Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer probe holder suitable for holding an ultrasonic transducer probe of a medical ultrasound system to hold or secure the probe in place against a patent as an ultrasound technician releases the probe may include a grip portion and a skirt portion. The grip portion may be configured for deployment on the ultrasonic transducer probe. The grip portion may provide a comfortable and secure grip for the ultrasound technician as the technician applies the ultrasonic transducer probe against the skin of the patient. The ultrasonic transducer probe with the grip portion thereon may be insertable in the skirt portion of the ultrasonic transducer probe holder. The skirt portion may be configured to hold or support the ultrasonic transducer probe in an upward-standing position while forming a vacuum seal against the skin of the patient. A stand assembly may be configured for mounting on a bed, table, or other support on which the patient reclines.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer probe holder suitable for holding an ultrasonic transducer probe of a medical ultrasound system to hold or secure the probe in place against a patent as an ultrasound technician releases the probe may include a grip portion and a skirt portion. The grip portion may be configured for deployment on the ultrasonic transducer probe. The grip portion may provide a comfortable and secure grip for the ultrasound technician as the technician applies the ultrasonic transducer probe against the skin of the patient. The ultrasonic transducer probe with the grip portion thereon may be insertable in the skirt portion of the ultrasonic transducer probe holder. The skirt portion may be configured to hold or support the ultrasonic transducer probe in an upward-standing position while forming a vacuum seal against the skin of the patient. A stand assembly may be configured for mounting on a bed, table, or other support on which the patient reclines.

Abstract: A brine concentration system may include a closed-cycle heat pump, a brine heater configured to heat brine, a flash tank to evaporate a portion of heated brine to steam, and a steam condenser in which to condense the steam to distilled water. The system may include an electric vacuum pump in connection with the flash tank and the steam condenser. The electric vacuum pump may reduce a pressure within the flash tank and the steam condenser to reduce a boiling point of the brine. The system may include a controller that dynamically adjusts operations of the closed-cycle heat pump and/or the electric vacuum pump.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid construct that is useful in directing RNA mediated gene regulation or RNA mediated gene editing. The invention further provides cells comprising the nucleic acid construct, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade lifting device is provided, comprising a backing member adapted to contact an interior surface of a wind turbine blade; a connector rod having an upper end and a lower end, wherein the lower end is rotatably connected to the backing member; a cover plate connected to the connector rod, wherein the cover plate includes an alignment member; a primary lifting shackle rotatably connected to a base member engaged with the connector rod; and a securing nut threadably connected to the upper end of the connector rod. One or more spacers are positioned around the connector rod between the cover plate and an exterior blade surface. The device preferably includes a holding tool connectable to the upper end of the connector rod. The cover plate preferably includes one of more secondary shackles to enable engagement with other rigging equipment.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a machine-readable storage medium that includes executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system, facilitate performance of operations which include modifying advertising content at a display responsive to a person being determined to be in a first zone relative to the display, determining a presence of a communication device of the person, wherein the second zone is closer in range to the display than the first zone, transmitting a query to the communication device, receiving from the communication device the identifying characteristic of the person, obtaining an image of the person responsive to the person being determined to be in a third zone relative to the display, wherein the third zone is closer in range to the display than the first zone and the second zone, and obtaining modified content for the person based on the identifying characteristic.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a machine-readable storage medium that includes executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system, facilitate performance of operations which include modifying advertising content at a display responsive to a person being determined to be in a first zone relative to the display, determining a presence of a communication device of the person, wherein the second zone is closer in range to the display than the first zone, transmitting a query to the communication device, receiving from the communication device the identifying characteristic of the person, obtaining an image of the person responsive to the person being determined to be in a third zone relative to the display, wherein the third zone is closer in range to the display than the first zone and the second zone, and obtaining modified content for the person based on the identifying characteristic.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a machine-readable storage medium that includes executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system, facilitate performance of operations which include modifying advertising content at a display responsive to a person being determined to be in a first zone relative to the display, determining a presence of a communication device of the person, wherein the second zone is closer in range to the display than the first zone, transmitting a query to the communication device, receiving from the communication device the identifying characteristic of the person, obtaining an image of the person responsive to the person being determined to be in a third zone relative to the display, wherein the third zone is closer in range to the display than the first zone and the second zone, and obtaining modified content for the person based on the identifying characteristic.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a machine-readable storage medium that includes executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system, facilitate performance of operations which include modifying advertising content at a display responsive to a person being determined to be in a first zone relative to the display, determining a presence of a communication device of the person, wherein the second zone is closer in range to the display than the first zone, transmitting a query to the communication device, receiving from the communication device the identifying characteristic of the person, obtaining an image of the person responsive to the person being determined to be in a third zone relative to the display, wherein the third zone is closer in range to the display than the first zone and the second zone, and obtaining modified content for the person based on the identifying characteristic.

Abstract: A secure computer keyboard system utilizes a mobile device in conjunction with a keyboard device to provide secure keyboard entry in a public place. An application on the mobile device produces a mapping of characters to character codings, and displays to the user a key such as a modified keyboard showing the mapping. The keyboard device receives input keystrokes from the user representing the codings and transmits the keystrokes back to the mobile device or to a server. The mobile device or server decodes the keystrokes using the mapping.

Abstract: A method for facilitating purchases from a point of sale device using a biometric identifier includes receiving a biometric identifier and a point of sale (POS) identifier from a point of sale device. A user is identified based on the biometric identifier. It is then determined whether the user is authorized to request a purchase at the point of sale identified by the point of sale identifier. A purchase request authorization and user preferences of the user are transmitted to the point of sale device in response to determining that the user is authorized to request a purchase at the point of sale device.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a purchase using a biometric identifier includes receiving a biometric identifier and transaction information from a point of sale device. A user is then identified using the biometric identifier. It is then determined whether the user is authorized to complete a transaction identified by the transaction information. A payment request is transmitted to a financial institution server associated with the user in response to determining that the user is authorized to complete the transaction. An approval is transmitted to the point of sale device in response to receiving a payment request approval from the financial institution server. A customer copy of an electronic receipt is transmitted to a user device designated by the user and a merchant copy of the electronic receipt is transmitted to a merchant device designated by the merchant in order to provide both parties with a record of the transaction.

Abstract: A secure computer keyboard system utilizes a mobile device in conjunction with a keyboard device to provide secure keyboard entry in a public place. An application on the mobile device produces a mapping of characters to character codings, and displays to the user a key such as a modified keyboard showing the mapping. The keyboard device receives input keystrokes from the user representing the codings and transmits the keystrokes back to the mobile device or to a server. The mobile device or server decodes the keystrokes using the mapping.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a wheel rack includes a locking frame plate having a first L-shaped plate, a second L-shaped plate, and a stopper plate. A ball seat is fixed to the locking frame plate, and a rod has a first end with a sphere attached thereto. The locking frame plate is configured to be fixed to a jamb of a vehicle lift. In another embodiment, a wheel rack includes a locking frame plate having a first L-shaped plate, a second L-shaped plate, and a stopper plate. A ball seat is fixed to the locking frame plate. The wheel rack also includes a locking seat and a rod that has an end with a sphere attached thereto. The locking frame plate is configured to be fixed to a jamb of a vehicle lift.

Abstract: An access port assembly having an attachable catheter allows for inserting a guidewire into the catheter to aid in the placement of the integral catheter while still attached to the access port assembly. A method is described for placing an access port fixedly attached to a catheter into a patient using a guidewire inserted into the catheter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a wheel rack includes a locking frame plate having a first L-shaped plate, a second L-shaped plate, and a stopper plate. A ball seat is fixed to the locking frame plate, and a rod has a first end with a sphere attached thereto. The locking frame plate is configured to be fixed to a jamb of a vehicle lift. In another embodiment, a wheel rack includes a locking frame plate having a first L-shaped plate, a second L-shaped plate, and a stopper plate. A ball seat is fixed to the locking frame plate. The wheel rack also includes a locking seat and a rod that has an end with a sphere attached thereto. The locking frame plate is configured to be fixed to a jamb of a vehicle lift.

Abstract: A medical device and related methods of use are provided for capture and removal of tissue from body lumens. The device includes an end-effector unit configured to capture tissue, having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end and the proximal end form a substantially closed structure, and the distal end is more flexible than the proximal end. The device also includes a control member at the proximal end for holding and controlling the severing device.

Abstract: An access port assembly having an attachable catheter allows for inserting a guidewire into the catheter to aid in the placement of the integral catheter while still attached to the access port assembly. A method is described for placing an access port fixedly attached to a catheter into a patient using a guidewire inserted into the catheter.

Abstract: An access port assembly having an attachable catheter allows for inserting a guidewire into the catheter to aid in the placement of the integral catheter while still attached to the access port assembly. A method is described for placing an access port fixedly attached to a catheter into a patient using a guidewire inserted into the catheter.

Abstract: Surfactant systems are provided that, upon contact with an oil, can produce a Windsor Type III middle phase microemulsion at a total surfactant concentration of 1.5% to 1.0% or less based on the weight of water in the surfactant system, without the need for a cosolvent or linking molecule. The microemulsions can have a separation time less than about 2 hours and even less than about 15 minutes.