000 ppm. Also disclosed are composite bodies comprising at least one catalyst and a formed ceramic substrate comprising an oxide ceramic material, wherein the composite body has a low elemental alkali metal content, such as less than about 1000 ppm, and methods for preparing the same.

Abstract: A method for firing a green honeycomb ceramic body in a kiln may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body in four stages. The first stage may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from room temperature to a first temperature that at a first heating rate that is greater than or equal to about 75° C./hr. The second stage may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from the first temperature to a second temperature at a second heating rate that is less than or equal to the first heating rate. The third stage may include heating the green honeycomb ceramic body from the second temperature to a hold temperature at a third heating rate that is less than or equal to the first heating rate. The fourth stage may include holding the green honeycomb ceramic body at the hold temperature to remove residual carbon.

Abstract: Disclosed are ceramic bodies comprised of a tialite phase and at least one silicate phase with a rare earth oxide and zirconium additions and methods for the manufacture of the same.

Abstract: Battery assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, a battery assembly includes a rechargeable battery having a housing and a circuit formed in the housing. A releasable mechanical lock may connect the battery housing to a unit which is to be supplied with electrical. An actuating element may be folded, pivoted, and/or telescopically pulled out of the battery housing.

Abstract: A distributed networking system and protocol is provided to a networking system with a modular design. The distributed networking system may include a networking system, modules, control module, user interface module, input/output module, network module, data transmission network, hybrid modules and composite modules. A method to interface with accessories of a system with a modular design using the distributed networking system and protocol is also provided.

Abstract: A wearable support assembly is provided which includes a belt strap configured to be secured about a user's hips/waist and a carrier frame which is pivotally attached to the belt strap at two pivot points which are spaced apart along the belt strap to create a substantially lateral pivot axis when the belt is worn by the user, where the relative position of the two pivot points can be adjusted with respect to the belt, the carrier frame is located behind the user when the support assembly is worn by the user and the carrier frame spans the distance between each pivot point on the belt strap with a gap separating the belt strap and the carrier frame.

Abstract: A change in the response of the cornea to ultrasonic energy directed into the cornea is monitored during irradiation of the cornea to bring about corneal crosslinking. Because the change in ultrasonic response is correlated with the degree of crosslinking achieved, a desired degree of crosslinking can be achieved by terminating the irradiation when the change reaches a threshold. The change in ultrasonic response can be determined by taking a baseline measurement before irradiation and additional measurements during irradiation using the same ultrasonic transducer (47). The transducers may be carried on a device (30) resembling a contact lens which overlies the eye and which transmits the light used in the irradiation step to the eye.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically routing a wire lead of a stator from a first position to a second position includes a base assembly to receive the stator. A clamp assembly is mounted on the base assembly to hold the wire lead in the first position. An arbor rotates the wire lead. The arbor has a holder to hold the wire lead. An end effector grips and moves the wire lead. A controller moves the end effector to grip the wire lead at the first position and to couple the wire lead with the arbor. Further, the controller rotates the arbor to rotate the wire lead along the circumference of the stator by a pre-determined angle. The controller moves the end effector to grip the wire lead held by the holder, and to move the wire lead to the second position.

Abstract: Two-wheeled motor-driven vehicles are disclosed. In one embodiment, a two-wheeled motor-driven vehicle includes a chassis, a central unit including a drive unit and a seat carrier, and a cockpit including a steering mechanism and an operating unit. Front and/or rear wheels are carried on respective wheel mounts that rotatably carry the wheels via a roller bearing. The wheel mounts have a first toroidal wheel bearing rim and a second toroidal wheel bearing rim mountable to a wheel rim.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for attaching an article 3 to a vehicle 9, having a first engagement member 24 and a second engagement member 26 spaced from the first engagement member along a longitudinal axis and that is slidable relative to the first engagement member along the longitudinal axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The apparatus 1 has a transverse plane extending generally through the apparatus and coincident with the longitudinal axis. The first and second engagement members 24, 26 each have a retaining portion 24b, 26b that is non-perpendicular relative to the transverse plane and configured to be received by respective engagement features 103, 107 on the article 3.

Abstract: Electric motor scooters are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electric motor scooter includes an electric drive, an electric battery, an actuation unit, and a control unit. The actuation unit may be brought in to one of a plurality of positions along an actuation distance, and the control unit is configured to selective a drive mode depending on the position of the actuation unit along the actuation distance. The drive modes include a recuperation mode, a coasting mode, an acceleration mode, and a boost mode. When in the recuperation mode, at least a portion of the energy generated in the electric drive may be delivered to the battery.

Abstract: Disclosed are ceramic bodies comprised of composite cordierite-mullite-aluminum magnesium titanate (CMAT) ceramic compositions having high cordierite-to-mullite ratio and methods for the manufacture of same.

Abstract: A method for making a compartmentalized sealant strip and barrier assembly 10 has the steps of co-extruding a barrier strip 9 of non-sealant elastomeric material with a plurality of projecting linear extending walls 9c and a sealant strip 11 wherein the sealant strip 11 is formed on one side of the barrier strip 9 filling the space between the plurality of projecting walls 9c to form a plurality of linearly extending rows of sealant 11 across the transverse width of the co-extrusion to form the compartmentalized sealant strip and barrier assembly 10. The step of co-extruding may further include the step of: forming the projecting walls 9c on an inclined angle relative to a plane perpendicular to the width of the assembly 10.

Abstract: A device and method for applying light to the cornea of the eye as, for example, to promote crosslinking of collagen in the cornea for vision correction. The device may include a structure having form and size similar to a conventional contact lens. The structure may include an optically dispersive element such as a mass of an optically dispersive material that may be contained in a cavity of a reflective element. Light applied to the dispersive mass as, for example, by an optical fiber connected to the structure is dispersed in the structure and passes into the cornea. The patient may blink or close the eye during the procedure, which increases patient comfort and aids in maintaining hydration of the cornea.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (1a) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and hydrates thereof and related methods of modulatin perforin activity on a cell: wherein Ring A is selected from a 6-10 membered aryl, 5-6 membered cycloalkyi, 5-6 membered heteroaryl or 5-6 membered heterocyclyl, wherein the heteroaryl and heterocyclyl rings comprise at least one heteroatom selected from N, O or S; and wherein the aryl, cycloalkyi, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl rings are optionally substituted with 1 to 3 substituents selected from halo, nitro, —C1-Cealkyl, —C1-Ceaminoalkyl, —C1-C6hydroxyalkyl, -haloC1-C6alkyl, —C1-C6alkoxyl, -haloC1—C<aIkoxyl, heteroaryl, aryl, hydroxyl, —C(0)Ci-C6alkyl, —OC(0)Ci-C6alkyl, —CH2OC(O)CrC6alkyl, —C(O)OC1, —C6alkyI, —NHC(O)C1, —C6alkyl, —NHS(O)2C1-C6alkyl, —S(O)2C1-C6alkyl, —S(O)2NH2, and —C(O)NJJ; Ring B is a 6-10 membered arylene or a 5-6 membered heteroarylene comprising at least one heteroatom selected from N, 0 or S; and wherein the aryl or heteroaryl is optionally, substituted wit