Abstract: A kit for dispensing disposable stethoscope covers and other instrument covers is provided. The kit may include a cartridge and a dispenser for automatic touch-free dispensing of disposable stethoscope covers. The kit further includes a first spool having a roll of backing member with disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon and a second spool for receiving the spent backing member after a disposable stethoscope cover has been removed, self-contained within the cartridge. The cartridge is inserted within the dispenser so that a user may insert a stethoscope head through a window of the dispenser to attach to a disposable stethoscope cover. Alternatively, the cartridge or cassette may be comprised of disposable instrument covers so that a user may insert the instrument near or through the window of the dispenser for application of the instrument cover directly to the instrument. The kit may further include a proximity sensor for detecting a user.

Abstract: A kit for dispensing disposable stethoscope covers and other instrument covers is provided. The kit may include a cartridge and a dispenser for automatic touch-free dispensing of disposable stethoscope covers. The kit further includes a first spool having a roll of backing member with disposable stethoscope covers disposed thereon and a second spool for receiving the spent backing member after a disposable stethoscope cover has been removed, self-contained within the cartridge. The cartridge is inserted within the dispenser so that a user may insert a stethoscope head through a window of the dispenser to attach to a disposable stethoscope cover. Alternatively, the cartridge or cassette may be comprised of disposable instrument covers so that a user may insert the instrument near or through the window of the dispenser for application of the instrument cover directly to the instrument. The kit may further include a proximity sensor for detecting a user.

Abstract: Methods of preparing naive human pluripotent stem cells are described. The methods include the use of xeno-free media and do not include the use of feeder cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing of multiple material samples includes a gas delivery control system operatively connectable to the multiple material samples and configured to provide gas to the multiple material samples. Both a gas composition measurement device and pressure measurement devices are included in the apparatus. The apparatus includes multiple selectively openable and closable valves and a series of conduits configured to selectively connect the multiple material samples individually to the gas composition device and the pressure measurement devices by operation of the valves. A mixing system is selectively connectable to the series of conduits and is operable to cause forced mixing of the gas within the series of conduits to achieve a predetermined uniformity of gas composition within the series of conduits and passages.

Abstract: An apparatus for synthesis and assaying of materials is provided that significantly improves throughput efficiency by allowing for material synthesis and assaying in the same assembly while possessing the ability to reach higher pressures and higher temperatures than existing designs capable of synthesis and assaying in the same assembly. In addition, the apparatus provides for gas flow over the material sample, allowing for a number of materials to be synthesized within the apparatus by gas synthesis.

Abstract: A device for infusing liquid into material samples includes a container assembly configured to contain multiple material samples submerged in liquid. The material samples have pores containing air or gas. A pressure source and a vacuum source are both operatively connectable to the container assembly and alternately communicable with the container assembly to force the liquid to at least substantially fill the pores. The samples are thus ready for further processing, testing or use. A method of filling pores in material samples with liquid includes supporting multiple material samples within liquid in an airtight container assembly. The method further includes alternately applying a vacuum source and a pressure source to the container assembly, thereby replacing air with liquid in the pores of the material samples.

Abstract: An apparatus for synthesis and assaying of materials is provided that significantly improves throughput efficiency by allowing for material synthesis and assaying in the same assembly while possessing the ability to reach higher pressures and higher temperatures than existing designs capable of synthesis and assaying in the same assembly. In addition, the apparatus provides for gas flow over the material sample, allowing for a number of materials to be synthesized within the apparatus by gas synthesis.

Abstract: An apparatus for material synthesis and assaying includes a well assembly having a well containing material. The well assembly is configured such that the material may be synthesized within the well. A measurement device, including a gas delivery and control system is operatively connected to the well assembly and is configured to provide gas to the well for measuring at least one property of the material in the well. An enclosure assembly is provided that includes an enclosure substantially enclosing the gas delivery and control system and is configured to maintain the gas at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pooling a plurality of telecommunication users into groups is disclosed. One method includes ranking the telecommunication users in an order based on a usage parameter. The usage parameter, for example, may be the average service usage time per billing period. Once ranked, the telecommunication users are pooled into at least two groups, each group comprising at least one telecommunication user within a range of ranks. The method may further include calculating estimated costs for the users to use cost-effective rate plans selected from a group of available rate plans and re-pooling the users into other possible combinations to determine the most cost-effective pooling combination and respective rate plans.

Abstract: A poured concrete slab foundation which has a first component comprising a poured concrete slab on soil, having at least one interior grade beam, grade beams about the periphery of said poured concrete slab, and an array of openings along and adjacent to each said interior grade beam; a second component comprising an array of driven piles in the soil below said interior and periphery grade beams; and a third component comprising poured concrete closures in said openings, which is made by preparing a poured concrete slab on soil, having at least one interior grade beam, grade beams about the periphery of said poured concrete slab, and an array of openings along and adjacent to each said interior grade beam; driving an array of pilings in the soil below said interior grade beams adjacent to the openings and the periphery grade beams and pouring concrete closures in said openings.

Abstract: A method for reducing vortex promotion of a rotor blade used in high core PR fans comprises shifting a curvature distribution of a blade section immediately adjacent to the hub such that a major turning of the suction side of the section is located near a trailing edge of the blade.

Abstract: A control system for a bulk material baler embodied in a machine readable data structure and including an instruction to a moveable guide track to move from a removed position to a closed position to create a guide track loop around a volume of bulk material to be baled while that bulk material is under compression and also including in instruction to a bale strap feed drive to feed a pre-determined length of strapping around the guide track loop, and including an instruction to a cutter to cut the end of the bale strap and including an instruction to a strap fastener to fasten together the ends of the bale strap and including an instruction to remove the moveable guide track section from around the bale and an instruction to release compression and an instruction to eject a bound bale.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pooling a plurality of telecommunication users into groups is disclosed. One method includes ranking the telecommunication users in an order based on a usage parameter. The usage parameter, for example, may be the average service usage time per billing period. Once ranked, the telecommunication users are pooled into at least two groups, each group comprising at least one telecommunication user within a range of ranks. The method may further include calculating estimated costs for the users to use cost-effective rate plans selected from a group of available rate plans and re-pooling the users into other possible combinations to determine the most cost-effective pooling combination and respective rate plans.

Abstract: An operator interface for a control system for a bulk material baler includes interface means such as a touch screen or keyboard for an operator to enter process parameters into a control system memory. A display shows process parameter fields into which an operator may enter desired control parameters. The display also displays data feedback from baler process sensors. The baler control system then controls baling parameters as the operator directs including: strap feed position, strap feed speed, strap feed torque, strap release tension, tying cylinder position, tying cylinder speed and tying cylinder torque. The operator may also control carriage movement, alarm limits, shut off limits and monitor on the display baler processing data both currently and historically. Other aspects of automated baling may be optionally monitored or controlled through the operator interface of the present invention.

Abstract: There is provided a compound of formula I, wherein Het1, R1, R2, R3, X and n have meanings given in the description, which are useful in the prophylaxis and in the treatment of diseases mediated by opiate receptors, such as pruritus.

Abstract: A control system for a bulk material baler embodied in a machine readable data structure and including an instruction to a moveable guide track to move from a removed position to a closed position to create a guide track loop around a volume of bulk material to be baled while that bulk material is under compression and also including in instruction to a bale strap feed drive to feed a pre-determined length of strapping around the guide track loop, and including an instruction to a cutter to cut the end of the bale strap and including an instruction to a strap fastener to fasten together the ends of the bale strap and including an instruction to remove the moveable guide track section from around the bale and an instruction to release compression and an instruction to eject a bound bale.

Abstract: An operator interface for a control system for a bulk material baler includes interface means such as a touch screen or keyboard for an operator to enter process parameters into a control system memory. A display shows process parameter fields into which an operator may enter desired control parameters. The display also displays data feedback from baler process sensors. The baler control system then controls baling parameters as the operator directs including: strap feed position, strap feed speed, strap feed torque, strap release tension, tying cylinder position, tying cylinder speed and tying cylinder torque. The operator may also control carriage movement, alarm limits, shut off limits and monitor on the display baler processing data both currently and historically. Other aspects of automated baling may be optionally monitored or controlled through the operator interface of the present invention.

Abstract: A control system for a bulk material baler embodied in a machine readable data structure and including an instruction to a moveable guide track to move from a removed position to a closed position to create a guide track loop around a volume of bulk material to be baled while that bulk material is under compression and also including in instruction to a bale strap feed drive to feed a pre-determined length of strapping around the guide track loop, and including an instruction to a cutter to cut the end of the bale strap and including an instruction to a strap fastener to fasten together the ends of the bale strap and including an instruction to remove the moveable guide track section from around the bale and an instruction to release compression and an instruction to eject a bound bale.

Abstract: An operator interface for a control system for a bulk material baler includes interface means such as a touch screen or keyboard for an operator to enter process parameters into a control system memory. A display shows process parameter fields into which an operator may enter desired control parameters. The display also displays data feedback from baler process sensors. The baler control system then controls baling parameters as the operator directs including: strap feed position, strap feed speed, strap feed torque, strap release tension, tying cylinder position, tying cylinder speed and tying cylinder torque. The operator may also control carriage movement, alarm limits, shut off limits and monitor on the display baler processing data both currently and historically. Other aspects of automated baling may be optionally monitored or controlled through the operator interface of the present invention.

Abstract: Novel compounds having general formula (I), and pharmaceutically and veterinarily acceptable salts thereof wherein R1, R2, R3, W, Y1, Y2, X, n and y are as defined above and processes for their preparation and intermediate compounds prepared therein. The novel compounds are useful for having utility in the treatment of pruritic dermatoses including allergic dermatitis and atopy in animals and humans.