Abstract: A ligation and specimen retrieval device is described for endoscopic use that includes a pouch defining a receptacle and having an open end and a closed end, a first suture member defining a first loop, a second suture member defining a second loop and a closure member positioned about the open end of the pouch. The device is transitionable from a non-deployed state in which the pouch and the first and second loops are positioned within a distal end of an outer shaft of the device to a deployed state in which the pouch and the first and second loops are positioned externally of the outer shaft of the device.

Abstract: The present application is directed to systems and methods for a career and courses portal. Users of the portal may be students or recent graduates, or employers. The portal may utilize gamification, or providing game-like achievement features such as awards or badges, to encourage users to enroll in and take courses, take assessment tests, edit their profiles, look for career opportunities, etc. Employers may place job openings on the portal and associate skill requirements with the job openings. Users who possess the skill requirements may qualify for these job openings. The portal may operate under a freemium model, where some services are available to users without charge and other services are behind a paywall. The portal may also charge employers for some services. The portal may utilize an algorithm that matches jobs and courses for each user. The portal may include a leaderboard system. The portal may determine one or more trending jobs.

Abstract: According to embodiments described in the specification, a method, system and apparatus for code and expiry date generation are provided. The method comprises receiving a request to generate a code at the processor; automatically selecting one of a plurality of code generation rules from the memory based on an item identifier derived from the request, the selected rule including one or more code fragment definitions; retrieving data from at least one reference table stored in the memory, based on the code fragment definitions; generating the one or more code fragments according to the selected rule using the retrieved data; and concatenating the generated code fragments to generate the code.

Abstract: A gastric tube for use in a bariatric procedure includes an elongate tube and a cannulated plug coupled to the elongate tube. The elongate tube has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The elongate tube defines a lumen along a length thereof. The proximal end portion defines an opening in communication with the lumen. The elongate tube includes a blunt tip and an outer surface. The blunt tip is formed on the distal end portion. The outer surface defines a side opening in communication with the lumen. The cannulated plug includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is configured for connection to a vacuum source. The distal end is configured for removable receipt in the opening of the proximal end portion of the elongate tube to control a flow of one of aspiration and irrigation through the lumen.

Abstract: An elongated electrode includes a proximal conductor, a tubular member, and a treatment portion. The tubular member defines a channel therethrough and has proximal and distal end portions. The proximal end portion receives the proximal conductor within a portion of the channel and defines a hole through an inner and outer surface of the tubular member in fluid communication with the channel. The treatment portion is coupled to the distal end portion of the tubular member and includes a base and an arm extending distally from the base. The base defines a port in fluid communication with the channel of the tubular member. The arm is in electrical communication with the proximal conductor and is configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to providing beds of coking material to charge a coking oven. In various embodiments, a quantity of first particulate material, having a first particulate size and bulk density, is combined with a second particulate material, having a second particulate size and bulk density, to define a multi-modal bed of coking material. The multi-modal bed of coking material exhibits an optimized bulk density that is greater than an ideal bulk density predicted by a linear combination of the bulk densities of the individual materials.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to providing beds of coking material to charge a coking oven. In various embodiments, a quantity of first particulate material, having a first particulate size and bulk density, is combined with a second particulate material, having a second particulate size and bulk density, to define a multi-modal bed of coking material. The multi-modal bed of coking material exhibits an optimized bulk density that is greater than an ideal bulk density predicted by a linear combination of the bulk densities of the individual materials.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to providing beds of coking material to charge a coking oven. In various embodiments, a quantity of first particulate material, having a first particulate size and bulk density, is combined with a second particulate material, having a second particulate size and bulk density, to define a multi-modal bed of coking material. The multi-modal bed of coking material exhibits an optimized bulk density that is greater than an ideal bulk density predicted by a linear combination of the bulk densities of the individual materials.

Abstract: The adaptive pitch control system for wind generators is utilized in variable speed doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) systems. An adaptive neural network generates optimized controller gains for pitch control. The pitch controller parameters are generated using intelligent differential evolution, a type of genetic algorithm. A back propagation neural network is trained using the generated pitch controller parameters, thereby tuning the weights of the network according to the system states in a variable wind speed environment.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for a local approach within a distributed multi-hop radio environment that switches between a stronger and weaker preamble acquisition. The robustness of the preamble acquisition plays a large part in the performance of a given Signal-in-Space (SiS) modulation scheme. A more robust preamble acquisition can result in a higher packet completion rate at a receiver free of interfering signals. A less robust preamble acquisition can result in less chance that an interfering signal will be acquired, thereby allowing increased spatial reuse and network throughput. To maximize network capacity, the disclosed method leverages both cases by dynamically switching between the less and more robust preamble acquisitions depending on the topology of the distributed multi-hop radio environment and desired quality of service.

Abstract: An economizer for a solar powered intermittent absorption refrigeration system improves the coefficient of performance of the refrigeration system. The economizer recovers waste energy rejected by an absorber during an absorption process, stores the waste energy, and supplies the waste energy to a generator during a generation process, thereby reducing the amount of energy input needed to operate the system.

Abstract: A novel product for the treatment of corns and callous skin on feet is disclosed herein. The product may be a therapeutic shoe adapted that enables softening of hardened skin on the bottom of a person's foot by adding a small amount of water before the person wears the shoe. The shoe may comprise an outer shell and an inner sole, wherein the inner sole makes contact with the bottom of the person's foot when worn and may comprise an absorbent material that retains water at a higher water concentration than that of the human body, facilitating osmosis and the softening of any hardened skin on the person's foot that may subsequently be removed by non-rigorous buffing.

Abstract: A convectively heated steam/methane reformer having a shell and tube reforming reactor for hydrogen production. A reactor core containing the reactants is convectively heated by hot air flowing through the shell or annulus of the reactor. Heated air is supplied to the reactor through several fluid inlets on the shell side of the reformer.

Abstract: A convectively heated steam/methane reformer having a shell and tube reforming reactor for hydrogen production. A reactor core containing the reactants is convectively heated by hot air flowing through the shell or annulus of the reactor. Heated air is supplied to the reactor through several fluid inlets on the shell side of the reformer.

Abstract: A transalkylation catalyst for the transalkylation of a heavy reformate is provided. The catalyst includes two solid acid zeolites having different physical and chemical properties, and at least three metals selected from the group 4 lanthanthides, and the elements found in groups 6 and 10 of the periodic table.

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit design includes an outer seal-ring and an inner seal-ring for each sub-section of the design that may potentially be cut into separate die. The use of multiple seal-rings permits a single circuit design and fabrication run to be used to support flexibly packaging different product releases having different numbers of integrated circuit blocks per packaged unit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for selective simultaneous production of para-xylene, para-ethyltoluene and para-diethylbenzene from a reactant stream containing ethylbenzene and methanol, as an alkylating agent. The process comprises alkylation of the feedstock in a fluidized-bed rector under alkylating conditions, over a modified ZSM-5-based catalyst to produce streams containing above 95% para-isomers of dialkylbenzenes. The method also includes the steps of multilayer silylation to achieve simultaneous selectivity of the para-isomers of dialkylbenzenes.

Abstract: A solar powered intermittent absorption refrigeration system utilizes helical coil heat exchangers for generation, absorption, dephlegmation, condensation and heat recovery. The thermo-siphon effect is used to supply and reject heat from the system, to recover and utilize heat from a waste energy unit, to reject heat of absorption, and to pressurize and depressurize the system. The system produces ice blocks during the nighttime without any requirement of electrical energy for the operation of the system.

Abstract: A gastric tube for use in a bariatric procedure includes an elongate tube and a cannulated plug coupled to the elongate tube. The elongate tube has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The elongate tube defines a lumen along a length thereof. The proximal end portion defines an opening in communication with the lumen. The elongate tube includes a blunt tip and an outer surface. The blunt tip is formed on the distal end portion. The outer surface defines a side opening in communication with the lumen. The cannulated plug includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is configured for connection to a vacuum source. The distal end is configured for removable receipt in the opening of the proximal end portion of the elongate tube to control a flow of one of aspiration and irrigation through the lumen.

Abstract: A gastric tube for use in a bariatric surgical procedure includes an elongate tube and an anchor. The elongate tube has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and defines a lumen along a length thereof. The proximal end portion defines an opening in communication with the lumen. The elongate tube includes a blunt tip, a light source, and an outer surface. The blunt tip is formed on the distal end portion and is at least partially transparent. The light source is in communication with the blunt tip for illuminating at least the blunt tip. The outer surface extends between the proximal and distal end portions and defines a side opening in communication with the lumen.