Abstract: Systems and apparatus for an aquaculture box configured to store water at a water storing stage and to drain water and waste material at a water draining stage are described. In one aspect, the aquaculture box forms an upper end opposite a lower end, where the interior of the aquaculture box comprises one or more drain holes configured to drain water from the aquaculture box. The valve is connected to the first drain hole, where the valve comprises a first drain pipe configured to drain water and waste material from the box during the water draining stage, and a buoyant ball configured to move between the first drain hole and the first drain pipe to prevent water from flowing out of the box during the water storing stage and to detach from the first drain hole and move toward the first drain pipe at the water draining stage.

Abstract: A heat exchanger having a core including a plurality of parallel layered flow passages for accommodating a first fluid flow, and a plurality of layered cross-flow passages in thermal communication with the layered flow passages for accommodating a second fluid flow, an inlet manifold associated with an inlet side of the core and including an inlet for the first fluid flow, a manifold wall having a bellows-type construction to accommodate expansion and an interface with the core that includes an array of flow ports in communication with the layered flow passages of the core, and an outlet manifold associated with an outlet side of the core and including an outlet for the first fluid flow, a manifold wall having a bellows-type construction to accommodate expansion and an interface with the core that includes an array of flow ports in communication with the layered flow passages of the core.

Abstract: A device for crimping a radially expandable and collapsible prosthetic valve comprises a crimping loop having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a loop portion extending between the first and second end portions and defining an opening configured to receive the prosthetic valve. The crimping loop is movable between a first state in which the opening has a first diameter and a second state in which the opening has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter such that when the prosthetic valve is positioned within the loop portion, movement of the crimping loop from the first state to the second state is effective to reduce a diameter of the prosthetic valve. A method for crimping a prosthetic valve comprises reducing a diameter of an opening of a crimping loop, thereby radially compressing an at least partially expanded prosthetic valve disposed within the opening.

Abstract: A sensing system includes a sensor including a flexible substrate and a graphene oxide sensing element deposited on the flexible substrate. The graphene oxide sensing element has first and second sides. First and second electrical connectors coupled to the first and second sides of the graphene oxide sensing element, respectively. A power source is coupled to the first and second electrical connectors of the sensor and is adapted to apply a constant voltage to the sensor. The sensing system also includes a measurement element measuring a current in the graphene oxide sensing element due to the constant voltage and a calculation element calculating an electrical resistance of the graphene oxide sensing element based on the electrical current and the constant voltage and calculating a condition at a location of the sensor based on a relationship between the electrical resistance and the condition for the graphene oxide sensing element.

Abstract: A device for crimping a radially expandable and collapsible prosthetic valve comprises a crimping loop having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a loop portion extending between the first and second end portions and defining an opening configured to receive the prosthetic valve. The crimping loop is movable between a first state in which the opening has a first diameter and a second state in which the opening has a second diameter smaller than the first diameter such that when the prosthetic valve is positioned within the loop portion, movement of the crimping loop from the first state to the second state is effective to reduce a diameter of the prosthetic valve. A method for crimping a prosthetic valve comprises reducing a diameter of an opening of a crimping loop, thereby radially compressing an at least partially expanded prosthetic valve disposed within the opening.

Abstract: A method for of predicting and translating words includes receiving characters of a first language. The method also includes predicting one or more recommended words of a first language based on the received characters. Additionally the method includes obtaining one or more recommended words of a second language by translating the predicted recommended words of the first language. The method also includes displaying the one or more recommended words of the first language and the one or more recommended words of the second language.

Abstract: A sensing system includes a sensor including a flexible substrate and a graphene oxide sensing element deposited on the flexible substrate. The graphene oxide sensing element has first and second sides. First and second electrical connectors coupled to the first and second sides of the graphene oxide sensing element, respectively. A power source is coupled to the first and second electrical connectors of the sensor and is adapted to apply a constant voltage to the sensor. The sensing system also includes a measurement element measuring a current in the graphene oxide sensing element due to the constant voltage and a calculation element calculating an electrical resistance of the graphene oxide sensing element based on the electrical current and the constant voltage and calculating a condition at a location of the sensor based on a relationship between the electrical resistance and the condition for the graphene oxide sensing element.

Abstract: Granules of graphene oxide may be produced from a dispersion of nanoscale graphene oxide sheets by a spray drying method. Such granules have a three-dimensional corrugated morphology. The complexity of the corrugations, and the size distribution of the granules can be varied through selection of the spray-drying equipment used, and variation of the composition of the dispersion and the spray-drying parameters. Structural modifiers may be included in the graphene oxide dispersion to control the ultimate morphology of the granules. The granules of graphene oxide may be thermally reduced at a moderate temperature of 220° C. to increase the granules' electrical conductivity. The reduced granules may be used to fabricate electrodes for supercapacitors. The power and energy density of such an electrode material is comparable to those of conventional/commercial activated carbon-based electrodes.

Abstract: Granules of graphene oxide may be produced from a dispersion of nanoscale graphene oxide sheets by a spray drying method. Such granules have a three-dimensional corrugated morphology. The complexity of the corrugations, and the s size distribution of the granules can be varied through selection of the spray-drying equipment used, and variation of the composition of the dispersion and the spray-drying parameters. Structural modifiers may be included in the graphene oxide dispersion to control the ultimate morphology of the granules. The granules of graphene oxide may be thermally reduced at a moderate temperature of 220° C. to increase the granules' electrical conductivity. The reduced granules may be used to fabricate electrodes for supercapacitors. The power and energy density of such an electrode material is comparable to those of conventional/commercial activated carbon-based electrodes.

Abstract: An environmental sensor comprises a graphene thin-film as an environmentally responsive material. Such graphene films exhibit negative temperature coefficients (NTC), resulting in rapid decreases in electrical resistance as temperature increases, as well as a much faster response time than any other NTC material reported in the literature. The graphene film is also mechanically stable under bending, and, therefore, can be adapted for use in a mechanical sensor or pressure sensor, because the electrical resistance of the graphene film changes upon deflection and/or changes in pressure. The electrical resistance of the graphene film also increases in response to increases in environmental humidity. The electrical resistance changes of the graphene film can also be used as a sensing mechanism for changes in chemical and biological parameters in the environment of the sensor.

Abstract: A locking nut assembly including a bearing nut having a plurality of external serrations, a shaft nut having a plurality of external serrations, and a locking collar having a plurality of internal serrations. The bearing nut and the shaft nut are threadedly installed on a shaft assembly having an impeller, a bearing, and a spline adapter installed within the impeller. The plurality of serrations of the bearing nut align with the plurality of serrations of the shaft nut when they are installed on the impeller. The locking collar is installed on the bearing nut and the shaft nut so that the aligned plurality of serrations of the bearing nut and the plurality of serrations of the shaft nut engage the plurality of serrations of the locking collar. The locking collar is retained on the bearing nut and shaft nut by a retaining ring.

Abstract: Granules of graphene oxide may be produced from a dispersion of nanoscale graphene oxide sheets by a spray drying method. Such granules have a three-dimensional corrugated morphology. The complexity of the corrugations, and the size distribution of the granules can be varied through selection of the spray-drying equipment used, and variation of the composition of the dispersion and the spray-drying parameters. Structural modifiers may be included in the graphene oxide dispersion to control the ultimate morphology of the granules. The granules of graphene oxide may be thermally reduced at a moderate temperature of 220° C. to increase the granules' electrical conductivity. The reduced granules may be used to fabricate electrodes for supercapacitors. The power and energy density of such an electrode material is comparable to those of conventional/commercial activated carbon-based electrodes.

Abstract: An environmental sensor comprises a graphene thin-film as an environmentally responsive material. Such graphene films exhibit negative temperature coefficients (NTC), resulting in rapid decreases in electrical resistance as temperature increases, as well as a much faster response time than any other NTC material reported in the literature. The graphene film is also mechanically stable under bending, and, therefore, can be adapted for use in a mechanical sensor or pressure sensor, because the electrical resistance of the graphene film changes upon deflection and/or changes in pressure. The electrical resistance of the graphene film also increases in response to increases in environmental humidity. The electrical resistance changes of the graphene film can also be used as a sensing mechanism for changes in chemical and biological parameters in the environment of the sensor.

Abstract: An exemplary system for crimping a prosthetic valve comprises a radially expandable and compressible prosthetic valve, a crimping device positioned around the valve and configured to reduce the diameter of the valve to a delivery configuration, and a sterile package enclosing the valve and the crimping device. The valve can be pre-assembled in a partially crimped configuration within the crimping device. After removing the sterile packaging, the crimping device can be used to crimp the valve from the partially crimped configuration to the delivery configuration, such as by twisting a knob on the crimping device. The system can further comprise at least a portion of a delivery catheter within the sterile package, wherein the valve is pre-mounted on or adjacent to an inflatable balloon of the delivery catheter, such that the valve can be crimped onto the delivery catheter using the crimping device.

Abstract: A locking nut assembly including a bearing nut having a plurality of external serrations, a shaft nut having a plurality of external serrations, and a locking collar having a plurality of internal serrations. The bearing nut and the shaft nut are threadedly installed on a shaft assembly having an impeller, a bearing, and a spline adapter installed within the impeller. The plurality of serrations of the bearing nut align with the plurality of serrations of the shaft nut when they are installed on the impeller. The locking collar is installed on the bearing nut and the shaft nut so that the aligned plurality of serrations of the bearing nut and the plurality of serrations of the shaft nut engage the plurality of serrations of the locking collar. The locking collar is retained on the bearing nut and shaft nut by a retaining ring.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for endoluminal advancement are described herein. A shape-lockable tissue anchoring assembly generally has an elongate body, a handle assembly, and an anchoring assembly positioned at or proximal to a distal tip of the elongate body. A distal portion of the elongate body may optionally be steerable or curvable. The anchoring assembly may include various expandable or projecting anchoring features to contact and retain tissue relative to the elongate body such that pleated tissue is temporarily immobile relative to the elongate body. This anchoring can be actuated simultaneously with or independently from shape-locking of elongate body. The anchoring assembly can be actuated simultaneously with the shape-locking of the elongate body. Alternatively, the steerable distal portion of the elongate body can be angled against the pleated tissue to retain it while the endoscope is advanced relative to the pleated tissue.

Abstract: A pad for use with a continent ostomy port includes a body portion having an internal wall defining an aperture appropriately sized to place around a stoma. The body portion is sized and shaped for placement against a user's skin beneath a face plate of an ostomy port and is formed of a material to cushion and protect the skin from contact with the face plate. The body portion has a stepped configuration of at least two distinct levels on a distal surface thereof, including a first level and a second level, the first level having a perimeter sized and shaped to fit within a perimeter of a face plate lip, and the second level extending parallel to the first level and having a perimeter extending beyond the perimeter of the first level, beneath the lip of the plate, to thereby protect the use's skin from friction irritation.

Abstract: Disposable shapelocking systems are disclosed herein. A shapelock assembly generally comprises an elongate body defining at least one lumen therethrough for advancement of an endoscope or other endoscopic instruments therethrough. A handle assembly can be actuated to compress nested links against one another to transition the elongate body from a flexible state to a rigid shape-locked state. One or more of the nested links can be made from a particular thermoplastic either alone or in combination with one or more reinforcing structures. Such structures can include a reinforcing ring integrated with the link on an inner, outer, or lower surface of the link. Alternatively, the link can be coated or layered to enhance its strength. Additionally, different portions of the shapelock body can be made from different types of links depending upon the loads imparted upon the various portions of the shapelock body.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for placing and advancing a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in a hollow body organ of a tortuous or unsupported anatomy, comprising a handle, an overtube disposed within a hydrophilic sheath or liner, and a distal region having an atraumatic tip. The sheath/liner may be disposable to permit reuse of the overtube. Loading devices may be provided for disposing the sheath/liner about the overtube. Tensioning mechanisms may be provided to selectively stiffen the overtube to reduce distension of the organ caused by advancement of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument. The distal region permits passive steering of the overtube caused by deflection of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument, while the atraumatic tip prevents the wall of the organ from becoming caught or pinched during manipulation of the diagnostic or therapeutic instrument.

Abstract: A continent ostomy port device has a generally planar face plate defining a selectively sealable aperture which is alignable with the opening of a stoma formed in the body of a user of the device. A closure portion is connected to the generally planar face plate adjacent to the aperture and is adapted to permit selective and repeatable covering and uncovering of the aperture in the generally planar face plate. A catheter portion extends from one side of the face plate and extends proximally, and one end of the catheter portion is disposed interior of the user's body, within the ostomy site, when the port device is in normal use position. The catheter portion has continuous and generally cylindrical exterior and interior side walls, the latter defining a major lumen.