Abstract: An asthma management system and method are disclosed for collecting environmental and individual health data to predict the onset of asthma symptoms to allow for preventative therapy tailored on an individual basis. In one embodiment a computer system is in electrical communication with an individual user interface and one or more environmental factor collection points via a communications network. The user interface is adapted to send and receive asthma-related data including asthma profile and real-time asthma status data to the computer system via the communication network, and the environmental factor collection points are adapted to send and receive data to the computer system via the communications network.

Abstract: A lightbar with additional periphery lights for further functionality. The periphery lights can be operated through LEDs positioned behind the primary emergency lights of the lightbar. The LEDs can transmit light through a light transmissive material to the periphery. These periphery lights can be operated independently of the primary emergency lights to provide identification during non-emergency situations or additional information for coordinating emergency response.

Abstract: A lightbar with additional periphery lights for further functionality. The periphery lights can be operated through LEDs positioned behind the primary emergency lights of the lightbar. The LEDs can transmit light through a light transmissive material to the periphery. These periphery lights can be operated independently of the primary emergency lights to provide identification during non-emergency situations or additional information for coordinating emergency response.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing torque in a drill string includes a clamp assembly having a first clamp segment and a second clamp segment, the first and second clamp segments each being generally arcuate and configured to connect together so as to secure the clamp assembly around an oilfield tubular and prevent the clamp assembly from axial and rotational movement relative to the oilfield tubular. The first and second clamp segments each include a first extension and a second extension, each of the first and second extensions having a tapered end that decreases in outer diameter as proceeding in an axial direction, so as to provide a conical guide surface. An outer sleeve is positioned around the clamp assembly, is configured to rotate with respect to the oilfield tubular and the clamp assembly, and is prevented from axial movement relative thereto.

Abstract: A multiple radio and/or multi antenna chassis is described in some embodiments, along with methods of operation, and non-transitory computer readable media storing machine interpretable instructions to be executed on a processor to perform the methods of operation. Variants are described having regard to the use of one or more of the antennas for establishing bonded connections whereby one or more subsets of the antennas are coordinated to operate in concert to operate one or more connections for data packet transmission while reducing energy loss issues as between operating antennas. The approaches described herein can operate, for example, with a plurality of wideband antennas to provide a multi modem communications device that can be coupled to a master/primary data communications device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a non-stick conductive material to automate tool touch-off in an additive manufacturing process are provided. A substrate comprises a first conductive layer, an intermediate binder layer, and a second non-stick conductive layer. The non-stick conductive layer may comprise perfluoroalkoxy alkanes and carbon nanotubes. An electrical connection may be made between the first conductive layer and the second non-stick conductive layer. When used with an additive manufacturing device, when the nozzle of the device contacts the substrate, a circuit may close resulting in a detectable voltage drop. When the voltage drop is detected, a reference point for the additive manufacturing device may be set.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a user identity linked to a user account may include receiving information that asserts a user identity including a user identifier, accessing external data stores to receive data rows that are associated with the user identity, and accessing monitoring systems to receive data vectors. The monitoring systems may monitor transmissions to receiving systems, the data vectors may include numerical target values for the receiving systems, and the data vectors may be accessed using the user identifier. The method may also include determining whether the data rows can be matched to the data vectors, and based on that determination, authenticating the user identity.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed toward intelligently selecting the operating parameters of wireless access points (WAPs) deployed in a wireless environment so as to minimize or at least reduce interference in that wireless environment. A WAP may continually measure characteristics of wireless channels used in the wireless environment and obtain measurements of channel metrics for those channels. The WAP analyzes the channel metric history to identify correlations between the channel metric measurements and various timeframes and selects one or more of its operating parameters based on the channel metric history and the correlations identified.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are testing apparatuses for testing stresses in substrates. The testing apparatus includes a base, a first plate coupled to the base, the first plate being movable relative to the base along a first axis, a second plate coupled to the base, the second plate being movable relative to the base and relative to the first plate along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis, a first actuator operable to move the first plate along the first axis towards or away from the second plate, a second actuator operable to move the second plate along the second axis relative to the first plate, and a controller operatively connected to the first actuator and the second actuator operable to control movement of the first plate and the second plate.

Abstract: A process where a liquid or supercritical CO2 co-solvent is used in a hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process. The process improves yield of the HTL process.

Abstract: A pointer is set to a first code unit of an original string that encodes characters via code units within an encoding scheme. Whether the code unit of the original string referenced by the pointer is valid within the encoding scheme is determined. If the code unit referenced by the pointer is valid, one or more code units of the original string that encode a single character within the encoding scheme are processed, starting at the code unit referenced by the pointer. The one or more code units as have been processed are appended to a processed string. A single shadow unit indicating that the one or more code units that have been processed are valid is appended to a shadow array. The pointer is advanced to the code unit of the original string following the one or more code units.

Abstract: An apparatus for alerting individuals experiencing sensory limitations and/or sensory interference is provided according to the invention. The apparatus includes a user interface device and an alerting device. The user interface device includes a transceiver, a program and a reporting application. The alerting unit is in wireless communication with said transceiver of said user interface device. The alerting unit comprises a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with said user interface device; a central processing unit for receiving and processing communications from said transceiver; an alert notification device coupled to said central processing unit, said alert notification device configured to provide an alert to a user upon receipt of an alert signal from said central processing unit; and a power supply for providing power to the central processing unit, transceiver and alert notification device of the alerting unit.

Abstract: A control system for controlling a surgical robot arm, the surgical robot arm having a drive mechanism configured for driving a robotic surgical instrument, said robotic surgical instrument comprising a first end effector element and a second end effector element, the drive mechanism comprising one or more interface elements configured to interface with the robotic surgical instrument for controlling a spread angle between the first end effector element and the second end effector element, the control system being configured to: cause an instrument drive force applied at the one or more interface elements to be varied; measure, at each of a plurality of times, the instrument drive force applied at the one or more interface elements; determine, for each of the plurality of times, a force behaviour value using a derivative of the measured instrument drive force with respect to the time at that time; determine an offset value in dependence on the plurality of determined force behaviour values; and control, in de

Abstract: A night vision system along with an image intensifier tube having a microchannel plate and method of forming the microchannel plate are provided. The microchannel plate comprises a plurality of spaced channels extending through the microchannel plate, wherein each channel sidewall surface near the input face of the microchannel plate comprises a series of layers formed thereon. The input face of the microchannel plate, as well as the sidewall surfaces of each channel near the input surfaces, are configured with an electron backscatter layer arranged between a contact metal layer and a secondary electron booster layer. When formed partially into the channel openings near the input face, the electron backscatter layer and overlying secondary electron booster layer are configured circumferentially around the sidewall surfaces and extend radially inward toward a central axis of each channel.

Abstract: An ultrasonic needle for attachment to an ophthalmic surgical handpiece includes a cannula having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the cannula is configured for attachment to an ophthalmic surgical handpiece. The distal end of the cannula includes a tip with at least one port in communication with a lumen extending through the cannula. A flexible member (e.g., a flexible loop, a flexible button, etc.) is coupled to the distal end of the cannula for tissue manipulation.

Abstract: An electrical connector that has a conductive shell supporting at least one signal contact therein and that has a front end for mating with a mating connector and a back end opposite the front end for electrically connecting to a coaxial cable. A ground connection is located inside of the conductive shell. A coupling member is rotatably coupled to the conductive shell and has an engagement feature for mechanically engaging a support panel associated with the mating connector. A sealing member is disposed on the conductive shell that is configured to provide an environmental seal between the conductive shell and the support panel when the conductive shell is mated with the mating connector.

Abstract: A night vision system along with an image intensifier tube having a microchannel plate and method of forming the microchannel plate are provided. The microchannel plate comprises a plurality of spaced channels extending through the microchannel plate, wherein each channel sidewall surface near the input face of the microchannel plate comprises a series of layers formed thereon. The input face of the microchannel plate, as well as the sidewall surfaces of each channel near the input surfaces, are configured with an electron backscatter layer arranged between a contact metal layer and a secondary electron booster layer. When formed partially into the channel openings near the input face, the electron backscatter layer and overlying secondary electron booster layer are configured circumferentially around the sidewall surfaces and extend radially inward toward a central axis of each channel.

Abstract: A wheel having a circular ring is provided. The circular ring has a rotational axis and an outer surface. A plurality of lugs is mounted in side-by-side positions on said outer surface of the circular ring. Each lug of the plurality of lugs has: a center rib, a first leg and a second leg, each leg extending from the center rib laterally and opposite of each other, and a plate adapted to connect the first leg to the center rib. The outermost point of each center rib may form a circular pattern that is coaxial with the rotational axis. The wheel may have a rim nested within said circular ring, said rim having a plurality of alternating scalloped protrusions. The plurality of lugs may include high traction lugs having plates with distal edges configured to radially extend beyond the center rib to provide traction to the wheel on difficult terrain.