Abstract: Provided herein are synthetic P. vivax antigens, antibodies and pharmaceutical formulations and vaccines thereof. Also provided herein are methods of treating and/or preventing Plasmodium infection and/or disease by administering the synthetic P. vivax antigens, antibodies and pharmaceutical formulations and vaccines thereof.

Abstract: A multi-material golf shaft having a butt portion joined to a tip portion and possessing unique relationships, including rigidity relationships, which provide beneficial performance characteristics.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a surface is provided. The method includes providing a cleaning head, a housing, a pump, the pump having a port, the cleaning head having a nozzle, the cleaning head and housing being connected to one another. A cleaning element is attached with a first opening to the cleaning head so that the nozzle and the first opening are aligned. A refillable rigid container is provided having a cleaning fluid in the refillable rigid container. The port and the refillable rigid container are connected to form an air and fluid tight connection between the port and the container. The cleaning element is placed on a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning fluid is pumped from the refillable rigid container through the nozzle and the first opening onto the surface to be cleaned.

Abstract: A portable water conditioning system is provided that includes a water conditioner, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The water conditioner has a plurality of conditioning stages that condition water. The plurality of conditioning stages include, in a direction of flow of the water through the water conditioner, a reverse osmosis stage and a deionizing stage. The first sensor detects a first condition of the water before the reverse osmosis stage. The second sensor detects a second condition of the water after the reverse osmosis stage. The controller is in communication with the first and second sensors and determines a health status of the reverse osmosis stage based the first and second conditions. The first and second conditions each include a level of total dissolved solids of the water.

Abstract: A golf club shaft system and golf club shaft possessing unique flexural and torsional rigidity profiles, while providing significant adjustability to fine tune the shaft to a particular golf swing.

Abstract: A method of diagnosis and prognosis for various operative systems is provided so that maintenance can be efficiently and effectively scheduled and provided. The invention is applicable to a broad range of systems, but particularly to aircraft brake systems and tires. An aircraft brake may be modeled by attributing brake wear factor values to various parameters associated with the aircraft brake that impact wear. Over the course of time and during braking events, the brake wear factor values are summed and a running total of that sum is kept over the life of the brake. At a point in time when the sum of weighted factors exceeds a preset threshold, an indicia is generated that service is required.

Abstract: A multi-material golf shaft having a butt portion joined to a tip portion and possessing unique relationships, including rigidity relationships, which provide beneficial performance characteristics including improved stability.

Abstract: A portable water conditioning system is provided that includes a water conditioner, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller. The water conditioner has a plurality of conditioning stages that condition water. The plurality of conditioning stages include, in a direction of flow of the water through the water conditioner, a reverse osmosis stage and a deionizing stage. The first sensor detects a first condition of the water before the reverse osmosis stage. The second sensor detects a second condition of the water after the reverse osmosis stage. The controller is in communication with the first and second sensors and determines a health status of the reverse osmosis stage based the first and second conditions. The first and second conditions each include a level of total dissolved solids of the water.

Abstract: A conventional media filter such as a gravity sand filter is converted into a membrane filter. The media is removed and replaced by immersed membrane modules. Transmembrane pressure is created by a static head pressure differential, without a suction pump, thereby creating a membrane gravity filter (MGF). Preferred operating parameters include transmembrane pressure of 5-20 kPa, 1-3 backwashes per day, and a flux of 10-20 L/m2/h. The membranes are dosed with chlorine or another oxidant, preferably at 700 minutes*mg/L as Cl2 equivalent per week or less. The small oxidant does is believed to provide a porous biofilm or fouling layer without substantially removing the layer. The media filter may be modified so that backwash wastewater is removed from near the bottom of the tank rather than through backwash troughs above the membrane modules. Membrane integrity testing may be done while the tank is emptied after a backwash.

Abstract: Particles such as blood cells can be categorized and counted by a digital image processor. A digital microscope camera can be directed into a flowcell defining a symmetrically narrowing flowpath in which the sample stream flows in a ribbon flattened by flow and viscosity parameters between layers of sheath fluid. A contrast pattern for autofocusing is provided on the flowcell, for example at an edge of a rear illumination opening. The image processor assesses focus accuracy from pixel data contrast. A positioning motor moves the microscope and/or flowcell along the optical axis for autofocusing on the contrast pattern target. The processor then displaces microscope and flowcell by a known distance between the contrast pattern and the sample stream, thus focusing on the sample stream. Blood cell images are collected from that position until autofocus is reinitiated, periodically, by input signal, or when detecting temperature changes or focus inaccuracy in the image data.

Abstract: A portable water conditioning system is provided that includes an incoming water inlet; a reverse osmosis stage in fluid communication with the incoming water inlet, the reverse osmosis stage having a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet; a diversion device having a diversion valve, the diversion valve placing the concentrate outlet in fluid communication with a waste water outlet; a deionizing stage in fluid communication with a pure water outlet; a bypass valve configured to selectively place the permeate outlet in fluid communication with one or more of the waste water outlet, the deionizing stage, and the pure water outlet; and a controller configured to control the diversion device and the bypass valve to provide water at the pure water outlet of a desired condition.

Abstract: A conventional media filter such as a gravity sand filter is converted into a membrane filter. The media is removed and replaced by immersed membrane modules. Transmembrane pressure is created by a static head pressure differential, without a suction pump, thereby creating a membrane gravity filter (MGF). Preferred operating parameters include transmembrane pressure of 5-20 kPa, 1-3 backwashes per day, and a flux of 10-20 L/m2/h. The membranes are dosed with chlorine or another oxidant, preferably at 700 minutes*mg/L as Cl2 equivalent per week or less. The small oxidant does is believed to provide a porous biofilm or fouling layer without substantially removing the layer. The media filter may be modified so that backwash wastewater is removed from near the bottom of the tank rather than through backwash troughs above the membrane modules. Membrane integrity testing may be done while the tank is emptied after a backwash.

Abstract: A golf club shaft system and golf club shaft possessing unique flexural and torsional rigidity profiles, while providing significant adjustability to fine tune the shaft to a particular golf swing.

Abstract: An annuloplasty band and method of implantation. The band is shaped and sized to avoid the adjacent aortic valve structure and better protects against dehiscence along the muscular mitral annulus. The band is asymmetric and when implanted spans more around the side of the mitral annulus having the posterior commissure than the side with the anterior commissure. The band has a saddle shape with a posterior upward bow centered on a minor axis of the mitral annulus, and a span extending clockwise therefrom is longer than a span extending counter-clockwise. The longer span may be 150° while the shorter span extends 90°. A set of rings may have different saddle profiles and different plan view shapes for different sized bands. A method includes implanting so that the band extends over the posterior leaflet and a short distance past the posterior commissure outside of the anterior leaflet.

Abstract: Particles such as blood cells can be categorized and counted by a digital image processor. A digital microscope camera can be directed into a flowcell defining a symmetrically narrowing flowpath in which the sample stream flows in a ribbon flattened by flow and viscosity parameters between layers of sheath fluid. A contrast pattern for autofocusing is provided on the flowcell, for example at an edge of a rear illumination opening. The image processor assesses focus accuracy from pixel data contrast. A positioning motor moves the microscope and/or flowcell along the optical axis for autofocusing on the contrast pattern target. The processor then displaces microscope and flowcell by a known distance between the contrast pattern and the sample stream, thus focusing on the sample stream. Blood cell images are collected from that position until autofocus is reinitiated, periodically, by input signal, or when detecting temperature changes or focus inaccuracy in the image data.

Abstract: A portable water conditioning system is provided that includes an incoming water inlet; a reverse osmosis stage in fluid communication with the incoming water inlet, the reverse osmosis stage having a permeate outlet and a concentrate outlet; a diversion device having a diversion valve, the diversion valve placing the concentrate outlet in fluid communication with a waste water outlet; a deionizing stage in fluid communication with a pure water outlet; a bypass valve configured to selectively place the permeate outlet in fluid communication with one or more of the waste water outlet, the deionizing stage, and the pure water outlet; and a controller configured to control the diversion device and the bypass valve to provide water at the pure water outlet of a desired condition.

Abstract: For analyzing a sample containing particles of at least two categories, such as a sample containing blood cells, a particle counter subject to a detection limit is coupled with an analyzer capable of discerning particle number ratios, such as a visual analyzer, and a processor. A first category of particles can be present beyond detection range limits while a second category of particles is present within respective detection range limits. The concentration of the second category of particles is determined by the particle counter. A ratio of counts of the first category to the second category is determined on the analyzer. The concentration of particles in the first category is calculated on the processor based on the ratio and the count or concentration of particles in the second category.

Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.

Abstract: A system for coordinating a response comprising a plurality of mobile devices for use by persons responding to an event; a mobile application configured to send, via the corresponding mobile device, information concerning a response to the event of the person using the corresponding mobile device; and a server configured to receive and share the information with each of the other mobile devices so as to provide continuously updated information concerning the response of each person to the event for use in coordinating a collective response to the event by the persons. A method for coordinating a response comprising sending, via a plurality of mobile devices, information concerning a response to the event by a corresponding user of the corresponding mobile device; sharing the information with each of the other mobile devices; and displaying the shared information for facilitating coordination of a collective response to the event by the persons.

Abstract: A floor cleaning system and a method of cleaning a floor are provided. The cleaning system includes a flat headed mop. The system also includes a frame and at least one compartment removably coupled to the frame. A wringing assembly is fluidly coupled to the at least one compartment, the wringing assembly comprising a fixed extractor element and at least one roller movable from a first position when the mop head is being inserted to a second position when the mop head is being withdrawn.