This is not the post I had planned for resuming my blog. I had in mind a lengthy article about design and its role in communication at this point in digital evolution. Deep. Thought-provoking. But I know that it’s better to start with ideas that are a little less ambitious in scope. Plus, to tell you […]

Language sets humans apart in the animal world. Language allows us to communicate complex ideas and emotions.  But too often after brain injury be it stroke or trauma, language is lost. 

Language sets humans apart in the animal world. Language allows us to communicate complex ideas and emotions.  But too often after brain injury be it stroke or trauma, language is lost. 

By Jake Johnson Common Dreams And colleague says “global warming” no longer strong enough term. “Global heating is technically more correct because we are talking about changes in the energy balance of the planet.” Declaring that after three decades of … Continue reading →

We’ve all see that face. The well-meaning face of pity: the downturned brows and lips, the misty eyes. After Hugh’s TBI, I seldom met a friend or acquaintance who did not flash this expression at me every time we met. My daughters felt it, too. The funny thing is, we did not want pity. We’d had our fill of it in the ICU.

By Jessica Corbett Common Dreams Far-reaching global assessment details how humanity is undermining the very foundations of the natural world     On the heels of an Earth Day that featured calls for radical action to address the current “age … Continue reading →

By Jake Johnson Common Dreams And colleague says “global warming” no longer strong enough term. “Global heating is technically more correct because we are talking about changes in the energy balance of the planet.” Declaring that after three decades of … Continue reading →

By Jessica Corbett Common Dreams Far-reaching global assessment details how humanity is undermining the very foundations of the natural world     On the heels of an Earth Day that featured calls for radical action to address the current “age … Continue reading →

Researchers sometimes ask participants which of two alternative designs they prefer. The data from these studies comprise opinions that have little predictive value. In contrast, multivariate A/B testing involves target users doing real tasks. The data from these studies comprise behavioural observations that predict real-world behaviour.

Managing money is complicated, especially for people with a brain injury who may have trouble remembering what they spent or creating a budget. Adam shares some tips from online banking to keeping a spending journal.

Adam talks frankly about his challenges keeping up with family and friends since his injury; he has good intentions but following through remains difficult.

Adam shares an inspiring story about a friend with TBI and PTSD who almost ended his life but instead found the courage to ask for help — even though at the time he may not have known what that help looked like.

If extra time on a test or memory aids can make life easier during college, why not use them? Adam talks about moving past the "stigma" of using disability services and getting the help you need to succeed in college.

Parallax Scrolling Landing Page promoting ‘The Future After’ webinar by Jan Kelley to help you find success after the pandemic. Full Review

Language sets humans apart in the animal world. Language allows us to communicate complex ideas and emotions.  But too often after brain injury be it stroke or trauma, language is lost. 

Recent studies of optimization methods and GNC of spacecraft near small bodies focusing on descent, landing, rendezvous, etc., with key safety constraints such as line-of-sight conic zones and soft landings have shown promising results; this paper considers descent missions to an asteroid surface with a constraint that consists of an onboard camera and asteroid surface markers while using a stochastic convex MPC law. An undermodeled asteroid gravity and spacecraft technology inspired measurement model is established to develop the constraint. Then a computationally light stochastic Linear Quadratic MPC strategy is presented to keep the spacecraft in satisfactory field of view of the surface markers while trajectory tracking, employing chance based constraints and up-to-date estimation uncertainty from navigation. The estimation uncertainty giving rise to the tightened constraints is particularly addressed. Results suggest robust tracking performance across a variety of trajectories.

MineRL 2019 competition challenged participants to train sample-efficient agents to play Minecraft, by using a dataset of human gameplay and a limit number of steps the environment. We approached this task with behavioural cloning by predicting what actions human players would take, and reached fifth place in the final ranking. Despite being a simple algorithm, we observed the performance of such an approach can vary significantly, based on when the training is stopped. In this paper, we detail our submission to the competition, run further experiments to study how performance varied over training and study how different engineering decisions affected these results.

If you don't feel right after a concussion, talk to your parents, your coach, your doctor ... get a second, third, fourth opinion ... Do not accept that you will not get better.

Jenny Don't and the Spurs were right in the middle of recording their third full-length album when a vocal polyp put a halt to the process.…

A locking system for axially securing a rotor onto a rotatably mounted shaft. The arrangement includes a plurality of locking levers which are each pivotably mounted about axes extending perpendicularly to the shaft between a locking position and an unlocking position in planes containing the axes. The locking levers can each be automatically transferred between an unlocking position and a locking position depending on rotational speed. The locking levers are mounted on the rotor and an annular groove is provided on the shaft and engages with the locking levers in the locking position, wherein the locking levers are prestressed in the unlocking position. Advantageously, the rotor can be both installed and removed without tools by merely placing the rotor onto or removing the rotor from the shaft, in each case depending on rotational speed.

In designing supersonic aircrafts, a method of designing a natural laminar flow wing is provided which reduces friction drag by delaying boundary layer transition under flight conditions of actual aircrafts. A target Cp distribution on wing upper surface, suited to natural laminarization in which boundary layer transition is delayed rearward in desired Reynolds number states, is defined by a functional type having as coefficients parameters depending on each spanwise station, a sensitivity analysis employing a transition analysis method is applied to the parameters, and a search is performed for the optimum combination of parameters to delay transition rearward.

Disclosed herein is a method for determining a trajectory for a transfer of a spacecraft from a starting space body to a target space body with respect to a given central space body, wherein the determined trajectory is optimal with respect to a given space mission requirement to be met by the transfer of the spacecraft. The method comprises providing, according to the Pontryagin maximum principle, a physical-mathematical model relating model quantities and physical quantities representing the transfer of the spacecraft with respect to the given central space body.

A method for perfusing a biocompatible material graft with a perfusion liquid includes the steps of: introducing the graft (100) in a perfusion chamber (2), arranging a transfer chamber (3) partly filled with the perfusion liquid (101), coupling in a tight manner the perfusion chamber (2) and the transfer chamber (3) for establishing a fluid communication between them, lowering the pressure in the transfer chamber (3) for transferring therein part of the air existing in the perfusion chamber (2), increasing the pressure within the transfer chamber (3) for injecting in the perfusion chamber (2) the perfusion liquid (101) existing in the transfer chamber (3). A perfusion kit includes a perfusion chamber (2) apt to contain a graft (100) to be perfused with a liquid (101) and a transfer chamber (3) apt to contain a liquid (101) to be perfused, the perfusion chamber (2) being connectable in a tight manner with the transfer chamber (3) for allowing a fluid exchange between the two chambers (2, 3) and inhibiting a fluid exchange between the two chambers (2, 3) and the external environment.

A method is disclosed for preparing a soft tissue site, and augmenting the soft tissue site, such as the breast(s), scar, depression, or other defect, of a subject through use of devices that exert a distractive force on the breast(s) and grafting of autologous fat tissue such as domes with sealing rims for surrounding each of the soft tissue site and a regulated pump. The method for preparing the soft tissue site, and enhancing fat graft results, entails application of the distracting force to the targeted soft tissue site at least intermittently for some period of time and preferably several weeks prior to the graft procedure. A related aspect of the invention includes following the preparation steps by transfer of fat from other areas of the subject to the subject's soft tissue site, and then reapplication of the distractive force to the soft tissue site that received the autologous fat graft. Alternatively, fat from genetically related sources may be used, and the fat may be further processed prior to injection. Substantial soft tissue augmentation, high rates of graft survival and negligible graft necrosis (data demonstrating 80% survival and only 20% necrosis is presented) or calcification result from the practice of these methods.

A skin graft applicator with a handle member and a roller member is described for use in applying a skin graft to a patient. The skin graft applicator has a manipulator pad for positioning the skin graft, and a roller member for forcing air and fluid from underneath the skin graft ensuring the proper bond between graft and tissue.

A burner for an exhaust aftertreatment system may include a housing assembly and an ignition device. The housing assembly may include an inner shell surrounded by intermediate and outer shells. The inner shell may at least partially define a combustion chamber. The housing assembly may include an airflow passage having an opening extending through the outer shell. The airflow passage may extend between the outer shell and the intermediate shell as well as between the intermediate shell and the inner shell. The airflow passage may provide fluid communication between the opening and the combustion chamber. The ignition device may be at least partially disposed within the housing assembly and may ignite fuel received from a fuel source and air received from the airflow passage to produce a flame in the combustion chamber. The airflow passage may be in a heat transfer relationship with the flame in the combustion chamber.

A method for joining structural elements onto a shaft may include generating at least one projection at a respective joining position on the shaft, sliding at least one of the structural elements over at least one projection and maintaining the structural elements in at least on projection.

The disclosed apparatus, system and method relate to a shaft-actuated spindle mixer where the spindle mixer includes a motor and at least one motor switch enclosed in a mixer housing. A spindle shaft extends from the housing and is mechanically connected to the motor. The motor is mounted to a moveable mixer component such that the spindle shaft can be displaced to thereby causing the associated movement of the enclosed motor and moveable mixer component to which the motor is mounted. Movement of the movable mixer component actuates a switch. Actuating the switch causes the selective activation of the mixer motor. Activating the mixer motor rotates the spindle shaft. The disclosed apparatus and method provide for the optional one-handed operation of a spindle mixer, eliminate the need for a user or a cup to directly contact a switch to engage the spindle mixer, and further provides for the sanitary operation of a spindle mixer.

An apparatus for containing and mixing a load of liquids and solids is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongated tank, which includes a lower portion and an upper portion. The apparatus further includes an elongated rotatable shaft within the tank. At least one blade is connected to the shaft and is configured to mix the liquids and solids when the shaft is rotated. The apparatus also includes a shaft support configured for maintaining the shaft in a rotatable manner within the tank. The shaft support is selectively moveable in a manner permitting the shaft to move in an upward direction from the lower portion toward the upper portion, and in a downward direction from the upper portion toward the lower portion. An is contained with the tank for moving the shaft support in the upward direction and in the downward direction.

A treatment element to treat material in a multi-shaft worm machine has an outer contour with at least one outer contour portion, the associated evolute of which is a quantity of at least three points, each of the points lying outside the longitudinal axis and within the outer radius of the treatment element and two respective adjacent points having a spacing from one another, which is less than half the core radius. The treatment element ensures high flexibility during the adjustment of shear and/or extensional flows on the material to be treated.

An improved dual-shaft preconditioner (10) of simplified design is provided giving increased moisturization and partial cooking of food or feed ingredients. The preconditioner (10) includes an elongated, tapered housing (12) presenting a pair of side-by-side, communicating housing sections (58, 60), with a corresponding pair of converging shafts (20, 22) within the sections (58, 60) and having a series of elongated, outwardly extending mixing elements (24, 26) secured to the shafts (20, 22). The preconditioner (10) is designed for use in a system including a downstream processing device, such as an extruder (146).

A magnetized nut for fastening a compressor wheel of an exhaust turbocharger to a turbo shaft. The nut has a base body made of a non-magnetic material forming a hollow space for accommodating a magnetic material, and a method for the production of the magnetized nut. In order to provide a magnetized nut that is produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and ensures as equal a distribution of mass as possible with regard to the rotational axis of the nut, the magnetic material is introduced into the hollow space using injection molding.

The invention relates to a device (1) for machining a stepped shaft (2), having a workpiece rest (6); having a disk arrangement (3) which has a grinding disk (4) and a control disk (5); and having an axial stop arrangement (7), wherein the axial stop arrangement (7) has a contact adapter (8) which can be temporarily placed in contact with an end surface portion (9) of the shaft (2) and which has a punctiform contact surface (10) for contact against a stop part (11) of the stop arrangement (7).

A method and system for providing joint IP/Optical Layer restoration mechanisms for the IP over Optical Layer architecture, particularly for protecting against router failure within such architecture, includes any one of plural node elements participating in the detection and restoration of the joint IP/Optical Layer architecture upon the failure of a router in one of the nodes. The plural node elements may include, but are not limited to, one of plural routers and an optical cross-connect.

The present invention is directed to a PLA-graft-lignin polymers and copolymers and methods of making the same. As the lignocellulosic biorefining industry emerges as a viable fuels technology, the availability of the assortment of lignins will also expand. The use of lignins as a copolymer is one area where lignin may be utilized.

A vascular bypass graft having a primary member and a secondary member is disclosed. The secondary member extends from a distal second end of the primary member and has a common fluid pathway there between. The secondary member may have a flared or diffused proximal first end that facilitates low pressure fluid return and may be integrally formed with the primary member. An adjustable or fixed stenosis is provided in the secondary member which allows the fluid flow through the vascular bypass graft to be modified. The stenosis may be adjusted either manually or by way of a controller. The primary member is surgically connected to a patient's vascular system to provide an alternate route for blood flow around a vascular occlusion. The secondary member is surgically connected to another point in the vascular system to allow continuous circulation of blood through the graft thereby preventing clotting and graft failure.

A stent graft (1) including a tubular wall (3) with at least one fenestration (40) including a peripheral (37) reinforcement around at least part of the fenestration. There can also be a tubular extension (15). The side arm includes a stent (19) and a cover (17) and extends from and is in fluid communication with the fenestration and the stent graft. The stent may be a self expanding stent. The ring and/or tubular extension provides better support and sealing for an extension arm. The fenestration (40) can be circular or if towards the ends of the stent graft may be in the form of a U-shape (50) with an open end.

The present invention provides a shaft high temperature continuous graphitizing furnace comprising a furnace body comprising a feeding inlet and a discharging outlet, an electrode pair, a cooling system and a discharging device; the furnace body is designed to be a shaft cylindrical structure; the electrode pair is provided within the furnace body and comprise an upper electrode and a lower electrode, the upper electrode is located below the feeding inlet, and an umbrella or cone table shape electric field having a lower cross section area greater than its upper cross section area arises between the upper electrode and eh lower electrode; and the cooling system is located between the lower electrode and the discharging outlet. For the shaft high temperature continuous graphitizing furnace of the present invention, a perpendicularly placed column electrode is used as the upper electrode, a horizontally placed circular hollow electrode is used as the lower electrode, an umbrella high temperature area is formed between the electrode pair, and the natural flow law of an object is used to have materials pass a high temperature graphitizing area and then discharged, which ensures the quality of the product.

An input shaft assembly is movable along an axis to absorb external impact loads. A biasing member exerts an axial load in a direction counter to potential impact loads. A stop is provided to control the application of biasing loads to control application of such axial load.

A flexible shaft coupling demonstrates a high performance in transmitting torque and accommodating positional deviations, and is yet highly durable. A first elastomer member (82) having a relatively high rubber hardness is circumferentially interposed between a first claw (32) of a first shaft coupling member (20) and a second claw (62) of a second shaft coupling member (50), and a second elastomer member (84, 86) having a lower rubber hardness than the first elastomer member is interposed between a surface portion (end surface) (30) of the first shaft coupling member (20) and the second claw (62) and/or between a surface portion (end surface) (60) of the second shaft coupling member (50) and the first claw (32).

A driveshaft containment system and a method of its use. In preferred embodiments, the invention takes the form of a two component system including a first component mounted to a device such as a differential housing, coupled to driveshaft, and a second component comprising a tubular driveshaft containment housing. A driveshaft containment ring is preferably mounted to the forward end of the tubular housing which in turn is provided with a mechanism at its rearward end for rotationally engaging and disengaging the first component. The first and second components are also provided with a mechanism for preventing relative rotational movement of the first and second components while engaged with one another.

A rotation transmitting apparatus includes a first shaft on which multiple external teeth are formed so as to be arranged in a circumferential direction, and a second shaft in which multiple internal teeth are formed so as to be arranged in the circumferential direction, the second shaft being fitted to the first shaft so as to be slidable relative to the first shaft in the axial direction and so as to be engageable with the first shaft in a rotational direction through the use of the external teeth and the internal teeth. A protrusion is formed on the tooth flank of one of the external tooth and the internal tooth, the protrusion being projected toward the corresponding tooth flank of the other of the external tooth and the internal tooth. The protrusion is made of a resin that is more elastically deformable than the tooth flank.

An aluminum alloy propeller shaft including a tube made of an aluminum alloy, and a pair of yoke members made of an aluminum alloy, the yoke members including cylindrical base portions friction-welded to opposite end portions of the tube, each of the yoke members including a tip end portion having a pair of bearing retaining holes aligned with each other in a radial direction of the base portion. Variation in length between a central axis of the bearing retaining holes in one of the yoke members and a central axis of the bearing retaining holes in the other yoke member with respect to a reference length is set within a range of from +2.0 mm to −2.0 mm. A friction welding process of producing an aluminum alloy propeller shaft, including a friction step, a position displacement detection step, a rotation stop step and an upset step.

A coupling for connecting a rotating tube cleaning shaft to a tube cleaning machine where high pressure fluid is pumped through the coupling, where the coupling is sealed to contain the high pressure fluid, and where a machine driven rotary flexible shaft passes through the coupling.

A propshaft assembly includes an axle flange, a propshaft, and a damper. The propshaft includes a prop flange, which may be mated to the axle flange for common rotation therewith. The damper includes an outer mass that annularly surrounds the prop flange. The damper is press-fit onto one of the prop flange and a flange pilot, such that the damper is attached directly to the propshaft without fasteners.

An in-line coupling device for a motor driven agricultural system utilizes less metal components while optimizing torque transfer. The device comprises a puck having a plurality of outwardly extending arms, a first shaft hub having outwardly extending flanges adapted to seat between a pair of the plurality of outwardly extending arms, and a second shaft hub having outwardly extending flanges adapted to seat between a pair of the outwardly extending arms.

A shaft for transmitting torques includes a hollow shaft made of fiber-reinforced plastic. A flange which can be used to connect the hollow shaft to a driving or driven machine part is fastened at least to one end of the hollow shaft. The flange is fastened to the hollow shaft via a number of screw connections. Each screw connection includes a screw and a nut. The shank of the screw projects in the direction of the hollow shaft through an opening in the flange that is arranged in the connection region between the end edge of the hollow shaft and the flange. The shank extends at least partially inside the shell of the hollow shaft and engages with the nut arranged on the hollow shaft. The head of the screw is supported on that side of the flange opposed to the hollow shaft.

A propshaft assembly that includes a tubular member, first and second end connections coupled to opposite ends of the tubular member and a damper that is received in the tubular member and positioned between the first and second end connections. The tubular member has a wall member that defines an interior circumferential surface. The damper has a first damping device, a second damping device and a third damping device. The first damping device has a first core and a first damping member that is fixed to the first core. The first damping member extends helically about the first core and engages the interior circumferential surface. The second damping device is formed of foam and is positioned in the tubular member between the first and third damping devices. The second damping device engages the interior circumferential surface. The third damping device has a second core and a second damping member that is fixed to the second core. The second damping member extends helically about the second core and engages the interior circumferential surface.

An arrangement transmits a torque between a shaft and a hub. The hub has at least approximately the interior geometry of an equilateral n-sided polygon, the side surfaces of which at least approximately bear against a clutch portion, which is of circular overall cross section, of the shaft, and wherein the shaft has at least one driver portion which is rotationally conjoint with respect to the clutch portion and which extends in the direction of a corner of the n-sided polygon.

Systems and methods are disclosed for aircraft braking and taxiing systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. In this regard, system comprising an electric motor coupled to a first transmission, a first clutch for selectively engaging the first transmission to a propulsion transmission and a brake clamping system, wherein, in response to engagement with the propulsion transmission, the electric motor drives an aircraft wheel, wherein, in response to engagement with the actuator ram, the electric motor drives the brake clamping system to apply force to an aircraft brake disk stack.