Abstract: A stretcher with an X-ray transparent heated section to inhibit patient hypothermia and facilitate X-raying the patient without having to move the patient off the stretcher. The heated section of the stretcher includes an electrically conductive layer including a sheet of electrically conducting and radiolucent material, e.g. a sheet of carbon-loaded silicone. The sheet of electrically conducting material extends continuously over a two-dimensional region of the stretcher that supports the patient's shoulders back and buttocks (but not the head). The sheet of electrically conducting material lacks wires or other linear elements and so avoid X-ray artefacts and also local heating that can be associated with linear conductive elements. Some implementations of the stretcher can regulate the temperature of the sheet in a way that compensates for a temperature gradient across the sheet.

Abstract: A stretcher with a heated section, the heated section of the stretcher comprising: two opposing electrically conductive elements positioned at, or towards, opposing sides of the stretcher, wherein the opposing electrically conductive elements are connectable to a power source; an electrically conductive layer in electrical contact with the opposing electrically conductive elements, to heat up when the opposing electrically conductive elements are powered by the power source; such that the electrically conductive layer is X-ray transparent to allow a patient to be X-rayed whilst on the stretcher.

Abstract: The invention provides a microfluidic system for monitoring the condition of lubricating oil. The microfluidic system comprises a microfluidic device with at least one microchannel (40) configured to allow a sample of lubricating oil (52a) to pass therethrough as a laminar flow. The device has at least one separating device (41) configured to selectively separate at least one component (54b) from the lubricating oil (52a) in the fluid flow. The microfluidic system also comprises a detector device (20, 22) configured to detect the presence and/or measure at least one property of the at least one component passing through the microfluidic device after separation in the microchannel (40).

Abstract: A stretcher with a heated section, the heated section of the stretcher comprising: two opposing electrically conductive elements positioned at, or towards, opposing sides of the stretcher, wherein the opposing electrically conductive elements are connectable to a power source; an electrically conductive layer in electrical contact with the opposing electrically conductive elements, to heat up when the opposing electrically conductive elements are powered by the power source; such that the electrically conductive layer is X-ray transparent to allow a patient to be X-rayed whilst on the stretcher.

Abstract: The invention provides a microfluidic system for monitoring the condition of lubricating oil. The microfluidic system comprises a microfluidic device with at least one microchannel (40) configured to allow a sample of lubricating oil (52a) to pass therethrough as a laminar flow. The device has at least one separating device (41) configured to selectively separate at least one component (54b) from the lubricating oil (52a) in the fluid flow. The microfluidic system also comprises a detector device (20, 22) configured to detect the presence and/or measure at least one property of the at least one component passing through the microfluidic device after separation in the microchannel (40).

Abstract: Content in a three-dimensional virtual environment is dynamically created by creating at least one blank placeholder within a three-dimensional virtual environment; the blank placeholder having a blank placeholder graphic information, the blank placeholder graphic information including the virtual shape and dimensions of the blank placeholder, a unique project identification code and a unique developer identification code. The blank placeholder graphic information is stored. A virtual content asset having a a virtual content asset graphic information, and at least one business logic rule associated there with for displaying the virtual content asset is created and paired with the blank placeholder graphic information by matching the blank placeholder graphic information with the virtual content asset shape information.

Abstract: A system for provisioning competitive local exchange carrier customers includes a server operatively linked with a CLEC, a provisioning agent and an ILEC. The server receives customer information from an agent or other order initiator. The server stores in a database ILEC identification information, CLEC identification information, plan information, the received customer information and order initiator information. The customer information is transmitted by the server to the CLEC. An ILEC is selected for said customer as a function of the customer and plan. The server determines whether a selected plan is available for the customer corresponding to the customer information and ILEC. The server transmits the customer information and plan information to the ILEC if the plan is available for that customer from the selected ILEC. The server also transmits all of the special feature block codes and USOCs associated with the plan.

Abstract: A system for provisioning competitive local exchange carrier customers includes a server operatively linked with a CLEC, a provisioning agent and an ILEC. The server receives customer information from an agent or other order initiator. The server stores in a database ILEC identification information, CLEC identification information, plan information, the received customer information and order initiator information. The customer information is transmitted by the server to the CLEC. An ILEC is selected for said customer as a function of the customer and plan. The server determines whether a selected plan is available for the customer corresponding to the customer information and ILEC. The server transmits the customer information and plan information to the ILEC if the plan is available for that customer from the selected ILEC. The server also transmits all of the special feature block codes and USOCs associated with the plan.