Abstract: According to one aspect, a packaging comprises a substrate comprising a first panel including a first end, a second end spaced a first distance from the first end, and opposing first and second perimeter side edges extending the first distance between the first end and the second end. The entire first panel is symmetric about a first longitudinal axis thereof extending between the first end and the second end and each of the first and second perimeter side edges is disposed at first and second widths, respectively, from the first longitudinal axis at a first portion of the first panel. The first portion is disposed at least one of at the second end and proximal the second end and the first portion has a longitudinal extent along the first longitudinal axis less than the first distance.

Abstract: A tape machine includes a base, one or more wheels connected to the base, one or more uprights extending upwards from the base, a roller connected to the base, and a tape roll housing connected to the uprights and configured to receive a roll of tape therein to allow for rotational unwinding of the roll of tape. A cutter connected to the base and moveable between an idle position and a cut position. A blade on the cutter is moveable to cut the tape when in cut position.

Abstract: A portable railroad spike remover comprises an extractor that is shaped to engage and secure a railroad spike previously installed into a rail tie. A drive shaft is connected to the extractor such that as the drive shaft is rotated, the extractor is vertically raised and lowered within a main column. The extractor may have an opening extending through at least one side to engage the railroad spike.

Abstract: A drapery support rod system is presented having a drapery support rod connected to a structure by a pair of brackets. Rings positioned around the drapery support rod are used to connect shade material to the drapery support rod. The rings have an upper end with an interior surface that is configured to fit closely around the exterior surface of the drapery support rod in a manner configured to facilitate smoother and quieter travel of the rings across the surface of the drapery support rod. When viewed from the sides, the rings have an oval shape that is elongated between an upper end and a lower end. The oval shape has a first diameter at the upper end and having a second diameter at the lower end that is larger than the first diameter.

Abstract: Photodynamic devices for replacement of an articular head of a bone are provided. In an embodiment, a photodynamic device includes a photodynamic support member and an articular member attachable, either fixedly or removably, to the photodynamic support member and having a bearing surface. In an embodiment, the articular member includes a recess designed to receive the photodynamic support member. In an embodiment, the photodynamic support member includes an opening into which a shaft of the articular member can be inserted to attach the articular member to the photodynamic support member.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a radial turbocharger. In one example, the turbocharger comprises a turbine case housing a turbine wheel and a compressor case housing a compressor wheel, the turbine case including a vaneless turbine nozzle integrated into the turbine case, a bearing case surrounding a shaft connecting the turbine wheel to the compressor wheel and arranged between the turbine case and compressor case, a plurality of long bolts arranged around a circumference of the turbine case, and a plurality of slots arranged around a circumference of the turbine case, a slot length of each slot extending in a radial direction and adapted to receive a dowel pin having a diameter smaller than the slot length, where each dowel pin, via a corresponding slot, couples the bearing case to the turbine case.

Abstract: In non-limiting examples of the present disclosure, systems, methods and devices for synchronizing neuromorphic models are presented. A sensor input may be received by a first neuromorphic model implemented on a neuromorphic architecture of a first computing device. The neuromorphic model may comprise a plurality of neurons, with each of the plurality of neurons associated with a threshold value, a weight value, and a refractory period value. The first sensor input may be processed by the first model. A first output value may be determined based on the processing. The model may be modified via modification of one or more threshold values, weight values, and/or refractory period values. A modified version of the first neuromorphic model may be saved to the first computing device based on the modification. An update comprising the modification may be sent to a second computing device hosting the model.

Abstract: A portable railroad spike remover comprises a claw assembly extractor that is shaped to engage and secure a railroad spike previously installed into a rail tie. The claw assembly extractor may include a pair of jaw members that are pivotally connected to each other by a pivoting pin and a rotating pin. Each jaw member may include a lower end configured to contact and secure a railroad spike and a pair of upper members interlocked with each other and pivotally connected to the clevis fastener with the rotating pin. When the drive shaft is rotated, the claw assembly extractor and the mounting flange may move inside the main housing in a vertical direction to extract the railroad spike from the rail tie.

Abstract: A portable railroad spike remover comprises an extractor that is shaped to engage and secure a railroad spike previously installed into a rail tie. A drive shaft is connected to the extractor such that as the drive shaft is rotated, the extractor is vertically raised and lowered within a main column. The extractor may have an opening extending through at least one side to engage the railroad spike.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing a digital composite image of a three-dimensional biological sample. The system includes an optical system that captures images of cells and tissue presented on a specimen slide. The system systematically acquires a stack of images at different segments across the specimen slide. For each segment, the system dynamically calculates an optimal focal plane. Once an optimal focal plane is determined for each of the stacks of images, the system generates a composite image by copying the sharpest objects from each of the optimal focal planes.

Abstract: A high dynamic range imaging pixel may include a photodiode, an overflow node, and an overflow path between the photodiode and the overflow node. The imaging pixel may have an overlapping overflow integration time and photodiode integration time. The overflow integration time may be shorter than the photodiode integration time. At the end of the overflow integration time, an uncorrelated double sample of overflow charge may be obtained. The capacity of the photodiode is then increased and charge continues to accumulate in the photodiode until the conclusion of the photodiode integration time. A correlated double sample of charge from the photodiode may then be obtained. For additional increases to dynamic range, the overflow charge may be repeatedly sampled and reset throughout the overflow integration time, effectively increasing the overflow capacity. The overflow samples may be integrated on a buffer to track the total overflow charge.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing reduced or negative pressure, and more particularly cyclical reduced pressure, to treat a wound. The system can include a wound dressing, a fluid collection container, a suction source, filters, and conduits. In addition, the system can include a control device and sensors. The sensors may be configured to monitor certain physiological conditions of a patient such as temperature, pressure, blood flow, blood oxygen saturation, pulse, cardiac cycle, and the like. Application of cyclical reduced pressure between two or more values below atmospheric pressure may be synchronized with the physiological conditions monitored by the sensors. Certain embodiments of the system utilize an air reservoir and one or more valves and pressure sensors or gauges to allow for rapid cycling of the level of reduced pressure within the wound dressing between two or more reduced pressure values.

Abstract: A method and automated apparatus for rapid non-invasive detection of a microbial agent in a test sample is described herein. The apparatus may include one or more means for automated loading, automated transfer and/or automated unloading of a specimen container. The apparatus also includes a detection system for receiving a detection container, e.g., container or vial, containing a biological sample and culture media. The detection system may also include one or more heated sources, holding structures or racks, and/or a detection unit for monitoring and/or interrogating the specimen container to detect whether the container is positive for the presence of a microbial agent therein. In other embodiment, the automated instrument may include one or more, bar code readers, scanners, cameras, and/or weighing stations to aid in scanning, reading, imaging and weighing of specimen containers within the system.

Abstract: A high dynamic range imaging pixel may include first and second photodiodes that generate charge in response to incident light. The second photodiode may have a higher sensitivity than the first photodiode. When generated charge in the first photodiode exceeds a given charge level, the charge may overflow through a transistor to a capacitor. The overflow path from the first photodiode to the capacitor may optionally pass through the floating diffusion region. A transistor may be coupled between the first and second photodiodes. A gain select transistor may be coupled between the floating diffusion region and the capacitor. After sampling the overflow charge, the charge from both the first and second photodiodes may be sampled. In one arrangement, overflow charge may be transferred to a capacitor in a subsequent row.

Abstract: An umbrella system includes a support pole connected to a rotating tube positioned around a center tube that extends between the support pole and a center support that is connected to an umbrella frame. The rotating tube has one or more helical grooves therein that are engaged by teeth of a hub which is connected to the umbrella frame. As the rotating tube is rotated, the hub is driven along the length of the rotating tube thereby opening and closing the umbrella frame. In one arrangement system includes a motor housing assembly including a plurality of batteries and a motor that includes a driven gear that meshes with a stationary gear which causes rotation of the rotating tube. The system also includes a counterbalance assembly positioned within the rotating tube. The counterbalance assembly includes at least one spring positioned within the rotating tube that provides a counterbalance force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for treating a wound by applying reduced or negative pressure to the wound. The apparatus can include a wound cover, a fluid collection container, a vacuum pump, an inflation pump, and one or more conduits. The wound cover can be configured to move between at least a relatively rigid, generally raised position and a relatively flexible, generally collapsed position according to a predetermined program or in response to input from a user or one or more sensors. In some embodiments, the wound cover can be configured to move between at least the relatively rigid, generally raised position and the relatively flexible, generally collapsed position by adjusting the air pressure in one or more channels in the wound cover or by adjusting the length of piezoelectric or other length changing material supported by the wound cover.

Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of image pixels. Control circuitry coupled to the array of pixels may be configured to operate the image pixels in an overflow mode of operation, in which each pixel generates an overflow image signal and a complete image signal from a single exposure time period. The overflow image signals and the complete image signals from the pixels may be used to generate a high dynamic range image. While the floating diffusion region in each pixel is not in use, control circuitry may control that pixel to generate a reference signal at the floating diffusion region indicative of pixel-specific dark signal noise. Processing circuitry may mitigate for dark signal non-uniformity across the pixels by correcting the complete image signals using the reference signal to remove dark signal noise in the complete image signals.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a radial turbocharger. In one example, the turbocharger comprises a turbine case housing a turbine wheel and a compressor case housing a compressor wheel, the turbine case including a vaneless turbine nozzle integrated into the turbine case, a bearing case surrounding a shaft connecting the turbine wheel to the compressor wheel and arranged between the turbine case and compressor case, a plurality of long bolts arranged around a circumference of the turbine case, and a plurality of slots arranged around a circumference of the turbine case, a slot length of each slot extending in a radial direction and adapted to receive a dowel pin having a diameter smaller than the slot length, where each dowel pin, via a corresponding slot, couples the bearing case to the turbine case.

Abstract: An attachment system for an exhaust component is disclosed. In various embodiments, the attachment system includes a radial attachment flange of the exhaust component; and a radial ring having at least one of a radially outer surface configured for engagement with a radially inner surface of the radial attachment flange or a radially inner surface configured for engagement with a radially outer surface of the radial attachment flange.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an electrical element includes a first portion of a first dielectric material between a first portion of a first electrical conductor and a first portion of a second electrical conductor and a second portion of the first dielectric material between a second portion of the first electrical conductor and a first portion of a third electrical conductor. In accordance with another embodiment, an electrical component has a plurality of dopant regions formed in a semiconductor material, where the dopant regions include a plurality of dopant regions formed in a dopant region of the same conductivity type. A plurality of dopant regions of an opposite conductivity type are formed in corresponding dopant regions of the first conductivity type. A metallization system is formed over the semiconductor material, where a portion of the metallization system contacts the semiconductor material.