Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for sealing a fitment to a flexible container. In an embodiment, the method includes placing a fitment into the neck of a four panel flexible container formed from flexible film. The process includes complementarily aligning a multiseal around a base of the fitment. The process includes providing a plurality of primary seals (and flaps), secondary seals, and tertiary seals onto the base with respective primary sealing jaws, secondary sealing jaws, and tertiary sealing jaws to form the multiseal, wherein the secondary seals overlap the primary seals, and the tertiary seals overlap the primary seals and the secondary seals.

Abstract: In some embodiments, ethylene-propylene branched copolymers are synthesized with pyridyldiamido catalysts and a chain transfer agent, and their performance as viscosity modifiers in oil are detailed. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides for ethylene-propylene branched copolymers having a shear thinning onset of less than about 0.01 rad/s and an HTHS value of less than about 3.3. In some embodiments, the ethylene-propylene branched copolymer is used as a viscosity modifier in a lubricating composition and a fuel composition.

Abstract: Ureteral or bladder catheters are provided, including (a) a proximal portion; and (b) a distal portion, the distal portion including a retention portion that includes one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations and is configured to establish an outer periphery or protective surface area that inhibits mucosal tissue from occluding the one or more protected drainage holes, ports or perforations upon application of negative pressure through the catheter. Systems, kits and methods for inducing negative pressure to increase renal function also are provided.

Abstract: An agitator may include one or more members adjustable between an expanded configuration and a compressed configuration. When the one or more members are in the expanded configuration, the agitator in a first set of two orthogonal dimensions is larger than an opening having a predetermined size. When the one or more members are in the compressed configuration, the agitator in a second set of two orthogonal dimensions is smaller than the opening having the predetermined size. The one or more members are biased to the expanded configuration in absence of external force applied to the one or more members. In use, the agitator may be inserted into a container through a neck of the container in the compressed configuration. The agitator may expand within the container so that the container does not fit through the neck of the container.

Abstract: The teachings herein provide an instrument comprising a forceps. The forceps comprise a hand piece; a tubular member connected to the hand piece; and a jaw assembly connected to the hand piece. The jaw assembly includes a first jaw element and a second jaw element. The first jaw element includes a gripping section and a flexing section. The flexing section includes an arcuate section. The second jaw element opposes the first jaw element and includes a gripping section. The tubular member is moveable onto the arcuate section of the first jaw element so that the flexing section of the first jaw element is flexed and the jaw assembly is moved into a closed position. The first jaw element, the second jaw element, or both include a stiffening spine so that the jaw assembly is substantially rigid in the closed position.

Abstract: A damping system for a cable disposed within an upper pipe and a lower pipe includes a damper plate assembly connected to the upper pipe, a slider ring connected to and/or supported by the lower pipe, the slider ring having a hole in which the cable is arranged; and a shroud surrounding the damping system at a position where the upper pipe is adjacent to the lower pipe, such that the damper plate assembly and the slider ring are covered by the shroud. In such damping systems, the damper plate assembly and the slider ring are in contact with each other such that the transverse movement of the upper pipe relative to the lower pipe generates a frictional force to reduce an amplitude of the transverse movement of the upper pipe relative to the lower pipe.

Abstract: Intervertebral implant systems include spacers that may have solid and porous bodies integrally formed together as a single part. The bone-facing sides of the spacers include asymmetric lobes which may include solid and/or porous portions. Bone anchor holes may extend through the spacers and lobes, to receive bone anchors. A helically fluted bone anchor may be received in the bone anchor holes.

Abstract: Multi-layered structures and methods for producing them are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for recovering a distillable, anhydrous methane-sulfonic acid (MSA) liquid phase from an anhydrous 2-phase gas-liquid mixture wherein the anhydrous 2-phase gas-liquid mixture is generated by sulfonating methane (CH4) with sulfur trioxide (SO3) in an MSA-forming reactor, or reactor system, according to a radical chain reaction wherein the method comprises (i) separating the gas phase from the liquid phase, (ii) passing the separated liquid phase into a stripping column, and (iii) recovering the stripped anhydrous liquid phase.

Abstract: An ink composition including a nanomaterial and a liquid vehicle, wherein the liquid vehicle includes a composition including one or more functional groups that are capable of being cross-linked is disclosed. An ink composition including a nanomaterial, a liquid vehicle, and scatterers is also disclosed. An ink composition including a nanomaterial and a liquid vehicle, wherein the liquid vehicle includes a perfluorocompound is further disclosed. A method for inkjet printing an ink including nanomaterial and a liquid vehicle with a surface tension that is not greater than about 25 dyne/cm is disclosed. In certain preferred embodiments, the nanomaterial includes semiconductor nanocrystals. Devices prepared from inks and methods of the invention are also described.

Abstract: Techniques are described with regard to client authentication management. An associated method includes constructing an authentication resolution model specific to a client based upon error patterns respectively included in a plurality of erroneous authentication submissions inconsistent with a proper authentication submission. The method further includes receiving, via an authentication interface, a new erroneous authentication submission inconsistent with the proper authentication submission. Responsive to determining that the new erroneous authentication submission corresponds to an authentication exception defined in the authentication resolution model, the method further includes completing authentication. Responsive to determining that the new erroneous authentication submission corresponds to an authentication warning defined in the authentication resolution model, the method further includes performing at least one client account warning protection activity.

Abstract: Segmental duct coupler devices, systems, and methods are provided herein. A duct coupler device can include a single, discrete body of material for welding to a duct segment. A system, including a duct segment having a duct coupler device welded thereto, is provided. The connection or points of connection between the duct coupler device and the duct segment in the system are devoid of internal and/or external seals. The duct coupler device and system can be cast in concrete. Multiple concrete segments can be assembled together to form a bridge, a roadway, a building, a slab, or any other structure.

Abstract: A method for removing excess fluid from a patient with hemodilution is provided. The method includes: deploying a urinary tract catheter into the patient such that flow of urine from the ureter and/or kidney is transported within a drainage lumen of the catheter; applying negative pressure to the ureter and/or kidney through the drainage lumen of the catheter to extract urine from the patient; periodically measuring a hematocrit value of the patient; and if the measured hematocrit value is greater than a predetermined threshold value, ceasing the application of the negative pressure to the ureter and/or kidney. A system for removing excess fluid from a patient with hemodilution including a ureteral catheter and a pump is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inactivation of airborne pathogens to include a reactor space with an intake opening, an exhaust opening, and an airflow path disposed between the intake and exhaust openings for air to continuously transit throughout the reactor space. The apparatus also includes at least one of (i) a corona discharge unit with a pressure swing adsorption unit, or (ii) a UV-C germicidal lamp to generate a sufficient concentration of ozone and UV light to inactive pathogens. The apparatus also includes a catalyst disposed within the path of the airflow to convert ozone to oxygen following the inactivation step and an adsorbent to remove nitrogen oxides from the air. The apparatus also includes sensors for measuring ozone and nitrogen oxides concentrations at the exhaust opening.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for restricting the routing scope of an anycast service. In aspects, network traffic and/or network performance data may be received by a network device and/or an endpoint device in an anycast environment. The received network traffic and/or network performance may be evaluated using one or more automated logic systems or algorithms to identify indicators of potential failure or performance degradation for one or more devices in the anycast environment. Upon identifying one or more such indicators, a routing table of one or more network devices in the anycast environment may be dynamically modified to restrict routes to particular endpoint destinations. The network devices in the anycast environment may subsequently route network traffic according to the modified routing table(s).

Abstract: A tissue retractor comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and a flexible, metal sheath extending therebetween is described. Embodiments of the inner ring comprise a flat or wedge-shaped conformation useful for insertion between muscle layers. Other embodiments of the inner ring include variable diameter inner rings, where the diameter can be adjusted as required and optionally locked into place, and reshapeable inner rings that permit a user to conform the inner ring to the anatomy of the patient when placing the inner ring.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes defining a deployment pipeline for each application of a collection of applications, the deployment pipeline comprising an ordered plurality of waves of deployment wherein the ordered plurality of waves of deployment comprises a set wave of deployment and a variable wave of deployment with the set wave of deployment comprising deployment to a plurality of locations that is the same for each application in the collection of applications. For each application in the collection of applications, a list of locations selected by a respective user for the variable wave of deployment is received such that two applications of the collection of applications deploy to different locations during their respective variable wave of deployment. An indication that the build of the application has been created is received and in response, one of the plurality of waves of deployment is executed.

Abstract: The present application describes a system and method for utilizing a tunnel in a networking routing protocol to provide a network segment access to additional servers when certain load balancing trigger events are detected.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for providing security against IP spoofing. In aspects, network traffic associated with one or more data requests may be received by a device in a computing environment. The network traffic may be evaluated using one or more automated logic systems or algorithms to identify suspicious or malicious behavior. The automated logic systems or algorithms may implement one or more analyses, such as asymmetric routing analysis, hardware device analysis, user and/or network behavior analysis, etc. Upon identifying suspicious or malicious behavior, the automated logic systems or algorithms may apply a filter to one or more computing devices. For example, a filter for blocking network traffic associated with the suspicious or malicious behavior may be applied to a computing device that is in close geographic and/or logical proximity to an attacking computing device.

Abstract: A method for recovering a distillable, anhydrous methane-sulfonic acid (MSA) liquid phase from an anhydrous 2-phase gas-liquid mixture wherein the anhydrous 2-phase gas-liquid mixture is generated by sulfonating methane (CH4) with sulfur trioxide (SO3) in an MSA-forming reactor, or reactor system, according to a radical chain reaction wherein the method comprises (i) separating the gas phase from the liquid phase, (ii) passing the separated liquid phase into a stripping column, and (iii) recovering the stripped anhydrous liquid phase.