Abstract: A water treatment system filters out solid material containing carbon, and provides that solid material to a fermenter. Volatile fatty acids are produced within the fermenter. After fermentation, a second filtering operation is utilized to permit passage of water and volatile fatty acids while filtering out solids from the fermenter. The volatile fatty acids are used as a food source for bacteria during secondary treatment of the water.

Abstract: A multi-axis positioning stage or positioner includes a top plate supported and manipulatable by a plurality of prismatic joint actuators. Each actuator includes an actuator joint having four or five Degrees of Freedom (DOF) with the top plate. When one or more of the actuators extends or contracts, the pivot points, or four or five DOF actuator joints, of the remaining actuators are allowed to shift to move the top plate. The actuators can be disposed between at least one base plate or base structure, and can be fixed thereto.

Abstract: A parallel position manipulator includes a top plate, a baseplate and a plurality of prismatic joint actuators. Each actuator includes an actuator joint having five Degrees of Freedom (DOF) at either the base plate or the top plate. When one or more of the actuators extends or contracts, the pivot points, or five DOF actuator joint, of the remaining actuators are allowed to shift in any axis other than that actuator's primary axis of motion.

Abstract: A biological wastewater treatment process utilizes biology carriers having recesses or pores defined on their surfaces. Biology form a biofilm or granular biofilm on the surface of the biology carriers and within. The pores or recesses protect the biology. As dissolved oxygen is consumed by biology close to the openings of the recesses or pores, less dissolved oxygen reaches biology living deeper within the pores. The pores thereby define aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic regions within each biology carrier. Some examples of the biology carriers may be made at least in part from biochar or other partially charred materials. The resulting biological process requires less physical space than conventional flocculant sludge based processes and is more readily established and maintained verses traditional aerobic granular sludge.

Abstract: A parallel position manipulator includes a top plate, a baseplate and a plurality of prismatic joint actuators. Each actuator includes an actuator joint having five Degrees of Freedom (DOF) at either the base plate or the top plate. When one or more of the actuators extends or contracts, the pivot points, or five DOF actuator joint, of the remaining actuators are allowed to shift in any axis other than that actuator's primary axis of motion.

Abstract: A biological wastewater treatment process utilizes biology carriers having recesses or pores defined on their surfaces. Biology form a biofilm or granular biofilm on the surface of the biology carriers and within. The pores or recesses protect the biology. As dissolved oxygen is consumed by biology close to the openings of the recesses or pores, less dissolved oxygen reaches biology living deeper within the pores. The pores thereby define aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic regions within each biology carrier. Some examples of the biology carriers may be made at least in part from biochar or other partially charred materials. The resulting biological process requires less physical space than conventional flocculant sludge based processes and is more readily established and maintained verses traditional aerobic granular sludge.

Abstract: A multi-axis positioning stage or positioner includes a top plate supported and manipulatable by a plurality of prismatic joint actuators. Each actuator includes an actuator joint having four or five Degrees of Freedom (DOF) with the top plate. When one or more of the actuators extends or contracts, the pivot points, or four or five DOF actuator joints, of the remaining actuators are allowed to shift to move the top plate. The actuators can be disposed between at least one base plate or base structure, and can be fixed thereto.

Abstract: A multi-axis positioning stage or positioner includes a top plate supported and manipulatable by a plurality of prismatic joint actuators. Each actuator includes an actuator joint having four or five Degrees of Freedom (DOF) with the top plate. When one or more of the actuators extends or contracts, the pivot points, or four or five DOF actuator joints, of the remaining actuators are allowed to shift to move the top plate. The actuators can be disposed between at least one base plate or base structure, and can be fixed thereto.

Abstract: A water treatment system filters out solid material containing carbon, and provides that solid material to a fermenter. Volatile fatty acids are produced within the fermenter. After fermentation, a second filtering operation is utilized to permit passage of water and volatile fatty acids while filtering out solids from the fermenter. The volatile fatty acids are used as a food source for bacteria during secondary treatment of the water.

Abstract: A parallel position manipulator includes a top plate, a baseplate and a plurality of prismatic joint actuators. Each actuator includes an actuator joint having five Degrees of Freedom (DOF) at either the base plate or the top plate. When one or more of the actuators extends or contracts, the pivot points, or five DOF actuator joint, of the remaining actuators are allowed to shift in any axis other than that actuator's primary axis of motion.

Abstract: A parallel position manipulator includes a top plate, a baseplate and a plurality of prismatic joint actuators. Each actuator includes an actuator joint having five Degrees of Freedom (DOF) at either the base plate or the top plate. When one or more of the actuators extends or contracts, the pivot points, or five DOF actuator joint, of the remaining actuators are allowed to shift in any axis other than that actuator's primary axis of motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of Formula (I) wherein X is selected from the group consisting of (CH2)2— and CH2—CH(CH3)—; Q is selected from the group consisting of C(CH3)2 and Formula (a); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; compositions, methods to treat liver disease and NASH.

Abstract: A medical device system is disclosed that includes a wearable harness worn, during use, on a torso of a subject. Engines coupled to the wearable harness may apply an oscillation force to at least one treatment area of the subject in order to mobilize at least some secretions in an airway within the subject substantially adjacent to the at least one treatment area. The wearable harness may be secured on the subject using one or more straps coupled to the wearable harness. A controller may determine a tension force applied by at least one of the straps by receiving, measurements of at least one property from a force sensing element (e.g., a force sensor) integrated with the strap. The tension force may also be correlated to forces being applied to the subject by the engines.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method may include an inner wearable harness worn, during use, on a torso of a subject which includes a flexible vest. The system may include a plurality of engines, each of which are contained in a flexible container, which when activated apply an oscillation force. The system may include a positioning system which allows positioning the flexible container such that the oscillation force is applied to at least one treatment area of the subject. The oscillation force may mobilize, during use, at least some secretions in an airway within the subject substantially adjacent the treatment area. The system may include an outer harness worn, during use, on a torso of a subject. The outer wearable harness, when activated, adjusts the oscillation force applied by at least some of the activated plurality of engines to the treatment area by providing a compressive force.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may include an inner wearable harness including a flexible vest. The system may include at least one engine which when activated apply an oscillation force. The at least one engine is positioned after the vest has been positioned on the subject on different areas of the inner wearable harness to allow selective placement of engines on and/or adjacent areas of the subject's chest such that the oscillation force is applied to at least one treatment area. The oscillation force may mobilize, during use, at least some secretions in an airway within the subject substantially adjacent the treatment area. The system may include a flexible and elastic outer harness worn, during use, on a torso of a subject which when activated provides a compressive force to adjust the oscillation force applied by at least some of the at least one engine to the treatment area.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of Formula (I) wherein X is selected from the group consisting of (CH2)2— and CH2—CH(CH3)—; Q is selected from the group consisting of C(CH3)2 and Formula (a); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; compositions, methods to treat liver disease and NASH.

Abstract: A multi-axis positioning stage or positioner includes a top plate supported and manipulatable by a plurality of prismatic joint actuators. Each actuator includes an actuator joint having four or five Degrees of Freedom (DOF) with the top plate. When one or more of the actuators extends or contracts, the pivot points, or four or five DOF actuator joints, of the remaining actuators are allowed to shift to move the top plate. The actuators can be disposed between at least one base plate or base structure, and can be fixed thereto.

Abstract: A parallel position manipulator includes a top plate, a baseplate and a plurality of prismatic joint actuators. Each actuator includes an actuator joint having five Degrees of Freedom (DOF) at either the base plate or the top plate. When one or more of the actuators extends or contracts, the pivot points, or five DOF actuator joint, of the remaining actuators are allowed to shift in any axis other than that actuator's primary axis of motion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method may include monitoring use of a medical device. The method may include positioning a wearable harness of a medical device on a subject. The method may include selectively positioning at least some of a plurality of engines on and/or adjacent at least one treatment area. The method may include applying an oscillation force to at least one of the treatment areas using at least some of the engines. The method may include mobilizing at least some secretions in an airway within the subject substantially adjacent the treatment areas. The method may include monitoring use of the medical device by the subject using a controller associated with the medical device to determine if the medical device has been used effectively as prescribed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method may include clearing a biological airway. The method may include positioning an inner wearable harness on a torso of a subject. The method may include selectively positioning at least some of a plurality of engines on and/or adjacent at least one treatment area. At least one of the plurality of engines may be releasably couplable to the inner wearable harness. The method may include positioning an outer wearable harness on a torso of a subject. The method may include applying an oscillation force to at least one of the treatment areas using at least some of the plurality of engines. The method may include adjusting the applied oscillation force to the treatment area by activating the outer wearable harness. The method may include mobilizing at least some secretions in an airway within the subject substantially adjacent the at least one treatment area.