Abstract: Disclosed herein is a weep hole insert (10, 10?) for providing a barrier in a weep hole (11). A handle (24, 24?) for facilitating insertion of the insert (10, 10?) in the weep hole (11) is also disclosed.

Abstract: Devices for treating a bone and methods of inserting such devices into a bone are disclosed. A device for treating a bone may include a flexible tube, a stiffening mechanism and an actuator. The flexible tube has a distal end and a proximal end. The stiffening mechanism within the flexible tube is configured to cause the flexible tube to become rigid. The actuator is configured to cause the stiffening mechanism to cause the flexible tube to become rigid in response to the actuator being actuated.

Abstract: A magnetometer-based metal detection device and methods of use are described. The device includes a proximal portion, a central body and a distal portion, and at least one magnetometer positioned within or on the distal portion. The at least one magnetometer includes at least one sensor capable of sensing a magnetic field in three orthogonal axes. Also described is a method of calibrating the device to achieve rotational invariance, and a method of determining a directionality or directional line along which a target metal object lies.

Abstract: A hammer drill attachment is provided for attachment to a bi-directional surgical drill. The hammer drill attachment is configured to provide a rotating output in a first direction of rotation when the drill is operated in its first direction of rotation, and the hammer drill attachment is configured to provide a hammering output when the drill is operated in its second direction of rotation.

Abstract: Implantable devices for fixation of curved bone such as the pelvic ring pubic symphysis and acetabulum, and methods for the use of the devices are disclosed. The implantable devices are convertible between a flexible state and a rigid state, and include an elongate structure having a proximal bone interface, a main body, and a distal bone interface. In a flexible state, the devices may be inserted along, and conform to a curved pathway, and in the rigid state, the devices may support the mechanical loads required to fixate a fracture.

Abstract: A hammer drill attachment is provided for attachment to a bi-directional surgical drill. The hammer drill attachment is configured to provide a rotating output in a first direction of rotation when the drill is operated in its first direction of rotation, and the hammer drill attachment is configured to provide a hammering output when the drill is operated in its second direction of rotation.

Abstract: Implantable devices for fixation of curved bone such as the pelvic ring pubic symphysis and acetabulum, and methods for the use of the devices are disclosed. The implantable devices are convertible between a flexible state and a rigid state, and include an elongate structure having a proximal bone interface, a main body, and a distal bone interface. In a flexible state, the devices may be inserted along, and conform to a curved pathway, and in the rigid state, the devices may support the mechanical loads required to fixate a fracture.

Abstract: A wind turbine system is provided. In various embodiments, the system includes a nacelle supported by a tower. At least one rotor blade is rotatably connected with the nacelle to capture wind energy. The at least one rotor blade rotates relative to the nacelle for generating electricity. A generator is coupled to the nacelle for converting the wind energy into electrical energy. A transformer-converter assembly comprises a converter and a transformer such that the converter is integrally connected to the transformer. An electrical and control module is electronically coupled to the generator and the transformer-converter assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a weep hole insert (10, 10?) for providing a barrier in a weep hole (11). A handle (24, 24?) for facilitating insertion of the insert (10, 10?) in the weep hole (11) is also disclosed.

Abstract: Implantable devices for fixation of curved bone such as the pelvic ring pubic symphysis and acetabulum, and methods for the use of the devices are disclosed. The implantable devices are convertible between a flexible state and a rigid state, and include an elongate structure having a proximal bone interface, a main body, and a distal bone interface. In a flexible state, the devices may be inserted along, and conform to a curved pathway, and in the rigid state, the devices may support the mechanical loads required to fixate a fracture.

Abstract: Shorting assemblies, shorting devices, and methods for shorting wind turbine power supplies are provided. A shorting device may include a plurality of cables, each of the plurality of cables including a first end and a second end. The shorting device may further include a plurality of bus bar connectors, each of the plurality of bus bar connectors attached to the first end of one of the plurality of cables and removably connectable to one of the plurality of bus bars. The shorting device may further include a common cable connector, the second end of each of the plurality of cable attached to the common cable connector.

Abstract: A hammer drill attachment is provided for attachment to a bi-directional surgical drill. The hammer drill attachment is configured to provide a rotating output in a first direction of rotation when the drill is operated in its first direction of rotation, and the hammer drill attachment is configured to provide a hammering output when the drill is operated in its second direction of rotation.

Abstract: Devices for treating a bone and methods of inserting such devices into a bone are disclosed. A device for treating a bone may include a flexible tube, a stiffening mechanism and an actuator. The flexible tube has a distal end and a proximal end. The stiffening mechanism within the flexible tube is configured to cause the flexible tube to become rigid. The actuator is configured to cause the stiffening mechanism to cause the flexible tube to become rigid in response to the actuator being actuated.

Abstract: Devices for treating a bone and methods of inserting such devices into a bone are disclosed. A device for treating a bone may include a flexible tube, a stiffening mechanism and an actuator. The flexible tube has a distal end and a proximal end. The stiffening mechanism within the flexible tube is configured to cause the flexible tube to become rigid. The actuator is configured to cause the stiffening mechanism to cause the flexible tube to become rigid in response to the actuator being actuated.

Abstract: An approach for converting a synchronous generator to a synchronous condenser is disclosed. In one aspect, a variable frequency driver is used to provide a starting power source to accelerate a synchronous generator decoupled from a turbine to an operational speed to act as a synchronous condenser. In another aspect, the synchronous condenser can be recoupled back to the turbine to form the synchronous generator.

Abstract: The design of the spray nozzle in an aerosol dispenser controls the characteristics of the spray that is produced. In a nozzle that comprises the elements of a multiplicity of inlet channels leading to a swirl chamber and an outlet orifice, the perception of wetness of a spray, such as an aqueous alcoholic deodorant spray, can be reduced by dimensioning the respective elements so that the sum of the widths of the inlet channels is less than the diameter of the swirl chamber and at least 1.5 times the diameter of the outlet orifice and the outlet orifice has a diameter of at least 0.3 mm together with the inlet channels being short, such as less than 0.5 mm. The new nozzle is especially suitable for spraying compositions having a low volatile organic carbon content and compositions comprising a significant proportion of water.

Abstract: A method of separating a selected ionic component from a sample, comprises contacting the sample with an ionic adsorbent whose charge density is such that the component is bound selectively in the absence of added ionic component that competitively binds the adsorbent.

Abstract: An insert (1) for a weep hole opening in a masonry wall is disclosed. The insert (1) includes a hollow body (2) defining an air flow conduit (3) and including a first open end (4) and a second open end (5). A stainless steel mesh screen (6) extends across the conduit (3) near the first open end (4) and is adapted to prevent fire brands and sparks from passing through the body (2). A locating member, in the form of a grate (7), is hingedly connected to the body (2) adjacent the first open end (4). The screen (6) is located in a recess (8) in the rear of the grate (7) and friction between the screen (6) and the grate (7) retains the screen (6) in the recess (8). The grate (7) is formed from a material that substantially retains its spatial integrity when exposed to the heat flux profile generated by a typical forest fire, such that the grate (7) continues thereafter to locate the screen (6). The grate (7) also has a plurality of ventilation apertures (9) to allow air to pass through the air flow conduit (3).

Abstract: An ion source is disclosed incorporating various aspects of the invention including i) a vaporizer, ii) a vaporizer valve, iii) a gas feed, iv) an ionization chamber, v) an electron gun, vi) a cooled mounting frame, and vii) an ion exit aperture. The ion source includes means for introducing gaseous feed material into the ionization chamber, means for vaporizing solid feed materials and introducing their vapors into the ionization chamber, means for ionizing the introduced gaseous feed materials within the ionization chamber, and means for extracting the ions thus produced from an ion exit aperture adjacent to the ionization region. In addition, means for accelerating and focusing the exiting ions are provided. The vaporizer, vaporizer valve, gas feed, ionization chamber, electron gun, cooled mounting frame, and ion exit aperture are all integrated into a single assembly in preferred embodiments of the novel ion source.

Abstract: A biologically active composition to treat colorectal cancer includes an extract of the plant Schisandra chinensis and a suitable pharmaceutical formulation. The extract can be at least one of gomisin A, angeloylgomisin H, deoxyschisandrin and gomisin N, showing activities against human tumor cell line HT-29 in the range of about 716 ?M to about 43 ?M. A suitable pharmaceutical formulation can be any one of a pill, a tablet, a capsule, a liquid solution, a liquid suspension, a powder, an intravenous solution, a gel and a suppository form. The extract is prepared by grinding the dried berries, extracting with hexane, extracting the marc with dichloromethane, extracting the dichloromethane soluble fraction with ethyl acetate, removing fatty materials in the dichloromethane-ethyl acetate soluble fraction with hexane, and fractionating the total hexane insoluble material extract using analytical high performance liquid chromatography equipped with automated repeat injection/collection cycles.