Abstract: An isolated bacterial strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 298 is provided. A sample of the strain having been deposited as KCTC 13469BP at the Korean Collection for Type Cultures or a functional homolog of same wherein said isolated microbial strain is purified to a level of at least 99%. Also provided are compositions and articles comprising the bacterial strain and methods of using same.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for deactivating HVAC equipment when the thermostat determines that a door or a window has been opened. The thermostat determines that a door or window is open using one or more security sensors previously installed for use with a separate security system.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least two bacterial strains selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis 281, Bacillus subtilis 3, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 298 and a functional homolog of any of the preceding, wherein the composition does not comprise more than 5 different species of microbes, wherein: a sample of Bacillus subtilis 281, has been deposited as KCTC 13468BP at the Korean Collection for Type Cultures; a sample of Bacillus subtilis 3, has been deposited as KCTC 13467BP at the Korean Collection for Type Cultures; and a sample of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 298, has been deposited as KCTC 13469BP at the Korean Collection for Type Cultures. Also provided are methods that utilize the bacterial strains or functional homologs of same.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant, such as a tissue expander, includes a silicone shell having an anterior wall and a posterior wall, and a needle stop patch secured over an inner surface of the posterior wall of the silicone shell. The needle stop patch has two or more layers of a textile material that are stacked atop one another. The textile material is flexible and includes woven threads or fiber. A bonding material bonds together the two or more layers of the textile material that are stacked atop one another. The outer edges of the respective layers are feathered for minimizing step effects between adjacent ones of the layers. A self-sealing membrane covers the anterior wall of the silicone shell. The dernier level of the textile layers increases between top and bottom layers for progressively increasing resistance tom a needle passing through the needle stop patch.

Abstract: A tissue expander includes a shell having an anterior wall with superior and inferior zones, and one or more drainage openings formed in the inferior zone. A fill port assembly is located within the superior zone, and a drain port assembly is located within the inferior zone and is in fluid communication with the one or more drainage openings. The fill port assembly is isolated from the drain port assembly that is located within the inferior zone. The drain port assembly includes a drain cover having an elongated body, a central hub, one or more fluid reservoirs between the first and second ends of the elongated body, and an outer face that surrounds the fluid reservoirs. The outer face of the drain cover is secured to an inner surface of the anterior wall and surrounds the one or more drainage openings formed in the inferior zone of the shell.

Abstract: A method for membrane filtration of water comprising alternating in-line additions of coagulant and adsorbent to the water upstream of the membrane, wherein each addition time is in a range from 10 seconds to one hour.

Abstract: An airfoil assembly for a gas turbine engine having a core with a working airflow. The airfoil assembly comprising a dovetail, a platform, an airfoil, a fluid circuit and at least one curvilinear cooling passage. The platform extending from the dovetail and having an outer surface confronting the working airflow. The at least one curvilinear fluid passage extending between an inlet in direct fluid communication with the fluid circuit and an outlet on the outer surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of adjustable implants, particularly permanent breast implants, intended for implantation into a subject, particularly a human subject. In some embodiments, the adjustable implant comprises a shell including a resilient shell membrane, a first reservoir containing a fluid, e.g., a saline, a second reservoir including a resilient second-reservoir membrane, and a pump. The pump may include a first pump actuator, a first pump inlet, and a first pump outlet. The first reservoir and second reservoir may be disposed within the shell and be in fluid communication via the pump. Fluid may be transferred between the two reservoirs to change the profile of the implant.

Abstract: A method of making a self-sealing membrane for a prosthetic implant includes applying tension to a first layer of a cured elastomeric material to stretch the first layer, and while the first layer remains stretched, applying a second layer of an uncured elastomeric material over a first major surface of the first layer. After the second layer is cured, the tension on the first layer is released, whereupon the first layer returns to a non-stretched configuration for holding the second layer in contraction. The method includes, while the first layer remains stretched, applying a third layer of an uncured elastomeric material over a second major surface of the first layer. After curing the second and third layers, tension is released from the first layer, which returns to the non-stretched configuration for holding the second and third layers in contraction.

Abstract: An airfoil assembly for a gas turbine engine including a blade, platform, and dovetail. The airfoil assembly further includes a cooling circuit including an interior chamber of the dovetail having fluid communication with the exterior of the airfoil assembly or with an interior chamber of the blade and at least one cooling passage.

Abstract: An isolated bacterial strain Bacillus subtilis 281 or a functional homolog of same is provided. A sample has been deposited as KCTC 13468BP at the Korean Collection for Type Cultures, wherein the isolated microbial strain is purified to a level of at least 99%. Also provided are methods of using the isolated bacterial strain or the functional homolog of same.

Abstract: A wound closure assembly includes an insertion tool having a proximal end and a distal section, such as a curved distal section, having a penetrating tip and first and second notches that are formed on opposite sides of the distal section. The assembly includes a tissue anchor having a hollow body and an insertion tool channel extending through the hollow body. First and second spaced tips project distally from the distal end of the hollow body and oppose one another on opposite sides of the insertion tool channel. The distal section of the insertion tool is inserted into the insertion tool channel of the tissue anchor so that the penetrating tip is distal to the first and second spaced tips, with the first and second spaced tips nested within the first and second notches for generating a releasable interference fit between the tissue anchor and the insertion tool.

Abstract: An isolated bacterial strain Bacillus subtilis 3 or a functional homolog of same is provided. A sample has been deposited as KCTC 13467BP at the Korean Collection for Type Cultures, wherein the isolated microbial strain is purified to a level of at least 99%. Also provided are methods of using the isolated bacterial strain or the functional homolog of same.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a strapping machine welding head with a beveled counter-pressure plate.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for remote control of a thermostat by a network-based server, when the thermostat is not connected to a local or wide-area network. A network-based server calculates a modified temperature profile for a thermostat based on a utility's time-of-use pricing and/or weather forecasts. After the server has calculated the modified temperature profile, it is provided to a mobile device via a wide-area network, and the mobile device provides the modified temperature profile directly to the thermostat when the mobile device is within range of the thermostat.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for remote control of a thermostat by a network-based server, when the thermostat is not connected to a local or wide-area network. A network-based server calculates a modified temperature profile for a thermostat based on a utility's time-of-use pricing and/or weather forecasts. After the server has calculated the modified temperature profile, it is provided to a mobile device via a wide-area network, and the mobile device provides the modified temperature profile directly to the thermostat when the mobile device is within range of the thermostat.

Abstract: A suture implant for approximating tissue without tying knots includes a suture having a first end with a fixed knot, a second end, and a slip knot located between the first and second ends, which defines a large suture loop having a length. The slip knot defines a dynamic end of the large suture loop that is located opposite a closed end of the large suture loop. A tissue anchor is coupled with the first end of the suture. Pulling the second end of the large suture loop away from the slip knot slides the slip knot and the tissue anchor toward the closed end of the large suture loop and reduces the length of the large suture loop. The suture implant includes a needle having a leading end and a trailing end and a small suture loop secured to the trailing end of the needle that is coupled with the closed end of the large suture loop.

Abstract: A wound closure assembly includes an insertion tool having a proximal end and a distal section, such as a curved distal section, having a penetrating tip and first and second notches that are formed on opposite sides of the distal section. The assembly includes a tissue anchor having a hollow body and an insertion tool channel extending through the hollow body. First and second spaced tips project distally from the distal end of the hollow body and oppose one another on opposite sides of the insertion tool channel. The distal section of the insertion tool is inserted into the insertion tool channel of the tissue anchor so that the penetrating tip is distal to the first and second spaced tips, with the first and second spaced tips nested within the first and second notches for generating a releasable interference fit between the tissue anchor and the insertion tool.

Abstract: A tissue expander having an integrated drain includes an outer shell having an opening and one or more drainage holes. An injection port is disposed in the opening of the shell and forms a fluid-tight seal with the shell. The injection port includes a needle guard having a needle guard base with a top surface, and a barrier membrane that overlies the top surface of the needle guard base. The barrier membrane defines an inflation chamber located between the top surface of the needle guard base and a bottom surface of the barrier membrane, and a drainage chamber overlying a top surface of the barrier membrane. The tissue expander includes one or more inflation ports that are in fluid communication with the inflation chamber for inflating and deflating the outer shell with a first fluid. A drainage conduit is in fluid communication with and extends between the drainage chamber and the one or more drainage holes for draining a second fluid from outside the shell.

Abstract: Athletic performance monitoring systems include GPS data to enhance various features of the workout as well as the post-workout data analysis. Such features include using output from multiple sensors to determine the most accurate data available for providing distance measurements for individual segments of a route. The most accurate data for each route segment, from whatever source, then is used to provide the overall route distance and as the basis for making other calculations, such as pace, calorie burn, etc. Another feature relates to the ability to both input and output geographically tagged messages while moving along a route during an athletic performance.