Abstract: Devices and methods for brachytherapy treatment are disclosed. One aspect is a poly(methyl methacrylate) apparatus for brachytherapy treatment at the vaginal apex. Another aspect is a poly(methyl methacrylate) apparatus for brachytherapy treatment in the distal two-thirds of the vagina. Another aspect is a poly(methyl methacrylate) apparatus for brachytherapy treatment of cancers that are offset from the vaginal apex. Other aspects include methods for guiding needles for treatment of cancers at the vaginal apex, in the distal two-thirds of the vagina, and that are offset from the vaginal apex.

Abstract: When performing a therapeutic procedure, like a high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, an elongate introduction element is introduced into a body, a temperature is determined along the introduction element, and it is determined which part of the introduction element is within the body based on the determined temperature. A therapeutic procedure is performed by using the introduction element depending on the determination which part of the introduction element is within the body. This can ensure that the therapeutic procedure is only performed within the body, thereby reducing the likelihood of involuntary affecting, for instance, a patient's outer skin, especially by ionizing radiation which may be used during a HDR brachytherapy.

Abstract: In a method of constructing a head shield for a radiation machine, the angular distribution of radiation propagating from a source and the angular function of thickness of a material in attenuating the radiation to a certain level of its original value are determined. Based on the angular distribution of radiation from the source and the angular function of thickness of the material, the thicknesses of the material at a plurality of angular locations around the source and distances from the source can be calculated for attenuating the radiation to or less than a predetermined threshold value. A shield around the source is constructed based on the calculated thicknesses of the material through iterative steps to ensure a cost-saving, weight-efficient, optimal solution.

Abstract: A sunscreen composition comprised of one or more sunscreen active agents encapsulated in a cellulose derived capsule wherein the composition can contain one or more additional agents. A sunscreen composition can be mixed with a body wash, an after shower body lotion, a shampoo, a conditioner, a soap, a gel, a hand sanitizer, a cream, a spray, a mouse, a lotion, an ointment, a make-up product, a lip balm, a hair spray product, an arachnid/insect repellent or a medicinal product.

Abstract: An intelligent disaster prevention and escape method includes the steps of: sensing surrounding environment information of plural nodes of a region of a building to generate plural sensing signals of the nodes respectively; calculating a risk coefficient of each node according to the sensing signals; calculating a threat coefficient for plural paths according to the risk coefficients and the distances between the adjacent nodes, for executing an escape path planning algorithm to produce a safest path plan; and producing plural escape instructions for the nodes respectively according to the safest path plan. The invention has the effect of producing the safest path plan according to the risk coefficient and the distance between adjacent nodes, so as to provide safe and immediate escape instructions to guide people to escape and evacuate and reduce casualties.

Abstract: A mask against atmospheric PM 2.5 includes a mask body and a filter layer located in the mask body. The filter layer includes a carbon nanotube structure. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotube films stacked and crossed with each other. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of micropores. A diameter of the micropores ranges from about 1 micrometer to about 2.5 micrometers.

Abstract: A nasally inserted air filter including a plurality of filter materials in a compact housing, or alternatively, a series of electrically conducting plates connected to a battery in a compact housing. The filters may include a radio frequency identification system to interact with a user's cell phone to transmit and analyze important data.

Abstract: A retracting lifeline system, includes: a housing, a first connector attached to the housing, a lifeline, and a hub to which the lifeline is attached at a first end of the lifeline and around which the lifeline is coiled within the housing. The housing includes an opening through which the lifeline exits the housing. The hub is tensioned to rotate in a first direction to cause retracting of the lifeline and coiling of the lifeline around the hub. The retracting lifeline system further includes a second connector attached to a second end of the lifeline. At least a section of the lifeline has an initial ultimate tensile load of at least 8000 pounds and is abrasion resistant (that is, satisfying the abrasion test requirement set forth in the ANSI/ASSE Z359.13 2009 standard) such that the section of the lifeline is available for tie-back anchoring using the second connector. The section of the lifeline is at least partially retractable within the housing.

Abstract: A rotational energy absorber typically for use in a fall arrest system has a coiler, a length of plastically deformable strip and a deformer structure. The plastically deformable strip has a first end attached to the coiler and a second free end and extends past the deformer structure at a position between the first and second ends. Relative rotation of the coiler member and deformer structure causes the strip to be drawn past the deformer structure, plastically deforming the strip and winding the strip coil form about the coiler member.

Abstract: A method of laser (30) based fire fighting, the method comprising: delivering energy from an emitted energy beam source to an active fire affected area (10) so as to process combustible material by one of cutting, ablating, charring and total oxidation so as to reduce the quantity of combustible material. Preferably the provided energy exhibits a total fluence of at least 50 micro-joule per square centimeter measured over a window of no more than 0.1 milliseconds. Preferably the provided energy is from a laser.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems, assemblies, and methodologies for inhibiting combustion within fluid containers, enhancing the safety of such containers. One aspect includes a novel base module from which assemblies of varying shape and size, suitable for disposing within a variety of different fluid containers, are created. In one embodiment, the base module is made from an expanded mesh which is rolled in a novel cylindrical configuration according to a novel methodology. In another embodiment, the base module may be combined with other base modules to form an assembly. The present invention is also directed to an apparatus and method for creating base modules which allows for varying density of the base modules and therefore varying flexural strength and rigidity of the assemblies. As such, the packing density of assemblies within containers may be optimized to produce the desired effect of inhibiting combustion within the container.

Abstract: A garment to provide targeted training of small muscles along a spine of a user. The garment can be configured to extend around a torso of a user from an upper end portion to a lower end portion. A plurality of weights can be distributed and arranged along the body. The body and the plurality of weights can be configured to conform to the fleshy part of a user's body and to provide deep touch pressure compression of the plurality of weights to the torso to target the small postural muscles supporting the spine of a user when worn by the user, to engage and train the small postural muscles of the spine. The plurality of weights can be movable relative to one another with movement of the vertebrae of the user's spine, and the weights can be configured to move in a corresponding motion with the vertebrae of the user.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus for performing an abdominal exercise comprising: a frame, a seat having a seating surface (PS) and a pelvic stabilization pad having a lower back engagement surface (ES), an input arm assembly interconnected by a first interconnection to a first resistance mechanism, the input arm assembly including a manually graspable mechanism for manual engagement by a user along a path of travel forwardly away from the pelvic stabilization pad.

Abstract: A workout pouch comprising multiple pieces of fabric fastened together to form a spherical receptacle to securely contain a medicine ball is disclosed herein. The spherical receptacle facilitates working out using the medicine ball. The workout pouch conforms to the size and shape of the medicine ball. The pouch secures the medicine ball so as to prevent the medicine ball from shifting within the pouch during exercise. The pouch may also include one or more support patches to enhance its structural integrity and resistance to wear-and-tear damage. The workout pouch may include straps and strap fasteners to allow a user to fasten the straps to the user's body. The pouch may also include a ball fastener to properly secure a medicine ball within the body of the pouch and a ball fastener protector that prevents the ball fastener from being exposed while the pouch is in use.

Abstract: A resistance breathing device includes a face mask having an inlet aperture, an intake restricting element having an inlet aperture, and an adjustment mechanism, the intake restricting element positioned adjacent to the face mask and rotatable between a first position, in which a first portion of the inlet aperture of the intake restricting element overlays a first portion of the inlet aperture of the face mask, and a second position, in which a second portion of the inlet aperture of the intake restricting element overlays a second portion of the inlet aperture of the face mask, the second portion of the inlet aperture of the intake restricting element being larger than the first portion of the inlet aperture of the intake restricting element, the adjustment mechanism attached to the face mask and movable between first and second positions corresponding to the first and second positions of the intake restricting element.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and implementing a barcode is provided, wherein the system includes a data generation device configured to receive data and generate barcode data response to the received data, a barcode generation device, configured to receive the barcode data and generate a barcode responsive to the received barcode data, a display device, configured to display the barcode and a barcode receiving device, configured to receive the barcode and operate in response to the barcode.

Abstract: An athlete tracking system and method for tracking an athlete during training sessions, such as swim training. The system includes a mobile tracking device wearable around the athlete's chest, and a training log server for maintaining an athlete profile that includes a training record updatable by the athlete and a training plan supplied by a coach.

Abstract: A method for displaying live and archived exercise classes comprising displaying information about exercise classes that can be accessed by a first user via a digital communication network on a display screen at a first location, wherein the first user can select either a live class or select among a plurality of archived classes, outputting digital video and audio content comprising the selected class, detecting performance parameters for the first user at a particular point in the selected class, displaying at least one of the performance parameters on the display screen, and displaying performance parameters from a second user at a second location on the display screen such that at least one of the performance parameters from the first user and at least one of the performance parameters from the second user at the same point in the class are presented for comparison.

Abstract: In a golf ball having a core and a cover of at least one layer, the core and/or at least one layer of the cover are formed of a resin composition that includes (A) 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin, and (B) 1 to 30 parts by weight of a compound having a fluorene skeleton, or a derivative thereof. This resin composition for golf balls has an improved injection-moldability and thus enables the ball to achieve both a reduced spin rate and a good durability (scuff resistance).

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a rubber composition from which a crosslinked rubber molded product excellent in the resilience performance can be obtained. The present invention provides a rubber composition containing (a) a base rubber, (b) a co-crosslinking agent and (c) a crosslinking initiator, wherein (b) the co-crosslinking agent contains a complex represented by a general formula (1). ((RCOO)8M5(OH)2)n??(1) [In the formula (1), M is a metal atom, R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms or an alkynyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms, and n is an integer of 1 or more. A plurality of R and M may be identical to or different from each other. At least one of R is the alkenyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms or the alkynyl group having 2 to 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Multi-piece golf balls containing a multi-layered core structure having layers with different hardness gradients and specific gravities are provided. The core structure includes a small, heavy inner core (center) having a relatively high specific gravity with metal material preferably dispersed in a first thermoset composition. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin; and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a second thermoset composition. The resulting ball has high resiliency and good spin control.

Abstract: A golf club head having a hosel, a hollow interior, and a support structure disposed within the hollow interior proximate a flange region is disclosed herein. In particular, the present invention is directed to a fairway wood head comprising a body with a front wall, an upper opening, a return portion between the front wall and the upper opening, a hosel, an interface between the hosel and the heel side of the body, and a hosel support ring or support rod, and a composite crown affixed to the body to close the upper opening and define a hollow interior. The support structure reduces the stresses placed on, for example, the crown during hosel bending processes.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf club face plates with internal cell lattices are presented herein. Other examples and related methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Golf club heads (e.g., drivers, fairway woods, wood-type hybrid clubs, or the like) according to at least some example aspects of this invention include a striking face and a rear portion opposite the striking face, the rear portion defining an opening to an interior cavity. A rear body member configured to be inserted into the opening is engaged with the rear portion of the club head. The rear body member may include multiple rear body parts that may be removable and/or interchangeable to permit flexibility in controlling the weight distribution of the golf club head.

Abstract: A golf club head has a stranded structure such as a cantilevered strand or a beam strand. The stranded structure causes changes in acoustic properties from that of a standard golf club. A gap or through-hole around the stranded structure may be filled with a vibration dampening material, such as flexible polymer, to further adjust the acoustic properties of the golf club. Vibration frequency regions in a golf club may be modified by incorporating stranded structures in the vibration frequency regions.

Abstract: A head 2 includes: a face member fc1 having a hitting surface 4; and a body member bd1 having a hosel 6, a sole surface 8, and a toe-side surface 9. The face member fc1 further has a top-side flange FL1 including a top surface 5. The body member bd1 has a hosel-forming part 24 including the hosel 6, a sole-forming part 28 including the sole surface 8, and a toe-forming part 26 including the toe-side surface 9. The hosel-forming part 24 has a heel joint portion Jh joined to a heel-side end of the top-side flange FL1. The toe-forming part 26 has a toe joint portion Jt joined to a toe-side end of the top-side flange FL1. A body missing portion ms1 in which the body member bd1 is not present is provided between the toe joint portion Jt and the heel joint portion Jh.

Abstract: A putter-type golf club head includes a main body. The main body includes a forward end, a rearward end opposite the forward end, a bottom portion, a top portion opposite the bottom portion, and a male-type hosel component defining a longitudinal axis that is forwardly canted relative to vertical. A face component is secured to the forward end of the main body. The face component includes a first element formed of a resilient material and a second element formed of a rigid material that is secured to the first element. A striking face generally defines a virtual striking face plane and is at least partially formed by the face component.

Abstract: The present apparatus includes a towel that is detachably connected to a clip and/or a marker. In various embodiments, the towel includes three layers: a first layer for cleaning, a second layer connected to the first layer, and a third layer that acts as moisture barrier between the first layer and the second layer. In some embodiments, the towel may be detachably connected to a clip via an embedded magnet, such that the towel may attach to a user's clothing for easy use.

Abstract: In a golf club according to one aspect of the present invention, a first coupling portion of a first adapter, to which the shaft is fixed, and a hosel first coupling portion of the golf club head are coupled so as to be incapable of axial rotation, and thus the shaft is attached to the golf club head so as to not be capable of axial rotation. Accordingly, the second adapter coupled to the first adapter at least does not need to be configured so as to be incapable of axial rotation, thus making it possible to increase the degree of freedom in adapter design.

Abstract: A toy having three bobs on a string where the middle bob slides. A low moment of inertia of the middle bob is desirable because it minimizes tangling of the string about the middle bob and produces smooth, tactile-appealing orbits. Each bob has a pair of mated throughbore pieces sandwiching a central metal weight and an equatorial bag stuffed with low-density pellets. Concave sections (in profile on a plane along the polar axis) of the throughbore occupy a substantial portion of the length of the throughbore to take best advantage of the torques produced by the string by focusing the tension of the string at the mouths of the throughbore. The concave sections also reduce the volume occupied by the bag, thereby reducing moment of inertia. Additionally, hollows in the concave regions of the throughbore pieces further reduce the moment of inertia.

Abstract: A game ball throwing machine that shoots balls with motorized spinning wheels has a computer processor with wheel speed equations that determine the wheel speeds according to input parameters of pitch speed, ball spin amount, and ball spin direction that a user enters through a human-machine interface on a control panel. The processor includes acceleration equations that determine the trajectories of the balls and also has a time in flight equation that is used with the acceleration equations and a distance to a target location to determine the impact point of a ball according to the same input parameters used to determine the wheel speeds. The processor determines variations in the orientation of the machine to change the impact point to a reference aim-point. The HMI can also include an aim-point change input. The ball spin direction indicator on the HMI has either a linear configuration or a polar configuration.

Abstract: A machine and method for receiving and launching an oval football. The machine includes a football catch area, a motorized belt to orient the football and motorized wheels to launch the football. The user catching the football throws it back to the machine. The machine automatically orients the football and launches it back to the user catching the football. The machine provides the user a consistent timing pause between receiving the football and launching of the football.

Abstract: Presented herein is an interactive platform for judging an activity by a participant in an event. The platform includes a client application program downloadable to a mobile device. The program may include a database storing a mobile device identifier (ID), a user ID, user information, and location data of the device. The application may further be configured to display one or more events of the activity as well as an input for receiving a score of the activity from the user. The platform may additionally include a server system connected with the client application programs via a communication network. The server system may be configured for receiving the mobile device ID, the user ID, the user information, and the location data for the client program, and may further be configured to receive the scores from the users, and to adjust the scores according to determined bias of the associated user.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system for optional dynamic positioning of a ski binding (2) or parts of this, on or in a ski during use. The invention is characterized in that the system comprises an electrical actuator (6), an energy source (7) in order to run the electrical actuator, in addition to a control system (8) adapted to control the electrical actuator.

Abstract: A bifurcated truck in a laterally-sliding board wheel assembly enables the “freeboard” to seamlessly transition from “carving”—as associated with a traditional skateboard—to new omnidirectional motions, in which the board can easy travel forward, backwards, sideways or in any other directional combination. The wheel assembly of this invention employs a bifurcated truck system having two independent suspension arms, both operating independently from one another and from the board's castering wheels. The wheel assemblies are mirrored at each longitudinal end of the board, resulting in the board's ability to carve, slide or skid—and easily transition back and forth among each of these modes—providing the rider a sense of stability and freedom commonly associated only with snowboarding.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for online and/or electronic card games such as blackjack that allow at least one card to be dealt from a special deck (e.g., a restricted deck) into a hand, while the remainder of the cards for that hand (and, in some embodiments, other hands involved in the game event) are dealt from a main/conventional deck. In accordance with some embodiments, the at least one card dealt from the special deck is dealt into a hand of the player while in other embodiments it is dealt into the hand of a dealer and/or an opponent player. A special deck may be a deck that includes cards configured to provide an advantage to the player (e.g., in a blackjack game, restricted deck may only include high value cards if being used for a player hand or only low value cards if being used for a dealer hand).

Abstract: A shuffling machine for use with a game of chance having a plurality of possible outcomes includes a base structure and a wheel portion in communication with the base structure. The wheel portion includes a plurality of discrete areas corresponding in number to the plurality of possible outcomes for the game of chance. Each of the plurality of areas includes a plurality of displays configured to show an indicia corresponding to one of the plurality of possible outcomes. The machine includes a selector for identifying one of the plurality of areas and the indicia associated with the identified one of the plurality of areas. Wherein the plurality of indicia are not fixed such that they are not permanently assigned to one of the plurality of areas.

Abstract: The invention is a game for amusement including a cabinet, a ball and one or more targets wherein the ball can be flicked by a player's finger in an attempt to contact, engage or activate the one or more targets.

Abstract: A game controller with haptic Braille chording capability. While a conventional game controller are geared to sighted players, the disclosed controller configurations include various adaptations that provide alternative input and outputs to facilitate game play by sight-impaired or blind users, as well as other users knowledgeable of Braille. A number of paddles may be arranged on a game controller housing so that a player may engage selected ones of the paddles to enable encoding braille characters using the paddles. This input may be used to control a game, enter text into a chat session or take any other action desired. The converse may also occur, where a combination of the paddles may provide haptic feedback detectable by a user holding a game controller so that the paddles encode braille output (or other data), allowing a user to receive output simply by contact with the paddles.

Abstract: A hexagonal prismatic packing puzzle is provided, which includes 18 different shapes of puzzles. Each of the puzzles is composed of a plurality of unit components and the puzzles can be pieced together into a hexagonal prism. The unit components are selected from a group consisting of a first unit component and a second unit component. The volume of the first unit component is larger than that of the second unit component. The packing puzzle does not have an only solution or a specific solution. A user may develop and improve the sense of space and the cognitive of geometric figures thereof. Further, the user may train ability to think in multiple ways and achieve edutainment in the process of thinking.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for automatically determining play states, intrinsic motivators, play types/patterns and a play personality of a user/subject. Play personalities develop from activation of play states, and vary individually and are expressed in a variety of play type/patterns. These states, personalities, patterns and associated intrinsic motivations may be automatically determined by computing devices based on that user/subject's information, behaviors and biometric data. The play personality may be additionally used as the means for identifying and integrating intrinsic motivators into player-centric design which can alter and personalize user/subject/player engagement, experience and outcomes.

Abstract: A method and system is provided of enhancing the variability of high-quality computer graphics from limited sources utilizing minimal processing and bandwidth in real time. An underlying backdrop 3D model is generated. Next, Partially Rendered Pixels (PRP) of animated 3D characters are generated having lighting and texture information compatible with the underlying backdrop 3D model. The texture and other ancillary data are removed or omitted from the PRP animated 3D characters leaving only a detailed skeletal model. The extracted texture and other ancillary data are placed in a separate PRP lookup table. A fully rendered video segment is created from the PRP and a selected set of texture and other ancillary data.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable recording medium having stored thereon instructions to be executed on by a game server, the game server and corresponding method which cause the game server to perform the steps of: provide a networked multiplayer battle game over a network, storing a battle history including an identifier of an opponent with whom a user has battled in the multiplayer battle game; determining, based on the battle history and an identifier of an opponent with whom a battle begins, a procedure for conducting the battle in the battle game to be one of a first mode for conducting the battle based on user operations and a second mode for conducting the battle with fewer user operations than in the first mode, and conducting the battle with the determined procedure.

Abstract: A game management system that retrieves a delay time of each of a plurality of user devices playing a game; stores the delay times retrieved from each of the plurality of user devices; and transmits an instruction to synchronize game progress to each of the user devices, the instruction including an offset time determined based on a maximum value of the stored delay times.

Abstract: Provided is an image output device including image acquisition means for acquiring an image related to a subject captured by a user, position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating a position where the image is captured, generation means for generating a landscape image in which an image based on the image acquired by the image acquisition means is superimposed on an image obtained by capturing the landscape, when displaying the image obtained by capturing the landscape of position information acquired by the position information acquisition means, and image output means for outputting the landscape image.

Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for an Animation Engine. The Animation Engine generates a color row representative of positional coordinates of movement of pixel data in an animation according to one or more colors of a color space. The Animation Engine divides the color row into a plurality of segments of equal length. For each segment of the color row, the Animation Engine scales down the respective segment according to a first scaling factor to generate a down-scaled segment. The Animation Engine expands the down-scaled segment according to an original length of the respective segment. The Animation Engine compares at least one color distortion present in the expanded down-scaled segment to at least one color present in the respective segment with respect to a distortion threshold.

Abstract: A game method is performed by one or more computers. The method may include, but is not limited to: displaying, on a display, 1) at least one reference indicator; 2) at least one target indicator; and 3) at least one operation indicator; recognizing, as the specific operation, a detected series of operations that an indictor gets contact with a predefined point of the detection area, before on the detection area the indicator slides while keeping the indicator in contact with the detection area; displaying, on the display, a guide indicator for guiding a slide-operational direction to which the indicator is operated to be slide; determining whether the specific operation responsive to the change of the cross position; and reflecting a result of the determination to a game result.

Abstract: A game program product may include, but is not limited to: a non-transitory computer-readable medium, and a computer program stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer program is, when executed by a computer of a game system, to cause the computer to at least: display at least: 1) a reference indicator at a position over a display screen; and 2) a moving object which moves toward the reference indicator on the display screen; change a position of a reference indicator displayed at a position over the display screen; receive an input of a user's operation; and determine success or failure of the user's operation, based at least in part on: a timing of receiving the input of the user's operation, and a timing that the moving object reaches the reference indicator.

Abstract: An interactive system is built upon networked computing devices and cloud computing technologies that enables two or more players to prepare for and engage in a battle on a common battle ground. Prior to initiation of the battle, a player can select one or more stationary units and deploy them, as a defense team, in a home territory for the purpose of obstructing the movement or attack of the opponent. During the battle, the player can deploy attacking units that move without further player intervention, to attack the opponent. A garrisoning mode may be turned on by the player, allowing the player to form and organize an offense team of attacking units because they start to move on their own. The option of forming both defense teams and offense teams, which will carry out their mission without further player intervention presents an attractive gameplay strategy.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for dynamically loading game software for smooth game play. A load boundary associated with a game environment is identified. A position of a character in the game environment is then monitored. Instructions corresponding to a next game environment are loaded into a memory when the character crosses the load boundary, such that game play is not interrupted.