Abstract: A method of improving metabolic health in a mammalian subject in need of improvement in metabolic health includes reducing the mammalian subject's consumption of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) by the mammalian subject consuming a reduced BCAA daily diet. Also included is a method of reducing a mammalian subject's consumption of BCAAs by the mammalian subject consuming a reduced BCAA meal replacement at least once per day. Also included is a method of feeding a mammalian subject in need of weight reduction by the mammalian subject consuming a low protein daily diet supplemented with leucine. Also included is a method of improving metabolic health in a mammalian subject in need of improvement in metabolic health by reducing the mammalian subject's consumption either histidine alone or of both phenylalanine and tyrosine by the mammalian subject consuming a reduced amino acid daily diet.

Abstract: A cat scratcher and activity center is in the form of a rectangular box having a top, bottom and four sidewalls creating an interior space, the top being detachable and completely removable from the rectangular box. A rectangular block of corrugated cardboard is sized to fit within and occupy the interior space, the cardboard block having an open fluted surface which is exposed upon removal of the top. A planar cardboard toy kit is sized to reside within the interior space atop the open fluted surface of the rectangular block of corrugated cardboard, the planar cardboard toy kit being convertible to a three-dimensional configuration appendable to one of the four sidewalls.

Abstract: A lapel support comprises a grip, a loop and a coupling member. The lapel support is for use on a garment that is being supported by a hanger. The hanger comprises a clothes support structure and a rod for suspending the clothes support structure from a rod, for example in a closet. The grip grips the rod of the hanger and is coupled to the coupling member. The coupling member is also coupled to the loop, and maintains tension between the grip and the loop. The loop engages a button on a garment.

Abstract: A pet activity module having a substantially square or rectangular base for contacting a support surface when in use, substantially parallel back and front walls extending orthogonally from said base and substantially parallel side walls extending orthogonally from the base, the substantially parallel front and back walls being orthogonally joined to the substantially parallel side walls, the base, front, back and side walls together creating an internal volume sized to receive a domestic cat, a plush fabric applied to the base, a fabric creating scratcher surfaces, at least one scratcher surface being within the interior volume and at least one scratcher surface being on an exterior surface of at least one of the back, front or side walls of the module.

Abstract: Described herein are medical fluid infusion systems for pumping a fluid to a patient, such as in a hospital environment. In one aspect, disclosed is an infusion system including a drive assembly having a drive fluid reservoir and a drive mechanism configured to apply a force to drive fluid from the drive fluid reservoir through a length of tubing. The infusion system includes a hydraulic assembly having a first fluid chamber having an inlet port configured to be in fluid communication with the length of tubing and a second fluid chamber having an outlet port configured to be in fluid communication with a patient extension set and a flexible movable divider sealing the first fluid chamber from the second fluid chamber. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: An inspectable joint in a medical device is disclosed that includes at least one medical-grade tube having an end, a medical-grade fitting having at least one joining surface configured to accept the end of the tube, and a joining material disposed between the tube and the joining surface. The joining material includes a first component configured to couple the tube to the fitting and a second component configured to provide observable evidence of the presence of the joining material between the tube and the joining surface.

Abstract: A cat amusement system including a user actuated transmitter sized to be held by hand, the transmitter housing an actuation signal generator for remotely controlling a pet activity toy The system also includes a user actuated light generator for generating light at a wavelength and intensity to be visible to a pet proximate the pet activity toy The pet activity toy includes a motor which propels the pet activity toy upon receipt of the actuation signal emanating from said transmitter.

Abstract: A pumping segment having a low shut-off force is disclosed. The pumping segment includes a tube having an interior surface with at least two notches on opposite sides of the interior surface.

Abstract: A pumping segment having a low shut-off force is disclosed. The pumping segment includes a tube having an interior surface with at least two notches on opposite sides of the interior surface.

Abstract: Described herein are medical fluid infusion systems for pumping a fluid to a patient, such as in a hospital environment. In one aspect, disclosed is an infusion system including a drive assembly having a drive fluid reservoir and a drive mechanism configured to apply a force to drive fluid from the drive fluid reservoir through a length of tubing. The infusion system includes a hydraulic assembly having a first fluid chamber having an inlet port configured to be in fluid communication with the length of tubing and a second fluid chamber having an outlet port configured to be in fluid communication with a patient extension set and a flexible movable divider sealing the first fluid chamber from the second fluid chamber. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A lapel support comprises a grip, a loop and a coupling member. The lapel support is for use on a garment that is being supported by a hanger. The hanger comprises a clothes support structure and a rod for suspending the clothes support structure from a rod, for example in a closet. The grip grips the rod of the hanger and is coupled to the coupling member. The coupling member is also coupled to the loop, and maintains tension between the grip and the loop. The loop engages a button on a garment.

Abstract: Described herein are medical fluid infusion systems for pumping a fluid to a patient, such as in a hospital environment. In one aspect, disclosed is an infusion system including a drive assembly having a drive fluid reservoir and a drive mechanism configured to apply a force to drive fluid from the drive fluid reservoir through a length of tubing. The infusion system includes a hydraulic assembly having a first fluid chamber having an inlet port configured to be in fluid communication with the length of tubing and a second fluid chamber having an outlet port configured to be in fluid communication with a patient extension set and a flexible movable divider sealing the first fluid chamber from the second fluid chamber. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a verbal authorization system comprises a financial services repository operable to store information identifying one or more financial services provided by a financial enterprise. The financial enterprise provides a financial service of the one or more financial services in response to a written authorization from a client. An eligibility engine is operable to determine whether the client is eligible to apply for verbal authorization status such that the client may provide verbal authorization during a telephone call to a fulfillment representative of the financial enterprise in lieu of the written authorization. A verbal authorization repository is operable to store client authorization information. The client authorization information identifies the client and whether the client has achieved the verbal authorization status.

Abstract: Methionine products/additives are added to dairy cattle feeds to promote milk volume production and to enhance milk components. Unfortunately the methionine products/additives solidify/crystallize at about 54° F. (12° C.), making the products/additives difficult to dispense in a liquid storage and pumping system in cold conditions, thus requiring a time-consuming, expensive process using specialty equipment to de-crystallize the product. In one aspect this invention is an admixture that keeps the methionine products/additives temperature at a level that does not crystallize and thus, eliminates the expensive and time-consuming drawbacks to using methionine products in colder climates.

Abstract: An inspectable joint in a medical device is disclosed that includes at least one medical-grade tube having an end, a medical-grade fitting having at least one joining surface configured to accept the end of the tube, and a joining material disposed between the tube and the joining surface. The joining material includes a first component configured to couple the tube to the fitting and a second component configured to provide observable evidence of the presence of the joining material between the tube and the joining surface.

Abstract: A pump cassette is configured for coupling with a pump device. The pump cassette may include a fluid lumen adapted for passage and propulsion of an infusion fluid toward a patient; a valve assembly that can be actuated to regulate fluid flow through the fluid lumen; and a frame coupled to the fluid lumen and the valve assembly. The frame is adapted to be inserted into a seat of a pump device. The frame is configured to be inserted into the seat only when aligned in a predetermined orientation relative to the seat.