Abstract: An oral appliance is disclosed that provides electrical stimulation to a patient's tongue in a manner that prevents collapse of the tongue and/or soft palate during sleep. More specifically, the appliance may induce a reversible current or currents in a lateral direction across the tongue in a manner that shortens the patient's Palatoglossus muscle, which in turn pulls the patient's soft palate downward towards a base of the tongue and/or decreases a volume of the tongue.

Abstract: Methods for substantially improving the stability of a melting furnace system including bushings and cooling apparatus for converting molten mineral material to continuous fibers is disclosed. Apparatus and methods for maintaining the molten material throughput and the electrical power load on fiberizing bushings substantially constant are disclosed. The orifice plate, with or without tips or nozzles, is subjected to a more rapid rate of heat removal after the bushing breaks out than it did while the bushing was in a desired fiberizing mode. Apparatus for blowing cooling air upward onto the orifice plate during the time the bushing is breaking out and/or hanging to provide additional cooling is disclosed along with optional additional or alternative apparatus to use for optional additional or alternative cooling is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments include tubular diaphragm valves with a preformed mechanical closure point and optionally concave or convex convolution areas located near the flanges. These mechanical closure points and convolution areas give the embodiments an extended operational life, as compared to that of conventional cylindrical diaphragms.

Abstract: A method and a system for operating a mobile robot comprise a range finder for collecting range data of one or more objects in an environment around the robot. A discriminator identifies uniquely identifiable ones of the objects as navigation landmarks. A data storage device stores a reference map of the navigation landmarks based on the collected range data. A data processor establishes a list or sequence of way points for the robot to visit. Each way point is defined with reference to one or more landmarks. A reader reads an optical message at or near one or more way points. A task manager manages a task based on the read optical message.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating oxidative stress in a subject by administering a therapeutic composition to the subject. In some embodiments, the therapeutic composition comprises a carbon nanomaterial with anti-oxidant activity. In some embodiments, the anti-oxidant activity of the carbon nanomaterial corresponds to ORAC values between about 200 to about 15,000. In some embodiments, the administered carbon nanomaterials include at least one of single-walled nanotubes, double-walled nanotubes, triple-walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, ultra-short nanotubes, graphene, graphene nanoribbons, graphite, graphite oxide nanoribbons, carbon black, oxidized carbon black, hydrophilic carbon clusters, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the carbon nanomaterial is an ultra-short single-walled nanotube that is functionalized with a plurality of solubilizing groups.

Abstract: A drug delivery device and method is disclosed. The drug delivery device may include a cutting portion configured to form a slit in a portion of eye tissue. The drug device may also include a sliding assembly configured to slide with respect to the cutting portion to deliver a biopharmaceutical device to the portion of eye tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the cooling members located beneath fiberizing bushings is disclosed having the capability of moving each cooling member, or one portion of each cooling member, in a generally vertical direction, and/or in a lateral and/or tilting direction. Also disclosed is a process of using the apparatus to make fibers from molten material including molten glass.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the cooling members located beneath fiberizing bushings is disclosed having the capability of moving each cooling member, or one portion of each cooling member, in a generally vertical direction, and/or in a lateral and/or tilting direction. Also disclosed is a process of using the apparatus to make fibers from molten material including molten glass.

Abstract: A position determining system for a vehicle comprises an imaging unit for collecting image data. A wireless device reads or interrogates a radio frequency identification tag. An identification module determines whether the collected image data contains a visual landmark. A confirmation module determines whether the identified visual landmark is associated with a corresponding radio frequency identification tag having a particular tag identifier. A range finder or distance estimator determines a position offset of the vehicle with respect to the identified visual landmark. A data processor determines a vehicular position of the vehicle based on the determined position offset and a stored reference position associated with at least one of the visual landmark and the radio frequency identification tag.

Abstract: Crop information related to a particular crop is collected and stored in data storage during the performance of an agricultural operation. A harvested particular crop is segregated from all other genetically distinct crops by storing the particular harvested crops in one or more segregated storage volumes for storing the particular crop. Each segregated storage volume has a corresponding storage identifier. An electronically accessible data profile, associated with the particular crop, is provided or made available to a user. The data profile includes the collected crop information.

Abstract: Initial data is acquired on an agricultural product associated with a harvesting time. The acquired initial data is transmitted (e.g., handed off) via an electromagnetic signal or wireless communication to an intermediate data processing system associated with a handler of the agricultural product. Additional data is appended to the acquired initial data received at the intermediate data processing system to form composite data. The composite data is transmitted via an electromagnetic signal or wireless communication to at least one of a receiver and a data processing system for processing or storing the composite data. The composite data is transferred to or made available to a data management system, which may be accessible to one or more users who seek access to at least one of the initial data, the additional data, and the composite data on the agricultural product or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: Methods for substantially improving the stability of a melting furnace system including bushings and cooling apparatus for converting molten mineral material to continuous fibers is disclosed. Apparatus and methods for maintaining the molten material throughput and the electrical power load on fiberizing bushings substantially constant are disclosed. The orifice plate, with or without tips or nozzles, is subjected to a more rapid rate of heat removal after the bushing breaks out than it did while the bushing was in a desired fiberizing mode. Apparatus for blowing cooling air upward onto the orifice plate during the time the bushing is breaking out and/or hanging to provide additional cooling is disclosed along with optional additional or alternative apparatus to use for optional additional or alternative cooling is also disclosed.

Abstract: Game apparatus for playing a baseball-like and golf-like game to be played on a golf course or a sports field or yard with rules of play for golf courses and sports fields or yards. The game apparatus includes a unitary bat-putter that resembles a baseball bat but has a flat surface at at least one end of the bat-putter, to be used to putt a ball. The game apparatus for sports field or yard play includes a targets including flagsticks inserted through stackable above ground target bodies set in advance of play on a sports field or yard to create a course of play.

Abstract: Methods for substantially improving the stability of a melting furnace system including bushings and cooling apparatus for converting molten mineral material to continuous fibers is disclosed. Apparatus and methods for maintaining the molten material throughput and the electrical power load on fiberizing bushings substantially constant are disclosed. The orifice plate, with or without tips or nozzles, is subjected to a more rapid rate of heat removal after the bushing breaks out than it did while the bushing was in a desired fiberizing mode. Apparatus for blowing cooling air upward onto the orifice plate during the time the bushing is breaking out and/or hanging to provide additional cooling is disclosed along with optional additional or alternative apparatus to use for optional additional or alternative cooling is also disclosed.

Abstract: A headwear-mountable situational awareness unit is disclosed. The unit includes a thermal imaging camera rotatably connected to a mounting portion, the mounting portion connectable to a front portion of protective headgear. The unit further includes a heads-up display pivotally connected to the mounting portion, the heads-up display portion arranged to pivot between a mounted position and a handheld position and configured to display information captured by the thermal imaging camera.

Abstract: A method and a system for operating a mobile robot comprise a range finder for collecting range data of one or more objects in an environment around the robot. A discriminator identifies uniquely identifiable ones of the objects as navigation landmarks. A data storage device stores a reference map of the navigation landmarks based on the collected range data. A data processor establishes a list or sequence of way points for the robot to visit. Each way point is defined with reference to one or more landmarks. A reader reads an optical message at or near one or more way points. A task manager manages a task based on the read optical message.

Abstract: A marking device is disclosed. The marking device includes a marker housing. The marker housing includes an attachment portion configured to pivotally attach the marker housing to a pole. The marker housing also includes a translucent portion formed around at least a portion of the housing. The marker housing also includes an environmental seal. The marking device includes an electrical light positioned within the marker housing and oriented toward the translucent portion, and a programmable circuit configured to activate the electrical light in one or more marking flashing patterns. The environmental seal protects the electrical light and programmable circuit from external environmental conditions. Optionally, the device can clip to a marker such as a flag to indicate the existence of a hazardous condition.

Abstract: A method and system for designing, storing, and executing workflows for laboratory processes have been disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method, comprises executing a workflow. The workflow includes a process activity, a system activity, and a flow control activity. A first user interface is adapted to collect one or more process elements for the process activity. The process activity is collected with form elements, the form elements identifying containers. The containers include plates, tubes, and bottles holding samples. States are associated with the samples and containers. The states are automatically changed as the workflow is completed. A second user interface is provided to create a customized workflow.

Abstract: A position determining system for a vehicle comprises an imaging unit for collecting image data. A wireless device reads or interrogates a radio frequency identification tag. An identification module determines whether the collected image data contains a visual landmark. A confirmation module determines whether the identified visual landmark is associated with a corresponding radio frequency identification tag having a particular tag identifier. A range finder or distance estimator determines a position offset of the vehicle with respect to the identified visual landmark. A data processor determines a vehicular position of the vehicle based on the determined position offset and a stored reference position associated with at least one of the visual landmark and the radio frequency identification tag.

Abstract: A safety device is disclosed. The safety device includes a protective component wearable on a user's head. The safety device further includes a display unit configured to present status information at position in the periphery of the field of view of the user. The safety device includes a communications unit connectable to a wireless communication network and configured to send or receive status information. In certain embodiments, the safety device is a breathing apparatus or a head protection device. A method of presenting information to a user of the breathing apparatus is also disclosed.