Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling access to a medical device are provided. One example system includes an access card configured to wirelessly transmit user identification information and a medical device configured to receive the user identification information from the access card, and enable access to one or more components of the medical device based on permission information associated with the received user identification information. One example medical device includes a plurality of device components; a data receiver configured to wirelessly receive user identification information; a memory configured to store permission information in association with the user identification information; and a processor configured to retrieve the permission information from the memory in response to receiving the user identification information from the data receiver, and enable access to the one or more device components based on the retrieved permission information.

Abstract: New Lactococcus lactis strains, NRRL B-50571 and NRRL B-50572, and a bacterial preparation containing the same, have the ability to produce bioactive peptides that reduce blood pressure, lower LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and present antioxidant properties for better cardiovascular health. These biologically active peptides may be produced within the food for the production of a food product, such as a functional food, or they may be produced from protein sources and subsequently added to a food as part of the formulation or as part of a food supplement or a pharmaceutical preparation.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus and method to prevent a processor from abruptly shutting down by proactive power management. The apparatus comprises a power supply rail to receive a current and a voltage from a power supply generator (e.g., a DC-DC converter, and low dropout regulator); a processor coupled to the power supply rail, wherein the processor is to operate with a current and a voltage provided by the power supply rail; and an interface to receive a request to throttle one or more performance parameters of the processor when a monitored current through the power supply rail or a monitored voltage on the power supply rail crosses a threshold current or a threshold voltage, respectively, wherein the threshold current is below a catastrophic threshold current of a voltage regulator, or wherein the threshold voltage is above a catastrophic threshold voltage of the processor.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling access to a medical device are provided. One example system includes an access card configured to wirelessly transmit user identification information and a medical device configured to receive the user identification information from the access card, and enable access to one or more components of the medical device based on permission information associated with the received user identification information. One example medical device includes a plurality of device components; a data receiver configured to wirelessly receive user identification information; a memory configured to store permission information in association with the user identification information; and a processor configured to retrieve the permission information from the memory in response to receiving the user identification information from the data receiver, and enable access to the one or more device components based on the retrieved permission information.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for controlling access to a medical device are provided. One example system includes an access card configured to wirelessly transmit user identification information and a medical device configured to receive the user identification information from the access card, and enable access to one or more components of the medical device based on permission information associated with the received user identification information. One example medical device includes a plurality of device components; a data receiver configured to wirelessly receive user identification information; a memory configured to store permission information in association with the user identification information; and a processor configured to retrieve the permission information from the memory in response to receiving the user identification information from the data receiver, and enable access to the one or more device components based on the retrieved permission information.

Abstract: Sample purification systems include a particle extraction assembly having a mixing compartment and a settling compartment. A biological sample is mixed with two liquid phases formulated to effectuate transfer of a biological molecule into a first phase and particulate contaminants into a second phase. The first phase includes a solubilizing salt, the second phase includes an organic molecule, and the mixture can have little or no monoatomic salt or dextran. The molecule-containing first phase can be optionally concentrated without also concentrating the particulate contaminants and introduced into a multi-stage liquid-liquid extractor, by which the biological molecule or molecular contaminants are extracted from the first phase into a third phase, thereby purifying the molecule away from contaminants. The extracted sample can be further purified through a series of processing steps. The system can be run in continuously mode to maintain sterility of the sample.

Abstract: A device (12, 312, 494) operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The device includes a reader (20, 314) that is usable to read check data from financial checks. The reader is also usable to read record document data associated with goods provided to a purchaser. At least one circuit (54, 332) of the device is operative to cause a determination to be made that check data and/or record document data corresponds to stored data. Responsive to the determination, check data and record data are made available to a payee terminal (346).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which comprises: at least two switches in series between an input voltage node and a ground terminal; an inductor coupled between a mid-point of the at least two switches and an output terminal; a first circuitry to compare a current through the inductor with a threshold current, and to control one or both of the at least two switches, based at least in part on the comparison; and a second circuitry to randomly vary the threshold current over consecutive cycles of switching of the at least two switches.

Abstract: A device (12, 312, 494) operates to cause financial transfers responsive to data read from data bearing records. The device includes a reader (20, 314) that is usable to read check data from financial checks. The reader is also usable to read record document data associated with goods provided to a purchaser. At least one circuit (54, 332) of the device is operative to cause a determination to be made that check data and/or record document data corresponds to stored data. Responsive to the determination, check data and record data is made available to a payee terminal (346).

Abstract: A method comprising drilling through a plurality of differing zones of a subterranean formation using a drilling fluid comprising a non-oleaginous continuous phase, an oleaginous discontinuous phase and at least a first salt dissolved into the non-oleaginous continuous phase. The amount of the at least first salt dissolved into the non-oleaginous continuous phase is maintained such that a density of the drilling fluid varies by no more than 10% while drilling through the plurality of zones.

Abstract: New Lactococcus lactis strains, NRRL B-50571 and NRRL B-50572, and a bacterial preparation containing the same, have the ability to produce bioactive peptides that reduce blood pressure, lower LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and present antioxidant properties for better cardiovascular health. These biologically active peptides may be produced within the food for the production of a food product, such as a functional food, or they may be produced from protein sources and subsequently added to a food as part of the formulation or as part of a food supplement or a pharmaceutical preparation.

Abstract: New Lactococcus lactis strains, NRRL B-50571 and NRRL B-50572, and a bacterial preparation containing the same, have the ability to produce bioactive peptides that reduce blood pressure, lower LDL-cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and present antioxidant properties for better cardiovascular health. These biologically active peptides may be produced within the food for the production of a food product, such as a functional food, or they may be produced from protein sources and subsequently added to a food as part of the formulation or as part of a food supplement or a pharmaceutical preparation.

Abstract: Some pairs of primers are provided, being used for detection of carbapenemase genes and carbapenemase-producing bacterial strains, and a diagnosis method using said set of primers. Furthermore, there is also disclosed, preferably, the use of probes within each amplification reaction, more preferably multiplex PCR, for selective identification and detection of carbapenemase genes from a biological sample. The primers object of this invention may be used for preparing a kit for carbapenemase genes identification and detection, preferably carbapenemases contained in bacterial strains producing said enzymes.

Abstract: Some pairs of primers are provided, being used for detection of carbapenemase genes and carbapenemase-producing bacterial strains, and a diagnosis method using said set of primers. Furthermore, there is also disclosed, preferably, the use of probes within each amplification reaction, more preferably multiplex PCR, for selective identification and detection of carbapenemase genes from a biological sample. The primers object of this invention may be used for preparing a kit for carbapenemase genes identification and detection, preferably carbapenemases contained in bacterial strains producing said enzymes.

Abstract: A portable magnifier camera with an associated display housing, base and handle. The camera can be selectively positioned into a variety of configurations, including: a first closed configuration wherein the display and base are in facing relation; a second opened configuration wherein the display is angled with respect to the base; and a third hand-held configuration wherein a handle is pivoted outwardly to permit a user to hold the camera relative to a distant object. The angle of the camera adjusts automatically in each configuration to ensure that the camera's light of slight is perpendicular to the object plane. These configurations enable a user to effectively view objects of differing size and at varying distances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biopolymer and a cell-harvesting scaffold comprising same, as well as the associated cell-harvesting method that allows said harvesting to be performed in a simple and effective manner by reducing the culture temperature. The present invention also relates to a method for synthesizing said biopolymer.

Abstract: Some pairs of primers are provided, being used for detection of carbapenemase genes and carbapenemase-producing bacterial strains, and a diagnosis method using said set of primers. Furthermore, there is also disclosed, preferably, the use of probes within each amplification reaction, more preferably multiplex PCR, for selective identification and detection of carbapenemase genes from a biological sample. The primers object of this invention may be used for preparing a kit for carbapenemase genes identification and detection, preferably carbapenemases contained in bacterial strains producing said enzymes.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a method of manufacturing a string of pocketed spring coils comprising: simultaneously making at least two spring coils; simultaneously transporting the at least two spring coils to a compressor: simultaneously compressing the at least two spring coils; simultaneously inserting the at least two compressed spring coils between top and bottom plies of a piece of fabric; welding the top and bottom plies of the fabric along an edge of the folded fabric parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fabric and opposite the folded edge of the fabric; welding the top and bottom plies of the fabric along lines transverse to the longitudinal axis of the fabric between each of the compressed spring coils to create a plurality of pockets, each pocket encompassing a compressed spring coil; and expanding each of the compressed spring coils within each of the plurality of pockets.

Abstract: Induction welding device for variable diameter pipes comprising three inductors configured in the shape of a cam, placed in symmetry in relation to the axial axis of the pipe to be welded, an oscillator connected to each inductor, a mechanical system connected to each inductor, designed to force each inductor to make contact with the pipe by the corresponding degree in relation to the diameter of the pipe at each position, so that the position of the inductors in relation to the pipe changes radially as the diameter of the section of the pipe to be welded also changes.