Abstract: A method for producing a three-dimensional preform from an intermediate preform blank (30, 70), which contain undulations (31) in a portion thereof. The preform blank (30, 79) may be formed on a tool surface (60) containing undulations (61) using an automated placement method such as Automated Tape Laying (ATL) or Automated Fiber Placement (AFP), in which narrow-width strips of material are dispensed side-by-side. Various preform blanks (30, 70) and molding tools (10, 50, 80) have been designed to produce shaped preforms having generally C-shape and Z-shape cross-sections.

Abstract: The present invention features peptides, compositions, and related methods for treating gastrointestinal disorders and conditions, including but not limited to, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastrointestinal motility disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), duodenogastric reflux, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, functional heartburn, dyspepsia, visceral pain, gastroparesis, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (or colonic pseudo-obstruction), disorders and conditions associated with constipation, and other conditions and disorders are described herein. using peptides and other agents that activate the guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) receptor.

Abstract: There is described a method of manufacturing a security article, said method comprising the steps of: introducing into an offset printing device a transparent film comprising a non-fibrous substrate layer of regenerated cellulose; disposing an opacification layer on at least a portion of at least one surface of said film by a first offset printing step; and disposing printed information on at least a portion of said opacification layer by a second offset printing step.

Abstract: A steering rack support assembly with a support shaft and a sleeve. The support shaft has a first end, a second end, and at least two mounting members. The cross section of the support shaft may be substantially the same along the length of the support shaft. A first of the at least two mounting members may be affixed to the first end of the support shaft, while a second of the at least two mounting members may be affixed to the second end. Each of the at least two mounting members may be configured to couple to the frame of the vehicle. The sleeve is disposed around an outer surface of the support shaft and is slidably coupled to the support shaft. A bracket affixed to the sleeve may be configured to couple to a rack and pinion assembly, a first tie rod, and a second tie rod.

Abstract: One variation of a device case includes a device case body: configured to accept and retain a mobile device; defining a strap receptacle; and including a first set of magnetic features arranged across a base surface of the strap receptacle. The device case further includes a strap: coupled to the device case body; configured to seat within the strap receptacle in a retracted position; configured to accept a finger of a user in a deployed position; and including a second set of magnetic features configured to transiently couple to the first set of magnetic features to drive the strap from the deployed position to the retracted position and to retain the strap within the strap receptacle in the retracted position.

Abstract: Improved methods and devices using reduction of pressure for removing ethanol from filters in a fluidic or microfluidic system in point of care devices involve filters that are solid state extraction filters used to capture and/or concentrate nucleic acids prior to further downstream processing such as amplification by polymerase chain reaction. The method uses the induction of negative pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure to improve the efficiency of the ethanol removal process.

Abstract: Computerized methods of creating embroidery including capturing embroidery instructions, receiving instructions at an embroidery engine, creating planned patterns of stitches, and outputting instructions for stitching, including instructions for printing colors onto a thread before stitching. Color may be printed in a gradient or gradually faded, for example, from a start color to an end color, or from a start color to an intermediate color and from the intermediate color to an end color. Color may be gradually faded from a start location to an end location or from a start location to an intermediate location and from the intermediate location to an end location. Varying shades of colors may be printed, patterns may be repeated, outlines, segments, and vectors may be used, and intermediate stitch color may be determined based on number of stitches or vector length. Some embodiments allow a user to change embroidery instructions while reapplying unchanged instructions.

Abstract: An apparatus for unrolling film to a desired length and rapidly cutting multiple sheets of a desired size. The sheets can then be further processed and cut using templates. The system can have a polygonal wheel, an axle slot for receiving a roll of film, a first fastener for attaching the film to the polygonal wheel, a cutter for cutting the film into sheets and a second fastener for forming a stack of sheets of film. The stack of sheets can be further cut with a second cutter into a desired shape.

Abstract: A defect detection system comprising of an incoherent light source and a collimating light source attachment to produce spatially coherent light waves (e.g., X-rays) that are capable of deeply penetrating a device under test (e.g., a semiconductor). Changes in the spatial coherence of the light waves incident upon the device under test may be utilized to generate one or more electronic maps that indicate one or more physical gauges for length, area, or volume, one or more concentration of elements or distributions in space, and one or more defects within the device under test, such as, cracks, breaks, gaps, and/or air pockets within the device under test.

Abstract: Cartridges for the voltammetric detection of fluid parameters in a fluid sample are provided. The cartridges contain a sample reservoir containing two compartments fluidically separated by a barrier. Each compartment contains a chemical compound to facilitate voltammetric detection of a fluid parameter. A fluid collection device containing a fluid sample can be received by the sample reservoir, and the barrier can be penetrated by the fluid collection device, to thereby cause contact between the fluid sample and both chemical compounds. Upon introduction of the fluid sample in the sample reservoir a fluid parameter can be voltammetrically detected. Related assemblies including the cartridges, as well as methods for operating the cartridges are also described.

Abstract: Aspects described herein include a method and related network device and computer program product. The method includes receiving a neighbor report that indicates whether a first network device in an environment is advertising broadcast services and generating, using the neighbor report, a broadcast optimization map that indicates a set of network devices in the environment that will provide a broadest coverage of broadcast services within the environment. The set corresponds to a minimum count of network devices that supports all current broadcast streams by one or more client devices in the environment.

Abstract: There is provided a current control circuit (20) for connection between a first electrical network (42) and a converter, the current control circuit (20) comprising: first and second input terminals (24,26) for connection to the first electrical network (42); first and second output terminals (28,30) for respective connection to converter terminals (46,48) of the converter; first and second switching limbs, the first switching limb interconnecting the first input and output terminals (24,28), the second switching limb interconnecting the second input and output terminals (26,30), each switching limb including a respective switching element (32,34,36,38); a director limb (76) extending between the first and second output terminals (28,30), the director limb (76) including at least one current director element (84) and at least one first resistive element (86), the director limb (76) including an intermediate terminal (82); a second resistive element (88), a first end of the second resistive element (88) ope

Abstract: A food bag closure assembly includes a clip that has a pair of jaws being biased against each other for closing an opened food bag. A gas unit is provided that stores an inert gas and the gas unit is integrated into the clip. The gas unit is in fluid communication with an interior of the food bag when the clip is positioned on the food bag. Moreover, the gas unit is actuated to release a pre-determined volume of the inert gas each time the clip is closed. In this way the gas unit injects the inert gas into the food bag for extending the shelf life of food contained in the food bag.

Abstract: Drink bottles, or drink containers with cap assemblies that include a drink spout. The drink spout is pivotally coupled to a base of the cap assembly and includes a mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the cap assembly includes a dust cover configured to at least partially cover the mouthpiece when the mouthpiece and pivotal mount are in the stowed position. In some embodiments, the cap assembly includes a dispensing guard configured to at least partially cover the dispensing outlet when the mouthpiece and pivotal mount are in the stowed position. In some embodiments, the cap assembly includes a handle, which may include at least one guard for the drink spout and/or mouthpiece.

Abstract: An approach is provided that differentiates displayed windows from one another by applying visual effects to the borders of the displayed windows. The approach retrieving user-defined visual effects with each of the user-defined visual effects corresponding to a different application. Windows are on the display screen, with each of the windows corresponding to one of the applications. The displayed windows are differentiated from each other by applying the user-defined visual effects to a border of each of the windows.

Abstract: Filters and methods of making filters are disclosed. A filter device includes a substrate, a piezoelectric plate, and an acoustic Bragg reflector between a surface of the substrate and a back surface of the piezoelectric plate. A first portion of the piezoelectric plate has a first thickness, and a second portion of the piezoelectric plate has a second thickness less than the first thickness. A conductor pattern on front surfaces of the first and second portions of the piezoelectric plate includes a first interdigital transducer (IDT) with interleaved fingers on the first portion, and a second IDT with interleaved fingers on the second portion.

Abstract: Methods for temporarily fixing an orientation of a bone or bones. Methods of correcting a bunion deformity. Bone positioning devices. Methods of using a bone positioning device. Bone preparation guides. Methods of using a bone preparation guide.

Abstract: A speed of a target vehicle can be detected. A difference in host vehicle speed and the speed of the target vehicle is determined. A target frequency is specified for a sound to be received at the target vehicle. A sending frequency is determined for the sound based on the target frequency and the difference in host vehicle speed and target vehicle speed. The sound is transmitted at the sending frequency.

Abstract: A data recording and transmission method and system for use in balancing a propeller of an aircraft. The method comprises operating the propeller in-flight, receiving, during operation of the propeller in-flight, vibration data associated with the propeller, retrieving, from a non-volatile memory on-board the aircraft, configuration data associated with the propeller, and transmitting the vibration data and the configuration data to a data processing device configured to determine a balancing solution for the propeller based one the vibration data and the configuration data.

Abstract: A toy construction system comprising a plurality of toy construction elements including a plurality of function construction elements. The toy construction elements and the function construction elements are detachably interconnected with each other forming a toy construction model. The toy construction model comprising at least a subset of the plurality of toy construction elements; each function construction element comprising a function device adapted to perform a user-perceptible function. The toy construction system further comprises a tag construction element detachably connectable to one or more of the toy construction elements. The tag construction element and the function construction elements are configured for communication of configuration data from the tag construction element to each of the subset of function construction elements when the tag construction element is connected to a toy construction element.