Abstract: In an aspect, a method for reducing the molecular weight of a polyester, comprises mixing a composition comprising a polyester oligomer and a polyester in a molten state to form a modified polyester; wherein the mixing occurs at a temperature of 230 to 330° C.; wherein the polyester oligomer is present in an amount of 0.1 to 50 weight percent based on 5 the total weight of the composition; wherein the polyester comprises a C2-12 alkyl phthalate polyester having a weight average molecular weight, Mwi, of 15,000 to 100,000 g/mol determined using gel permeation chromatography based on polystyrene standards; and wherein the modified polyester has a weight average molecular weight, Mwf, of at least 5% less than the weight average molecular weight of the polyester.

Abstract: A battery module comprises at least two energy storage cells arranged in a row to form a block of cells. Each energy storage cell has a pair of electrical terminals. The block of cells is arranged such that the electrical terminals are all on a first side of the block of cells. An intumescent insulating sheet is disposed on the first side of the block of cells, and a high-temperature-resistant sheet is disposed on the first side of the block of cells over the intumescent insulating sheet.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions including a CaMKK2 inhibitor and an anti-cancer therapeutic agent and methods of treating cancer in a subject by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the composition to a subject. The subject may be selected for treatment based on an immune cell measurement of a sample from the subject. Methods of treating cancer by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a CaMKK2 inhibitor, and administering a therapeutically effective amount of an anti-cancer therapeutic agent to the subject are also provided. Kits including combination of a CaMKK2 inhibitor and another anti-cancer therapeutic agent are also provided.

Abstract: A medical device includes a chassis component having a bottom and an opening defined in the bottom, and a capstan including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a spool between the upper and lower portions. The upper portion of the capstan is supported within the opening of the chassis component. The spool comprises a cable wrap surface and a side wall opposing the bottom of the upper chassis. The side wall of the spool can optionally slope away from the bottom of the chassis component. The medical device can further include a cable guide and a cable. The cable extends from the cable guide to the cable wrap surface of the spool.

Abstract: A medical device includes a blade support, a blade supported by the blade support, and a pin. The blade support includes a bore with an inner portion oriented toward the blade and an outer portion oriented away from the blade. A discontinuity is located at a boundary between the inner and outer portions of the bore. The pin includes a longitudinal axis and a yaw plane is defined perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A rotational yaw degree of freedom is defined about the longitudinal axis of the pin. The blade support is operable to rotate about the pin in the yaw degree of freedom, contact the pin at the discontinuity of the bore, and tilts away from the yaw plane at the discontinuity of the bore in response to a force applied in a lateral direction.

Abstract: A system architecture for grid electrical energy storage comprising substantial numbers of cells connected in parallel. The lowest level of modularity comprising about eighteen or more individual cells connected in parallel. The disclosed architecture reduces the number of parts, complexity, and variability, while increasing one or more of reliability, service life, and energy capacity of a large-scale grid energy storage system, relative to a conventional multi-parallel string architecture.

Abstract: A method of separating phenol can include: separating a first portion of acetone from a product stream in an evaporator unit, wherein the first portion of the acetone includes recycle acetone and bypass acetone; recycling the recycle acetone; withdrawing a bottom fraction from the evaporator unit; neutralizing the bottom fraction to form a distillation feed stream that is directed to a distillation column; separating the distillation feed stream into a bottom stream and an overhead stream, the bottom stream including a crude phenol fraction; passing the overhead stream through a condenser to produce a distillate as a crude acetone fraction, and wherein reflux ratio of the distillation column is less than or equal to 0.40, with the reflux ratio a ratio of a weight of a reflux to distillate weight; and directing the bypass acetone around the distillation column.

Abstract: A laminate and a method for preparing a laminate are provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a container or sheet which comprises a fibrous material, disposing a primer composition onto at least one surface of the container or sheet to form a primer layer on the container or sheet, and also disposing a polymeric liner film onto a surface of the primer layer to form a lined container or sheet. The primer composition comprises at least one sulfopolyester.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering phenol have been disclosed. The methods of recovering phenol includes concurrently processing, in a phenol recovery unit, a crude phenol stream from a phenol production unit, and a bisphenol-A purge stream from a bisphenol-A production unit to produce a first product stream comprising 60 to 95 wt. % phenol. The phenol recovery unit comprises a crude phenol distillation column and a bisphenol-A-phenol distillation column. The processing includes distilling a bottom stream from the crude phenol distillation column in the bisphenol-A-phenol distillation column.

Abstract: A portable data-management system based on an analyte testing device which communicates wirelessly with a mobile device. The mobile device runs an application to manage and analyze data obtained by the analyte testing device. The mobile device may assist the user in displaying testing data, identifying patterns to assist healthy behavior or issue warnings based on the collected data. The mobile device may be connected to a network to store user health data for use by other parties.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system can include a reload shaft. The shaft can include an elongate tubular member with have a jaw assembly at the distal end thereof and a coupling collar at the proximal end thereof. The shaft assembly also includes an articulation joint coupling the jaw assembly to the distal end. A drive member and an articulation member extend within the tubular body of the shaft from the proximal end to the distal end. A firing member is connected to the distal end of the drive member such that advancement of the drive beam advances the firing member to close the jaw assemblies and fire staples from a reload positioned in the jaw assembly. The shaft assembly can also include a lockout mechanism to prevent a firing operation on a previously-fired reload or no reload.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system can include a reload shaft. The shaft can include an elongate tubular member with have a jaw assembly at the distal end thereof and a coupling collar at the proximal end thereof. The shaft assembly also includes an articulation joint coupling the jaw assembly to the distal end. A drive member and an articulation member extend within the tubular body of the shaft from the proximal end to the distal end. A firing member is connected to the distal end of the drive member such that advancement of the drive beam advances the firing member to close the jaw assemblies and fire staples from a reload positioned in the jaw assembly. The shaft assembly can also include a lockout mechanism to prevent a firing operation on a previously-fired reload or no reload.

Abstract: A heat-sealable composite film comprising an oriented polyester substrate layer having a first and second surface is provided. Disposed on the first surface of the substrate layer is a heat- sealable polymeric coating layer comprising a styrenic linear block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and a tackifying resin. Also described is a sealed container comprising a receptacle containing a food product, and a lid formed from said heat-sealable composite film.

Abstract: A tool member is rotatably coupled to a distal end portion of a shaft and includes a drive pulley and a coupling spool. A mechanical structure is coupled to a proximal end portion of the shaft and includes first and second capstans. The first and second capstans each include a first portion and a second portion. A distal portion of the cable is wrapped at least one revolution about the coupling spool. A first proximal end of the cable is wrapped about the second portion of the first capstan such that a second portion crosses over a first portion of the first proximal end of the cable. The second proximal end of the cable is wrapped about the second portion of the second capstan such that a second portion of the second proximal end of the cable crosses over a first portion of the second proximal end of the cable.

Abstract: A method for oxidizing a hydrocarbon includes feeding an oxidant to a top portion of a reactor; reacting the hydrocarbon with the oxidant in the reactor to obtain a reaction product stream, the reaction product stream exiting a reactor outlet at a bottom portion of the reactor; and recycling a portion of the reaction product stream to the top portion of the reactor; and introducing the oxidant into an oxidation liquid comprising the portion of the reaction product stream recycled to the top portion of the reactor to form a reaction media stream entering a reactor inlet at the top portion of the reactor. A pressure of the reactor outlet exceeds a pressure of the reactor inlet by at least 5%. The reaction media stream moves vertically downwards in the reactor.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a blade for a tape measure, wherein the blade comprises an elongate metal substrate and further comprises at least one oriented polyamide protective film. The oriented polyamide protective film comprises an oriented polyamide substrate film and may comprise a heat-sealable polymeric coating layer.

Abstract: A sampling system for an optical cell containing a process fluid comprises a first bi-directional pump in fluid communication with a sampling path and a second bi-directional pump in fluid communication with the first bi-directional pump and a storage vessel. The first bi-directional pump is configured to withdraw a first sample of the process fluid and to cause the first sample to flow towards the first bi-directional pump. The second bi-directional pump is configured to withdraw a second sample from the storage vessel and to cause the second sample to move toward and mix with the first sample. A first rate of withdraw of the first sample is greater than a second rate of movement of the second sample toward the first sample, and the difference between the first rate and the second rate correspond to a pre-determined ratio of the first sample mixed with the second sample.

Abstract: A toilet system includes a waterless waste disposal system. A waste liner advancement mechanism is configured to: cover a toilet seat with a liner, capture waste expelled from a user, and mechanically advance the liner into a waste storage area so as to place a fresh liner over the toilet seat after capturing the waste.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating cancer with harmine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating cancer with targeted mineralocorticoid analogues