Abstract: An optical element (100) is provided comprising a first surface (102) for emitting and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation, the first surface being arranged for optically coupling to, or being optically coupled to, a portion of an optical fibre (104) having an axis. The optical element (100) comprising a second surface (106) positioned for emitting and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation in a direction transversal to the axis of the optical fibre (104), wherein the optical element (100) has a first focal length for electromagnetic radiation emitted and/or received by an inner portion of the second surface (106) and a second focal length for electromagnetic radiation emitted and/or received by an outer portion of the second surface (106), the first and second focal lengths being different focal lengths. A method of forming an optical device comprising the optical element (100)) and further comprising an optical fibre coupled to the optical element is also provided.

Abstract: One or more disclosed embodiments solve the deficiencies with other previous round-ups to continue to leverage the change spread in transactions and allow them to be applied to micro-share investments, in both ETFs and tokens. It is the combination thereof of traditional, alternative and digital-currency products that gives one or more disclosed embodiments the ability to simplify the creation of an efficient frontier portfolio construction.

Abstract: An optical element (100) is provided comprising a first surface (102) for emitting and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation, the first surface being arranged for optically coupling to, or being optically coupled to, a portion of an optical fibre (104) having an axis. The optical element (100) comprising a second surface (106) positioned for emitting and/or receiving electromagnetic radiation in a direction transversal to the axis of the optical fibre (104), wherein the optical element (100) has a first focal length for electromagnetic radiation emitted and/or received by an inner portion of the second surface (106) and a second focal length for electromagnetic radiation emitted and/or received by an outer portion of the second surface (106), the first and second focal lengths being different focal lengths. A method of forming an optical device comprising the optical element (100) and further comprising an optical fibre coupled to the optical element is also provided.

Abstract: A vascular access instrument configured to insert through a vascular access device. The vascular access instrument may include a wire, which may include a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. The distal end may include a bent shape, which may facilitate removal of a thrombus. The bent shape may include a looped portion. The bent shape may include a S-shaped portion proximate a U-shaped portion. The bent shape may include a spiral. The instrument advancement device may be configured to advance the vascular access instrument from a retracted position within a catheter assembly to an advanced position beyond a distal end of the catheter. The vascular access instrument may include an intraluminal layer, which may bend from an inner portion of the catheter to an outer surface of the catheter around an edge of the catheter forming a distal opening of the catheter.

Abstract: An article useful for mechanical skin resurfacing techniques is suitable for transferring mechanical energy from a handheld device to skin placed in contact with the article. The article may be characterized by its Durable Abrasiveness, Compressibility, Displacement, and/or surface roughness. The article may be formed of a fibrous structure having a first major surface having associated therewith an adhesive system and a second major surface, generally opposite the first major surface. The second major surface is arranged and configured to reversibly engage a fastener of a motion-generating unit. The invention also relates to a coupling device for coupling a motorized apparatus to a disposable skin-contactable element. The coupling device includes a water-resistant first attachment and a second attachment for releasably affixing said article to a surface of the motion generation unit.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of apple tree, ‘McLaughlin Gala,’ originating as a limb mutation of the Malus domestica variety of ‘Kidds D-8’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,637). This new variety is unique from its parent because it develops and finishes fruit color to a 100% clear yellow with no red striping or blush. The new variety matures 4 to 6 days before its parent.

Abstract: An article such as a disposable pad suitable for transferring mechanical energy from a handheld device to skin placed in contact with the article. The article has properties to reliably transfer mechanical energy to the skin, including one or more of Abrasiveness, Compressibility, Displacement, and Surface Roughness.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine includes a main fuel pump supplying fuel to a fuel-metering device. The operational flow range of the fuel system is dependent on a minimum net positive suction pressure at the main pump inlet required to prevent pump cavitation. A mixture of fuel and dissolved gases increases the minimum net positive suction pressure required to prevent cavitation. A fuel de-aerator including a permeable membrane removes dissolved gases from the fuel to eliminate formation of dissolved gases. The elimination of dissolved gases from within the liquid fuel reduces the required net positive suction pressure, enabling a greater operational flow range.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode proteins from Staphylococcus saprophyticus are described. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing nucleic acid molecules, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. The invention still further provides isolated proteins, mutated proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and methods for the treatment, prevention or detection of an S. saprophyticus-associated disease or disorder. Furthermore, the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptide molecules of the invention may be used for the identification of agents which modulate S. saprophyticus activity, e.g., a small molecules.

Abstract: In an arrangement where the device that is known to an ISP is communicating with the ISP through an interposed device that is not known to the ISP, the interposed device captures the known device's MAC address upon startup and clones the captured MAC address in all standard packets that it sends to the ISP.

Abstract: A method for removing impurities from racemic cis-6-phenyl-5-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)phenyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-ol and purified cis-6-phenyl-5-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethoxy)phenyl]-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-ol useful as an estrogen agonist/antagonist.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for a gas turbine engine includes a main fuel pump supplying fuel to a fuel-metering device. The operational flow range of the fuel system is dependent on a minimum net positive suction pressure at the main pump inlet required to prevent pump cavitation. A mixture of fuel and dissolved gases increases the minimum net positive suction pressure required to prevent cavitation. A fuel de-aerator including a permeable membrane removes dissolved gases from the fuel to eliminate formation of dissolved gases. The elimination of dissolved gases from within the liquid fuel reduces the required net positive suction pressure, enabling a greater operational flow range.

Abstract: An unsupervised method of segmenting data sets using a region growing technique in which data points are initially assigned to a single class, new classes are seeded and points in the data set tested by calculating the probability that they belong to the new class. The probability distributions used in the calculation are adapted as points are reassigned. Classes which fail to grow are discarded. The technique may be applied to the segmentation of data sets in which the data points are taken from medical images. The method may be applied to the demarcation of different parts of structures, e.g. in the medical field demarcating an aneurysm from the surrounding blood vessels in an image or 3-D model of a patient's vasculature. The method may involve using a shape descriptor which is representative of the shape of the structure at each point under consideration. Thus the different parts are distinguished on the basis of their shape.

Abstract: A technique for assessing the progression of multilateral dysfunction, e.g. bilateral diseases is described. The process consists of two stages: firstly, a ‘health measure’ is computed for each of the features of the multi-lateral dysfunction. One example is in terms of the progression of Parkinson's disease by applying it to the uptake of imaging agent in the two striata of the brain, which can be viewed using SPECT imaging. In this example, a characteristic graph for each striatum is matched to a family of such graphs in order to quantify the state of each striatum as a health measure. Then the lower health measure is plotted against the higher health measure. This point is then projected onto a previously computed disease progression trajectory which is used to assign a percentage to the progression of the disease, from 0% normal to 100% extreme progression of the disease. In addition to the disease progression percentage, the technique also provides a confidence measure of the accuracy of this estimation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing, flushing contaminants from and replacing vehicle brake fluid. The apparatus has storage tanks for fresh and waste hydraulic fluid, a fill pump to pump hydraulic fresh hydraulic fluid to the vehicle braking system, an adapter for sealably connecting a fill hose to the master cylinder, a suction pump to suction used hydraulic fluid from the vehicle braking system to the waste fluid tank, a suction hose for suctioning fluid out of the master cylinder and hoses for connecting the waste fluid tank to the bleeder valves located at the vehicle wheels. A by-pass valve is provided between the fill pump and master cylinder to by-pass fluid when the fill hose reaches or exceeds a predetermined level. A computer and ancillary electrical and fluid connections between the various parts of the apparatus and the hydraulic fluid system of a vehicle are also utilized. The apparatus can also be used when replacing the master cylinder or when replacing fluid in other hydraulic systems (i.e.

Abstract: Various methods and associated apparatuses are provided for communicating data from a central station to a remote station over some form of communications path. The data, which together form at least one title, are stored on at least one storage device. The data forming that title are then retrieved as data blocks, from storage. Each data block is a sequential segment of the data. Finally, the retrieved data blocks are transmitted from the central station to the remote station. According to preferred embodiments, two types of storage devices are provided. The first type, preferably formed as an array of playback units, allows the data to be stored as data blocks and distributed accordingly over a plurality of storage devices. The second type, preferably formed as ring structures composed of solid state elements, provides a plurality of access points coupled to the storage medium, each of which is able to retrieve the data independently of other access points.

Abstract: Various methods and associated apparatuses are provided for communicating data from a central station to a remote station over some form of communications path. The data, which together form at least one title, are stored on at least one storage device. The data forming that title are then retrieved as data blocks from storage. Each data block is a sequential segment of the data. Finally, the retrieved data blocks are transmitted from the central station to the remote station. According to preferred embodiments, two types of storage devices are provided. The first type, preferably formed as an array of playback units, allows the data to be stored as data blocks and distributed accordingly over a plurality of storage devices. The second type, preferably formed as ring structures composed of solid state elements, provides a plurality of access points coupled to the storage medium, each of which is able to retrieve the data independently of other access points.

Abstract: Various methods and associated apparatuses are provided for communicating data from a central station to a remote station over some form of communications path. The data, which together form at least one title, are stored on at least one storage device. The data forming that title are then retrieved as data blocks from storage. Each data block is a sequential segment of the data. Finally, the retrieved data blocks are transmitted from the central station to the remote station. According to preferred embodiments, two types of storage devices are provided. The first type, preferably formed as an array of playback units, allows the data to be stored as data blocks and distributed accordingly over a plurality of storage devices. The second type, preferably formed as ring structures composed of solid state elements, provides a plurality of access points coupled to the storage medium, each of which is able to retrieve the data independently of other access points.

Abstract: Customer Premise Devices (CPDs) and associated methods according to the invention allow subscribers to send diverse subscriber requests and to receive incoming information such as movies, videogames, educational, business and consumer information, and scientific and other reasearch-related database information. The CPD controls transmissions, carried over a communications medium, between a central information source and customer premise equipment, such as TVs and computers, housed at a remote station. The CPD has (a) a first interface linked to the communications medium; (b) a second interface linked to the customer premise equipment; and (c) an interface controller linking the first interface and the second interface.

Abstract: An elegant plantation security shutter assembly for a window in a wall of a building comprising a casing with components for reinforcing the casing. Structures are for mounting the casing onto the wall behind the window. A pair of shutters are provided, with elements for reinforcing each shutter. Paraphernalia is for securing each shutter within the casing, so as to stop a thief from an unauthorized entry through the window into the building, by preventing the thief from breaking the shutters and the casing.