Abstract: An endoscope including a handle or interface including a suction valve and a housing made from a first half-shell and a second half-shell. The suction valve is mounted between the first half-shell and the second half-shell. The first half-shell includes first and second fixing portions to receive first and second fixing portions of the suction valve. The second half-shell comprises third and fourth fixing portions configured to receive the second portion of the suction valve. The second and fourth fixing portions have a different geometry, the second fixing portion is configured to suppress at least one degree of freedom of the suction valve, and the fourth inner fixing portion is configured to suppress a remaining degree or remaining degrees of freedom of the suction valve, for fixing the suction valve in its position and orientation in the housing.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses, devices software, and methods for material manipulation and detection. For example, detection of a level of material in a container such using a material level detection system. For example, temperature conditioning of the material, e.g., during its conveyance. For example, facilitating continuous flow of the material in a junction of a material conveyance system. Any of the material level detection system, temperature conditioning system, and junction, may be part of, or operatively coupled to, other system(s), e.g., the material conveyance system and/or a 3D printing system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovery of molten metal are generally described. Certain systems comprise a reactor (e.g., a reduction cell such as an electrolytic cell comprising an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte) comprising molten metal within a container; and a collection vessel at least partially contained within the container of the reactor, the collection vessel comprising an opening fluidically connected to the container of the reactor. Some systems comprise a reactor; and a collection vessel comprising a first opening fluidically connected to the reactor and a second opening fluidically connected to a source of gas (e.g., inert gas) and to a source of negative pressure.

Abstract: An endoscope including a handle assembled by application of fasteners being integral with a housing shell, the assembled housing shells forming a compartment. The handle includes at least one component selected from the group including: a roller for bending a bending section, a wire pipe fastener connecting wire pipes to a handle shell, and an encasement for a printed circuit board. The handle includes interfaces configured to secure the at least one component to a housing shell inside the compartment, the interfaces being integral with a housing shell. The housing shells are made from polypropylene.

Abstract: An endoscope including a handle, an insertion cord, a working channel, and a suction valve in the handle including a valve body and a stem. The valve body has a valve cylinder, an inlet connected to the working channel, and an outlet configured to be connected to a suction device. The stem is movable axially in the valve cylinder between a first position, in which the suction valve is in a valve closed state, and a second position, in which the suction valve is in a valve open state. The inlet and the outlet are connected to and extend away from the valve cylinder. The stem includes a curved flow guide. The inlet, the outlet and the curved flow guide are configured to each other to provide a curved sideways flow path through the suction valve in the valve open state.

Abstract: A vertical bundle air-cooled heat exchanger, a finned tube assembly for an air cooled condenser and method for forming the same, and a system for removing thermal energy generated by radioactive materials. In one aspect, an air cooled condenser sized for industrial and commercial application includes an inlet steam distribution header for conveying steam, a condensate outlet header for conveying condensate, an array of tube bundles each having a plurality of finned tube assemblies having a bare steel tube with an exposed outer surface and a set of aluminum fins brazed directly onto the tube by a brazing filler metal. The steel tubes may be spaced apart by the aluminum fins and have an inlet end fluidly coupled to the inlet steam distribution header and an outlet end fluidly coupled to the outlet header. A forced draft fan may be arranged to blow air through the tube bundles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques, systems, and methods for remote, agent-less enterprise computer threat data collection, malicious threat analysis, and identification and reporting of potential and real threats present on an enterprise computer system. Specifically, embodiments are directed to a system that securely identifies and maps sensitive information from computers across the enterprise. Secure and sensitive information may be internally encrypted and analyzed for indicators of compromise, threatening behavior, and known vulnerabilities. The remote, agent-less collection, analysis, and identification process can be repeated periodically to detect and map additional sensitive information over time, and may delete itself after completion to avoid detection.

Abstract: A process includes communicating by a first device, with a second device. The communicating includes the first device receiving data from the second device that represents a certificate. The certificate binds a hierarchy of logical identifiers to a cryptographic key. The hierarchy of identifiers includes a first logical identifier that corresponds to a group membership. The process includes authenticating, by the first device, the second device based on the certificate. The process includes allowing, by the first device, a secure connection to be set up between the first device and the second device based on whether the first logical identifier represents that the second device is a member of a first group of devices of which the first device is a member.

Abstract: Portable, hand held, battery operated, dieless, hydraulic crimping tools are provided with a working head and a tool frame. The working head has a head frame with an open access to a working area of the working head. The open access may be in the form of a C-shape. The working head has a nest to receive a crimping member. An indentor is attached to a piston within the tool frame. The piston moves the indentor between a home position adjacent the tool frame and an indenting position where the indentor impacts the crimping member.

Abstract: There is described a foamed isocyanate-based polymer derived from a reaction mixture comprising: an isocyanate; a polyol composition comprising a first prescribed amount of polymer particles dispersed in a base polyol; a second prescribed amount of biomass-based carbonaceous particulate material; and a blowing agent. In one embodiement, the foamed isocyanate-based polymer having an Indentation Force Deflection when measured pursuant to ASTM D3574-11 which is within about 15% as that of a reference foam produced by omitting the biomass-based carbonaceous particulate material from the reaction mixture and increasing the amount of polymer particles in the polymer polyol composition to equal the sum of the first prescribed amount and the second prescribed amount.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a fan body, a motor-driven impeller contained within the fan body and arranged to generate an air flow, a nozzle including a nozzle body having an air inlet arranged to receive the air flow from the fan body, and one or more air outlets arranged to emit the airflow from the fan assembly. The fan assembly further includes a nozzle retaining mechanism for releasably retaining the nozzle on the fan body, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the nozzle body relative to the fan body. The nozzle rotation mechanism includes a rotation motor arranged to drive a drive member and a driven member that is arranged to be driven by the drive member to rotate around a rotation axis.

Abstract: The invention provides aza-heterocyclyl carboxamide and related compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and their use in the treatment of medical conditions, such as bacterial infections, and in inhibiting LpxC activity.

Abstract: An aerosol generating substrate comprising an aerosol generating material, wherein the aerosol generating material comprises an amorphous solid, the amorphous solid comprising 1-60 wt % of a gelling agent; 5-80 wt % of an aerosol generating agent; and 1-70 wt % of an active ingredient; wherein these weights are calculated on a dry weight basis; wherein bi-modal or multi-modal release of one or more active ingredients of the amorphous solid is observed in use.

Abstract: There is provided a seal assembly comprising: a first component and a second component spaced apart from the first component so as to define a passage for the transfer of fluid from an inlet of the seal assembly to an outlet of the seal assembly, wherein the first component comprises a concavity at least partially defining the passage, and wherein no part of the second component extends into the portion of the passage bounded by the concavity.

Abstract: A turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section, and an airfoil with an outer wall defining a pressure side and a suction side and extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge to define a mean camber line. A first thickness is defined between the pressure side and the suction side at a first location along the mean camber line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of increasing bromoform production.

Abstract: Secondary batteries and methods of manufacture thereof are provided. A secondary battery can comprise an offset between electrode and counter-electrode layers in a unit cell. Secondary batteries can be prepared by removing a population of negative electrode subunits from a negative electrode sheet, the negative electrode sheet comprising a negative electrode sheet edge margin and at least one negative electrode sheet weakened region that is internal to the negative electrode sheet edge margin, removing a population of separator layer subunits from a separator sheet, and removing a population of positive electrode subunits from a positive electrode sheet, the positive electrode sheet comprising a positive electrode edge margin and at least one positive electrode sheet weakened region that is internal to the positive electrode sheet edge margin, and stacking members of the negative electrode subunit population, the separator layer subunit population and the positive electrode subunit population.

Abstract: A beverage system and methods for preparing flavored beverages are provided. In one embodiment, the beverage system includes a housing, a flavorant system, and a processor. The housing includes a mixing chamber configured to operably couple to a fluid reservoir and pressurized gas source. The processor is disposed in the housing and can be configured to cause, in response to at least one input, the separate dispensing of a fluid and a flavorant into a receptacle. The processor can also cause the delivery of gas from the pressurized gas source to the mixing chamber, where it can be used to form a carbonated fluid.

Abstract: Voltage control of electric vehicle batteries is provided. A system can include an electrical circuit of an electric vehicle that can include a plurality of power supplies and a driver component that can be configured to be energized by the plurality of power supplies and provide a voltage greater than a threshold from a battery of the electric vehicle to a motor of the electric vehicle. The electrical circuit can include a switch module that connects the driver component with the plurality of power supplies. The switch module can detect that the electric vehicle generated a signal to actuate an element of the electric vehicle and disconnect, in response to the detection, the driver component from the plurality of power supplies to reduce the voltage provided to the motor below the threshold.

Abstract: A hearing instrument charger device for charging an individually shaped hearing instrument, includes: a charger casing; a charger power supply within the charger casing; a first charger coil connected to the charger power supply; charger electronics for controlling charging of the hearing instrument; and a holder configured for receiving the hearing instrument, the holder located within the charger casing; wherein the holder for the hearing instrument has a shape that is specific for the individually shaped hearing instrument, such that when the individually shaped hearing instrument is received in the holder, a second charger coil of the individually shaped hearing instrument is in an operative position for receiving charging power from the first charger coil of the hearing instrument charger device.