Abstract: An instrument for measuring a physical quantity, an instrument system having a plurality of such instruments, and a method for operating such a system are described. The instrument includes a sensor, an instrument class error calculator and a communication interface. The sensor measures the physical quantity and generates a value, Vm, for the physical quantity. The instrument class error calculator provides an instrument class error associated with Vm. The instrument system includes a plurality of these instruments that are manufactured on an ongoing basis. The instrument system includes a database that stores a measurement generated by each instrument in a sample of the instruments during manufacture and a communication link between the database and one of the instruments in the class that provides information on the instruments based on measurements made after the one of the instruments in the class was manufactured.

Abstract: A diode-pumped solid state laser system and a method of diode-pumping a solid state laser in which the emitter beamlets in the diode bar are directed at a beam transformation optical element which includes a continuous twisted surface to produce a uniform and symmetrised beam in the fast field which is then focused to match an input pump area of the gain medium of the solid state laser. Embodiments to square and rectangular flat-top intensity distributions are described using a Fourier lens and a set of cylindrical orthogonal lenses.

Abstract: Method and system for altering body mass composition in a human subject repeatedly apply galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) to the subject's scalp at a location corresponding to each of the subject's left and right vestibular systems. The methods may be used to treat obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating diseases by altering body mass composition in a human subject through application of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) using electrodes placed in electrical contact with the subject's scalp at a location corresponding to each of the subject's left and right vestibular systems. The methods may be used to treat obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis. GVS may be applied for a predetermined period of time at regular intervals.

Abstract: A method of controlled hydration expansion of a smectite-containing day mineral (SCM) within an aqueous environment in a confined volumetric space, the method comprising the steps of: —introducing an amount of an SCM into said volumetric space via an inlet thereinto, and initiating the hydration expansion of the SCM to release SCM particles into the confined volumetric space, and increase the pressure therein; and —introducing a flow path modification to control said released SCM particles from undergoing a recompression, said modification thereby maintaining the pressure in the volumetric space.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided to stimulate the vestibular system in such a way as to alleviate post-infection symptoms of COVID-19. A device with one or more electrodes placed over a subject's scalp provides vestibular nerve stimulation (VeNS) to the vestibular nerve, which is then carried into the vestibular nucleus in the brainstem to alleviate post-infection symptoms of COVID-19 related to the vestibular system, including dizziness, fatigue, malaise, headache, nerve pain, insomnia and sleep problems, anxiety, depression and difficulty concentrating. The characteristics of the stimulation signal and duration of the treatment are configured to allow the treatment to be delivered at the onset of one or more symptoms or at regular daily intervals alleviate the post-infection symptoms immediately or over a longer period of time.

Abstract: A diode-pumped solid state laser system and a method of diode-pumping a solid state laser in which the emitter beamlets in the diode bar are directed at a beam transformation optical element which includes a continuous twisted surface to produce a uniform and symmetrised beam in the fast field which is then focused to match an input pump area of the gain medium of the solid state laser. Embodiments to square and rectangular flat-top intensity distributions are described using a Fourier lens and a set of cylindrical orthogonal lenses.

Abstract: A method of making a liquid hardening accelerator for a hydraulic composition the method comprising: (at adding sugar and lithium carbonate to water to form a dispersion of the lithium carbonate in a sugar solution; (b) adding aluminium sulphate to the dispersion to form a liquid hardening accelerator.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating diseases by altering body mass composition in a human subject through application of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) using electrodes placed in electrical contact with the subject's scalp at a location corresponding to each of the subject's left and right vestibular systems. The methods may be used to treat obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis. GVS may be applied for a predetermined period of time at regular intervals.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating diseases by altering body mass composition in a human subject through application of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) using electrodes placed in electrical contact with the subject's scalp at a location corresponding to each of the subject's left and right vestibular systems. The methods may be used to treat obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and osteoporosis. GVS may be applied for a predetermined period of time at regular intervals.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for altering body mass composition in a human subject by applying galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) using electrodes placed in electrical contact with the subject's scalp at a location corresponding to each of the subject's left and right vestibular systems. The current source includes a feedback loop for measuring a resistance across the subject's scalp and adjusting a voltage output to maintain a constant current across the subject's scalp. GVS may be applied for a predetermined period of time at regular intervals.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided herein. A spotlight is coupled to a vehicle and is configured to project light in a target direction. A controller is configured to wirelessly send command signals to the spotlight. A user-input device is in communication with the controller and is provided on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The command signals are based on user-input and control at least one of an aim direction and a light activation of the spotlight.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided herein. A spotlight is coupled to a vehicle and is configured to project light in a target direction. A controller is configured to wirelessly send command signals to the spotlight. A user-input device is in communication with the controller and is provided on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The command signals are based on user-input and control at least one of an aim direction and a light activation of the spotlight.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided herein. A spotlight is coupled to a vehicle and is configured to project light in a target direction. A controller is configured to wirelessly send command signals to the spotlight. A user-input device is in communication with the controller and is provided on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The command signals are based on user-input and control at least one of an aim direction and a light activation of the spotlight.

Abstract: A storage device may be operably coupleable with a host computing device, and the storage device and/or host computing device may be Bluetooth enabled. The storage device may include authentication information. Access to the storage device may be permitted via Bluetooth communication between the Bluetooth enabled device and at least one of the storage device and a host computing device, wherein the Bluetooth enabled device may be within a maximum Bluetooth range of the storage device. The Bluetooth communication may be performed without Bluetooth pairing.

Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided herein. A spotlight is coupled to a vehicle and is configured to project light in a target direction. A controller is configured to wirelessly send command signals to the spotlight. A user-input device is in communication with the controller and is provided on a steering wheel of the vehicle. The command signals are based on user-input and control at least one of an aim direction and a light activation of the spotlight.

Abstract: A method of making a liquid hardening accelerator for a hydraulic composition the method comprising: (at adding sugar and lithium carbonate to water to form a dispersion of the lithium carbonate in a sugar solution; (b) adding aluminium sulphate to the dispersion to form a liquid hardening accelerator.

Abstract: A computing device includes a processing circuit and a data storage medium. The processing circuit is programmed to receive first vehicle usage data associated with a first user and second vehicle usage data associated with a second user. The processing device can identify a first pattern associated with the first vehicle usage data, identify a second pattern associated with the second vehicle usage data, and determine whether the first pattern is complementary to the second pattern.