Abstract: A feed gas including neon, nitrogen, and helium is cooled in a heat exchange system to a first temperature to produce a two-phase mixture that is introduced into a first phase separator and separated into a nitrogen-rich liquid and a first gaseous crude neon stream. The pressure is reduced in at least a portion of the nitrogen-rich liquid, which is vaporized in the heat exchange system to generate a portion of the refrigeration therein. The first gaseous crude neon stream is introduced into a first adsorber that removes impurities such as nitrogen. The gaseous crude neon stream is further cooled to a second temperature. A portion of the cooling duty may come from the heat exchange system and another portion may come from a cryocooler to produce a two-phase stream.

Abstract: A combinatorial drug delivery device is provided for delivering a predetermined selection of drug components, each of the drug components being contained in a drug vial. The device includes a plurality of modules, wherein each of the modules includes: a body having an interior volume formed to accommodate a drug vial; a cannula protruding into the interior volume, the cannula terminating at a free end, first and second openings being formed in the free end with first and second lumens extending therefrom and through the cannula; a socket located on an exterior portion of the body; a first passageway extending between, and in communication with, the socket and the first lumen; a boss protruding from an exterior portion of the body; and, a second passageway extending from, and in communication with the second lumen, the second passageway extending through the boss to terminate at an exit opening formed therein.

Abstract: A variety of techniques for creating reliable signatures of jewelry and gemstones is provided. These signatures can be used as references for later authentication of the jewelry and/or gemstones. With some examples, blockchain may be used to reliably store the reference signatures for later use during authentication, and a digital asset such as a non-fungible token can link these reference signatures with the physical jewelry/gemstones. Reference signatures can uniquely identify the jewelry/gemstones based on their optical, acoustical, electromagnetic, or other physical characteristics. Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques (such as convolutional neural networks) can be used to determine which feature characteristics of jewelry/gemstones are to serve as the reference signatures.

Abstract: A variety of techniques for authentication of jewelry and gemstones is provided. With some examples, blockchain may be used to store a reference signature for the jewelry/gemstone, and a digital asset such as a non-fungible token can link this reference signature with the physical jewelry/gemstone. During an authentication process, the reference signature stored on the blockchain can be accessed and compared with a test signature derived from an item that is purported to be the original jewelry/gemstone to determine whether they match to support a declaration that the purported jewelry/gemstone is authentic.

Abstract: A battery includes a battery case including a housing having side walls defining a first open end and a second open end, the battery case including a separate top cover to cover the first open end of the housing and a separate bottom cover to cover the second open end of the housing; a first electrode located within the case; a second electrode located within the case; a first terminal coupled to the first electrode and exposed outside the case; and a second terminal coupled to the second electrode and exposed outside the case.

Abstract: A variety of techniques for authentication of jewelry and gemstones is provided. With some examples, blockchain may be used to store a reference signature for the jewelry/gemstone, and a digital asset such as a non-fungible token can link this reference signature with the physical jewelry/gemstone. During an authentication process, the reference signature stored on the blockchain can be accessed and compared with a test signature derived from an item that is purported to be the original jewelry/gemstone to determine whether they match to support a declaration that the purported jewelry/gemstone is authentic.

Abstract: A variety of techniques for authenticating jewelry and gemstones is provided. With some examples, a stored reference signature for an item is accessed, where the item comprises jewelry and/or a gemstone, where the reference signature comprises feature values for a set of features about the item, and where the feature values are derived from previously sensed physical characteristic data about the item. A test item is sensed to generate sensed physical characteristic data about the test item. This sensed physical characteristic data about the test item is processed to extract new feature values for the set of features, where the new feature values serve as a test signature of the test item. One or more processors can compare the test signature with the accessed reference signature and authenticate the test item as being the same as the item if the comparing indicates that the test signature and reference signature match.

Abstract: A variety of techniques for creating reliable signatures of jewelry and gemstones is provided. These signatures can be used as references for later authentication of the jewelry and/or gemstones. With some examples, blockchain may be used to reliably store the reference signatures for later use during authentication, and a digital asset such as a non-fungible token can link these reference signatures with the physical jewelry/gemstones. Reference signatures can uniquely identify the jewelry/gemstones based on their optical, acoustical, electromagnetic, or other physical characteristics. Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques (such as convolutional neural networks) can be used to determine which feature characteristics of jewelry/gemstones are to serve as the reference signatures.

Abstract: Devices and methods for intra-vaginal bowel control.

Abstract: A battery includes a battery case including a housing having side walls defining a first open end and a second open end, the battery case including a separate top cover to cover the first open end of the housing and a separate bottom cover to cover the second open end of the housing; a first electrode located within the case; a second electrode located within the case; a first terminal coupled to the first electrode and exposed outside the case; and a second terminal coupled to the second electrode and exposed outside the case.

Abstract: A battery includes a battery case including a housing having side walls defining a first open end and a second open end, the battery case including a separate top cover to cover the first open end of the housing and a separate bottom cover to cover the second open end of the housing; a first electrode located within the case; a second electrode located within the case; a first terminal coupled to the first electrode and exposed outside the case; and a second terminal coupled to the second electrode and exposed outside the case.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to implantable medical devices including a welded joint with reduced residual stress. In a first aspect, an implantable medical device is included having a power subunit comprising a first biocompatible electrically conductive shell, an anode disposed therein, a cathode disposed therein, and a lid. The implantable medical device can further include an electronics control subunit comprising a second biocompatible electrically conductive shell, and a control circuit disposed therein. Both of the first and second biocompatible electrically conductive shells can include first and second opposed wide sides, first and second opposed narrow sides, and four rounded corners. The first shell can be welded to the lid around a perimeter thereof forming a weld line. The weld line can have a weld line terminus and the weld line terminus can be positioned on a narrow side or a rounded corner. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing an edible paste comprising: mixing water; polyol(s), and root vegetable(s), to form a mixture; heating the mixture at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient period of time to form a paste. The method may be used to provide an edible paste consisting of: from 14 wt % to 92 wt % water; from 6 wt % to 39 wt % polyol(s); from 2 wt % to 30 wt % vegetable derived solids; and from 0 wt % to 20 wt % other edible constituents, wherein the vegetable derived solids:polyol(s) ratio is from 1:1.25 to 1:20. There are also provided mixtures for use in the method, pastes obtainable by the method, uses of the paste in the production of food products, and food products including the paste.

Abstract: The invention relates to a film for use in a resilient floor covering, wherein the film comprises (a) a first layer and (b) a second layer and wherein the first layer has a Shore D hardness of 60 to 80 at 20° C. and the second layer has a Shore D hardness of 40 to 65 at 20° C. Also provided is a composite laminate floor covering comprising the film of the invention. Also provided is a floor tile comprising the film of the invention.

Abstract: A system and method for making a neutron detector includes stacking anode frames and laminated frames to form a detector insert. The laminated frames are formed by laminating a foil of neutron-responsive material to an aluminum frame plated with a metal that does not react with the neutron-responsive material. The anode frames include an anode wire tensioned to a predetermined tension. The anode wires are electrically coupled to a top lid that includes an electrical connector and a gas feed through. The top lid is pressed into a tank with the detector insert.

Abstract: A compliant crank slider with adjustable constant-force output. Constant-force mechanisms (CFM) are used to maintain a constant output reaction force throughout a large range of compressive motion. The invention improves on existing CFM by introducing a second degree of freedom that adjusts the mechanism's output without changing its kinematic structure. This second degree of freedom is the rotation of a compliant beam about its longitudinal axis as it is constrained to the initial plane of bending. In an embodiment, the second degree of freedom is the rotation of both a first compliant beam and a second compliant beam. The resulting change in the constant force mechanism allows for adjustment to a specifiable range of constant-force outputs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a film for use in a resilient floor covering, wherein the film comprises (a) a first layer and (b) a second layer and wherein the first layer has a Shore D hardness of 60 to 80 at 20° C. and the second layer has a Shore D hardness of 40 to 65 at 20° C. Also provided is a composite laminate floor covering comprising the film of the invention. Also provided is a floor tile comprising the film of the invention.

Abstract: A system for extracting liquid is provided. The system includes a vacuum source and a nozzle having a wettable plunger and a vacuum tube connected in flow communication with the vacuum source. When the plunger is partly submerged in the liquid and the vacuum source is actuated to initiate a flow of gas through the vacuum tube, droplets of the liquid separate from at least a portion of the unsubmerged part of the plunger and become suspended in the gas flow. The system also includes a cooling structure positioned adjacent to the vacuum tube to facilitate solidifying the droplets suspended in the gas flowing through the vacuum tube.

Abstract: A method of recycling monocrystalline segments cut from a monocrystalline ingot of semiconductor or solar grade material is provided. The method includes removing a first monocrystalline segment from the monocrystalline ingot, connecting the first monocrystalline segment to a second monocrystalline segment to form a chain of monocrystalline segments, and introducing the chain of monocrystalline segments into a melt of semiconductor or solar grade material.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to implantable medical devices including a welded joint with reduced residual stress. In a first aspect, an implantable medical device is included having a power subunit comprising a first biocompatible electrically conductive shell, an anode disposed therein, a cathode disposed therein, and a lid. The implantable medical device can further include an electronics control subunit comprising a second biocompatible electrically conductive shell, and a control circuit disposed therein. Both of the first and second biocompatible electrically conductive shells can include first and second opposed wide sides, first and second opposed narrow sides, and four rounded corners. The first shell can be welded to the lid around a perimeter thereof forming a weld line. The weld line can have a weld line terminus and the weld line terminus can be positioned on a narrow side or a rounded corner. Other embodiments are also included herein.