Abstract: A method for the simultaneous concentration of multiple toxins from large volumes of water. The method includes the steps of providing a disposable separation centrifuge bowl, the centrifuge bowl including a positively charged material at it's inner core. A large water sample contaminated with toxins from a group consisting of protozoa, bacteria, bacterial spores, and toxins is delivered to the centrifuge bowl. A centrifugal force is applied to the separation bowl. The water sample is concentrated to remove large particles of the toxins in the bowl due to the centrifugal forces. The concentrated water sample is passes through the positively charged inner core to capture any remaining concentrated targets by electrostatic forces and the concentrated targets are eluted.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a pump assembly comprising a voice coil, a magnet and a diaphragm, wherein the voice coil is configured to move the diaphragm to pump a fluid through the pump assembly in response to a drive signal applied to the voice coil. Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an apparatus for applying negative pressure to a wound comprising a source of negative pressure configured to be coupled to a dressing, the source of negative comprising a voice coil actuator and a diaphragm, and a controller configured to produce a drive signal for the voice coil actuator.

Abstract: A controlled discharge ostomy appliance assembly comprises (i) a stoma seal that is self-urging with a dynamic damping characteristic that resists changes of seal volume, (ii) a press-fit coupling member displaceable from an unlocked position to a locked position as part of a press-fit process, and (iii) a single-use frangible portion. The assembly further includes a protector shield removably fastened to the appliance forming a combined assembly therewith. The protector shield comprises (i) a seal displacer manipulable for displacing the stoma seal to a non-operative position ready for fitting, (ii) a substantially rigid coupling member guard portion for protecting the state of the coupling member, and (iii) a bracing portion for bracing the single-use frangible portion.

Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.

Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.

Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.

Abstract: A controlled discharge ostomy appliance assembly comprises (i) a stoma seal that is self-urging with a dynamic damping characteristic that resists changes of seal volume, (ii) a press-fit coupling member displaceable from an unlocked position to a locked position as part of a press-fit process, and (iii) a single-use frangible portion. The assembly further includes a protector shield removably fastened to the appliance forming a combined assembly therewith. The protector shield comprises (i) a seal displacer manipulable for displacing the stoma seal to a non-operative position ready for fitting, (ii) a substantially rigid coupling member guard portion for protecting the state of the coupling member, and (iii) a bracing portion for bracing the single-use frangible portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing wafer (1) adapted to be arranged in a stoma receiving hole (5) of a base plate (2) comprising an attachment platform extending from an outer edge adapted to be attached to the base plate towards an inner edge defining a through-going hole (17) for receiving a stoma, the sealing wafer further comprising at least a first urging part extending transversely from the proximal surface facing towards the user during use of the attachment platform and wherein the first urging part is resilient in the direction transverse to the proximal surface. This provides a sealing wafer which is particularly suitable for use with a stoma around which the skin has an uneven curvature, such as a retracted stoma wherein the stoma has pulled back resulting in a crater-like area.

Abstract: A portable blood storage device includes an outer housing an inner housing. The outer housing defines the structure of the blood storage device. The inner housing is located within the outer housing and has an interior cavity for storing collected blood and/or blood components. The inner housing has an open top to allow access to the interior cavity. The storage device also has an inlet duct and a return duct located within the interior cavity. The inlet duct is fluidly connectable to a cooling device and brings conditioned air into the storage device when fluidly connected to the cooling device. The return duct is also fluidly connectable to the cooling device and returns exhaust air to the cooling device when fluidly connected.

Abstract: Perception of chitin fragments (chitooligosaccharides) is an important first step in plant defense response against fungal pathogen. LysM receptor-like kinases (LysM RLKs) are instrumental in this perception process. LysM RLKs also play a role in activating transcription of chitin-responsive genes (CRGs) in plants. Mutations in the LysM kinase receptor genes or the downstream CRGs may affect the fungal susceptibility of a plant. Mutations in LysM RLKs or transgenes carrying the same may be beneficial in imparting resistance against fungal pathogens.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for modifying tocochromanol biosynthesis in plants. The present invention thus surprisingly and beneficially provides for increasing desired tocochromanol compounds in plants and enhancing the nutritional quality of human food and animal feed, without associate deleterious plant phenotypes.

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous concentration of multiple toxins from large volumes of water. The method includes the steps of providing a disposable separation centrifuge bowl, the centrifuge bowl including a positively charged material at it's inner core. A large water sample contaminated with toxins from a group consisting of protozoa, bacteria, bacterial spores, and toxins is delivered to the centrifuge bowl. A centrifugal force is applied to the separation bowl. The water sample is concentrated to remove large particles of the toxins in the bowl due to the centrifugal forces. The concentrated water sample is passes through the positively charged inner core to capture any remaining concentrated targets by electrostatic forces and the concentrated targets are eluted.

Abstract: Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a pump assembly comprising a voice coil, a magnet and a diaphragm, wherein the voice coil is configured to move the diaphragm to pump a fluid through the pump assembly in response to a drive signal applied to the voice coil. Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to an apparatus for applying negative pressure to a wound comprising a source of negative pressure configured to be coupled to a dressing, the source of negative comprising a voice coil actuator and a diaphragm, and a controller configured to produce a drive signal for the voice coil actuator.

Abstract: Perception of chitin fragments (chitooligosaccharides) is an important first step in plant defense response against fungal pathogen. LysM receptor-like kinases (LysM RLKs) are instrumental in this perception process. LysM RLKs also play a role in activating transcription of chitin-responsive genes (CRGs) in plants. Mutations in the LysM kinase receptor genes or the downstream CRGs may affect the fungal susceptibility of a plant. Mutations in LysM RLKs or transgenes carrying the same may be beneficial in imparting resistance against fungal pathogens.

Abstract: An ostomy body side member with a sealing member is provided. The sealing member has a fixed base member defining an opening having a first diameter and a resilient sealing element comprising a stoma receiving orifice defining an inner boundary. The inner boundary of the stoma receiving orifice has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter of the frame. The sealing member is also provided with at least one adjustment member coupled between the fixed base member and the resilient sealing element. Furthermore, an alignment member for adjusting the tension of the at least one adjustment member is provided thereby allowing the diametrical dimension of the stoma sealing orifice to be adjusted from a first diameter to a second diameter.

Abstract: A sealing wafer for use in an ostomy appliance is provided. The sealing wafer has an attachment platform with a distal surface capable of being attached to an ostomy bag, a proximal surface facing towards the user during use, and an opening having an inner boundary defining a stoma receiving opening. The sealing wafer further includes a fixed base member attached to the attachment platform and a rotating member arranged to rotate relative to the fixed base member. A sealing member is coupled between the fixed base member and the rotating member for providing a seal around a stoma and defining a stoma sealing orifice. When the rotating member is rotated relative to the base member, this rotation causes an increased or a decreased tension to be applied to the sealing member so that the diametrical dimensions of the stoma sealing orifice change from a first diameter to a second diameter.

Abstract: Systems, methods and cartridges for carbonating or otherwise dissolving gas in a precursor liquid, such as water, to form a beverage. A gas source can be provided in a cartridge which is used to generate gas that is dissolved into the precursor liquid. A beverage medium, such as a powdered drink mix or liquid syrup, may be provided in the same, or a separate cartridge as the gas source and mixed with the precursor liquid to form a beverage. The use of one or more cartridges for the gas source and/or beverage medium may make for an easy to use and mess-free system for making sparkling beverages, e.g., in the consumer's home.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding glycosidases useful for the hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose obtained from ciliates residing in a bovine rumen are provided. Also provided recombinant nucleic acids encoding the glycosidases, transformed cells comprising the same and related methods of using the transformed cells and glycosidases to degrade cellulose and/or hemicellulose.

Abstract: An ostomy body side member with a sealing member is provided. The sealing member has a fixed base member defining an opening having a first diameter and a resilient sealing element comprising a stoma receiving orifice defining an inner boundary. The inner boundary of the stoma receiving orifice has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter of the frame. The sealing member is also provided with at least one adjustment member coupled between the fixed base member and the resilient sealing element. Furthermore, an alignment member for adjusting the tension of the at least one adjustment member is provided thereby allowing the diametrical dimension of the stoma sealing orifice to be adjusted from a first diameter to a second diameter.

Abstract: A sealing wafer for use in an ostomy appliance is provided. The sealing wafer has an attachment platform with a distal surface capable of being attached to an ostomy bag, a proximal surface facing towards the user during use, and an opening having an inner boundary defining a stoma receiving opening. The sealing wafer further includes a fixed base member attached to the attachment platform and a rotating member arranged to rotate relative to the fixed base member. A sealing member is coupled between the fixed base member and the rotating member for providing a seal around a stoma and defining a stoma sealing orifice. When the rotating member is rotated relative to the base member, this rotation causes an increased or a decreased tension to be applied to the sealing member so that the diametrical dimensions of the stoma sealing orifice change from a first diameter to a second diameter.