Abstract: A ground engaging agricultural blade, coulter, or disc having a central opening adapted to be attached to an implement for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation; the coulter or disc have an outer periphery; and plurality of step plane notches disposed in the outer periphery. The blade can be used with a hub disposed around the central opening or a spacer spool on a shaft extending through the central openings of adjacent blades, the spacer spools extending radially outwardly by a distance.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject suffering from Alzheimer's disease is provided. The method includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP). A composition including a therapeutically effective amount of LBP is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a pigment transfer sheet (1) suitable for transferring an image to a textile substrate (2), said transfer sheet comprising a base layer and a transfer layer, said transfer layer being present in an amount of 5 to 20 g/m2, preferably in an amount of 8 to 15 g/m2 such as about 12 g/m2. A further aspect of the present invention is a process wherein this transfer sheet is used for transferring an image from a pigment transfer sheet to a textile substrate to provide a textile product carrying said image, said process comprising a transfer step comprising applying a surface pressure of at least 0.4 bar and heat to the superimposed contacted transfer sheet and textile substrate. Yet another aspect of the invention is a textile product (3) obtainable by the sheet and the process, which textile product has favorable properties like good hand and color fastnesses.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a device configured for self-administered therapy comprises at least two base members, each base member configured to be secured to a surface for mounting the device of said surface, a shaft configured to secure to the at least two base members and extend between the at least two base members, and at least one therapy member configured to be secured relative to the shaft, wherein the at least one therapy member is configured to rotate relative to the shaft during use, wherein the at least one therapy member is configured to be contacted by a user and configured to rotate during use.

Abstract: Integral membrane proteins capable of transporting melatonin and other indole-derivatives across biological membranes, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A plural preform assembly including an outer preform and an inner preform. The outer preform includes an outer preform open end, an outer preform closed end longitudinally opposed thereto, and an outer preform sidewall joining the outer preform open end and the outer preform closed end. The inner preform may be disposed in the outer preform. The inner preform includes an inner preform open end, an inner preform closed end longitudinally opposed thereto, and an inner preform sidewall joining the inner preform open end and the inner preform closed end. The inner preform has an inner preform intrinsic viscosity and the outer preform has an outer preform intrinsic viscosity. The inner preform intrinsic viscosity and the outer preform intrinsic viscosity are different. The plural preform assembly may be blow molded into an article.

Abstract: An aerosol container suitable for use as an aerosol dispenser. The aerosol container includes at least a valve and product delivery device joined to an outer container. The valve and product delivery device have respective annular welds or other seals joining the valve and product delivery to the outer container. The welds, or other seals may be concentric, with one circumscribing the other, in the same plane or different planes. Suitable product delivery devices include bags and dip tubes.

Abstract: An aerosol container suitable for use as an aerosol dispenser. The aerosol container includes at least a valve and product delivery device joined to an outer container. The valve and product delivery device have respective annular welds or other seals joining the valve and product delivery to the outer container. The welds, or other seals may be concentric, with one circumscribing the other, in the same plane or different planes. Suitable product delivery devices include bags and dip tubes.

Abstract: Medical instruments with shaft actuating handles configured to accept stylets are disclosed. In one aspect, a medical instrument includes an elongate channel having a distal end, a tool configured to be extended from and retracted into the distal end of the elongate channel, and a handle configured to drive movement of the tool between a retracted position and an extended position. The handle includes a casing, a handle member coupled to the tool and configured to move with respect to the casing as the tool is moved between the retracted position and the extended position, a fluid fitting coupled to the casing, and a flexible tube connecting the fluid fitting to the handle member and forming a portion of a lumen. The flexible tube is configured to allow a stylet to pass through the lumen when the tool is in the extended position.

Abstract: A method for treating a subject suffering from Alzheimer's disease is provided. The method includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP). A composition including a therapeutically effective amount of LBP is also provided.

Abstract: A patient introducer for use with a surgical robotic system is disclosed. In one aspect, the patient introducer may include an introducer tube extending between (i) a distal end connectable to a port and (ii) a proximal end configured to receive a surgical tool. The introducer tube may be configured to guide the surgical tool into the port. The patient introducer may also include an alignment member connected to the introducer tube and including a first shape and a first alignment marking. The alignment member may be configured to interface with a manipulator assembly of a robotic system. The manipulator assembly may include a second shape and a second alignment marking, the first shape being complementary to the second shape. The first alignment marking of the alignment member may facilitate rotational alignment of the alignment member and the manipulator assembly.

Abstract: A plural preform assembly having nested preforms. The preforms are held together by an interference fit. The interference fit is provided by the friction between the preforms which occurs when the inner preform is inserted into the outer preform. At least one preform may have ribs extending radially towards the other preform. The ribs provided concentricity and interference to hold the preforms together during subsequent operations. The preforms may later be blow molded to provide a bag in bottle or similar container.

Abstract: A patient introducer for use with a surgical robotic system is disclosed. In one aspect, the patient introducer may include an introducer tube extending between (i) a distal end connectable to a port and (ii) a proximal end configured to receive a surgical tool. The introducer tube may be configured to guide the surgical tool into the port. The patient introducer may also include an alignment member connected to the introducer tube and including a first shape and a first alignment marking. The alignment member may be configured to interface with a manipulator assembly of a robotic system. The manipulator assembly may include a second shape and a second alignment marking, the first shape being complementary to the second shape. The first alignment marking of the alignment member may facilitate rotational alignment of the alignment member and the manipulator assembly.

Abstract: An aerosol dispenser, an outer container for an aerosol dispenser, and a preform for an outer container. The aerosol dispenser, outer container, and preform each have a neck including a crimp ring. The crimp ring may be configured to receive a valve cup, which is clinched thereto. The crimp ring includes one or more vents. The vents may be used to control overpressurization within the dispenser. The vents may be exposed to pressurized propellant and product due to deformation of the neck during undue overpressurization. The vents allow propellant and/or product to be released therethrough in the event of overpressurization.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a device configured for self-administered therapy comprises at least two base members, each base member configured to be secured to a surface for mounting the device of said surface, a shaft configured to secure to the at least two base members and extend between the at least two base members, and at least one therapy member configured to be secured relative to the shaft, wherein the at least one therapy member is configured to rotate relative to the shaft during use, wherein the at least one therapy member is configured to be contacted by a user and configured to rotate during use.

Abstract: An intelligent electrical conductor installation system includes a puller sub-system, a tensioner sub-system, and a running GC board. The pull sub-system is configured to provide a pulling force to a pull rope connected on one end to the running board. The tensioner sub-system is configured to provide tension to the one or more conductors connected to the running board during installation of the conductors. The running board is connected to the pull rope on a first end, and configured to be connected to one or more conductors on a second end, wherein the running board includes one or more sensors configured to sense attributes of the conductor pull operation.

Abstract: An aerosol dispenser, an outer container for an aerosol dispenser and a preform for an outer container. The aerosol dispenser, outer container and preform each have a neck, which in turn has a crimp ring, to receive a valve cup clinched thereto. The crimp ring has slots which act as vents therethrough. The vents may be exposed to pressurized propellant and product due to deformation of the neck during undue internal pressurization. The cross section of the vents diverge in the downward direction to provide both flow area and for product and propellant and adequate area for the valve cup to be corrugatedly clinched to the crimp ring.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to medical technology are disclosed. For example, a medical robotic system can include first and second robotic arms. An introducer can be coupled to the first robotic arm. The introducer can include a first opening, a second opening, and a channel connecting the first opening and the second opening. A flexible elongate medical tool can be coupled to the second robotic arm. The second robotic arm can be configured to drive the flexible elongate medical tool through the introducer coupled to the first robotic arm and into a patient.

Abstract: A method of detecting inflammation in a subject is provided. The method comprises determining a quantity of amyloid present in fibrin(ogen) protein in a blood sample obtained from the subject, and assigning a level of inflammation in the subject based on the quantity of fibrin(ogen) amyloid determined. A method of determining an effect of a therapeutic treatment on a subject by comparing a pre-treatment level of inflammation with a post-treatment level is further provided.

Abstract: An aerosol dispenser, an outer container for an aerosol dispenser, and a preform for an outer container. The aerosol dispenser, outer container, and preform each have a neck including a crimp ring. The crimp ring may be configured to receive a valve cup, which is clinched thereto. The crimp ring includes one or more vents. The vents may be used to control overpressurization within the dispenser. The vents may be exposed to pressurized propellant and product due to deformation of the neck during undue overpressurization. The vents allow propellant and/or product to be released therethrough in the event of overpressurization.