Abstract: A disposable biosensor for determining the content of hemoglobin and hematocrit in a sample of whole blood that includes a laminated strip with a first and second end, at least a reference, a working electrode and a blank electrode embedded in the laminated strip. The working electrode contains a reagent sensitive to hemoglobin or hemotocrit. The blank electrode is used to measure oxidizable species in the fluid sample and to correct the current signal of the working electrode. The construction of the biosensor allows accurate measurement of the impedance of a small fluid sample, which is used to further correct the current signal of the working electrode.

Abstract: A slouch correction device and a method of operation is provided for use in a chair, in which the slouch correction device is predominantly a loose seat cover on which a patient would sit, one or more straps from the seat cover which pass through an opening between the chair back and seat to secure to a separate harness or to form a harness about the waist of a caregiver, such that a care giver is able to pull on the harness to slide the seat cover and patient seated thereon back into an improved, upright posture position, while using free hands to hold the chair in a steady position. The slouch correction device provided with various improvements, including dual side handles for two person lifts, means to keep straps in safe and easily accessed position when not in use, and comfort features on the harness.

Abstract: Compounds 1,3,4-(SiMe3)(C6F5)(alkyl)C5H3 are made using a simplified synthetic strategy which is readily scalable. On reaction with a suitable transition metal species, a 1,3,4-(SiMe3)(C6F5)(alkyl)C5H3 molecule provides an organotransition metal complex comprising a 1,2-(C6F5)(alkyl) substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand, which is active toward olefin polymerization.

Abstract: An optical system is presented for use in measuring in patterned structures having vias. The system is configured and operable to enable measurement of a via profile parameters. The system comprises an illumination channel for propagating illuminated light onto the structure being measured, a detection channel for collecting light returned from the illuminated structure to a detection unit, and a modulating assembly configured and operable for implementing a dark-field detection mode by carrying out at least one of the following: affecting at least one parameter of light propagating along at least one of the illumination and detection channels, and affecting propagation of light along at least the detection channel.

Abstract: Resins suitable for rotomolded articles comprise a bimodal polyethylene copolymer comprising from 0.1 to 5 weight % of one or more C6-8 alpha olefins and the balance ethylene, comprising from 20 to 50 weight % of a higher molecular weight polymer component having an Mw greater than 120,000 and correspondingly from 80 to 50 weight % of a lower molecular weight polymer component having an Mw less than 100,000 having a density greater than 0.942 g/cc [but less than 0.965 g/cc] and a bent strip ESCR as determined by ASTM D 1693 in 100% Igepal® CO-630 (ethoxylated nonylphenols) for conditions A and B of greater than 1000 hours. The resulting articles have a very good balance of properties and significant ESCR.

Abstract: Simvastatin is used to modulate VSV infection at the level of viral replication. Both lipid-lowering and pleiotropic cellular effects of simvastatin are exploited in the modulation. Simvastatin upregulates the expression of Rae1 and Nup98, therefore altering normal cellular mRNA distribution and reverting VSV's mRNA export block. Furthermore, simvastatin causes redistribution of Flotillin-1, which affects VSV replication/budding. Simvastatin is further used as a neoadjuvant for the selective modulatory control of live VSV oncolytic therapy.

Abstract: Composite filtering structures comprising nanofibres spatially distributed between microfibers, wherein on the nanofibers and on the microfibers a palisade of protrusions of nanometric sizes in the form of nano-protrusions is produced, which palisade comprises nano-protrusions oriented with respect to the fibre surface at an angle ranging from about 70° to about 120°. A method of obtaining such composite filtering structures by a method that includes feeding a thermoplastic material from an extruder to at least one fibre formation die, stretching formed fibres coming out from the die, which fibres being still in a molten phase, to smaller sizes by a stream of hot air flowing tangentially to the fibres, collecting the fibres after their solidification and thus forming a mat of packed fibres providing a filtering structure , and subjecting the filtering structure to chemical etching.

Abstract: Olefin polymerization is carried out with a single site polymerization catalyst in the presence of a continuity additive. The continuity additive is a cocktail containing one or more dialkanolamide derived from a fatty acid, an oil soluble sulfonic acid and a dialkanolamine.

Abstract: Anode catalysts for conversion of hydrocarbon feeds in solid oxide fuel cell membrane reactors. An anode catalyst may be a mixture of a metal with a metal oxide, for example a mixture of copper or copper-nickel alloy or copper-cobalt alloy with Cr2O3. Mixed oxides can be prepared by dissolving into water soluble salts of the different metals, chelating the metal ions with a chelating agent, neutralizing the solution, removing water by evaporation to form a gel which then is dried, and finally heating the dried gel to form a mixed oxide of the different metals. The chelating agent can be citrate ions, and ammonia can be added to the solution until the pH of the solution is about 8. The mixed oxide so formed then is reduced, for example by hydrogen, to form a composite comprising the metal (Cu, Cu—Co, Cu—Ni) and metal oxide, here Cr2O3.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for use in measuring in complex patterned structures. A full model and at least one approximate model are provided for the same measurement site in a structure, said at least one approximate model satisfying a condition that a relation between the full model and the approximate model is defined by a predetermined function. A library is created for simulated data calculated by the approximate model for the entire parametric space of the approximate model. Also provided is data corresponding to simulated data calculated by the full model in selected points of said parametric space. The library for the approximate model data and said data of the full model are utilized for creating a library of values of a correction term for said parametric space, the correction term being determined as said predetermined function of the relation between the full model and the approximate model.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for controlling processing of a structure. First measured data is provided being indicative of at least one of: a thickness (d2) of at least one layer (L2) of the structure W in at least selected sites of the structure prior to processing of the structure, and a surface profile of the structure prior to processing. An optical measurement is applied to at least the selected sites of the structure after processing and second measured data is generated being indicative of at least one of: a thickness of the processed structure (d?) and a surface profile of the processed structure. The second measured data is analyzed by interpreting it using the first measured data to determine a thickness (d?1 or d?2) of at least one layer of the processed structure. This determined thickness is indicative of the quality of processing.

Abstract: The disclosure describes the contribution of elevated levels of circulating alsosterone to heart disease and other hyperaldosteronic conditions. Since activation of beta-arrestin I (beta.arr-1) by the Angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor (AT1R) mediates AngII-induced aldosterone production, beta-arrestin I (beta.arr-1) is a therapeutic target for heart disease. Specifically, the disclosure provides a beta.arr-1 protein fragment comprising the C-terminus of beta.arr-1 (beta.arr1ct; SEQ ID NO:3), compositions containing this protein fragment, and methods of using this protein fragment to reduce elevated levels of aldosterone in heart disease and other hyperaldosteronic conditions by inhibition of beta-arrestin (beta.arr-1). These compositions and methods are of therapeutic benefit in chronic heart failure and progression to heart failure after myocardial infarction (MI).

Abstract: A method and system are presented for use in optical processing of an article by VUV radiation. The method comprises: localizing incident VUV radiation propagation from an optical head assembly towards a processing site on the article outside the optical head assembly and localizing reflected VUV radiation propagation from said processing site towards the optical head assembly by localizing a medium, non-absorbing with respect to VUV radiation, in within the light propagation path in the vicinity of said site outside the optical head assembly. The level of the medium is controlled by measuring the reflected VUV radiation.

Abstract: A single-use lancet cartridge for inserting into a multi-use lancet driver assembly of a meter housing includes an elongated lancet housing with an open end, a lancet within the lancet housing and movable between a retracted and resting orientation to a piercing orientation through the open end, and a re-use prevention component that is a rotated drive wing incorporated within the lancet cartridge and oriented to cooperatively engage with a driver piston of the multi-use lancet driver assembly only one time thereby preventing the lancet from being moved into a piercing orientation a second time.

Abstract: The present invention provides peroxidic fluoropolyether and a fluorine-containing dispersion obtained from polymerization of fluorine-containing monomers in the presence of peroxidic fluoropolyether as a surfactant. The peroxidic fluoropolyether can be used as surfactant for producing aqueous dispersion of fluorine-containing monomer in place of PFOA or the salts thereof. Thus the amount of PFOA or the salts thereof is reduced and the natural environment is protected. In addition, applying peroxidic fluoropolyether as surfactant and combining it with adjuvants, such as initiator, can induce the reaction moderate and can be beneficial to the polymerization control, thus reducing the amount of initiator or shortening the reaction time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel system and method for obtaining at least one of a cross-section profile, depth, width, slope, undercut and other parameters of via-holes by non-destructive technique. The optical system comprises an illumination system for producing at least one light beam and directing it on a sample in a region of the structure containing at least one via-hole; a detection system configured and operable to collect a pattern of light reflected from the illuminated region, the light pattern being indicative of one or more parameters of said via-hole; and, a control system connected to the detection system, the control system comprising a memory utility for storing a predetermined theoretical model comprising data representative of a set of parameters describing via-holes reflected pattern, and a data processing and analyzing utility configured and operable to receive and analyze image data indicative of the detected light pattern and determine one or more parameters of said via-hole.

Abstract: A new and distinct Kniphofia plant characterized by numerous spikes of yellow flowers the first year, repeat blooming from June through September in Canby, Oreg., a compact habit with multiple crowns, narrow, grassy leaves, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct Kniphofia plant characterized by its numerous spikes of coral red flowers the first year, repeat blooming from June through September in Canby, Oreg., a compact habit with multiple crowns, narrow, grassy leaves, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct form of Agastache plant characterized by deep purple blue flower, large inflorescences, a long bloom time, a stiffly upright, medium habit, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct Heuchera plant characterized by medium large, glossy near black leaves year round, medium to short, dark peduncles, bicolor pink and white flowers, a well-branched medium-large, mounding habit, and excellent vigor.