Abstract: A compression device for freeing a ring trapped on a digit includes a rigid outer body. The rigid outer body includes a digit cavity extending from a cavity opening at a body proximal end of the body towards a body distal end of the body, a fluid inlet, and a fluid flow path fluidly connecting the fluid inlet to one or more inflation chambers positioned in the digit cavity. The body proximal end includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and two laterally spaced-apart side portions. At least one side portion is distally recessed as compared to the upper and lower portions to accommodate an interdigital fold. At least one flexible bladder lines the digit cavity, each flexible bladder defining at least one wall of one of the one or more inflation chambers.

Abstract: Blood separation media include a fibrous web formed by 50 to 99 parts by weight of glass microfibers, and 1 to 50 parts by weight of fibrillated fibers; a polymeric, hydrophilic binder; a wetting agent; and a salt. The binder covers at least a part of the glass microfibers, and the web is further impregnated with a wetting agent and it contains a salt which is capable of crenating red blood cells. The pore size of the media is smaller than the average pore size of red blood cells. Compared to conventional separation media, the invention will improve efficiency of the separation of the red blood cells from the plasma and increase the speed and volume of the separated material. The present invention also provides for a decrease in lysing of the red blood cells during the filtration process which gives improved purity of the material.

Abstract: The invention features a method of vaccinating a mammal against Staphylococcus aureus which includes the steps of: a) identifying a mammal at risk for the development of a Staphylococcus aureus skin or soft tissue infection; and b) administering to said mammal an immunogenic amount of a vaccine that includes a polypeptide including an isolated agglutinin-like sequence (Als) 3 protein (Als3p), or an immunogenic fragment thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Once-Through Steam Generator (OTSG) coil (52) and method, comprising a plurality of vertically arranged serpentine conduits (90) in a horizontal heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) that replaces a traditional natural circulation HP evaporator for producing supercritical steam. The OTSG comprises a lower equalization header system (130) that promotes system stability in multiple operating conditions. The equalization header allows a partial flow of fluid from the lower serpentine curved flow path (120) through an equalization conduit (125) into the equalization header (130) Disclosed also are: a flow restriction device in serpentine conduits; drainage structure from serpentine conduits through the equalization header, a drainage expansion section to accommodate stresses, and drainage bypass connections; and flow through serpentine conduits in upstream and downstream directions, mixed flow directions and longitudinally staggered directions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for hydrolyzing an alpha-1,3 or alpha-1,6 glucosyl-glucose linkage in a saccharide (disaccharide or oligosaccharide). This method comprises contacting the saccharide with an alpha-glucosidase enzyme such as transglucosidase under suitable conditions, during which contacting step the enzyme hydrolyzes at least one alpha-1,3 or alpha-1,6 glucosyl-glucose linkage of the saccharide. This method is useful for reducing the amount of oligosaccharides in a filtrate isolated from a glucan synthesis reaction, for example.

Abstract: An assembly and a method for preventing an axial migration of a spring in a generator rotor are presented. The assembly includes a step pin radially disposed through an amortisseur and inserted into a spring of the generator rotor. The step pin is arranged axially apart from an adjacent radial vent passage and radially extends through the spring into a slot clearance between the spring and a creepage. The amortisseur includes a counter bore to retain a pin head and a pin shoulder. The spring includes a pin hole for a pin body extending therethrough. Diameters of the counter bore and the pin hole are smaller than diameters of amortisseur radial vent aperture and spring radial vent aperture. The step pin prevents an axial migration of the spring in rotor slots.

Abstract: A multi-sensory virtual reality system enhances a user's 3-D environment immersion and minimizes the chance of immersion breaking events with the multi-sensory virtual reality system including a headset, a data process system, a dynamic platform, and an HVAC system. The headset includes a display unit configured to display 3-D virtual environment. The data process system is configured to generate data representing motion, wind, and/or temperature simulations associated with a 3-D environment events and a user's actions. The dynamic motion platform is configured to produce motions associated with the 3-D environment events and the user's actions based on the processed data. The HVAC system is configured to produce air movement associated with the 3-D environment events and the user's movements based on the processed data. The virtual reality system also provides for temperature adjustments associated with the 3-D environment events and the user's actions.

Abstract: An assembly includes a threaded male connector, a threaded female connector, and an adapter configured to be threadably connected to each of the threaded male connector and the threaded female connector. The adapter is configured such that at least one of the threaded male connector and the threaded female connector can be disconnected from the adapter by rotating a portion of the adapter relative to the threaded male connector and the threaded female connector while holding the threaded male connector and the threaded female connector positionally fixed relative to one another.

Abstract: A compression device for freeing a ring trapped on a digit includes a rigid outer body. The rigid outer body includes a digit cavity extending from a cavity opening at a body proximal end of the body towards a body distal end of the body, a fluid inlet, and a fluid flow path fluidly connecting the fluid inlet to one or more inflation chambers positioned in the digit cavity. The body proximal end includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and two laterally spaced-apart side portions. At least one side portion is distally recessed as compared to the upper and lower portions to accommodate an interdigital fold. At least one flexible bladder lines the digit cavity, each flexible bladder defining at least one wall of one of the one or more inflation chambers.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for hydrolyzing an alpha-1,5 glucosyl-fructose linkage in a saccharide (disaccharide or oligosaccharide) such as leucrose. This method comprises contacting the saccharide with an alpha-glucosidase enzyme such as transglucosidase or glucoamylase under suitable conditions, during which contacting step the enzyme hydrolyzes at least one alpha-1,5 glucosyl-fructose linkage of the saccharide. This method is useful for reducing the amount of leucrose in a filtrate isolated from a glucan synthesis reaction, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are glucosyltransferases with modified amino acid sequences. Such engineered enzymes exhibit improved alpha-glucan product yields and/or lower leucrose yields, for example. Further disclosed are reactions and methods in which engineered glucosyltransferases are used to produce alpha-glucan.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aqueous compositions comprising fructose and methods of production thereof. A method for producing an aqueous composition comprising fructose can comprise, for example, conducting an enzymatic reaction by contacting water, sucrose, and a glucosyltransferase enzyme that synthesizes poly alpha-1,3-glucan having at least 30% alpha-1,3-linkages. A soluble fraction produced by such a reaction comprises at least about 55% fructose on a dry weight basis, and can be separated from insoluble poly alpha-1,3-glucan product(s), thereby providing an aqueous composition comprising fructose.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are glucosyltransferases with modified amino acid sequences. Such engineered enzymes exhibit improved alpha-glucan product yields and/or lower leucrose yields, for example. Further disclosed are reactions and methods in which engineered glucosyltransferases are used to produce alpha-glucan.

Abstract: Compositions comprising cellulase and at least one poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound having a degree of substitution with an organic group of about 0.05-3.0 are disclosed. Such compositions can be dry or aqueous, the latter of which can have a viscosity of at least about 10 cPs. The disclosed composition can be in the form of a personal care product, household product, or industrial product, for example. Also disclosed are a method for preparing an aqueous composition comprising cellulase and a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound, and a method of treating a material such as fabric by contacting it with this aqueous composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aqueous compositions comprising fructose and methods of production thereof. A method for producing an aqueous composition comprising fructose can comprise, for example, conducting an enzymatic reaction by contacting water, sucrose, and a glucosyltransferase enzyme that synthesizes poly alpha-1,3-glucan having at least 30% alpha-1,3-linkages. A soluble fraction produced by such a reaction comprises at least about 55% fructose on a dry weight basis, and can be separated from insoluble poly alpha-1,3-glucan product(s), thereby providing an aqueous composition comprising fructose.

Abstract: A closure having a design comprising holographic and non-holographic portions is described. The closure comprises a top panel and a skirt that extends downwards from the outer periphery of the top panel. The skirt's outer surface and the top panel's upper surface collectively comprising an external surface that may be covered by a design, which has a first design portion with a hologram and a second design portion without a hologram.

Abstract: The invention features methods and kits use in for preventing and treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), in particular, recurrent VVC.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are glucosyltransferases with modified amino acid sequences. Such engineered enzymes synthesize alpha-glucan products having increased molecular weight. Further disclosed are reactions and methods in which engineered glucosyltransferases are used to produce alpha-glucan.

Abstract: Compositions comprising cellulase and at least one poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound having a degree of substitution with an organic group of about 0.05-3.0 are disclosed. Such compositions can be dry or aqueous, the latter of which can have a viscosity of at least about 10 cPs. The disclosed composition can be in the form of a personal care product, household product, or industrial product, for example. Also disclosed are a method for preparing an aqueous composition comprising cellulase and a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound, and a method of treating a material such as fabric by contacting it with this aqueous composition.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for hydrolyzing an alpha-1,3 or alpha-1,6 glucosyl-glucose linkage in a saccharide (disaccharide or oligosaccharide). This method comprises contacting the saccharide with an alpha-glucosidase enzyme such as transglucosidase under suitable conditions, during which contacting step the enzyme hydrolyzes at least one alpha-1,3 or alpha-1,6 glucosyl-glucose linkage of the saccharide. This method is useful for reducing the amount of oligosaccharides in a filtrate isolated from a glucan synthesis reaction, for example.