Abstract: Embodiments of polymer blends may include a first polymer composition and a second polymer composition. The first polymer composition may include a polyolefin having a thermal transition temperature of at least 100° C. and a graftable monomer having at least one acid or anhydride functional group grafted onto the polyolefin. The second polymer composition may include an E/X/Y ethylene interpolymer, wherein E is an ethylene monomer and comprises greater than 50 wt. % of the interpolymer, X is an ?,?-unsaturated C3-C8 carboxylic acid and comprises greater than 0 to 25 wt. % of the interpolymer, and Y is an optional comonomer comprising C1-C8 alkyl acrylate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining first data indicative of electric power supplied to a cooling apparatus during a cooling operation on a biological sample, the cooling operation having a given cooling condition; obtaining second data associated with a reference cooling condition; determining, based on the first data and the second data, whether the given cooling condition has a predetermined relationship with the reference cooling condition; and in response to a determination, by the determining, that the given cooling condition has the predetermined relationship with the reference cooling condition, outputting a control signal. The given cooling condition for the “live” data cooling operation may thus be validated against a reference cooling condition.

Abstract: Containers (100) for cryopreserved biological samples (102) may include an insulated housing including a cavity (108) for containing at least one cryopreserved biological sample; and a sealed reservoir (106) at least partly surrounding the cavity, the sealed reservoir including liquified gas (120) such as liquified air, the gas being kept largely liquified by a heat transfer engine (112) such as a Stirling cryocooler. A valve (114) may be provided to function as both a pressure relief valve and an inlet valve. The inlet valve may be coupled to a sensor (122) for sensing a volume of liquified gas within the sealed reservoir. The container may further include a heat exchanger (116) coupled to the heat engine and extending into the sealed reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device in the form of a bung for insulating a container interior from the ambient environment, the bung comprising: a plurality of insulating segments; and one or more barriers for reflecting infrared radiation. Disclosed is: a method of preparing a shipping system for retaining a cryopreserved sample, the method comprising: loading a cryopreserved sample into a container such as a vacuum flask; and fitting the bung to the container to insulate the container interior from the ambient environment, and a method of cooling a container, such as a vacuum flask, for retaining cryopreserved samples to a desired temperature, the method comprising: cooling the container interior by pouring a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen into the container; and emptying the cryogenic fluid from the container, once the cooling has at least partially taken place.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device in the form of a bung for insulating a container interior from the ambient environment, the bung comprising: a plurality of insulating segments; and one or more barriers for reflecting infrared radiation. Disclosed is: a method of preparing a shipping system for retaining a cryopreserved sample, the method comprising: loading a cryopreserved sample into a container such as a vacuum flask; and fitting the bung to the container to insulate the container interior from the ambient environment, and a method of cooling a container, such as a vacuum flask, for retaining cryopreserved samples to a desired temperature, the method comprising: cooling the container interior by pouring a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen into the container; and emptying the cryogenic fluid from the container, once the cooling has at least partially taken place.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for use in freezing at least part of a biological sample in a receptacle, e.g. a vial or a cryopreservation bag, the device comprising: a base; and a receptacle holder comprising: a first part configured to, with the receptacle held by the receptacle holder during cooling of the base using a cooler device, withdraw heat energy from a first portion of the receptacle at a first heat withdrawal rate; and a second part configured such that, with the receptacle held by the receptacle holder during cooling of the base using the cooler device, a second heat withdrawal rate of heat energy withdrawal from a second portion of the receptacle via the second part is less than the first heat withdrawal rate. A temperature gradient may be established in the sample to enable progressive solidification to occur in the sample. A receptable for use in freezing a biological sample, and a freezing method are disclosed also.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining first data indicative of electric power supplied to a cooling apparatus during a cooling operation on a biological sample, the cooling operation having a given cooling condition; obtaining second data associated with a reference cooling condition; determining, based on the first data and the second data, whether the given cooling condition has a predetermined relationship with the reference cooling condition; and in response to a determination, by the determining, that the given cooling condition has the predetermined relationship with the reference cooling condition, outputting a control signal. The given cooling condition for the “live” data cooling operation may thus be validated against a reference cooling condition.

Abstract: Disclosed are containers (100) for cryopreserved biological samples (102), which comprise an insulated housing comprising a cavity (108) for containing at least one cryopreserved biological sample; and a sealed reservoir (106) at least partly surrounding the cavity, the sealed reservoir comprising liquified gas (120) such as liqified air, the gas being kept largely liquified by means of a heat transfer engine (112) such as a Stirling cryocooler. A valve (114) may be provided to function as both a pressure relief valve and an inlet valve. The inlet valve may be coupled to a sensor (122) for sensing a volume of liquified gas within the sealed reservoir. The container may further comprise a heat exchanger (116) coupled to the heat engine and extending into the sealed reservoir.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a charging device for an inkjet printing system includes providing a charging device body having at least one conductive trace passing through the interior of the charging device body connecting between a charging face of the charging device body and an interconnection region remote from the charging face. A portion of the at least one conductive trace is exposed on the charging face. A vapor deposition process is used to deposit a conductive base layer through a shadow mask onto the charging face, wherein the deposited conductive base layer contacts the exposed portion of at least one conductive trace. One or more conductive metallic layers are plated onto the deposited conductive base layer to form a charging electrode.

Abstract: A method includes providing a gasifier with a fuel source comprising a heavy oil, a light oil, and recovered soot. The gasifier may gasify the fuel source to generate a syngas and soot. The method also includes recovering the soot in a first separation unit that may receive a portion of the heavy oil and separate the soot from an extraction oil used to recover the soot. The first separation unit generates soot bottoms that include the portion of the heavy oil and the recovered soot. The method also includes flowing a first separation co-fractionate to a second separation unit. The first separation co-fractionate includes the extraction oil and the light oil. The second separation unit may separate the extraction oil and the light oil, and direct the light oil towards the first separation unit.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for the analysis of the compliance to medical care standards of patient care data retrieved from a plurality of electronic medical records storage systems where the electronic medical records systems are not in direct communication with each other. The system and method is enabled through the use of a plurality of electronic interface appliance devices, each in communication with one of the plurality of electronic medical records systems and also in communication with a medical analytics engine and medical care standards data. The system and method configured so that the retrieval and analysis of patient care data may be performed on a real-time basis to allow a care provider to receive the compliance analysis results during an interaction with a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for the analysis of electronic medical records retrieved from a plurality of electronic medical records storage systems where the electronic medical records systems are not in direct communication with each other. The system and method enabled through the use of a plurality of electronic interface appliance devices, each in communication with one of the plurality of electronic medical records systems and also in communication with a medical analytics engine. The system and method configured so that the retrieval and analysis of electronic medical records may be performed in a real-time basis to allow a care provider to receive the analysis data during an interaction with a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is an system and method for communicating updated patient data from a first health care provider's electronic medical records system to a second health care provider's electronic medical records system. Such a system also is configured to present data in a standardized manner and communicate changes in such data to a health analytics engine in substantially real-time.

Abstract: An electronic medical record system includes a first electronic medical record system to store a complete medical record for a patient. An electronic medical record appliance is connected to the first electronic medical record system. The electronic medical record appliance includes a medical information exchange consent policy module including instructions executed by a processor to supply to the patient a medical information exchange consent policy interface with selectable medical information exchange consent policy elements, receive selected medical information exchange consent policy elements from the patient, accept from a second electronic medical record system a medical record request for the patient, filter the complete medical record for the patient in accordance with the selected medical information exchange consent policy elements to form a consent filtered medical record and transfer the consent filtered medical record to the second electronic medical record system.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for communicating a patient referral from a first patient care provider to a second patient care provider. Such an apparatus is also configured to communicate patient heath record data from first care provider's electronic health records system to a second care provider's electronic health records system in response to an electronic request from the second care provider.

Abstract: A computerized system and method for managing patient consent and for customizing patient consent policies is disclosed. The computerized system and method comprises a medical information exchange consent policy module that further includes instructions executed by a processor to supply to a patient with a medical information exchange consent policy interface with selectable medical information exchange consent policy elements. An electronic medical record (EMR) appliance receives selected medical information exchange consent policy elements from the user, accepts from an electronic medical record system a medical record request for the patient, filters the complete medical record for the patient in accordance with the selected medical information exchange consent policy elements to form a consent-filtered medical record and transfers the consent-filtered medical record to the electronic medical record system.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for the display of electronic medical records retrieved from a plurality of electronic medical records storage systems where the display is formatted in such a way as to present a consistent user interface to a user as that user interacts with one or more of the plurality of electronic medical records storage systems. The system and method configured so only store the retrieved records in a transitory manner such that a common electronic medical records database is not created for a time period longer than required to display and interact with the displayed data.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to systems for deaerating a stream of slag sump water produced by a gasifier. For example, in one embodiment, a system includes a flash vessel having a first inlet configured to introduce a first fluid into the flash vessel, wherein the flash vessel is configured to flash the first fluid to produce a first flash gas, a second inlet configured to introduce a stream from slag sump into the flash vessel, wherein the stream from slag sump comprises a mixture of a gasification fine slag, dissolved oxygen (O2), and water. A gas-liquid contactor in the flash vessel is configured to contact the stream from slag sump with the first flash gas to enable the first flash gas to deaerate the stream from slag sump. A first outlet of the vessel is configured to output an overhead discharge comprising the first flash gas and oxygen from the stream from slag sump.

Abstract: A method includes providing a gasifier with a fuel source comprising a heavy oil, a light oil, and recovered soot. The gasifier may gasify the fuel source to generate a syngas and soot. The method also includes recovering the soot in a first separation unit that may receive a portion of the heavy oil and separate the soot from an extraction oil used to recover the soot. The first separation unit generates soot bottoms that include the portion of the heavy oil and the recovered soot. The method also includes flowing a first separation co-fractionate to a second separation unit. The first separation co-fractionate includes the extraction oil and the light oil. The second separation unit may separate the extraction oil and the light oil, and direct the light oil towards the first separation unit.

Abstract: A method for establishing a telephone call between an originating device and a destination device. A call server receives an originating call made by an originating device to a dedicated number for a destination party. In response to receiving the originating call: (i) the originating call is parked; and (ii) a message is sent to the destination device of the destination party. The message informs the destination device of the originating call to the dedicated number so that the destination device is able to call the call server to be connected to the parked originating call.