Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a fan is disclosed. The apparatus includes an elongated bar such as M bar, for example. The elongated bar connects between walls and positions in parallel to a ceiling of a structure. Alternatively, the elongated bar is mounted vertically on a base and positions in parallel to the walls. The elongated bar receives one or more fans. In one example, the bar is comprised of two lengths, and includes a central bracket for joining and support. with an electrical junction box. The position of the fans is adjusted along the length of the elongated bar depending on the need. In one example, the apparatus includes an electrical outlet positioned at the wall and perpendicularly to the ceiling. The fans operate using electrical energy drawn via the electrical outlet through a cable which leads to the electrical junction box.

Abstract: A reactive distillation method, system, and apparatus are described for a combined separation and conversion of an oxygenate(s) in aqueous solution to more volatile intermediates for gas phase conversion. A mixture of oxygenate and water flow into a microchannel apparatus comprising a hydrophilic wick adjacent a reaction channel comprising a hydrophobic solid acid catalyst. During operation, water is produced in a dehydration reaction, produced water vapor is condensed away from the reaction channel and travels out through the wick layer, thus driving equilibrium toward more product. The combination of microchannel architecture with the catalytic distillation reaction was characterized by unexpectedly superior stability.

Abstract: A blocking tool and a method of using the blocking tool to sand a surface of a vehicle are disclosed. The blocking tool includes a first member having a length and having an outer periphery with a plurality of cuts formed therein. The plurality of cuts extend over at least about 70% of the length and each of the cuts penetrates the first member through an arc of at least about 70% of the outer periphery. The blocking tool also has a base member with a first surface, an oppositely aligned second surface, and a length. A portion of the outer periphery of the first member is secured to the first surface of the base member to form an integral blocking tool.

Abstract: A lock comprising a housing, a plunger, a locking member, a locking plate, and a control assembly. The housing having an internal cavity, a recess, and a bore. The plunger is disposed in the bore and is slidable between a closed position wherein a second end of the plunger is positioned in the internal cavity and an intermediate portion of the plunger extends across the recess, and an open position wherein the plunger is withdrawn from the internal cavity and the recess. The locking member is movable between a locking position wherein the locking member is engaged with the plunger and an unlocking position wherein the locking member is disengaged therefrom. The control assembly operates the locking plate between a lock position to hold the locking member in the locking position and an unlock position to permit the plunger to move from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A lock comprising a housing, a plunger, a locking member, a locking plate, and a control assembly. The housing having an internal cavity, a recess, and a bore. The plunger is disposed in the bore and is slidable between a closed position wherein a second end of the plunger is positioned in the internal cavity and an intermediate portion of the plunger extends across the recess, and an open position wherein the plunger is withdrawn from the internal cavity and the recess. The locking member is movable between a locking position wherein the locking member is engaged with the plunger and an unlocking position wherein the locking member is disengaged therefrom. The control assembly operates the locking plate between a lock position to hold the locking member in the locking position and an unlock position to permit the plunger to move from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A stool provides two different seating surfaces at different heights depending on the orientation of the stool. In a first orientation with a bottom of the stool down, the top of the stool provides a first seating surface at a first height. In a second orientation with a back of the stool down, the front of the stool provides a second seating surface at a second height.

Abstract: A lock comprising a housing, a plunger, a locking member, a locking plate, and a control assembly. The housing having an internal cavity, a recess, and a bore. The plunger is disposed in the bore and is slidable between a closed position wherein a second end of the plunger is positioned in the internal cavity and an intermediate portion of the plunger extends across the recess, and an open position wherein the plunger is withdrawn from the internal cavity and the recess. The locking member is movable between a locking position wherein the locking member is engaged with the plunger and an unlocking position wherein the locking member is disengaged therefrom. The control assembly operates the locking plate between a lock position to hold the locking member in the locking position and an unlock position to permit the plunger to move from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for culturing a population of hepatocytes in vitro, comprising co-culturing the population of hepatocytes with at least one non-parenchymal cell population and incubating the co-culture in culture medium, wherein the co-culture is periodically incubated in culture medium that does not comprise serum (serum-free culture medium).

Abstract: A wobble base provides a curved floor-contacting surface with one or more alignment posts that align the wobble base to the bottom of a seating platform and one or more holes separate from the alignment posts through which one or more fasteners may be placed to attach the wobble base to the seating platform, thereby providing a wobble stool. The wobble base can be configured to convert an existing stool into a wobble stool by replacing one or more floor-contacting members with the wobble base. In a second embodiment, a seating platform, such as a stool, is provided with both traditional floor-contacting members, such as feet or casters, and with a wobble base that allows the traditional floor-contacting members to be removed and replaced with the wobble base, and allows the wobble base to be removed and replaced with the traditional floor-contacting members.

Abstract: A chair is made of foam, and includes a back stiffener that reinforces the back of the chair so the back does not collapse backwards when someone leans back and puts significant weight on the back of the chair. The back stiffener can be made of a variety of different materials and can have a variety of different configurations.

Abstract: A wobble base provides a curved floor-contacting surface with one or more alignment posts that align the wobble base to the bottom of a seating platform and one or more holes separate from the alignment posts through which one or more fasteners may be placed to attach the wobble base to the seating platform, thereby providing a wobble stool. The wobble base can be configured to convert an existing stool into a wobble stool by replacing one or more floor-contacting members with the wobble base. In a second embodiment, a seating platform, such as a stool, is provided with both traditional floor-contacting members, such as feet or casters, and with a wobble base that allows the traditional floor-contacting members to be removed and replaced with the wobble base, and allows the wobble base to be removed and replaced with the traditional floor-contacting members.

Abstract: A wobble base provides a curved floor-contacting surface with one or more attachment points that removably couple the wobble base to a lower portion of a seating platform, such as a stool, thereby providing a wobble stool. The wobble base can be configured to convert an existing stool into a wobble stool by replacing one or more floor-contacting members with the wobble base. In a second embodiment, a seating platform, such as a stool, is provided with both traditional floor-contacting members, such as feet or casters, and with a wobble base that allows the traditional floor-contacting members to be removed and replaced with the wobble base, and allows the wobble base to be removed and replaced with the traditional floor-contacting members. This allows the seating platform to be dynamically reconfigured as needed.

Abstract: A male F-type coaxial cable connector including a nut, a body, a post, and a spacer, the spacer for bearing on the nut.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for culturing a population of hepatocytes in vitro, comprising co-culturing the population of hepatocytes with at least one non-parenchymal cell population and incubating the co-culture in culture medium, wherein the co-culture is periodically incubated in culture medium that does not comprise serum (serum-free culture medium).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a culture medium formulation comprising human serum that can enhance functions of primary human hepatocytes, improve morphology, promote bile canaliculi formation and extend hepatocyte functional lifetime in vitro for over 10 weeks as compared to ˜3-4 weeks when using a conventional culture medium containing serum from bovine sources. The provided long-term culture model can be used to screen drugs for their efficacious and/or toxic effects over several weeks, improve drug-transporter assays via the larger bile canaliculi network, and to model several chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis, type 2 diabetes, malaria, liver fibrosis, liver cancer, and fatty liver disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides co-cultures of a population of hepatocytes, at least one non-parenchymal cell population, and a population of hepatic stellate cells in vitro, methods of preparing the co-cultures, and methods of using the co-cultures for high throughput screening and evaluation of drug candidates. The hepatocytes co-culture system provides an in vitro model in which both cell viability and phenotype are maintained for extended periods relative to conventional monoculture.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes a resilient insert for enhancing connector electrical continuity.