Abstract: Solution blending of masterbatch of cationically functionalized polyvinyl acetate copolymer/silicate nanocomposite where the silicate is substantially exfoliated, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), produces product of increased tensile strength and Young's Modulus compared to neat EVA and reduced flammability compared to neat EVA. The product can be injection molded or compression molded or extruded without loss of these advantages.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods for treating survivin expressing cancers. The compositions contain peptide survivin peptide mimics with improved MHC-I binding characteristics. The method involves administering a survivin peptide mimic with improved MHC-I binding characteristics to an individual to effect inhibition of the growth of survivin expressing cancer cells in the individual.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides an apparatus and a method for skimming slag from molten metal including a base, wherein the base pivots around an axis, a mast mounted on the base, a carriage including wheels and the wheels engage the plurality of posts, an outer beam disposed perpendicular to the mast and within an inner space of the carriage, and including walls defining a slot and powered wheels, an inner beam disposed movably within the slot of the outer beam and in frictional contact with the powered wheels, and rams including one end mounted on the other beam and the other end mounted on one of the base or the mast. This configuration provides at least four degrees of freedom to the apparatus in order to skim the slag from the molten metal.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump assembly includes a pump body including a mounting pin coupled thereto. A removable cassette is slidably received on the mounting pin and is secured to the pump body via a retaining feature. The mounting pin is also configured to allow the removable cassette to rotate into and/or out of an installed position, or to position(s) therebetween.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to Shape Memory Polymers (SMP's) comprising function groups that allow the polymers to be elastically deformed, utilized in the elastically deformed state, and subsequently returned to the original polymorphic shape.

Abstract: Information management systems for clinical research, and related methods, are disclosed. The management system may have a database of biometric sample information. At least some of the pieces of sample information in the database may have been received from a test-subject in a first clinical research effort, and each piece of sample information may have a related pointer stored in the database. Each pointer may identify the location of clinical research information obtained during the first clinical research effort.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for improving reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows and other mammals. The method in the case of cows comprises feeding to the cows, a composition comprising conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12. When these CLAs are fed daily to dairy cows starting at or prior to calving, and continued after parturition, an improvement in reproductive performance is observed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst composition based on an indium salt and an organic ionic liquid, a process for making the catalyst composition, and uses thereof. The catalyst composition is particularly suitable for Lewis acid catalysed electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, such as Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions an Friedel-Crafts acylation reactions.

Abstract: An optical beam pointing system for setting an irradiation position and which is capable of automatically performing positional adjustments of visible light beams with respect to an aiming center. The system uses opposed pointers disposed on opposite sides of an irradiation center, each pointer including a light-projecting portion for projecting a beam aimed at the irradiation center, a light-receiving portion for generating a detection signal, and a control portion.

Abstract: A support apparatus for maintaining, storing, and transporting biological materials, such as cells. In accordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the biologic materials may be integrated to an electronic component to form a biological chip device, which may be supported, transported, and adapted for interconnection with other such devices through the use of a support apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In certain embodiments, the support apparatus can generate signals and/or translate signals received for processing and/or relaying to another device or module (e.g., another support apparatus). A plurality of biological chip devices and associated support apparatuses can be supported and linked in a network to perform various desired functions.

Abstract: A strain relief device for connecting a cable to a housing of an electronic device comprises an elongated elastic sleeve including first and second opposite ends and an axially extending sleeve passage, and a rigid insert including a first portion surrounded by the sleeve, a second portion protruding from the second end of the sleeve, and an axially extending insert passage aligned with the sleeve passage. The second portion of the insert is shaped to be non-rotatably received by a wall opening of the housing through which the cable passes, and may be D-shaped to mate with a D-shaped wall opening of the housing to prevent relative rotation. The second portion may carry a removable retainer, such as a C-shaped clip, for engaging a wall of the housing to prevent withdrawal of the insert. The invention facilitates serviceability and eliminates overmolding of a strain relief device onto the cable.

Abstract: This device is a pollution control device for reducing harmful emissions found in combustion gases. The device has a body having a first portion and a second portion, releasably connected together to form a chamber therebetween. The device also has an exhaust gas inlet, and an exhaust as outlet. The pollution control device has at least one web member across the chamber, and a plurality of catalytic converter elements held in the web member. In use, exhaust gases pass through the catalytic converter elements when passing through the chamber between the exhaust gas inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring intraocular pressure of an eye use an empirically derived function wherein an inward applanation pressure P1 and an outward applanation pressure P2 obtained during a corneal deformation cycle caused by a fluid pulse are separately weighted so as to minimize cornea-related influence on the intraocular pressure value calculated by the function. In one embodiment, the function is optimized, at least in part, to minimize change in calculated IOP between measurements made before surgical alteration of the cornea and measurements made after surgical alteration of the cornea.

Abstract: Provided are chalcogenoxanthylium compounds which can effectively be used as sensitizers in photodynamic therapy, virucides in photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy and reversal agents of Pgp function in cancer cells. Further provided is a general method for the preparation of chalcogenoxanthylium compounds.

Abstract: A crank drive system (10) of a shaft (11) of a microtome (1) encompasses a first and a second shaft (11, 12). The first shaft (11) is rotatable with a crank (13) and comprises a first transfer gear (14). The second shaft (12) comprises a second transfer gear (15). A rotation of the first shaft (11) is transferable from the first transfer gear (14) to the second transfer gear (15) to cause the second shaft (12) to rotate. To make possible, with a microtome (1), an advance or a lowering of the specimen (2) in two respective oppositely directed rotation directions with the same crank drive system (10), the crank drive system (10) is characterized in that a third transfer gear (16) is provided. The first transfer gear (14) is selectably engageable with the second transfer gear (15) or with the third transfer gear (16) so that as a result, while the rotation direction of the second shaft (12) is maintained, the rotation direction of the first shaft (11) is reversible.

Abstract: A microscope having a mechanically adjustable zoom system (7) and/or a mechanically adjustable focus system is described, which microscope is equipped at least one manually movable adjusting element (2) for adjusting the zoom system (7) and/or the focus system. The adjusting element (2) has associated with it a sensor (1) for ascertaining and/or indicating the position of the adjusting element (2).

Abstract: Silicate anchored multifunctional initiator has moiety initiating ring opening living polymerization of lactone or ethylene oxide or cyclic siloxane monomer and other moiety for initiating living free radical polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The monomers are reacted with the initiator in a one-pot, one-step reaction to cause living polymerization of both monomers and exfoliation of silicate layers to provide dispersed block copolymer silicate nanocomposite, with the junction of the two blocks being anchored to silicate layer and each block dangling therefrom.

Abstract: Elevated temperature electrospinning apparatus comprises a pump upstream of or containing a resistance heater, means to shield applied electrostatic field from the resistance heater, and a temperature modulator for modulating temperature in the spinning region.