Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for the identification of genetic variants that are associated with the severity of an infectious disease. The invention further pertains to a set of genetic factors associated with the severity of Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) infection, for example in human infants. The genetic polymorphisms identified according to the present invention are for use in the diagnostic of infectious diseases and patient stratification in order to avoid or reduce the occurrence of fatal events during infection or to elect the most appropriate therapeutic approach to treat the disease.

Abstract: An adhesive laminate for application to skin, the laminate comprising a first, skin-facing adhesive layer and a second absorbent bulk layer. The skin-facing adhesive layer has a first proximal/skin-facing surface and a second distal surface and the bulk layer is provided on the second distal surface of the skin-facing adhesive layer. The skin-facing adhesive comprises hydrocolloid particles having a particle size D90 being less than 290 ?m and the skin-facing adhesive layer has a first thickness L and the ratio L/D90 is between 0.4-2.5.

Abstract: Systems are described for measuring, recording, transmitting, accessing, and using an array of physical and physiological measurements that quantify states of complex adaptive systems, such as biological systems, more particularly the state is reflected in a metric designated health capacity. These measurements may be used, for example, for the pre-symptomatic detection and interception of disease states in a biological system. In one aspect, the system comprises a wearable device configured to measure, substantially simultaneously, an array of water-associated metrics, preferably at multiple loci on the biological system and as a function of time.

Abstract: A suspension strut for a wheel suspension of a vehicle may have a vibration damper, a supporting spring that partially surrounds an outer tube of the vibration damper and is supported by a spring collar, and a lifting device for height adjustment of the vehicle. The lifting device may comprise a hollow piston and a cylinder that are arranged concentrically around the outer tube. The hollow piston may be guided axially between the outer tube and the cylinder and is connected to the spring collar to adjust a base point of the supporting spring. The hollow piston may comprise a stripping and sealing element that lies against the vibration damper.

Abstract: The present invention includes a milk dispensing assembly for use with a beverage dispensing machine for combining milk, which is heated, ambient, unheated, or chilled, selectively with a second ingredient. The milk dispensing assembly includes a single milk passage for the introduction of a flow of milk and a single passage for the introduction of a second ingredient. The milk passage and ingredient passage are oriented to be fed into an intermediate passage which communicates with a swirl cavity defined by a mixing chamber. The introduction of milk and second ingredient is controlled to provide a variety of selected conditions of the resulting combination.

Abstract: A suspension strut for a wheel suspension of a vehicle may have a vibration damper, a supporting spring that partially surrounds an outer tube of the vibration damper and is supported by a spring collar, and a lifting device for height adjustment of the vehicle. The lifting device may comprise a hollow piston and a cylinder that are arranged concentrically around the outer tube. The hollow piston may be guided axially between the outer tube and the cylinder and is connected to the spring collar to adjust a base point of the supporting spring. The hollow piston may comprise a stripping and sealing element that lies against the vibration damper.

Abstract: An extraction assembly for use in an automatic brewer. The extraction assembly controllably extracts espresso beverage from a quantity of brewing substance. A brew chamber of the extraction assembly is removable for exchange with another brew chamber of different brew volume, having enhanced structures, or for replacement and repair. A heating element may be in close proximity to the brew chamber. Heat from the heating element can be brought directly to the area in which the coffee is brewed to help maintain a more consistent, tighter tolerance temperature and faster recovery between brew cycles.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an extraction assembly for use in an automatic espresso brewer. The extraction assembly includes components and methods for controllably extracting espresso beverage from a quantity of brewing substance. The components, assemblies, and methods facilitate improved control and operation of the extraction assembly and improve the reliability of the extraction assembly. The brewing substance is compacted between a pair of opposing pistons. Compacting force is monitored through at least one sensor carried on the extraction assembly to provide a signal to a controller. A predetermined compacting force may be programmed into the system for all brewing cycles or dependent upon the brewing substance used. The pair of pistons operates relative to a brew chamber for use in the espresso extraction process. The pistons provide compacting force and boundaries within the chamber and facilitate removal of a spent brewing substance puck at the end of the brewing cycle.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a milk heating system, methods, and apparatus for combining milk, which is heated, ambient, or chilled, selectively with or without being infused with air, and selectively dispensed with or without flavorings. The apparatus and method disclosed includes structures for selectively combining milk with air and flavorings to dispense a selected combination of ingredients. The assembly includes a dispensing head assembly having a flavoring dispensing component and a milk dispensing component. The flavoring dispensing component can be coupled to the milk dispensing component for combining ingredients and dispensing into a container. The milk dispensing component includes a single path for the introduction of a flow of milk and a single path for the introduction of steam. The milk path and steam path are oriented to be fed into an intermediate passage which communicates with a swirl cavity defined by the mixing chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a milk heating system, methods, and apparatus for combining milk, which is heated, ambient, or chilled, selectively with or without being infused with air, and selectively dispensed with or without flavorings. The apparatus and method disclosed includes structures for selectively combining milk with air and flavorings to dispense a selected combination of ingredients. The assembly includes a dispensing head assembly having a flavoring dispensing component and a milk dispensing component. The flavoring dispensing component can be coupled to the milk dispensing component for combining ingredients and dispensing into a container. The milk dispensing component includes a single path for the introduction of a flow of milk and a single path for the introduction of steam. The milk path and steam path are oriented to be fed into an intermediate passage which communicates with a swirl cavity defined by the mixing chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an extraction assembly for use in an automatic espresso brewer. The extraction assembly includes components and methods for controllably extracting espresso beverage from a quantity of brewing substance. The components, assemblies, and methods facilitate improved control and operation of the extraction assembly and improve the reliability of the extraction assembly. The brewing substance is compacted between a pair of opposing pistons. Compacting force is monitored through at least one sensor carried on the extraction assembly to provide a signal to a controller. A predetermined compacting force may be programmed into the system for all brewing cycles or dependent upon the brewing substance used. The pair of pistons operates relative to a brew chamber for use in the espresso extraction process. The pistons provide compacting force and boundaries within the chamber and facilitate removal of a spent brewing substance puck at the end of the brewing cycle.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a milk heating system, methods, and apparatus for combining milk, which is heated, ambient, or chilled, selectively with or without being infused with air, and selectively dispensed with or without flavorings. The apparatus and method disclosed includes structures for selectively combining milk with air and flavorings to dispense a selected combination of ingredients. The assembly includes a dispensing head assembly having a flavoring dispensing component and a milk dispensing component. The flavoring dispensing component can be coupled to the milk dispensing component for combining ingredients and dispensing into a container. The milk dispensing component includes a single path for the introduction of a flow of milk and a single path for the introduction of steam. The milk path and steam path are oriented to be fed into an intermediate passage which communicates with a swirl cavity defined by the mixing chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an extraction assembly for use in an automatic brewer. The extraction assembly includes controllably extracting espresso beverage from a quantity of brewing substance. The assembly facilitates improved control and operation of the extraction assembly and improves the reliability of the extraction assembly. Generally, the brewing substance is compacted between a pair of opposing pistons. The pair of pistons operates relative to a brew chamber for use in the espresso extraction process. An alternative extraction assembly or structure for brewing beverage is provided which may include a larger brew volume, enhanced structures, and removable replacement components. Also provided is a heating element in close proximity to the brew chamber. Heat form the heating element can be brought directly to the area in which the coffee is brewed to help maintain a more consistent, tighter tolerance temperature and faster recovery between brew cycles.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for repairing a hole in a surface with a perforated repair patch. The repair patch, which is affixed to and substantially cover over the hole, is indented inwards by applying cement compound into its perforations and pushing the repair patch into the hole as the cement compound hardens. A layer of drywall compound is then applied over the indented repair patch to smooth it with the rest of the wall. The perforated repair patch may include an additional layer of mesh sheet material to minimize cracking of the drywall compound.

Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for repairing a hole in a surface with a perforated repair patch. The repair patch, which is affixed to and substantially cover over the hole, is indented inwards by applying cement compound into its perforations and pushing the repair patch into the hole as the cement compound hardens. A layer of drywall compound is then applied over the indented repair patch to smooth it with the rest of the wall. The perforated repair patch may include an additional layer of mesh sheet material to minimize cracking of the drywall compound.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for repairing a hole in a surface with an adhesive mesh repair patch that is mechanically tensioned inward by a tensioning pin that is attached to a slat, and a method of using the same.

Abstract: A toroidal shaped or ring fuel tank located within the loft line of a blended wing body aircraft is disclosed. The ring tank may be used in an aircraft to store liquid hydrogen fuel with a reduced tank weight. The ring tank may be continuous with no tank end domes typically found on cylindrical pressure tanks, reducing tank weight for a given fuel volume. The ring tank configuration avoids increasing the aerodynamic shape of the aircraft and does not encroach on usable passenger or payload areas of the aircraft. In one example the ring tank may be configured in a nose down position such that the forward portion of the ring tank is outside the pressurized cabin area.

Abstract: A toroidal shaped or ring fuel tank located within the loft line of a blended wing body aircraft is disclosed. The ring tank may be used in an aircraft to store liquid hydrogen fuel with a reduced tank weight. The ring tank may be continuous with no tank end domes typically found on cylindrical pressure tanks, reducing tank weight for a given fuel volume. The ring tank configuration avoids increasing the aerodynamic shape of the aircraft and does not encroach on usable passenger or payload areas of the aircraft. In one example the ring tank may be configured in a nose down position such that the forward portion of the ring tank is outside the pressurized cabin area.

Abstract: A feed-forward flow controller is designed to calculate a target valve position from a target flow. Correction is made for liquid or gas pressure drop across the valve and for the valve flow modulating member geometry. This feed-forward action may also be used to linearize a feed-back flow control loop.

Abstract: A drywall repair patch is disclosed. It includes a coated sheet attached to an adhesively coated porous substrate, which includes a porous sheet and a layer of dry, water-hardenable cement product carried on at least one side of said porous sheet. The repair patch is free of any rigid supporting plate.