Abstract: A method of providing a cleaned gas diffusion layer for electrochemical applications includes providing a gas diffusion layer such that a first side of the gas diffusion layer is arranged on a first vacuum conveyor belt, cleaning an exposed second side of the gas diffusion layer, the second side being situated opposite the first side of the gas diffusion layer, transferring the partially cleaned gas diffusion layer to a second vacuum conveyor belt partially situated opposite the first vacuum conveyor belt, wherein the first vacuum conveyor belt and the second vacuum conveyor belt have a transfer region in which the gas diffusion layer is transferred from the first vacuum conveyor belt to the second vacuum conveyor belt such that the first side of the gas diffusion layer is exposed, and cleaning the first side of the gas diffusion layer.

Abstract: A card-handling device and related methods may include a card intake, a card rotation device, and a card output. The card rotation device may be configured to rotate at least one of the one or more playing cards about a minor axis of the one or more playing cards to randomly alter an orientation of lateral edges of the one or more playing cards. A card-handling device and related methods may be configured to recognize unreadable cards and move the unreadable cards to a designated position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method of producing a high-protein, acidified, liquid, dairy product. The invention furthermore relates to new high-protein acidified, liquid dairy product, to protein/mineral compositions and uses of these for producing liquid dairy products having a high-protein content and a low viscosity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for service policy orchestration in a communication network. An orchestration of a distributed event policy may be initiated at a service policy execution factory (SPEF). The initiating may include selecting a service event object with an associated unique service instance identifier and an associated unique service event identifier; defining service requirements that may include or relate to one or more of type of an event, a criticality, a lifetime, and generic service execution rule(s); including the service requirements in the service event object; and sending the service event object and the unique service instance ID to a service policy orchestration factory (SPOF) for performing one or more actions relating to the orchestration of the distributed event policy. In response to receiving an SPOF feedback message that indicates a successful updating of the event repository, the orchestration of the distributed event policy may be terminated.

Abstract: A method for affixing a fundus portion of the stomach of a human patient to the patient's esophagus is disclosed. The method comprises folding the fundus portion towards the esophagus such that the fundus portion rests against the esophagus, from the angle of His and upwards along the esophagus, and affixing the fundus portion to the esophagus by means of fasteners arranged along a first line and a second line. The first line and the second line extend along the esophagus and are arranged such that a distance between the first line and the second line increases with an increasing distance from the angle of His. The method can be used for invaginating a movement restriction device by the fundus, a position between the diaphragm and the cardiac sphincter to hinder the cardia from sliding through the diaphragm opening into the patient's thorax.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a positioning device, for synchronization of positioning devices, and/or for synchronization of slave anchor electronic devices. The method is performed by a system having a master anchor electronic device, and a plurality of slave anchor electronic devices including a first slave anchor electronic device. The method includes broadcasting, from the master anchor electronic device, a first ultra-wide band (UWB) signal, at a first predetermined time. The method includes receiving, at the first slave anchor electronic device, the first UWB signal. The method includes determining, at the first slave anchor electronic device, a first transmission time based on the first UWB signal. The method includes broadcasting, from the first slave anchor electronic device, a second UWB signal at the first transmission time.

Abstract: A mesh element having a mesh gauge selected to control flow of materials therethrough. The mesh element is implantable into an anatomical structure upstream of a body passage or within a body passage to control flow of materials through the body passage. The mesh element may be coupled to a support structure to facilitate anchoring of the mesh element in place relative to the body passage. The support structure may have a lumen defined therethrough to allow flow of materials through the body passage, with the mesh element regulating the flow of materials into the lumen. The mesh element alternatively may be directly coupled to an anatomical structure upstream of a body passage to regulate or determine flow of materials through the body passage.

Abstract: A method for upgrading a hydrocarbon feed gas to methanol, including the steps of: providing a hydrocarbon feed gas; optionally, purifying the hydrocarbon feed gas in a gas purification unit; optionally, prereforming the hydrocarbon feed gas together with a steam feedstock in a prereforming unit; carrying out steam methane reforming in a reforming reactor heated by means of an electrical power source; providing the synthesis gas to a methanol synthesis unit to provide a product including methanol and an off-gas. Also, a system for upgrading a hydrocarbon feed gas to methanol.

Abstract: A motor vehicle lock comprising a locking mechanism having a rotary latch and at least one pawl, wherein the rotary latch can be latched in at least one latching position by means of the pawl; a release lever, wherein the locking mechanism can be transferred from the latching position into a release position by means of the release lever; and an electric drive unit for actuating the release lever, wherein the locking mechanism is arranged in a wet region of the motor vehicle lock, and at least part of the actuating mechanism for unlocking the locking mechanism is arranged in a dry region of the motor vehicle lock.

Abstract: A lateral arm support device configured to support and anteriorly extend the arms of a patient away from the torso during a medical procedure. The lateral arm support device includes spaced apart panels, one forming a superior panel and the other forming an inferior panel, an upper arm support surface extending between the upper sides of the superior and inferior panels, and a lower arm support surface extending between the lower sides of the superior and inferior panels. The panels have shapes that define an anterior cutout extending from the anterior side of the lateral arm support towards the posterior side of the lateral arm support, beneficially allowing increased visualization and access to the lower arm of a patient. The lateral arm support device can be part of a patient positioning system configured to position a patient in a lateral decubitus position.

Abstract: A manifold for coupling a suction tube to a medical waste collection system. A housing includes a body portion, and first and second legs extending from said body portion. An inlet fitting is for coupling to the suction tube. An arm extends outwardly from said housing and includes a proximally-directed surface. A lock element extends outwardly from said housing and includes a distally-directed surface. A spine extends outwardly from said housing and includes a proximally-directed surface. A catch may include a distally-directed surface. A rim of the first leg defines an outlet opening, and the catch and the rim are spaced apart by a void between the first and second legs. The housing may define a manifold volume, and a filter element may be disposed within the manifold volume. A radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag may be at least partially positioned on said second leg.

Abstract: A gear set arrangement (10) for a bicycle gearbox (400) includes a planetary assembly, a stationary component (24), a first and a second brake (B1, B2), and a first and a second freewheel clutch (F1, F2). One planetary gear set (12) of the planetary assembly includes a first rotary element, a second rotary element, and a third rotary element. The first rotary element is rotationally fixable on the stationary component (24) by the first brake (B1). The first rotary element is connectable to the output (36) by the first freewheel clutch (F1). The second rotary element is rotationally fixable on the stationary component (24) by the second brake (B2). The second rotary element is connectable to the output (36) by the second freewheel clutch (F2). The third rotary element is connected to the input (34) for conjoint rotation. The gear set arrangement (10) is configured to provide three ratios.

Abstract: An antenna includes a reflector and a pair of feed stalks on a forward facing surface of the reflector. The pair of feed stalks includes: (i) a first feed stalk having first and second ports, and first and second spiral inductors electrically connected to the corresponding first and second ports, respectively, and (ii) a second feed stalk having first and second ports and first and second spiral inductors electrically connected to the corresponding first and second ports, respectively. First and second pairs of radiating arms are provided. The first pair of radiating arms are electrically connected to the first and second ports of the first feed stalk and the second pair of radiating arms are electrically connected to the first and second ports of the second feed stalk.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising: an epoxy-containing component, elastomeric particles in an amount of greater than 11% by weight to 25% by weight based on total weight of the composition; and a curing component activatable by an external energy source, the curing component comprising at least one guanidine having a D90 particle size of 25 ?m measured by dynamic light scattering. Also disclosed is the composition in an at least partially cured state. Also disclosed is a method for treating a substrate comprising applying the composition to a surface of a substrate; and applying an external energy source to cure the composition. Also disclosed are substrates comprising the composition. Also disclosed are substrates formed by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: Peroxyformic acid compositions for removal of biofilm growth and other contaminants and impurities from industrial processing hard surfaces are disclosed. In particular, peroxyformic acid compositions may be dosed on site and/or generated in situ for the reduction and prevention of biofilms on the hard surfaces. Methods of employing the peroxyformic acid compositions for removal of biofilm growth and other impurities such as aldehydes and alcohols from industrial CO2 effluent are also disclosed which beneficially provide ambient biofilm control and break down more rapidly than other peracids, allowing for extended runs between CIP cleaning, including a reduction and/or elimination of cleaning of the scrubbers and other industrial surfaces.

Abstract: A vertical garden having an assemblage of parts that facilitates packaging and transportation in a disassembled state and/or one or more features that provide an enhanced leakproof design. The assemblage includes a base and planter modules that are stackable atop the base to form a vertical column of stacked modules for growing plants when in a fully-assembled state. The planter modules may be nestable within each other to form a compact bundle of nested modules that is smaller in size than the vertical column of stacked modules when in a disassembled state, thereby providing a kit that facilitates compact packaging of the vertical garden. An intermediate portion of the garden may have a divider that separates a drain path from the fill port of the device, thereby restricting leakage. A catch basin may be provided for capturing debris. A modular grow lighting system also may be provided.

Abstract: A quantum dot structure is provided, the quantum dot structure comprising: a nanocrystalline core from a first semiconductor material, a nanocrystalline shell from a second semiconductor material on the nanocrystalline core, at least one encapsulation layer on the nanocrystalline shell, wherein functional groups are present within the at least one encapsulation layer and/or on the surface of the at least one encapsulation layer facing away from the nanocrystalline shell, the functional groups being able to chemically react in a reversible manner. Further, a method for producing a quantum dot structure and a light emitting device are provided.

Abstract: A system for supporting or positioning a patient before, during, or after a medical procedure can include a platform configured to support at least a portion of a patient. A support column can be positioned beneath the platform. A base can be positioned beneath the support column and configured to support the support column. The base can include at least one drive wheel configured to contact a ground surface and move the platform with respect to the ground surface. A drive assist user interface module can be operatively connected to the at least one drive wheel. The drive assist user interface module can be configured to permit an operator of the system to selectively control movement of the at least one drive wheel. The drive assist user interface module can be part of or be attached to an attachment that includes a plate having a top surface.

Abstract: A twist-lock clamp to attach a solar module to a rail system includes a spring between a top clamp and a t-nut, with features on the spring and top clamp to restrict rotation relative to each other. The t-nut includes features allowing rotation of about 90 degrees when the t-nut is inserted in a rail, but restrict rotation beyond about 90 degrees. The spring serves to hold the top clamp and t-nut apart while allowing the twist-lock clamp to resist sliding in the rail during installation.