Abstract: A polypeptide comprising the contiguous amino acids 1-198 of SEQ ID NO: 2; a polypeptide, which comprises a contiguous amino acid sequence that is at least about 95% identical to the contiguous amino acids 1-198 of SEQ ID NO: 2, an epitope that is immunoreactive with an antibody that specifically binds to the core protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and an epitope that is immunoreactive with an antibody that specifically binds to the NS4 region of HCV; a nucleic acid encoding such a polypeptide; a host cell comprising such a nucleic acid; an immunodiagnostic reagent comprising such a polypeptide; a kit comprising such an immunodiagnostic reagent; and a method of determining the presence, amount, or concentration of anti-HCV antibodies in a test sample.

Abstract: Direct 3D-printed orthodontic aligners with torque, rotation, and full-control anchors are provided. In an implementation, an orthodontic system uses 3D-printed aligners to perform orthodontic treatment of teeth. Manufacturing the aligners by 3D-printing or additive manufacturing processes imparts novel geometries to the aligners for applying torque, rotation, and full 3D control forces to the teeth in novel ways. The 3D-printed aligners may contain multiple different plastic or metal materials with different orthodontic properties. In an implementation, divot anchors can be strategically applied to teeth to work in conjunction with a 3D-printed aligner fitted over the divot anchors and teeth. The divot anchors may include a depression, channel, groove, or notch providing an attachment point for the aligner to apply a force to the tooth through the divot anchor, such as a torque, rotational force, leverage, push, pull, or 3D control force.

Abstract: An enclosure includes a battery chamber for housing one or more rechargeable batteries capable of releasing hydrogen gas over time, a ventilation chamber positioned above the battery chamber, and a wall extending between the battery chamber and the ventilation chamber. The battery chamber includes an inlet for allowing air to enter the battery chamber. The wall includes one or more perforations to allow hydrogen gas released by the one or more rechargeable batteries to pass from the battery chamber into the ventilation chamber. The ventilation chamber includes at least one exterior wall having one or more perforations to allow the hydrogen gas in the ventilation chamber to exit the enclosure. Other example enclosures and methods of exhausting hydrogen gas from enclosures are also disclosed.

Abstract: An enclosure includes a base, a hood pivotably coupled to the base, and a latching assembly for coupling the hood to the base. The hood is configured to move between a closed position and an open position. The latching assembly includes a fixed bracket coupled to the base, a latch coupled to the hood and configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position, a spring element coupled to the latch and configured to bias the latch in the extended position to releasably couple the latch to the fixed bracket when the hood is in the open position, and a fastener coupled to the latch. The fastener is configured to move the latch to the retracted position to disengage the latch from the fixed bracket allowing the hood to move to the closed position. Other example enclosures and latching assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a segment loading indicator configured to be electrically coupled to a load segment output of a power supply, such as a UPS, and operative to provide an indication of a loading of the load segment output. For example, the segment loading indicator may be operative to provide an indication of a loading of the load segment output with respect to load rating of the load segment output. A UPS may include a loading indicator is coupled to a power output and operative to provide rear-panel indication of a loading of the power output.

Abstract: A polypeptide comprising the contiguous amino acids 1-198 of SEQ ID NO: 2; a polypeptide, which comprises a contiguous amino acid sequence that is at least about 95% identical to the contiguous amino acids 1-198 of SEQ ID NO: 2, an epitope that is immunoreactive with an antibody that specifically binds to the core protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV), and an epitope that is immunoreactive with an antibody that specifically binds to the NS4 region of HCV; a nucleic acid encoding such a polypeptide; a host cell comprising such a nucleic acid; an immunodiagnostic reagent comprising such a polypeptide; a kit comprising such an immunodiagnostic reagent; and a method of determining the presence, amount, or concentration of anti-HCV antibodies in a test sample.

Abstract: A process extracts liquid from a fabric having a first content of liquid through the use of a mechanical extraction means and penetration of a surfactant monolayer created at the air-liquid interface of the first liquid contained in the fabric by a surfactant penetrant.

Abstract: A process of extracting liquid from a fabric having a first content of liquid includes the steps of creating a surfactant surface layer including at least one surfactant at an air-liquid interface of the liquid on the fabric, wherein the surface layer has a first surface tension, and adding at least one co-surfactant different from the surfactant. The surfactant and said co-surfactant have substantial chain length compatibility. The co-surfactant reduces the surface tension at the air-liquid interface. The fabric is then subjected to mechanical extraction for a period of time to reduce the liquid content of the fabric from the first content of liquid to a second liquid content.

Abstract: A method of removing a toxic compound comprising contacting the toxic compound with a particle having two regions, the first region containing a detoxifying enzyme and the second region containing a material selected to partition the toxic compound into the second region. The particle may be a nanoparticle.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a segment loading indicator configured to be electrically coupled to a load segment output of a power supply, such as a UPS, and operative to provide an indication of a loading of the load segment output. For example, the segment loading indicator may be operative to provide an indication of a loading of the load segment output with respect to load rating of the load segment output. A UPS may include a loading indicator is coupled to a power output and operative to provide rear-panel indication of a loading of the power output.

Abstract: A microemulsion delivery system for water insoluble or sparingly water soluble drugs that comprises a long polymer chain surfactant component and a short fatty acid surfactant component, with the amount of each being selected to provide stable microemulsion or micellar systems.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to methods for the simultaneous detection of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) antigens as well as antibodies produced in response to HCV antigens. Furthermore, the subject invention allows one to detect antigens in the early, acute stage of infection, even prior to the development of antibodies, thereby allowing for early detection of infected blood and blood products, thus improving the safety of the blood supply.

Abstract: A microemulsion delivery system for water insoluble or sparingly water soluble drugs that comprises a long polymer chain surfactant component and a short fatty acid surfactant component, with the amount of each being selected to provide stable microemulsion or micellar systems.

Abstract: A microemulsion delivery system for water insoluble or sparingly water soluble drugs that comprises a long polymer chain surfactant component and a short fatty acid surfactant component, with the amount of each being selected to provide stable microemulsion or micellar systems.

Abstract: A microemulsion delivery system for water insoluble or sparingly water soluble drugs that comprises a long polymer chain surfactant component and a short fatty acid surfactant component, with the amount of each being selected to provide stable microemulsion or micellar systems.

Abstract: A power transfer apparatus includes a first switch operative to couple and decouple a first AC power source to and from an AC power bus responsive to a first control signal and a second switch operative to couple and decouple a second AC power source to and from the AC power bus responsive to a second control signal. A first switch control circuit generates the first control signal responsive to a first AC source voltage produced by the first AC power source and to a first inhibit signal and generates a second inhibit signal responsive to a state of the first switch. A second switch control circuit generates the second control signal responsive to a second AC source voltage produced by the second AC power source and to the second inhibit signal and generates the first inhibit signal responsive to a state of the second switch.

Abstract: A flow stabilization system for damping pressure variations in a process discharging an effluent gas stream, in which the process is pressure-sensitive and downstream pressure variations can adversely affect the upstream process, said system comprising a motive fluid driver constructed and arranged to receive the effluent gas stream from the process, and means for sensing a flow characteristic of the effluent gas stream and responsively adjusting the flow of the effluent gas stream to damp pressure fluctuations in the process.

Abstract: When an antioxidant, such as a selected secondary aromatic amine additive, is employed with a blend of thermoplastic polyester elastomers, the extrusion range window of at least one of the elastomers is altered to the extent that the blend can be uniformly melted and extruded.

Abstract: A steam sterilizable and liquid sterilizable cable assembly comprising an electrical cable and a connector at either end, one connector adapted to connect to a measuring device and the other to a recording device, in which the exposed wires of the cable ends and the exposed leads in the connector are embedded in epoxy resin which seals the leads and wires from contact with steam or liquid, and if either the primary insulation or the jacket of the electrical cable is impervious to steam and sterilizing liquid.

Abstract: An electrostatic charge dissipating protective jacket for bundles of wire made from a polyether-based polyurethane sheet encircling the bundle with the overlapping edges bonded together by an adhesive under pressure at room temperature and containing an electrostatic charge dissipating material, such as conductive carbon black.