Abstract: System and methods for channeling a path into bone include a trocar having a proximal end, distal end and a central channel disposed along a central axis of the trocar. The trocar includes a radial opening at or near the distal end of the trocar. The system includes a curveable cannula sized to be received in the central channel, the curveable cannula comprising a curveable distal end configured to be extended laterally outward from the radial opening in a curved path extending away from the trocar. The curveable cannula has a central passageway having a diameter configured allow a probe to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path.

Abstract: A method for estimating at least one ring-related parameter related to at least one piston ring may include estimating a bore distortion of a cylinder bore. The bore distortion may include a plurality of bore distortions corresponding to a plurality of respective piston locations within the cylinder bore. The method may also include receiving the bore distortion in a ring performance model configured to dynamically estimate a plurality of ring-related parameters associated with combustion in the cylinder bore during operation of the internal combustion engine. The ring performance model may be configured to receive a static data signal indicative of static parameters and a dynamic data signal indicative of dynamic parameters related to operation of the internal combustion engine. The ring performance model may be configured to estimate at least one ring-related parameter related to at least one piston ring during operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a decontamination robot. The robot includes a decontamination box including at least two arrays of ultraviolet LEDs, the two arrays arranged to irradiate an object placed inside the decontamination box from at least two independent directions, the decontamination box further including an interior surface with at least 90% reflectivity of ultraviolet light. The robot also includes a drivetrain including four swerve-drive units, each swerve-drive unit capable of rotating a wheel on an axis of the wheel and capable of orienting the wheel in a plane defined by the axes of the four wheels of the four swerve-drive units, whereby the four swerve-drive units coordinate to generate translational motion of the decontamination robot on a working surface.

Abstract: Methods of treating a bacterial lung infection are provided and comprise administering an effective amount of rifaximin to a subject in need thereof. The rifaximin can be delivered by inhalation therapy, such as by delivering the rifaximin in aerosol form. The rifaximin is administered alone or in combination with tobramycin, including in multiple doses. Methods of reducing biofilm formation are also provided and comprise contacting a bacteria with an effective amount of rifaximin. Pharmaceutical composition are also included and comprise rifaximin and a pharmaceutically-acceptable vehicle suitable for administering the rifaximin in aerosol form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-lifting robot with multi-jointed arm. The robot includes a multipart housing, a traction drivetrain capable of generating translational and rotational motion of the self-lifting robot on a working surface, and a deployment hook configured to release from a storage hanger, thus depositing the self-lifting robot onto the working surface, and configured to re-attach to the storage hanger, thus lifting the self-lifting robot off of the working surface. The robot also includes a multi jointed arm, and a grabber disposed from a free-rotating wrist joint at a distal end of the multi-jointed arm, and configured to grab, hold, and release one or more target objects.

Abstract: Bacterial cultures are provided that comprise a modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium missing or deficient in two or more virulence factors. The two or more virulence factors can be selected from exotoxin A, hemolytic phospholipase C, phenazine-specific methyltransferase, alpha-1,3-rhamnosyltransferase, and 3-phosphoshikimate 1-carboxyvinyltransferase. Certain of the modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria are also missing or deficient in one or more alginate acetylation enzymes including the alginate Oacetyltransferases AlgI, AlgJ, AlgF, AlgX, and/or the C5-mannuronan epimerase AlgG. Methods of producing alginate are also provided along with compositions comprising alginate produced by the modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.

Abstract: An output buffer for an oscillator circuit and associated methodology. The output buffer has inverters and at least one negative feedback loop coupled to corresponding inverters. The negative feedback loop of the circuit is disabled in response to a control signal until one or more of a defined level of oscillation and a defined period of time is reached during start-up of the oscillator circuit, and is thereafter enabled. At least one of the inverters has at least one second negative feedback loop coupled to the corresponding inverter. An amount of feedback provided by the second negative feedback loop is adjustable in response to a control signal, where a first feedback level is present until a defined level of oscillation and/or a defined period of time is reached during start-up, a second feedback level is thereafter present in, and the first feedback level is less than the second feedback level.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. The modulation may be performed by a neuromodulation device (e.g., an energy delivery device).

Abstract: A training pistol and method of providing the same having fixedly and adjustably removable base extensions to emulate the feel of a corresponding live fire pistol, a trigger mechanism configured to be fit in a compact pistol to provide a large number and sophistication of sear surfaces and biasing members such as helical springs and lasers into a compact pistol to provide training for an end user such as concealed carry holder or law enforcement personnel.

Abstract: We describe a user exercise-tolerance measuring pulse oximeter system, for determining the exercise tolerance or capacity of a user undergoing exercise, the system comprising: a wireless fingerband comprising an optical sensor to provide an oxygen saturation signal, a chargeable power supply, and a wireless transmitter/receiver; a motion detector to provide a user motion signal; and a signal processor coupled to said wireless fingerband to data from said optical sensor, and coupled to said motion detector; wherein said signal processor is configured to: process a combination of said oxygen saturation signal and said user motion signal to determine exercise tolerance data, wherein said exercise tolerance data is dependent upon said oxygen saturation signal and a level of exertion of said user determined from said user motion signal; and to time or count a period or quantity of user motion or movements, during said exercise, identified by said motion detector, to determine said level of exertion; to measure a d

Abstract: System and methods for channeling a path into bone include a trocar having a proximal end, distal end and a central channel disposed along a central axis of the trocar. The trocar includes a radial opening at or near the distal end of the trocar. The system includes a curveable cannula sized to be received in the central channel, the curveable cannula comprising a curveable distal end configured to be extended laterally outward from the radial opening in a curved path extending away from the trocar. The curveable cannula has a central passageway having a diameter configured allow a probe to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path.

Abstract: An assembly management system allows a software service provider (SSP) to compile and upload client-specific client application code into a repository. The SSP deploys a client application comprising non-client-specific code to various clients. When a user logs in, a call is made to a web service, which queries the repository for code specific to the requesting client. If available, the web service sends a response with the name and version of the assembly to which the client is subscribed. If the locally-saved version does not match the version of the assembly in the repository, and if the SSP has permission to write to the client's disk, the web service retrieves the assembly and commits it to the disk. If the SSP does not have permission, the assembly is streamed to the client device and retained and executed in memory for the duration of the login.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a predictive framework are provided. The predictive framework comprises plural neural layers of adaptable, executable neurons. Neurons accept one or more input signals and produce an output signal that may be used by an upper-level neural layer. Input signals are received by an encoding neural layer, where there is a 1:1 correspondence between an input signal and an encoding neuron. Input signals for a set of data are received at the encoding layer and processed successively by the plurality of neural layers. An objective function utilizes the output signals of the topmost neural layer to generate predictive results for the data set according to an objective. In one embodiment, the objective is to determine the likelihood of user interaction with regard to a specific item of content in a set of search results, or the likelihood of user interaction with regard to any item of content in a set of search results.

Abstract: A firing head assembly may include a tubular housing; a valve slidably disposed within the tubular housing; a lock mandrel disposed in the tubular housing between the valve and the tubular housing second end; a firing pin holder disposed in the tubular housing between the lock mandrel and the tubular housing second end; an engagement mechanism operably contacting the lock mandrel and the firing pin holder latch. The valve may have a piston end exposed to the lumen. The lock mandrel may be restrained from axial movement by a shear element. The firing pin holder may include a firing pin and latch. The engagement mechanism may be switchable between an engaged arrangement and a disengaged arrangement. The engagement mechanism may be configured to transition from the engaged arrangement to the disengaged arrangement in response to an axial movement of the lock mandrel.

Abstract: An output buffer for an oscillator circuit and associated methodology. The output buffer has inverters and at least one negative feedback loop coupled to corresponding inverters. The negative feedback loop of the circuit is disabled in response to a control signal until one or more of a defined level of oscillation and a defined period of time is reached during start-up of the oscillator circuit, and is thereafter enabled. At least one of the inverters has at least one second negative feedback loop coupled to the corresponding inverter. An amount of feedback provided by the second negative feedback loop is adjustable in response to a control signal, where a first feedback level is present until a defined level of oscillation and/or a defined period of time is reached during start-up, a second feedback level is thereafter present in, and the first feedback level is less than the second feedback level.

Abstract: A drop-in filter element assembly with axial staged treatment includes a proximal endcap configured to be positioned within a filter housing adjacent the inlet flow through the filter element, first filter media extending from the proximal endcap and configured to treat the fluid flowing therethrough, an intermediate endcap unit coupled to the first filter media and spaced from the proximal endcap, second filter media extending from the intermediate endcap unit and configured to treat the fluid flowing therethrough, wherein the second filter media is a distinct type of media from the first filter media, and a distal endcap configured to be positioned within the filter housing adjacent the outlet flow through the filter element and coupled to the second filter media and spaced from the intermediate endcap unit, wherein the first and second filter media provide axially staged treatment to the fluid.

Abstract: An elongated cover that fits around a battle rope. The cover includes a tube shape made of a fabric material. The cover further includes a first open end opposite a second open end. A first cinch is coupled to the cover at the first open end and a second cinch is coupled to the cover at the second open end.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. The modulation may be performed by a neuromodulation device (e.g., an energy delivery device).

Abstract: An elongated cover that fits around a battle rope. The cover includes a tube shape made of a fabric material. The cover further includes a first open end opposite a second open end. A first cinch is coupled to the cover at the first open end and a second cinch is coupled to the cover at the second open end.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of straddling an intraosseous nerve with an energy transmitting device to improve the therapeutic treatment of the nerve.