Abstract: The invention includes a gas processing system for transforming a hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into outflow gas products, where the system includes a gas delivery subsystem, a plasma reaction chamber, and a microwave subsystem, with the gas delivery subsystem in fluid communication with the plasma reaction chamber, so that the gas delivery subsystem directs the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into the plasma reaction chamber, and the microwave subsystem directs microwave energy into the plasma reaction chamber to energize the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas, thereby forming a plasma in the plasma reaction chamber, which plasma effects the transformation of a hydrocarbon in the hydrocarbon-containing inflow gas into the outflow gas products, which comprise acetylene and hydrogen. The invention also includes methods for the use of this gas processing system.

Abstract: Migration of human peripheral leukocytes in response to chemotactic factors during pregnancy. The methods include determining the likelihood of a pregnant subject undergoing delivery within about 7 days by obtaining peripheral leukocytes from the pregnant subject and determining a chemotactic activity of the leukocytes, wherein an increased likelihood of delivery within about 7 days is indicated when the chemotactic activity is at a level characteristic of a full term pregnancy. Chemotactic activity is assessed by measuring migration of peripheral leukocytes towards a chemoattractant which is a factor present in a sample comprising human fetal membrane obtained from a full term pregnant subject. Other biomarkers or F-actin polarization of peripheral leukocytes are also indicative of the likelihood of a pregnant subject undergoing delivery. Further methods disclosed include minimizing complications of preterm delivery by administration of an IL-1 antagonist when there is a likelihood of preterm delivery.

Abstract: An anti-lock sensor ring may have a flattened exciting portion having a retention mechanism projecting from a ring radial edge. The retention mechanism may have cantilever spring retention clips elastically deformable to snap on a disc brake band retention seat. The mechanism may also have a cantilever support portion disposed side by side to and spaced apart from the cantilever spring retention clips. Each of the cantilever spring retention clips may have a retention surface and the cantilever support portion with a support surface. When the anti-lock sensor ring is dismounted from a disc brake band, the plane defined by the retention surface and the plane defined by the support surface are facing each other in order to create opposing gripping elements.

Abstract: A braking band of a disk brake disk has a first plate and a second plate arranged joined to each other by connecting elements. The first and second plates have first and second plate outer surfaces, opposite portions of the first and second outer surfaces forming opposite braking surfaces. The braking band has a plurality of attachment portions for connecting the braking band to a vehicle hub or a bell. Each attachment portion has a connection seat. The attachment portions are spaced by recesses. Each attachment portion has an attachment portion wall having opposite side wall portions, two bottom wall portions and an inner end wall portion, and opposite first and second attachment portion surfaces. Each recess extends radially beyond the connection seat. Each side wall portion is joined to the adjoining bottom wall portion by a cylindrical bottom arch avoiding edges. Each side wall portion is joined to the adjoining inner end wall portion by a cylindrical end arch avoiding edges.

Abstract: An anti-lock sensor ring may have a flattened exciting portion having a retention mechanism projecting from a ring radial edge. The retention mechanism may have cantilever spring retention clips elastically deformable to snap on a disc brake band retention seat. The mechanism may also have a cantilever support portion disposed side by side to and spaced apart from the cantilever spring retention clips. Each of the cantilever spring retention clips may have a retention surface and the cantilever support portion with a support surface. When the anti-lock sensor ring is dismounted from a disc brake band, the plane defined by the retention surface and the plane defined by the support surface are facing each other in order to create opposing gripping elements.

Abstract: An inflatable airbag system is disclosed, the inflatable airbag system configured with a wrapper to facilitate an inflating airbag cushion to exit a housing of the inflatable airbag system. The inflatable airbag system may be mounted forward of an occupant of a vehicle, the inflatable airbag system disposed behind one or more panel doors, the panel doors each equipped with a hinge to facilitate opening of the panel doors without the panel doors detaching. The wrapper is configured to separate so as to form a ramp to cover each hinge of each panel door whereby the inflating airbag cushion is precluded from engaging the hinge, wherein such engagement may otherwise adversely alter an inflation rate or trajectory of the inflating airbag cushion.

Abstract: A braking band of a disk brake disk has a first plate and a second plate arranged joined to each other by connecting elements. The first and second plates have first and second plate outer surfaces, opposite portions of the first and second outer surfaces forming opposite braking surfaces. The braking band has a plurality of attachment portions for connecting the braking band to a vehicle hub or a bell. Each attachment portion has a connection seat. The attachment portions are spaced by recesses. Each attachment portion has an attachment portion wall having opposite side wall portions, two bottom wall portions and an inner end wall portion, and opposite first and second attachment portion surfaces. Each recess extends radially beyond the connection seat. Each side wall portion is joined to the adjoining bottom wall portion by a cylindrical bottom arch avoiding edges. Each side wall portion is joined to the adjoining inner end wall portion by a cylindrical end arch avoiding edges.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of treatment and prevention for trauma-related brain injury are disclosed herein. In certain aspects, disclosed is a method for preventing, alleviating or treating trauma-related brain injury in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid.

Abstract: A technique maintains multiple copies of data served by storage nodes of a cluster during upgrade of a storage node to ensure continuous protection of the data served by the nodes. The data is logically organized as one or more volumes on storage devices of the cluster and includes metadata that describe the data of each volume. A data protection system may be configured to maintain two copies of the data in the cluster during upgrade to a storage node that is assigned to host one of the copies of the data but that is taken offline during the upgrade. As a result, a slice service of the node may become unavailable during the upgrade. In response to the unavailability of the slice service, the technique redirects replicated data targeted to the slice service to a standby slice service according to a degraded redundant metadata (DRuM) service of the cluster.

Abstract: A technique is configured to maintain multiple copies of data served by storage nodes of a cluster during upgrade of a storage node to ensure continuous protection of the data served by the nodes. The data is logically organized as one or more volumes on storage devices of the cluster and includes metadata that describe the data of each volume. A data protection system may be configured to maintain at least two copies of the data in the cluster during upgrade to a storage node that is assigned to host one of the copies of the data but that is taken offline during the upgrade. As a result, an original slice service of the node may be rendered unavailable during the upgrade. In response, the technique redirects replicated data targeted to the original slice service to a standby pool of slice services in accordance with a degraded redundant metadata service of the cluster.

Abstract: A technique is configured to maintain multiple copies of data served by storage nodes of a cluster during upgrade of a storage node to ensure continuous protection of the data served by the nodes. The data is logically organized as one or more volumes on storage devices of the cluster and includes metadata that describe the data of each volume. A data protection system may be configured to maintain at least two copies of the data in the cluster during upgrade to a storage node that is assigned to host one of the copies of the data but that is taken offline during the upgrade. As a result, an original slice service of the node may be rendered unavailable during the upgrade. In response, the technique redirects replicated data targeted to the original slice service to a standby pool of slice services in accordance with a degraded redundant metadata service of the cluster.

Abstract: A technique maintains multiple copies of data served by storage nodes of a cluster during upgrade of a storage node to ensure continuous protection of the data served by the nodes. The data is logically organized as one or more volumes on storage devices of the cluster and includes metadata that describe the data of each volume. A data protection system may be configured to maintain two copies of the data in the cluster during upgrade to a storage node that is assigned to host one of the copies of the data but that is taken offline during the upgrade. As a result, a slice service of the node may become unavailable during the upgrade. In response to the unavailability of the slice service, the technique redirects replicated data targeted to the slice service to a standby slice service according to a degraded redundant metadata (DRuM) service of the cluster.

Abstract: In one example, a media size detector includes a button coupled to a spring of a housing to interact with a media size adjuster of a media tray, a first side of a lever to receive pressure from the spring when the button is depressed by the media size adjuster, and a second side of the lever to apply pressure to activate or deactivate a switch coupled to a printed circuit assembly when the first side of the lever receives pressure from the spring.

Abstract: In one example, a media size detector includes a button coupled to a spring of a housing to interact with a media size adjuster of a media tray, a first side of a lever to receive pressure from the spring when the button is depressed by the media size adjuster, and a second side of the lever to apply pressure to activate or deactivate a switch coupled to a printed circuit assembly when the first side of the lever receives pressure from the spring.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of treatment and prevention for trauma-related brain injury are disclosed herein. In certain aspects, disclosed is a method for preventing, alleviating or treating trauma-related brain injury in a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid.

Abstract: A method for processing algae-based products using flue gas heat includes mixing flue gas with water, receiving a heated gas in a first enclosure of a heat exchanger, receiving an algal paste in a second enclosure of the heat exchanger, introducing an organic solvent to the algal paste, extracting an algal oil and a plurality of algal shells from the algal paste by dissipating heat from the first enclosure to the second enclosure; and extracting the algal oil from the organic solvent and the algal shells.

Abstract: A device configured for installation on a wire includes a housing with a wire passage provided therein. A blade is configured to extend through the wire passage and sever the wire. A first electrically conductive member is configured to extend into the wire passage and engage a first end of the severed wire, and a second electrically conductive member is configured to extend into the wire passage and engage a second end of the severed wire. The first end of the severed wire is connected to the second end of the severed wire when a switch arrangement is in a closed position. The first end of the severed wire is disconnected from the second end of the severed wire when the switch arrangement is in an open position. A manual actuator is configured to move the switch arrangement between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for guide assemblies. A guide assembly may comprise a sliding rail comprising a first channel and a second channel, a first fitting comprising a first retaining rail, wherein the first retaining rail is configured to slide within the first channel, and a second fitting comprising a second retaining rail, wherein the second retaining rail is configured to slide within the second channel.

Abstract: A method for processing algae-based products using flue gas heat includes mixing flue gas with water, receiving a heated gas in a first enclosure of a heat exchanger, receiving an algal paste in a second enclosure of the heat exchanger, introducing an organic solvent to the algal paste, extracting an algal oil and a plurality of algal shells from the algal paste by dissipating heat from the first enclosure to the second enclosure; and extracting the algal oil from the organic solvent and the algal shells.

Abstract: A method for improving the absorption of amino acids from protein sources include adding one or more carbohydrases to a protein source. Plant protein such as that found in rice may be extracted to provide a rice concentrate useful in regimens requiring elevated amounts of protein consumption. To improve the absorption of the amino acids found in rice inside the human gastrointestinal tract, a carbohydrases such as Alpha-galactidase is added to the protein source prior to ingestion. The composition may also include proteases.