Abstract: A fluid sample optimization device for optimizing a fluid sample includes an inlet, an outlet, a sample path connected between the inlet and the outlet, and a contaminant containment reservoir connected between the inlet and the outlet. The contaminant containment reservoir includes an air permeable fluid resistor proximate the outlet, and is arranged to receive, when a pressure differential is applied between the inlet and the outlet, a first portion of the fluid sample to displace air therein through the air permeable fluid resistor and the outlet, such that upon receipt of the first portion of the fluid sample and containment of the contaminants in the contaminant containment reservoir, subsequent portions of the fluid sample can be conveyed by the sample path from the inlet to the outlet when subsequent pressure differentials are applied between the inlet and the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to replacing conductors in a high-voltage power transfer system. The method provides, for example, a method for maintaining sections of electrically conductive phases in a direct current (DC) two phase power conductor line, wherein the two phases are parallel and spaced apart. The phases are strung between support structures and supported above the ground. Maintenance work, which include replacement or repair, is performed on sections of the two phases without interrupting a power load in any one of the three phases and without transposing the relative positions of the phases.

Abstract: A system is provided for use with an insulated boom section of a bucket truck. The system includes a source of high volume and pressure, dry air; one or more interior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air to direct the air into an interior of the insulated boom section. One or more exterior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air direct the air to along an exterior surface of the insulated boom section. A method is also provided for cleaning or drying both the interior and exterior surfaces simultaneously of an insulated boom section of the boom of a bucket truck. The boom of a bucket truck is further provided in another aspect that includes at least one insulated boom section, a source of high volume and pressure, dry air, one or more interior air diffusers and one or more exterior air diffusers. A pre-heating air heater may be removably mounted into the boom.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lid for an ostomy implant, comprising: a ring-shaped base part adapted to engage with an open end of the ostomy implant; a cap part adapted to fit inside the ring-shaped base part, wherein the cap part is rotatable with respect to the ring-shaped base part to lock and unlock the lid to the ostomy implant, and wherein the cap part has a through-hole; and a slider configured to be radially slid into a recess of the cap part in a closed configuration, wherein the slider completely covers the through-hole of the cap part, and radially slid out from the recess in an open configuration, wherein the slider does not cover the through-hole of the cap part. The disclosure further relates to a method of manufacturing the lid.

Abstract: A horizontal conductor lifter includes a main beam to which an elongate wire holder adapter is connected through a horizontal, stacked bank of insulators and an inclined electrically insulating load transfer element collectively forming an electrically insulating truss to temporarily support the weight of a conductor or sub-conductors in a conductor bundle. The wire holder adapter supports vertically oriented wire holders thereon. A rotation actuator acts between the main beam and a distal end of a boom adapter on a crane or truck boom. In use, the rotation actuator, the stacked bank of insulators and the load transfer element prevent rotation of the wire holders to an off-vertical orientation so that the wire holders are maintained in their operative vertical orientation throughout a maintenance operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lid for an ostomy implant, comprising: a ring-shaped base part adapted to engage with an open end of the ostomy implant; a cap part adapted to fit inside the ring-shaped base part, wherein the cap part is rotatable with respect to the ring-shaped base part to lock and unlock the lid to the ostomy implant, and wherein the cap part has a through-hole; and a slider configured to be radially slid into a recess of the cap part in a closed configuration, wherein the slider completely covers the through-hole of the cap part, and radially slid out from the recess in an open configuration, wherein the slider does not cover the through-hole of the cap part. The disclosure further relates to a method of manufacturing the lid.

Abstract: An emptying device assembly for evacuation of a stoma includes a first film layer and a second film layer. The first film layer and second film layer are attached along a peripheral part to form an emptying device, wherein the first film layer has a first hole. An integrated connector ring includes: an annular base defining a second hole concentric with the first hole, wherein the annular base is attached, to the emptying device assembly around the first hole; and a plurality of radially inwardly protruding flanges, wherein at least a subset of the protruding flanges are adapted to engage with an outer circumferential groove of a cylindrical ostomy implant or a lid of an ostomy implant. A method of manufacturing the emptying device assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An emptying device assembly for evacuation of a stoma includes a first film layer and a second film layer. The first film layer and second film layer are attached along a peripheral part to form an emptying device, wherein the first film layer has a first hole. An integrated connector ring includes: an annular base defining a second hole concentric with the first hole, wherein the annular base is attached, to the emptying device assembly around the first hole; and a plurality of radially inwardly protruding flanges, wherein at least a subset of the protruding flanges are adapted to engage with an outer circumferential groove of a cylindrical ostomy implant or a lid of an ostomy implant. A method of manufacturing the emptying device assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Blood sample optimization systems and methods are described that reduce or eliminate contaminates in collected blood samples, which in turn reduces or eliminates false positive readings in blood cultures or other testing of collected blood samples. A blood sample optimization system can include a blood sequestration device located between a patient needle and a sample needle. The blood sequestration device can include a sequestration chamber for sequestering an initial, potentially contaminated aliquot of blood, and may further include a sampling channel that bypasses the sequestration chamber to convey likely uncontaminated blood between the patient needle and the sample needle after the initial aliquot of blood is sequestered in the sequestration chamber.

Abstract: Load-bearing apparatus/systems for location in the vicinity of energized power lines are provided. The apparatus includes a base member. The base member has an upper layer and a backing surface layer. An uppermost surface of the upper layer is adapted to support on it at least power line workers and/or related stringing equipment. At least the uppermost surface of the upper layer is adapted to be electrically conductive. Methods for forming the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Blood sample optimization systems and methods are described that reduce or eliminate contaminates in collected blood samples, which in turn reduces or eliminates false positive readings in blood cultures or other testing of collected blood samples. A blood sample optimization system can include a blood sequestration device located between a patient needle and a sample needle. The blood sequestration device can include a sequestration chamber for sequestering an initial, potentially contaminated aliquot of blood, and may further include a sampling channel that bypasses the sequestration chamber to convey likely uncontaminated blood between the patient needle and the sample needle after the initial aliquot of blood is sequestered in the sequestration chamber.

Abstract: Systems for applying electrical stimulation to a nerve and determining a change in measured impedance or sensed electrical fields that is indicative of an electrical event, are disclosed herein. The system comprises an implantable housing comprising a signal generator, an implantable neural interface, an impedance measuring circuit or an electrical field sensing circuit, and processing circuitry. Methods for determining the presence of an electrical event in a system for applying electrical stimulation to a nerve, are also disclosed herein. The method comprises periodically sensing an impedance in an electrical pathway and determining an electrical event in the electrical pathway by identifying a change in the sensed impedance.

Abstract: A system (1) for electrically stimulating a nerve (3), the system comprising: a first stimulator (5) and a second stimulator (7) for electrically stimulating the nerve, the first stimulator and the second stimulator spaced apart from one another by a first distance; and a controller (9) arranged to: a) set a time interval as a function of the first distance and the speed of propagation of an action potential in the nerve; b) activate the first stimulator for a first stimulation period, thus inducing electrical activity in the nerve; and c) activate the second stimulator for a second stimulation period after the time interval has elapsed after the end of the first time period.

Abstract: An implosion shield of ballistic fabric adapted to mount so as to surround an implosion sleeve or dead-end on a power line. The implosion shield may be wrapped or formed as an envelope or tent including one piece and folded around the implosion sleeve or dead-end and secured with fasteners. A method of installing the implosion cover may include installing an implosion sleeve or dead-end on a power line, and then installing the implosion shield around the implosion sleeve or dead-end, by wrapping the implosion shield around the implosion sleeve or dead-end, or by securing an envelope implosion shield over the implosion sleeve or dead-end, or by draping the shield over the implosion sleeve or dead-end, or by mounting the shield on a frame over the implosion sleeve or dead-end, then detonating the implosion sleeve or dead-end. The implosion shield attenuates shock, pressure and sound waves from the detonation.

Abstract: Provided herein are myeloid cell leukemia 1 protein (Mcl-1) inhibitors, methods of their preparation, related pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of using the same. For example, provided herein are compounds of Formula I, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds. The compounds and compositions provided herein may be used, for example, in the treatment of diseases or conditions, such as cancer.

Abstract: A system (1) for electrically stimulating a nerve (3), the system comprising: a first stimulator (5) and a second stimulator (7) for electrically stimulating the nerve, the first stimulator and the second stimulator spaced apart from one another by a first distance; and a controller (9) arranged to: a) set a time interval as a function of the first distance and the speed of propagation of an action potential in the nerve; b) activate the first stimulator for a first stimulation period, thus inducing electrical activity in the nerve; and c) activate the second stimulator for a second stimulation period after the time interval has elapsed after the end of the first time period. Preferably, the time interval is a sum of the first time period and a buffer time period for allowing the nerve to recover from stimulation.

Abstract: A system is provided for use with an insulated boom section of a bucket truck. The system includes a source of high volume and pressure, dry air; one or more interior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air to direct the air into an interior of the insulated boom section. One or more exterior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air direct the air to along an exterior surface of the insulated boom section. A method is also provided for cleaning or drying both the interior and exterior surfaces simultaneously of an insulated boom section of the boom of a bucket truck. The boom of a bucket truck is further provided in another aspect that includes at least one insulated boom section, a source of high volume and pressure, dry air, one or more interior air diffusers and one or more exterior air diffusers. A pre-heating air heater may be removably mounted into the boom.

Abstract: An anti-rotation device is provided for stringing a cable or wire while reducing a twisting moment of the cable or wire as it is strung. The device includes a tow component, having multiple tow sections pivotally connectable end-to-end. A plurality of insulated weighted tail components are suspended so as to hang from the tow component. Each of the insulated tail components include weighted tail sections releasably connectable end-to-end to one another. At least one electrically insulated tail section is provided in each insulated tail component between the tow component and the weighted tail sections. The tail components are constrained to only articulate relative to the tow component in the single plane of bending of the tow component.

Abstract: Blood sample optimization systems and methods are described that reduce or eliminate contaminates in collected blood samples, which in turn reduces or eliminates false positive readings in blood cultures or other testing of collected blood samples. A blood sample optimization system can include a blood sequestration device located between a patient needle and a sample needle. The blood sequestration device can include a sequestration chamber for sequestering an initial, potentially contaminated aliquot of blood, and may further include a sampling channel that bypasses the sequestration chamber to convey likely uncontaminated blood between the patient needle and the sample needle after the initial aliquot of blood is sequestered in the sequestration chamber.

Abstract: A system is provided for use with an insulated boom section of a bucket truck. The system includes a source of high volume and pressure, dry air; one or more interior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air to direct the air into an interior of the insulated boom section. One or more exterior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air direct the air to along an exterior surface of the insulated boom section. A method is also provided for cleaning or drying both the interior and exterior surfaces simultaneously of an insulated boom section of the boom of a bucket truck. The boom of a bucket truck is further provided in another aspect that includes at least one insulated boom section, a source of high volume and pressure, dry air, one or more interior air diffusers and one or more exterior air diffusers. A pre-heating air heater may be removably mounted into the boom.