Abstract: The invention provides a sample collection device (1) for collection of a nasal sample from an individual. The sample collection device comprises: a frame (2) having at least one frame member (4) configured to be received and retained or accommodated within a nostril of the individual; and a collector element (8) provided on and/or carried by the at least one frame member (4) for receiving and collecting the nasal sample, which sample is usually in a liquid or semi-solid form. The collector element (8) is provided on and/or carried by the frame member (4) such that, when the frame member (4) is retained or accommodated within a nostril, the collector element (8) contacts and/or engages with an inner surface or tissue of the nasal cavity to receive and collect the sample. The invention also provides a sample collection kit (20) comprising the sample collection device (1) and a sample container (21) for receiving and storing the collector element (8).

Abstract: Methods for rapidly concentrating a food sample for efficient detection of bacteria are disclosed. A microfiltration approach followed by centrifugation was used to concentrate the cells with an enzyme (e.g., a protease) added at the beginning of the process to facilitate more efficient micro-filtering. The enzyme was found to have no significant effect on cell viability.

Abstract: A nasal dilator device comprises a substantially U-shaped body including a central portion arranged to span a septum of a nose when worn by a user and first and second leg members extending from the central portion in a first plane, a first cantilever rib member extending outward from the U-shaped body in a second plane and a second 5 cantilever rib member extending outward from the U-shaped body in a third plane, wherein the first and second cantilever rib members extend away from each other.

Abstract: A nasal dilator device comprises a substantially U-shaped body including a central portion arranged to span a septum of a nose when worn by a user and first and second leg members extending from the central portion in a first plane. The device further comprises a first cantilever rib member extending outward from the U-shaped body in a second plane and a second cantilever rib member extending outward from the U-shaped body in a third plane, wherein the first and second cantilever rib members extend away from each other. The device further comprises a first intermediate section connecting an end of the first leg member to a proximal end of the first cantilever rib member, wherein the first intermediate section extends between the first plane and second plane and a second intermediate section connecting an end of the second leg member to a proximal end of the second cantilever rib member, wherein the second intermediate section extends between the first plane and the third plane.

Abstract: A nasal dilator device comprises a substantially U-shaped body including a central portion arranged to span a septum of a nose when worn by a user and first and second leg members extending from the central portion in a first plane, a first cantilever rib member extending outward from the U-shaped body in a second plane and a second 5 cantilever rib member extending outward from the U-shaped body in a third plane, wherein the first and second cantilever rib members extend away from each other.

Abstract: A nasal dilator device comprises a substantially U-shaped body including a central portion arranged to span a septum of a nose when worn by a user and first and second leg members extending from the central portion in a first plane. The device further comprises a first cantilever rib member extending outward from the U-shaped body in a second plane and a second cantilever rib member extending outward from the U-shaped body in a third plane, wherein the first and second cantilever rib members extend away from each other. The device further comprises a first intermediate section connecting an end of the first leg member to a proximal end of the first cantilever rib member, wherein the first intermediate section extends between the first plane and second plane and a second intermediate section connecting an end of the second leg member to a proximal end of the second cantilever rib member, wherein the second intermediate section extends between the first plane and the third plane.

Abstract: An end-to-end data curation system and the various methods used in linking, matching, and cleaning large-scale data sources. The goal of this system is to provide scalable and efficient record deduplication. The system uses a crowd of experts to train the system. The system operator can optionally provide a set of hints to reduce the number of questions send to the experts. The system solves the problem of schema mapping and record deduplication a holistic way by unifying these problems into a unified linkage problem.

Abstract: Various mountings are disclosed for holding a portable screen device in an attitude for hands-free viewing. The mountings are particularly, but not exclusively, useful for supporting portable screen devices (522, FIG. 5A) from the seat-back trays (528) found in passenger vehicles, when the trays are in the “up” position. Each mounting comprises a pair of hooked members (510), each hooked member having a spine (515) provided with first and second hook portions (512, 514) arranged on opposite sides of the spine to face in mutually opposed directions. Each hook portion (512, 514) comprises an open end and a closed end bounded by outer and inner, mutually opposed sides of the hook portion. Various embodiments are disclosed that are also capable of supporting portable screen devices when seat-back trays are in the “down” position, see e.g., FIG. 5B.

Abstract: Aircraft turbine engines are controlled by complex electronic devices such as FADEC and PSS units. These devices can be adversely impacted by the engine environment including the condensing of evaporated water. Aspects of the present disclosure include unique heat exchangers to control the temperature of these electronic devices to assure their proper operation.

Abstract: A method of electroforming can be used to prepare a heat exchanger by electroforming the heat exchanger on a mandrel having a smooth and conductive surface. The mandrel is in the shape of at least part of the heat exchanger, and is removed from the electroformed heat exchanger.

Abstract: A packaging cushion includes a first liner and a second liner opposite one another and each defining an inner surface. A transverse liner axis extends normal to the inner surfaces. The packaging cushion includes a mesh bonded to and disposed between the first and second liners. The mesh has a top mesh surface and an opposed bottom mesh surface. The mesh defines a plurality of nodes and a plurality of legs interconnecting the plurality of nodes. Each of the plurality of nodes defines 1) a top node surface defined by the top mesh surface, 2) a bottom node surface defined by the bottom mesh surface, and 3) a transverse node axis extending substantially normal to the top and bottom node surfaces. The transverse node axes of at least some of the plurality of nodes are each oriented at an oblique angle relative to the transverse liner axis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for improving ethanol production from biomass sources by blocking cellulose from binding to lignin.

Abstract: A delivery device capable of being mounted or attached outside the nose to a nasal device, wherein said delivery device is adapted to deliver, spread or emit inhalable compositions or substances such as inhalable fumes from said delivery device to the nasal passages of the nose so as to be inhaled by the user, such as during respiration, when in use. Nasal devices such as nasal dilator devices comprising same, and cases for storing and housing same.

Abstract: A nasal device comprises a first component and a second component and a connector for coupling the first component to the second component and configured to span a nasal septum of the user. The first component comprises a body for insertion into a nasal cavity of a nose of a user. The body comprises a loop structure having an inner surface defining an aperture and a reverse outer surface, the loop structure being configured for alignment with an interior contour of a nasal passage of the nose, a platform spanning the aperture defined by the inner surface of the loop structure, and a valve mechanism disposed on the platform for controlling fluid flow through the aperture. The first component further comprises at least one mount extending from the body.

Abstract: A fan casing assembly for a turbine engine including a fan casing having a peripheral wall, a surface cooler having a first surface confronting the peripheral wall and a mounting assembly having a lower portion generally retained between the first surface of the annular surface cooler and the peripheral wall and having a floating body extending through the set of fan casing fastener openings and an upper portion located radially exterior of the annular fan casing and operably coupled to the lower portion.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a nasal dilator comprising a body for insertion into a nasal cavity of a nose. The body includes a loop structure having an inner surface, a reverse outer surface, a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The inner surface defines an aperture and the reverse outer surface is configured for urging against a nasal passage wall of the nose. The body further includes an arm member having a first end coupled to the loop structure and a free end, the arm member extending outwardly from the loop structure and configured to extend along a nasal passage of the nasal cavity and engage with an internal surface of a nostril of the nose.

Abstract: A data curation system is provided that includes various methods to enable efficient reuse of human and machine effort. To reuse effort, various facilities are presented that model, save, and allow for querying of provenance and state information of a curation workflow and allow for incremental, stateful transitions of the data and metadata thereof.

Abstract: An end-to-end data curation system and the various methods used in linking, matching, and cleaning large-scale data sources. The goal of this system is to provide scalable and efficient record deduplication. The system uses a crowd of experts to train the system. The system operator can optionally provide a set of hints to reduce the number of questions send to the experts. The system solves the problem of schema mapping and record deduplication a holistic way by unifying these problems into a unified linkage problem.

Abstract: A heat exchanger circuit can include a heat exchanger having a body with a plurality of cooling fins for the heat exchanger, a plurality of core cooling channels within the body, a plurality of de-congealing channels in fluid communication with the plurality of core cooling channels, and a by-pass valve in fluid communication with the plurality of core cooling channels and the plurality of de-congealing channels.

Abstract: An end-to-end data curation system and the various methods used in linking, matching, and cleaning large-scale data sources. The goal of this system is to provide scalable and efficient record deduplication. The system uses a crowd of experts to train the system. The system operator can optionally provide a set of hints to reduce the number of questions sent to the experts. The system solves the problem of schema mapping and record deduplication in a holistic way by unifying these problems into a unified linkage problem.