Abstract: Disclosed herein are ultrasound probe assemblies that include the probe, a sheath, and an accessory implement that may be selectively attached to and detached form the probe. The implement includes an attachment surface for attaching accessories thereto. The attachment surface includes a defined angle with respect to the head of the probe so that accessories attached thereto are disposed in a defined alignment with the probe. The implement includes a circumferential wall defining a cavity configure to receive the probe head therein. The cavity includes a bottom opening to expose a patient coupling surface of the probe. The assembly may include an ultrasound gel disposed within the opening. The sheath may include a stretchable band to secure the sheath to the probe. The sheath defines a sterile barrier and may be attached to the implement.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a latch body having a longitudinal wall portion extending from a front wall portion to a rear hinge portion, first and second latch members assembled with the longitudinal wall portion and laterally movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and a hinge bracket. The hinge bracket defines a mounting surface and is hingedly attached to the rear hinge portion of the latch body for angular adjustment of the latch body with respect to the mounting surface. When the latch body is oriented at a first angle, first and second mounting apertures in the front wall portion align with first and second mounting apertures in the hinge bracket, such that installation of mounting fasteners through the corresponding first and second mounting apertures of the front wall portion and the hinge bracket secures the latch body at the first angle.

Abstract: A suspension damper for washing machines includes a control rod that is configured to attach a fixed bracket of a washing machine cabinet and a first cap having an aperture through which the control rod slidingly extends. The first cap is configured to engage a concave portion of a bracket on a drum of the washing machine. A second cap is disposed on the control rod, and a spring is disposed between the first cap and the second cap. The first cap includes at least one water passageway for guiding water along an outer surface of the first cap. An umbrella may be disposed on the control rod to shed water outwardly away from the control rod.

Abstract: A latch assembly includes a latch body having a longitudinal wall portion extending from a front wall portion to a rear hinge portion, first and second latch members assembled with the longitudinal wall portion and laterally movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and a hinge bracket. The hinge bracket defines a mounting surface and is hingedly attached to the rear hinge portion of the latch body for angular adjustment of the latch body with respect to the mounting surface. When the latch body is oriented at a first angle, first and second mounting apertures in the front wall portion align with first and second mounting apertures in the hinge bracket, such that installation of mounting fasteners through the corresponding first and second mounting apertures of the front wall portion and the hinge bracket secures the latch body at the first angle.

Abstract: A suspension damper for washing machines includes a control rod that is configured to attach a fixed bracket of a washing machine cabinet and a first cap having an aperture through which the control rod slidingly extends. The first cap is configured to engage a concave portion of a bracket on a drum of the washing machine. A second cap is disposed on the control rod, and a spring is disposed between the first cap and the second cap. The first cap includes at least one water passageway for guiding water along an outer surface of the first cap. An umbrella may be disposed on the control rod to shed water outwardly away from the control rod.

Abstract: A database performance testing system and non-transitory, computer readable medium utilizes a virtual database system to test a production-level database without interfering with operations of the production-level database by redirecting test commands to a backup database. By incorporating the virtual database system into a production-level database test, the database performance testing system and non-transitory, computer readable medium is able to overcome technical and resource obstacles of testing against a production-level database. The database performance testing system also includes a database management system that issues a test command to a production-level database. However, the virtual database system intercepts the test command and redirects the test command to a backup database, which is an equivalent of the production-level database.

Abstract: Lubricating composition comprising (i) base oil and (ii) a Verkade base compound having the formula (1): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from hydrogen and saturated or unsaturated, straight chain or branched, C1-C22 alkyl groups. The lubricating composition of the present invention exhibits improved base number retention and oxidative stability, particularly in the presence of a biofuel such as fatty acid alkyl ester.

Abstract: This application provides a method of treating cancer in a patient comprising administering at least one dose of radiation therapy and at least one PD-1 and/or PD-L1 antagonist, wherein at least one PD-1 and/or PD-L1 antagonist is administered on the same day as a dose of radiation therapy or up to and including 4 days later.

Abstract: Lubricating composition comprising (i) base oil and (ii) a Verkade base compound having the formula (1): wherein R1, R2 and R3 are each independently selected from hydrogen and saturated or unsaturated, straight chain or branched, C1-C22 alkyl groups. The lubricating composition of the present invention exhibits improved base number retention and oxidative stability, particularly in the presence of a biofuel such as fatty acid alkyl ester.

Abstract: An apparatus for content handling is provided. The apparatus comprises a content server arranged to provide a content analysis environment to a client terminal, and to provide content to the client terminal for analysis within the content analysis environment once the content analysis environment has been established at the client terminal, wherein the client terminal is arranged: to download the content from the content server into the content analysis environment; to encrypt the downloaded content and store the encrypted content therein in a persistent form; to decrypt the encrypted content into working memory therein for analysis within content analysis environment; to encrypt analyzed content and store the encrypted analyzed content therein in a persistent form; and to decrypt the encrypted analyzed content and to upload this decrypted content to the content server.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating powertrain output in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for a vehicle comprises displaying a multi-parameter powertrain calibration map on a display device, and, responsive to user input, selectively adjusting the displayed calibration map along at least one parameter and not adjusting the calibration map past one or more predetermined thresholds. In this way, a vehicle powertrain system may be optimized according to a user's needs and/or preferences.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for calibrating powertrain output in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method for a vehicle comprises displaying a multi-parameter powertrain calibration map on a display device, and, responsive to user input, selectively adjusting the displayed calibration map along at least one parameter and not adjusting the calibration map past one or more predetermined thresholds. In this way, a vehicle powertrain system may be optimized according to a user's needs and/or preferences.

Abstract: This application provides a method of treating cancer in a patient comprising administering at least one dose of radiation therapy and at least one PD-1 and/or PD-L1 antagonist, wherein at least one PD-1 and/or PD-L1 antagonist is administered on the same day as a dose of radiation therapy or up to and including 4 days later.

Abstract: An apparatus for content handling is provided. The apparatus comprises a content server arranged to provide a content analysis environment to a client terminal, and to provide content to the client terminal for analysis within the content analysis environment once the content analysis environment has been established at the client terminal, wherein the client terminal is arranged: to download the content from the content server into the content analysis environment; to encrypt the downloaded content and store the encrypted content therein in a persistent form; to decrypt the encrypted content into working memory therein for analysis within content analysis environment; to encrypt analysed content and store the encrypted analysed content therein in a persistent form; and to decrypt the encrypted analysed content and to upload this decrypted content to the content server.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of distinguishing active TB in the presence of a complicating factor, for example, latent TB and/or co-morbidities, such as those that present similar symptoms to TB, such as HIV. The method employs a 27 gene signature to distinguish active tuberculosis from latent TB infection, a 44 gene signature to distinguish active TB from other diseases such as HIV and/or a 53 gene signature to discriminate active TB from latent TB and other diseases. The disclosure also relates to a gene signature employed in the method, a bespoke gene chip for use in the method and a disease risk score obtainable from the method.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for early detection of a treatment response in a patient suspected of being infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Changes in the blood transcriptome are detectable within two weeks of the initiation of antituberculosis therapy.

Abstract: A brake for a rod includes a spool-shaped lock having conical opposed open ends communicating with a cylindrical opening. Positioned within the cylindrical opening is an inwardly projecting shoe for engaging the outer cylindrical surface of a rod to be controlled. A pair of conical members are positioned in association with the mating conical ends of the spool and are housed in a cage for holding the components in an assembled position when a rod to be controlled is inserted through the conical members and the spool-shaped locking member. The conical members are biased to a locking position and a control rod is coupled to the spool and actuated by a safety release mechanism to allow the rod to move. In a preferred embodiment, a gas spring with the present locking mechanism is coupled between two telescopic tubes defining one or more adjustable legs for a table or chair.

Abstract: A brake for a gas spring rod includes a lock base having an axially extending central aperture and a pair of associated conical surfaces surrounding the aperture. It also includes a pair of clamping members positioned on opposite sides of the lock base, each of the members including a center aperture and a conical surface having an axis offset from the axis of said center aperture. The clamping members are coupled to the lock base by a coupling including a bias spring for moving the clamping members into engagement with the lock base with the respective conical surfaces in contact such that the center apertures are offset from said central aperture of said lock base.

Abstract: A safety release for a clamping brake mechanism in which the clamping force increases with increasing loads and the force required to release the clamping brake also increases. The safety release comprises a fixed housing, a cable release coupled to the housing, a pivot link coupling an end of said cable release and constrained to pivot through a predetermined arc. A release rod is coupled to an end of the pivot link remote from the release lever, and a compression spring extends between the end of said pivot link and the release rod, such that the spring will compress in the event the force to move the release rod exceeds the spring constant. This compresses the spring and prevents the release rod from moving to release the clamping brake. The compression spring, in one embodiment, comprises a plurality of stacked Belleville washers.

Abstract: Diagnostic testing and immunomonitoring that uses genetically detoxified Bordetella pertussis CyaA as a delivery system are effective in tracking any immune responses, such as those generated by infectious and non-infectious diseases, or vaccinations, for example. T cells previously stimulated by a given antigen can be restimulated in vitro by the same antigen fused or chemically coupled to CyaA or a fragment thereof. The invention includes diagnostic tests and immunomonitoring for tuberculosis by providing a delivery system, which can deliver the M. tuberculosis immunodominant proteins ESAT-6 and CFP-10, to human cells and non-human animal cells, such as cattle. In addition, fusion proteins between CyaA and cancer antigens are also provided as diagnostic tests and immunomonitoring systems for cancers, such as melanoma.