Abstract: An electrical junction apparatus for accessing and sealing electrical connections comprising a housing, a removeable sleeve, and a fastener removably secured to a first portion of the housing that secures the outer sleeve to the housing. A method for accessing electrical connections in an electrical junction apparatus involves loosening a first and second fastener from a first and second portion of a housing respectively, removing a tightener from the first portion of the housing, and removing the sleeve from the housing. A method for sealing electrical connections involves installing a sleeve around a housing, positioning a tightener against the sleeve and the first portion of the housing, engaging a first fastener against the tightener and engaging a second fastener with the second portion of the housing and the sleeve.

Abstract: A double eccentric bushing arrangement comprises a first eccentric bushing comprising a first eccentric aperture, a second eccentric bushing comprising a second eccentric aperture, a fastener, a washer configured to be received around a portion of the second eccentric bushing, and a snap ring configured to be received around a portion of the second eccentric bushing to secure the washer in an installed position. The first eccentric bushing is configured to receive the second eccentric bushing in the first eccentric aperture. The second eccentric bushing is configured to receive the fastener in the second eccentric aperture. The first eccentric bushing is rotatable with respect to the second eccentric bushing to adjust a position of the fastener with respect to an adjacent component to which the fastener is being attached.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to nested cooling and heating systems. The cooling system includes an outer cooling assembly with an inner cooling assembly inserted within the outer cooling system. The inner cooling assembly includes thermoelectric coolers, and the outer cooling assembly may thermoelectric or vapor compression driven. Additional intermediate cooling assemblies may be nested together with the inner and outer cooling assemblies to increase the cooling effect in the innermost cooling assembly. Similarly, the heating system uses nested thermoelectric heating assemblies, and hot temperatures can be increased by adding intermediate nested heating assemblies. Intermediate and/or inner assemblies may be removed from the outer assembly to allow for easy transport.

Abstract: A plastic patellar prosthesis having a plurality of orienting pins, each pin having one or more projections that define a maximum diameter greater than the diameter of the patellar hole into which the orienting pin is inserted. The diametrical interference causes the projections to deform and thereby mechanically secure the patellar prosthesis to the resurfaced patella as the cement cures without the need for a patellar clamp to hold the prosthesis in place.

Abstract: A lightweight, low profile, disposable clamp for maintaining a compressive force on a cemented patella/patellar prosthesis combination so that the cement interface is not compromised while the cement cures during a total knee replacement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interpreting high-energy interactions on a sample are described in this application. In particular, this application describes an analysis method that comprises impinging radiation from a source on an analyte, detecting the energy interactions resulting from the impinging radiation using a radiation detector, adjusting the signal from the radiation detector using a machine learning module to emphasize specific parts of the detector signal, training the machine learning module in a supervised or unsupervised manner, producing quantitative and qualitative models using the machine leaning module, and then applying the machine learning module to additional energy interactions. The signal received by the detector can be preprocessed to emphasize specific parts of the detector signal, which is then mapped to a machine learning module for training in a supervised or unsupervised manner.

Abstract: Various aspects include a wearable audio device having active noise reduction (ANR). In some cases, an ANR system for a wearable audio device includes: a fixed filter that receives a signal from a feedback microphone and outputs a noise reduction signal, where the fixed filter is configured to provide ANR with a nominal loop gain; and a tunable filter that outputs an adjusted noise reduction signal by modulating the nominal loop gain in response to low frequency noise being detected in the noise reduction signal, where modulating the nominal loop gain includes reducing low frequency ANR performance.

Abstract: A device may include a roller, a half pipe which is separated from the roller by a gap, a motor, a speed controller configured to control operation of the motor, and a drive which is operably connected to the motor and configured to rotate the roller. The device may be used in a testing method for testing an adsorbent material.

Abstract: A package for a medical device such as an intermittent catheter has a case which is closed at one end and open at the other end. A cap is connected to the case by a hinge to permit selectable movement of the cap between an open position, wherein access is provided to the open end of the case, and a closed position, wherein the cap prevents access to the open end of the case. A seal is connected to one of the cap and case. The seal is engageable with the other of the cap and case when the cap is closed to form a barrier that maintains a sterile environment inside the package. The seal can be repeatedly made and broken whenever the user closes or opens the cap, respectively. One of the case and cap has a latch and the other has a receptacle for receiving the latch to releasably retain the cap in a closed position. The latches fit into the receptacle to prevent lateral forces from distorting the cap when the cap is closed. A locking slide may be used to lock the cap to the case.

Abstract: A bidirectional latching device for securing a cargo in a vehicle may have a latch catch assembly and a latch head. The latch catch assembly may selectably engage with the latch head. When engaged with the latch head, the latch catch assembly may lock the latch head in position to resist movement and the latch head may secure the cargo in the vehicle. When disengaged from the latch head, the latch catch assembly may release the latch head and the latch head may move to a stowed position. The latch catch assembly may lock the latch head to resist movement in one or more directions of movement. The latch head may be shaped to secure the cargo in the vehicle in at least two directions. Thus, cargo may be secured more efficiently by requiring a reduced number of latch devices because the disclosed latch device is bidirectional.

Abstract: Various implementations include audio devices and methods for noise reduction control in wearable audio devices and/or vehicle audio systems. Certain implementations include a non-occluding wearable audio device having: at least one electro-acoustic transducer; at least one microphone; and a control system coupled with the at least one electro-acoustic transducer and the at least one microphone, the control system programmed to: adjust an active noise reduction (ANR) setting for audio output to the at least one electro-acoustic transducer in response to detecting use of the non-occluding wearable audio device in a vehicle.

Abstract: A turbine component includes a first structure exposed to a hot gas path and a second structure integral with the first structure but isolated from the hot gas path. A first fluid passage in the first structure delivers a thermal transfer fluid, e.g., air, through the first structure to cool the first structure. A second fluid passage is defined within the second structure and is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage. After heat transfer in the first structure, the thermal transfer fluid is hotter than a temperature of the second structure and thus increases the temperature of the second structure. The heat transfer to the second structure reduces a temperature difference between the first structure and the second structure that would, without heating, cause thermal stress between the structures. The heating of the second structure reduces the need for early maintenance and lengthens the lifespan of the component.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a housing and a seal assembly disposed within the housing, the seal assembly including a septum seal including an orifice configured to sealingly engage a surgical instrument inserted therethrough, at least a portion of the septum seal defining a seal curvature, a first guard member including a plurality of curved first guard portions defining slits therebetween, and a second guard member including a plurality of curved second guard portions defining slits therebetween. The first and second guard members may be positioned in an overlapping relationship with the plurality of first guard portions rotationally offset with respect to the second guard portions. The wide, triangular shaped slits of the guard members may improve flexibility of the guard portions.

Abstract: A package for a medical device such as an intermittent catheter has a case which is closed at one end and open at the other end. A cap is connected to the case by a hinge to permit selectable movement of the cap between an open position, wherein access is provided to the open end of the case, and a closed position, wherein the cap prevents access to the open end of the case. A seal is connected to one of the cap and case. The seal is engageable with the other of the cap and case when the cap is closed to form a barrier that maintains a sterile environment inside the package. The seal can be repeatedly made and broken whenever the user closes or opens the cap, respectively. One of the case and cap has a latch and the other has a receptacle for receiving the latch to releasably retain the cap in a closed position. The latches fit into the receptacle to prevent lateral forces from distorting the cap when the cap is closed. A locking slide may be used to lock the cap to the case.

Abstract: Among the various aspects of the present disclosure relates to methods and compositions useful to reduce or prevent tolerogenic or suppressive T-cell responses in a subject to a bacterial pathogen. The methods include exposing the subject to an modified bacterial antigen prior to the first exposure of the subject to the bacterial pathogen. The vaccination strategy is capable of neutralizing Hla to provide immunoprotection against S. aureus infections.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a pumping unit base and methods for operating with the pumping unit base. The pumping unit base may include a plurality of driven piles installed in the ground, and a metal platform fixedly attached to the plurality of driven piles, wherein the metal platform is positioned above the ground. The metal platform may be removed from the driven piles and reinstalled to the driven piles.

Abstract: A wind rotor is disclosed that produces energy optimally for a given thrust overturning moment. By designing rotors with suboptimal aerodynamic efficiency, they can have optimal thrust performance, which will reduce the substructure cost and/or enable greater energy capture for a given substructure.

Abstract: A leveling assembly that is capable of lubrication without separating the individual leveling plates. The leveling assembly comprising: a first plate having a convex curved surface having a curvature, the first plate defining a central bore therethrough; a second plate having a concave curved surface shaped to mate with the convex curved surface; the second plate defining a central bore therethrough. One of the first or second plates defines a lubrication passageway extending from a first opening on an exterior surface thereof to a second opening on the curved surface, and a lubrication groove extending from the second opening to the central bore of the plate with the lubrication passageway.

Abstract: A double eccentric bushing arrangement comprises a first eccentric bushing comprising a first eccentric aperture, a second eccentric bushing comprising a second eccentric aperture, a fastener, a washer configured to be received around a portion of the second eccentric bushing, and a snap ring configured to be received around a portion of the second eccentric bushing to secure the washer in an installed position. The first eccentric bushing is configured to receive the second eccentric bushing in the first eccentric aperture. The second eccentric bushing is configured to receive the fastener in the second eccentric aperture. The first eccentric bushing is rotatable with respect to the second eccentric bushing to adjust a position of the fastener with respect to an adjacent component to which the fastener is being attached.

Abstract: A system including a reinforcement positioner having a body with a longitudinally-extending spine and a plurality of legs coupled to the spine along a length thereof and at least partially extending away from the spine. The positioner further includes an opening or recess positioned in the body, and a clip configured to be received and retained in the opening or recess.