Abstract: Various methods are provided for determining and displaying local content. One example method may comprise receiving input to open a mobile application at a mobile device, and without any additional input, accessing a location service of the GPS enabled mobile device to determine a GPS location and automatically generating a query, the query comprising the GPS location, identifying a predefined mix of content from a content index in accordance with an editing target, wherein the editing target specifies a number of articles and wherein the predefined mix indicates a portion of the editing target directed to at least one category, determining whether the editing target and the predefined mix are met, determining a new location, the new location being larger in geographic area and containing the location, in an instance in which the editing target and the predefined mix are not met, and displaying the results.

Abstract: A height-adjustable DAP exercise system is provided having a support platform, an inflatable enclosure secured to the support platform at a base opening through the enclosure and extending vertically therefrom when inflated, and a top frame attached to the enclosure at an enclosure top opening. The DAP system further includes adjustable lift restraints each having a restraint length between first and second ends and configured for adjustment between a first restraint length and at least one second restraint length, in which each first end of each lift restraint is attached to a middle portion of the enclosure and each second end is attached to the top frame or the base. The enclosure height is adjustable between a first and second enclosure height responsive to adjustments for lift restraint lengths. The system also includes a low height safety harness for the top frame and related methods.

Abstract: A method is provided of evaluating comparative equivalence for a user of a Differential Air Pressure (DAP) system between an unsupported exercise session and an unweighted DAP exercise session. The method includes receiving, for a comparative group of the unweighted and unsupported sessions, an unweighting for each and a 1st exercise parameter for a base selection of the group having a first gait speed and a first incline. The method includes evaluating a session output for the comparative group based on the first gait speed and incline and an unweighting (if any) of the base selection, which includes determining, for a comparison selection of the comparative group and the session output, based on an unweighting of the comparison selection, a 2nd exercise parameter having a second gait speed and a second incline. The method further includes providing the output and comparative information including the second speed and the second incline.

Abstract: A system for unweighting a user for an exercise session includes a framework having a plurality of connected frame members defining at least one surface for retaining a treadmill, and a substantially airtight chamber attached the framework extending upward therefrom when inflated. The treadmill has running surface, and the framework has a sealing surface disposed about the running surface. The substantially airtight chamber has an upper chamber portion defining a top opening operable for attachment to the user when extending through the chamber for the exercise session, a lower chamber portion below the upper chamber portion, and a removable sealing assembly securing the lower chamber portion to the upper chamber portion.

Abstract: A support platform for retaining a DAP system inflatable enclosure is provided that includes a top cover including a support surface defining a truncated access opening, a bottom cover including a panel, and a plurality of side covers each including a panel, in which the top, bottom and side covers are connected to form an airtight platform defining an interior for retaining an exercise device. A base opening of the enclosure can be secured at a perimeter region of the access opening above the exercise device. The platform further includes an exercise device upper interface for securing the support surface to an upper region of the exercise device, a lower interface for securing a lower region of the exercise device to the bottom cover or ground, and a blower interface for forming an airtight connection with a blower. The truncated access opening limits pneumatic forces secured by the exercise device.

Abstract: Systems and methods facilitate sensing and tallying defecation events of subjects, such as participants in clinical trials for treatments for treating digestive diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and chronic constipation. Systems and methods may also be used by individual patients for sensing and tallying defecation events, and resulting data may be reviewed by a healthcare provider when evaluating patient gastrointestinal health and/or treatments.

Abstract: An unweighting system for unweighting a user while using an exercise machine is provided that includes a treadmill exercise device having a treadmill frame and a rotatable belt, an unweighting assembly for applying unweighting force to the user, a system frame, and a substantially airtight chamber. The system frame includes the treadmill frame, frame elements structurally attached to the treadmill frame, and a top surface region adapted for user engagement during exercise having a surface width and a surface length. The top surface region includes a movable running surface defined by the rotatable belt that extends a run length, and a stationary deck extending about at least a portion of the movable running surface. The stationary deck defines a sealing surface having a maximum seal width greater than the belt width and less than the surface width, to which the substantially airtight chamber is attached.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for determining and displaying local content. One example method may comprise receiving input to open a mobile application at a mobile device, and without any additional input, accessing a location service of the GPS enabled mobile device to determine a GPS location and automatically generating a query, the query comprising the GPS location, identifying a predefined mix of content from a content index in accordance with an editing target, wherein the editing target specifies a number of articles and wherein the predefined mix indicates a portion of the editing target directed to at least one category, determining whether the editing target and the predefined mix are met, determining a new location, the new location being larger in geographic area and containing the location, in an instance in which the editing target and the predefined mix are not met, and displaying the results.

Abstract: Various methods are provided for determining and displaying local content. One example method may comprise receiving input, at an interface of a global positioning system (GPS) enabled mobile device, to open a mobile application, and without any additional input, accessing a location service of the GPS enabled mobile device to determine a GPS location and a current time and automatically generating a query, identifying local content from a content index in accordance with an editing target, and upon determination that the number of articles specified by the editing target has not been met, climbing, by an editing algorithm, a place hierarchy to determine a larger geographic area in which to meet the editing target, the larger geographic area containing the location, and displaying the results, via an interface, on the GPS enabled mobile device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a DAP system is provided that includes calculating a user seal interface height based on an estimated user height, and based thereon determining an attachment carriage height and a usage carriage height different than the user seal interface height. The method also includes driving powered vertical lifts to raise each carriage to an attachment position at the attachment carriage height while the user is in the DAP system through the top opening including raising about the user the seal frame attached to the carriages and thereby raising the top opening attached to the seal frame, and also controlling the lifts to retain the attachment position during user seal attachment and confirming the attachment. Responsive to confirming, the method includes driving the lifts to move each carriage to a usage position at the usage carriage height and inflating the enclosure to an unweighting.

Abstract: An inflatable unweighting enclosure for an exercise device is provided formed from a pair of opposing sheets attached to each other by a seam along a closed shape at their perimeter portions, each of which has a top region, an opposite base region, and central region. A trim path interrupts each articulated shape at the base region that defines a perimeter of a base opening for the enclosure when inflated, in which the base and base opening are substantially planar and the base perimeter defines an enclosure inlet. When inflated, the pair of flexible sheets expand laterally apart to define an enclosure inner space and form an elongate, disc-shaped structure interrupted by the base opening. The base opening attaches to a base support of the exercise device, which is shaped and sized to orient and support the enclosure vertically for providing unweighting to a user attached to a top opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods for components, e.g., liquid or gas handling, are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes an acoustic probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The acoustic probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to convert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The tester can include onboard force sensors associated with the probe or a temperature sensor. The tester or a handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.

Abstract: A DAP unweighting system for unweighting a user while using an exercise machine is provided that includes an unweighting assembly having a substantially airtight chamber formed about at least a portion of the exercise machine that includes a user seal for encapsulating a portion of the user, and at least one additional frame member for securing to the exercise machine frame element to secure the chamber to the exercise machine. The exercise machine can include a treadmill having a belt extending a belt length in a longitudinal direction of the unweighting system The at least one additional frame member can have a frame member length less than the belt length that can be oriented substantially parallel with the belt when securing the chamber to the treadmill.

Abstract: Systems and methods for testing steam traps or other similar devices in a hot water or steam system are described. A tester includes a wand that is handheld that can communicate with a handheld electronic device which in turn can communicate with a central monitor for storing and compiling readings as historical profile data. The wand includes a probe to physically contact the device to acoustically sense the performance of the device. The probe includes a probe tip and a stack of acoustic elements, an electrode, a stack mass, and a head to covert the acoustic signal into an electrical signal. The handheld device includes circuitry to process the information, interact with the user, and transmit information to and from the handheld electronic device and/or the central monitor.

Abstract: A support platform for retaining a DAP system inflatable enclosure is provided that includes a top cover including a support surface defining a truncated access opening, a bottom cover including a panel, and a plurality of side covers each including a panel, in which the top, bottom and side covers are connected to form an airtight platform defining an interior for retaining an exercise device. A base opening of the enclosure can be secured at a perimeter region of the access opening above the exercise device. The platform further includes an exercise device upper interface for securing the support surface to an upper region of the exercise device, a lower interface for securing a lower region of the exercise device to the bottom cover or ground, and a blower interface for forming an airtight connection with a blower. The truncated access opening limits pneumatic forces secured by the exercise device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a DAP system is provided that includes calculating a user seal interface height based on an estimated user height, and based thereon determining an attachment carriage height and a usage carriage height different than the user seal interface height. The method also includes driving powered vertical lifts to raise each carriage to an attachment position at the attachment carriage height while the user is in the DAP system through the top opening including raising about the user the seal frame attached to the carriages and thereby raising the top opening attached to the seal frame, and also controlling the lifts to retain the attachment position during user seal attachment and confirming the attachment. Responsive to confirming, the method includes driving the lifts to move each carriage to a usage position at the usage carriage height and inflating the enclosure to an unweighting.

Abstract: A height-adjustable seal frame structure for a DAP exercise system has a seal frame, opposing lateral vertical lifts, and opposing lateral tensile restraints. The seal frame defines opposing lateral side restraint connectors and can be attached to an inflatable enclosure top portion about a user port. The vertical lifts can be attached at lateral sides of the system and a longitudinal position proximate the user port for vertically driving a carriage to adjust height. The first end each tensile restraint can securely attach to a lift carriage connector and the second end can securely attach to the corresponding restraint connector at a restraint length therebetween. In use, the seal frame can be retained in a floating arrangement forced upward solely by the enclosure top portion and restrained downward against the upward force at a seal frame height by the tensile restraints. Quick disconnects can permit manual seal frame release.