Abstract: A cavity ring down system is optimized to precisely measure trace gases or particles in an air sample by using time sampling detection and multiple-sample averaging resulting in a high signal-to-noise ratio. In one embodiment, a cavity ring down system is programmed to measure the rise time and the fall time of the light level in an optical cavity. The cavity ring down system is programmed to integrate a plurality of sample portions during a rise time and a plurality of sample portions during a fall time (in alternate intervals) to obtain a time constant with no sample present and a time constant with sample present. The measurements are used to calculate trace gases in the air sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the method of determining the risk of acute kidney injury comprising determining the amount of a marker selected from VCAN, NRP1, CCL2, CCL19, COL3A1, GZMM or any combination thereof in a sample.

Abstract: A poker game involving cards dealt to individual players and community cards used by all players, in which bets can be placed on whether a wild card is dealt into the hand of an individual player or as a community card.

Abstract: Novel mutants of human monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) with increased glycosaminoglycan (GAG) binding affinity and knocked-out or reduced GPCR activity compared to wild type MCP-1, and their use for therapeutic treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a support frame for alleviating the weight and stress inflicted upon the shoulders and neck of individual caused by wearing a radiation shield garment and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, the support frame comprises an elongated upper vertical back members slidably coupled to a lower vertical back member to provide vertical height adjustment; a lower back support panel coupled to the lower vertical back member to provide lower back support to the wearer; and a pair of shoulder members attached to the upper top end of the elongated vertical back member to support shoulder regions of the radiation shield garment.

Abstract: A memory module is provided comprising a substrate having an interface to a host system, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and a logic device. The logic device may receive the indicator of an external triggering event and copies data from the volatile memory devices to the non-volatile memory devices upon receipt of such indicator. When the indicator of the triggering event has cleared, the logic device restores the data from the non-volatile to the volatile memory devices. The memory module may include a passive backup power source (e.g., super-capacitor) that is charged by an external power source and temporarily provides power to the memory module to copy the data from volatile to non-volatile memory. A voltage detector within the memory module may monitor the voltage of an external power source and generates an indicator of a power loss event if voltage of the external power source falls below a threshold level.

Abstract: A built-in dual purpose interposer device for a data storage device carrier mechanism is provided. The interposer device may fill empty or voided space in the carrier mechanism created when a data storage device is changed between a “direct plug” position, or first configuration, and an “interposer” position, or second configuration. The interposer device may be changed back and forth between the first and second configuration multiple times. When in the first configuration, the interposer device may provide structural support to a front end of the carrier mechanism and when in the second configuration, the interposer device may provide an internal mounting base for the data storage device at the base or bottom end of the carrier mechanism. The ability to interchange the interposer device may provide for a built-in base for attaching the interposer device without having to add in additional parts or costs.

Abstract: A system for attaching a shoe upper to a shoe bottom through the use of elastic loops attached to the perimeter edge of the upper, the elastic loops being fitted to corresponding channels molded into the sidewall and lower surface of the shoe bottom. Easy attachment and removal of the shoe upper allows for replacement of the shoe upper with an alternative upper of a different color, pattern, or structure.

Abstract: An illumination device having a plurality of light emitting diodes is provided. The light emitting diode may include a plurality of semiconductor layers at least one of which has a light emitting surface which may include a rough surface pattern having a pre-determined pattern. The pre-determined pattern may include one or more impurity regions with each region having a recess for guiding current across the light emitting surface and maximizing the emission of light (i.e. light intensity) of the illumination device. Each recess may include a lower internal portion having a bottom contact point located on a bottom surface and an upper internal portion integrally connected to the lower internal portion by a plurality of center contact points. The gaps created between the center and bottom contact points in adjacent recesses may act as spark gaps allowing for the current to flow through the entire light emitting surface.

Abstract: A head-shaped target for a training stand is provided. The head-shaped target includes (a) a striking target body shaped to approximate a human head and operative to receive strikes, the striking target body having a padded surface; (b) an attachment member configured to releasably couple the head-shaped target to a support shaft of the training stand; and/or (c) an angled extension attachment coupling the striking target body to the attachment member, the angled extension attachment having a resilient spring positioned at an angle relative to the support shaft and the striking target body to enable the angled extension attachment to provide a resiliently deformable engagement between the striking target body and the support shaft.

Abstract: The use of macrolide polyene antibiotics or derivatives or analogues thereof as culture supplement for the propagation of virus is described. Further pharmaceutical compositions comprising a virus and a macrolide polyene antibiotic or a derivative or analogue thereof and methods for using of macrolide polyene antibiotics for transfection and infection of cells as well as the use of macrolide polyene antibiotics for the isolation of virus from clinical samples are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of extracting Te and bismuth oxide and recovering byproduct comprises: leaching raw materials with a Te content of ?1.8% by utilizing a leaching system containing H2SO4, Cl?, Br?, NH4+ and NaClO3, reducing leach solution with SO2 gas by precipitation method after separating impurities from it, washing with concentrated hydrochloric acid to obtain tellurium precipitation (18), purifying to obtain Te with a purity of higher than 99.99%. The filtrate produced is used for extracting Bi2O3 with a purity of higher than 99.99% when Bi content in the raw material is ?2%. Acidic waste solution produced during the process could be returned to the leaching step for recycle.

Abstract: At least one embodiment pertains to a portable tie-down anchor device, system, and kit comprising: a fabric body having a first end; a first clasp coupled to the first end of the fabric body; a tie-down hardware device coupled to the fabric body and configured to adjust a length of the anchor device; a second clasp coupled to the tie-down hardware device; and a plurality of holes positioned along a length of the fabric body, and wherein the anchor device is configured to secure cargo to a truck bed. The plurality of holes provide additional anchor points for the truck bed, and are adapted to receive an end of a securement device, such as a bungee cord, netting, rope, tarp, or an adjustable strap. The first clasp and the second clasp are each configured to removeably couple to a permanent anchor located in or about the truck bed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for resistance stretching and strengthening of the muscles of the lower leg of a human user. The device and method provide a lever arm for hinging the foot about the ankle joint for providing resistance first against a series of concentric, and preferably but optionally, isometric contractions of the muscles of the lower leg sufficient to fatigue at least one of the muscles, and then for applying force sufficient to oppose and overcome the opposite force of the user to perform an eccentric contraction of the muscles. The device includes an elongated portion that acts as a lever arm for hinging the foot about the ankle joint and a fastening means for securing the foot against the top surface of the elongated portion and allowing for manipulation of the foot to assist in the performance of the various contractions of the muscles of the lower leg.

Abstract: A novel fastener is provided which includes an expanding sleeve for receiving a pin where the pin has shank terminating at a first end in a pin head and terminating at a second end in an externally threaded portion of the pin. The expanding sleeve may include a hollow tubular shank terminating at a first end in a sleeve head and having an opening at a second sleeve end for receiving the pin. The sleeve head include an internal sleeve head surface for engagement with an external pin head side surface when in an assembled position. When the pin and expanding sleeve in the assembled position are inserted into an aperture in a structure, a gap is formed between the aperture and an outer surface of the expanding sleeve. The outer surface of the expanding sleeve radially expands outward into the aperture filling the gap upon engagement of the internal face of the sleeve head and the external pin head surface.

Abstract: A container for packaging food for transporting and selling to consumers is provided. The container includes a base having a pair of inwardly recessed pockets for capturing a pair of extending latching portions on a lid. The pair of extending latching portions has concave grooves allowing the extending latching portions to flex inwards from an initial position for insertion into the pair inwardly recessed pockets. When the pair of extending latching portions are inserted into the pair inwardly recessed pockets, the pair of extending latching portions expand back to their initial position and protrusions within the pair of inwardly recessed pockets retain the pair of extending latching portions creating a tight fit and preventing the lid of the container from being easily disengaged from the base of the container.

Abstract: Speaker assemblies are disclosed that are configured for simple installation and removal. Speaker assemblies include a gear ring, a plurality of screws adapted to rotate when the gear ring is rotated, and a latching mechanism adapted to extend one or more latches outward when the screws are rotated. Methods of installing speaker assemblies include inserting a frame through a mounting hole in a mounting panel. A gear ring coupled to a plurality of screws is rotated, and a plurality of latches extend outward to engage a back-side surface of the mounting panel. Methods of making speaker assemblies include coupling a plurality of screws with a gear ring to enable rotation of the plurality of screws upon rotation of the gear ring. A latching mechanism is coupled to each of the plurality of screws.

Abstract: Systems and methods for simultaneously partitioning a plurality of via structures into electrically isolated portions by using plating resist within a PCB stackup are disclosed. Such via structures are made by selectively depositing plating resist in one or more locations in a sub-composite structure. A plurality of sub-composite structures with plating resist deposited in varying locations are laminated to form a PCB stackup of a desired PCB design. Through-holes are drilled through the PCB stackup through conductive layers, dielectric layers and through the plating resist. Thus, the PCB panel has multiple through-holes that can then be plated simultaneously by placing the PCB panel into a seed bath, followed by immersion in an electroless copper bath. Such partitioned vias increase wiring density and limit stub formation in via structures. Such partitioned vias allow a plurality of electrical signals to traverse each electrically isolated portion without interference from each other.

Abstract: A two piece orthodontic pliers having a pair of arms separably hinged together, in which a first hinge portion on a first arm includes a shaft having a central, axially projecting protrusion, and a second hinge portion on a second arm includes a bore having a central recess for receiving the shaft and the central protrusion of the first hinge portion.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is coupled to a circuit board to track the specific operating and environmental conditions of each manufacturing stage as the circuit board passes through the manufacturing stages. An RFID reader and data collector are used at each stage to read the RFID tag and store its identifying information along with processing information, operating conditions, and results for each stage. This permits to quickly and accurately collect manufacturing information for each circuit board at various manufacturing stages as well as the operating conditions for each stage at a particular time. Such manufacturing metrics can then be retrieved on a stage-by-stage basis for a particular circuit board by an identifier printed on the circuit board.