Abstract: A variable-nozzle turbocharger includes a turbine housing and a center housing, and a generally annular nozzle ring and an array of vanes rotatably mounted to the nozzle ring such that the vanes can be pivoted about their axes for regulating exhaust gas flow to the turbine wheel. The vanes extend between the nozzle ring and an opposite wall formed by an insert in the turbine housing. A vane sealing member is supported on the insert, and has a portion disposed between distal ends of the vanes and the insert. This portion of the vane sealing member is configured to be contacted by the distal ends of the vanes when the vanes are in the closed position, while a clearance exists between the portion of the vane sealing member and the distal ends of the vanes when the vanes are in the open position.

Abstract: An information obtaining unit (11) obtains transmission-intended information input by an information sender, a candidate propagation NW obtaining unit (12) searches and obtains a candidate propagation network corresponding to the kind of the transmission-intended information among propagation networks each including information on a sender user, a recipient user, a kind of information transmitted from the sender user to the recipient user, and a number, a probability, a time or a combination thereof of transmission of the information of the kind from the sender user to the recipient user. A recommended propagation NW specifying unit (13) obtains, among the candidate propagation networks, the candidate propagation network having the highest expected value of the total number of the users to whom information will be propagated within a predetermined time as a recommended propagation network. A display generator unit (14) presents the recommended propagation network to the information sender.

Abstract: A communication information registering unit (11) acquires communication information that contains a sender, a receiver, and a sending time of information communicated between users that are communicating, and stores the communication information in a storage unit (12). A response time calculation unit (13) finds response time of the users from the communication information. A threshold value setting unit (14) finds a threshold value for determining the statuses of the users from distribution of frequencies of the response time. A current status determination unit (15) determines the status of a counterpart user from the response time by using the threshold value. A notification unit (16) notifies a user of the current status of its counterpart user.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a data transmission and reception section that wirelessly transmits a plurality of test packets; a signal sensing section that senses a power of a spatial radio wave signal on a frequency channel that is the same as the plurality of test packets and outputs sample data of the sensed spatial radio wave signal; a calculation processing section that converts the sample data into time series sample data; a collision detection section that calculates a packet collision rate based on the number of packet collisions and the number of the plurality of test packets if there is a packet collision due to interference of the plurality of test packets with another communication; and a control section that adjusts a parameter that the data transmission and reception section uses based on a calculation result of the collision detection section.

Abstract: Sensor and communications systems are disclosed for communicating measurements from subsea equipment, such as at an offshore well, to the surface. A sensor for a physical parameter, such as pressure or temperature at a blowout preventer, capping stack, or conduit in communication with the same, is electrically connected to a subsea acoustic transponder. An acoustic communications device, for example an acoustic transducer and transceiver electronics deployed on a remotely-operated vehicle, interrogates the acoustic transponder with an acoustic signal, in response to which the acoustic transponder transmits an acoustic signal encoded with the measurement. The acquired measurement data are then communicated to a redundant network at the surface. The sensor and acoustic transponder systems can be installed after an event at the subsea equipment, such as blowout of the well.

Abstract: An adaptor for a slit lamp holds a portable camera, such as a cell phone, in place relative to a slit lamp. The adaptor is adjustable to accommodate virtually any size of portable camera through the use of screws, washers, spacers, and other adjustment mechanisms. The adaptor can be formed in two parts: an ocular engaging portion and a camera support. The two portions can be coupled together to position the camera relative to the slit lamp to photograph a patient's eye.

Abstract: Sensor and communications systems for communicating measurements from subsea equipment, such as at an offshore well, to the surface. A sensor for a physical parameter, such as pressure or temperature at a blowout preventer, capping stack, or conduit in communication with the same, is electrically connected to a subsea acoustic transponder. An acoustic monitoring transponder deployed near the well periodically interrogates the acoustic transponder with an acoustic signal, in response to which the acoustic transponder transmits an acoustic signal encoded with the measurement. The measurement data are stored at the acoustic monitoring transponder. An acoustic communications device later interrogates the acoustic monitoring transponder to receive the stored measurement data for communication to a redundant network at the surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method of monitoring power consumption of an electrical device, the method comprising identifying an electrical device using a power signature unique to that device, the power signature being derived from power consumption measurements, and location information; and monitoring power consumption of such an identified device.

Abstract: A shunt rivet for implantation in the aorta and inferior vena cava to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a method of treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Abstract: Radio apparatuses each has a plurality of channels and, when data is to be transmitted, selects a specific channel having relatively low signal interference from the plurality of channels. Each radio apparatus spreads transmission data with a prescribed spread code arbitrarily selected from a plurality of spread codes, and modulates the spread spectrum signal with the frequency of the specific channel to transmit. As a result, delay in an autonomously established wireless network can be reduced.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant and related methods of use are provided for treatment of spaces between two vertebrae. The implant can comprise a first member and a second member that are configured for engagement in a stacked configuration. The first member and second member can be inserted separately so that the intervertebral space can be reached through limited access pathways. The first member and second member can be coupled in situ in the intervertebral space to form an implant of desired height. In this manner, an intervertebral implant having final dimensions that would not fit through a limited access pathway can be implanted through the access pathway by inserting the implant in separate member pieces.

Abstract: In wireless communication using links with neighbor wireless devices, a wireless device calculates ratios of throughput to maximum throughput for the links and calculates the costs of the links using the calculated ratios. Then the wireless device finds, for each destination, a route in which the sum of such calculated link costs is the minimum, and sends a packet to the destination using the route. As a consequence, routing can be done according to an isotonic, easy-to-implement routing protocol.

Abstract: An assembly for a turbocharger includes a shaft with an axial extension and a shaft-side groove portion, the shaft-side groove portion defined at least in part by a radial height; a turbine wheel with a counter bore and a turbine wheel-side groove portion, the turbine wheel-side groove portion defined at least in part by a radial height; and, upon receipt of the axial extension of the shaft by the counter bore of the turbine wheel, a groove formed by the shaft-side groove portion and the turbine wheel-side groove portion, the groove configured to seat a seal component. Various other examples of devices, assemblies, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: Control of output of programme content from an apparatus including a receiver for receiving programme content and an output includes storing one or more dependencies and determining whether a programme to be output by the apparatus has any dependencies associated with it. The dependencies may be indicative of whether the content of a given programme is dependent upon the content of one or more other programmes. If the programme to be output by the apparatus has any dependencies associated with it, the output of the programme content by the apparatus may impaired based on the dependencies. A corresponding apparatus and computer programme are also provided.

Abstract: Radio devices (31 to 43) receive a prescribed number of Hello packets from each of n radio devices existing within one hop from each radio device, detects six pairs of maximum and minimum values MAX[1] and MIN[1] to MAX[6] and MIN[6] based on the plurality of reception signal strengths of the plurality of received Hello packets, detects two adjacent maximum values having the largest difference among six pairs of maximum and minimum values D_MAX[1] and D_MIN[1] to D_MAX[6] and D_MIN[6] when the six maximum values MAX[1] to MAX[6] are in descending order, and determines the average of two minimum values corresponding to the detected two maximum values as a threshold. The radio devices (31 to 43) each produce a routing table including routes having reception signal strengths equal to or more than the threshold.

Abstract: A tonometer tip disinfection apparatus for disinfecting and rinsing a tonometer tip includes a first basin configured to hold a disinfecting solution, a second basin configured to hold a rinsing solution, a holding platform configured to receive at least one tonometer tip, a tonometer tip support arm configured to support a tonometer tip having a tip end in an orientation allowing the tip end to reside at least in part within the first and second basins, and a transportation assembly configured to automatically move the tonometer tip support arm between the first and second basins and the holding platform.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing contacting information between applications is provided. The system preferably uses an ENUM-type protocol and a middleware tool kit to associate telephone numbers to other identifying information, such as e-mail addresses or URLs for web sites. The system enables the associated contacting information to be shared across multiple applications that may be implemented on a computer or a mobile telephony device. Information is shared only after verification that a requester is authorized to receive the requested contacting information.

Abstract: A radio apparatus forming a radio network system calculates a calculated distance, based on a tentative self-position and tentative positions of a plurality of radio apparatuses existing in the vicinity. The radio apparatus successively and autonomously corrects the tentative self-position so that the calculated distance comes closer to the measured distance, relying more heavily on the calculated distance than the measured distance between itself and each of the plurality of radio apparatuses, and determines the position of itself. Other radio apparatuses also successively correct the tentative self-positions by the same method as the radio apparatus, and determine the positions of themselves.

Abstract: A turbocharger system for an internal combustion engine that powers a vehicle having a pressure vessel storing pressurized air. The turbocharger system comprises a turbocharger and a valve system. The system is configured such that the air intake system of the internal combustion engine can be supplied with air at super-atmospheric pressure either from the compressor of the turbocharger or from the pressure vessel. When the pressure vessel is supplying the intake system, compressed air from the compressor is recirculated back to the air inlet of the compressor so as to help prevent a surge condition in the compressor.

Abstract: A radio device is located far from other radio devices in a radio network system. The radio device determines a threshold WIth for detecting a strength equal to or more than the minimum strength of radio waves transmitted/received in a stable radio wave environment based on a plurality of reception signal strengths of Hello packets received from radio devices adjacent to the radio device. Then, if the number of radio devices adjacent to the radio device when the threshold WIth is introduced is less than a standard value (such as five), the radio device stores the adjacent radio devices in the neighbor list without introducing the threshold WIth, and then, maintains in the routing table the routing information of routes passing through the adjacent radio devices based on the neighbor list.