Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for detecting a virus, e.g., a respiratory virus such as a coronavirus, in a biological sample. The invention also relates to methods and kits for detecting and/or quantifying biomarkers, e.g., antibody biomarkers against a viral antigen; inflammatory and/or tissue damage response biomarkers; and/or extracellular vesicles in response to a viral infection.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and kits for detecting a virus, e.g., a respiratory virus such as a coronavirus, in a biological sample. The invention also relates to methods and kits for detecting and/or quantifying biomarkers, e.g., antibody biomarkers against a viral antigen; inflammatory and/or tissue damage response biomarkers; and/or extracellular vesicles in response to a viral infection.

Abstract: A multi-cone, multi-stage spray nozzle includes a nozzle body, a valve stem with a first valve head, and a second valve head attached to the first valve head. The first valve stem is biased into a closed position against a valve seat of the nozzle body by a bias device. The second valve head is continuously open. Upon the application of a first fluid pressure, which is less than a threshold fluid pressure, the bias device maintains the valve stem in the closed position while the second valve head is continuously open. And upon the application of a second fluid pressure, which is at least as great as the threshold fluid pressure, the valve stem moves to an open position while the second valve head remains continuously open.

Abstract: The invention provides a dosing system for an inhalation device, comprising a filling chamber (10); a reservoir chamber (31) which supplies liquid (3) to an aerosol generator (301); and a plunger (20) which includes an overflow chamber (25) and which is pivotable about a hinge (50). The filling chamber has an inner wall (12) which is higher on the side adjacent to the hinge than on the opposite side. When the filling chamber is filled with liquid and the plunger is pivoted into the filling chamber, part of the liquid is displaced over the lower side (17) of the inner wall into the reservoir chamber and some or all of the remaining liquid is displaced into the overflow chamber. The invention also provides an inhalation device comprising the dosing system and a method for dosing liquid to the inhalation device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for configuring a pipe assembly includes an inner pipe positioned within an outer pipe, wherein at least one guide fixedly attached near an end of the pipe assembly cooperates with a recess integrated near the end of the pipe assembly to retain movement of the inner pipe with respect to the outer pipe.

Abstract: A baseball analysis system and method; the system includes a software application downloadable to an electronic-device for calculating and analyzing statistics from a professional baseball player and team. The baseball analysis system includes at least one server having a processor and a memory including a database storing a plurality of baseball-player-related-data including runs batted in, plate appearances, and earned run average(s). The memory further includes computer readable instructions executable by the processor, and the software application downloadable to an electronic-device. A user may input a request into the software application and the software application then determines an output related to the input via the software application. The output is displayed on the electronic-device and may include useful information as related to baseball players from past to present.

Abstract: A multi-cone, multi-stage spray nozzle includes a nozzle body, a valve stem with a first valve head, and a second valve head attached to the first valve head. The first valve stem is biased into a closed position against a valve seat of the nozzle body by a bias device. The second valve head is continuously open. Upon the application of a first fluid pressure, which is less than a threshold fluid pressure, the bias device maintains the valve stem in the closed position while the second valve head is continuously open. And upon the application of a second fluid pressure, which is at least as great as the threshold fluid pressure, the valve stem moves to an open position while the second valve head remains continuously open.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device is provided. The fluid pressure reduction device includes a body and a diffuser. The body defines an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet. The body is made of a first material having a first hardness. A seating area is defined within the body. The diffuser is removably coupled to the seating area and disposed within the fluid passageway of the body. The diffuser defines at least one flowpath for reducing a pressure of a fluid flowing through the fluid passageway. The diffuser includes a second material having a second hardness greater than the first hardness of the first material.

Abstract: A steam assisted ring style desuperheater includes a ring body defining an axial flow path and one or more spray nozzles extending through a wall of the ring body. Each of the nozzles is connected to a separate cooling water manifold and atomizing steam manifold to conduct cooling water and atomizing steam separate from each other through the spray nozzle to an injection point. An atomizing head of each nozzle combines the cooling water and atomizing steam to form a spraywater cloud that is injected radially into the axial flow path. The spray nozzles include one or more flow passage inserts that define separate first and second fluid flow paths for conducting the cooling water and the atomizing steam separately through the spray nozzle.

Abstract: A high speed, high reliability circuit module and connective strategy that is connectively compliant with a receptacle in compliance with the SFF-8639 Specification whether expressing for example a PCIe interface or a high speed SAS interface. The present invention reduces impedance discontinuity by reducing the interconnection length and cross-planar transit found in typical specification compliant connectors.

Abstract: A circuit module configured for connective mating with standards compliant receptacles includes a PCB configured with one or more tabs populated with conductive pads for connection to the receptacle. In preferred embodiments, the tab or tabs emerge from a circuit module case configured to be substantially compliant with dimensional requirements for connectors that couple with receptacles compliant with various specifications including, in preferred embodiments, the SFF 8639 or SATA Specifications.

Abstract: A valve cage for a fluid flow control device includes a hollow cylindrical body, a noise abatement section, a high capacity flow section, and a transition section. The noise abatement section has a plurality of inlet openings, a plurality of outlet openings, and a plurality of tortuous flow paths extending between the inlet and outlet openings. The high capacity flow section is disposed axially adjacent to the noise abatement section and includes a first axial end, a second axial end, and a plurality of primary flow openings. The transition section is defined at an interface between the noise abatement section and the second axial end of the high capacity flow section and includes a plurality of transition openings. The transition section provides a valve cage with zero dead band between the noise abatement and high capacity flow sections when implemented into a fluid flow control device.

Abstract: A fluid pressure reduction device is provided. The fluid pressure reduction device includes a body and a diffuser. The body defines an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid passageway extending between the inlet and the outlet. The body is made of a first material having a first hardness. A seating area is defined within the body. The diffuser is removably coupled to the seating area and disposed within the fluid passageway of the body. The diffuser defines at least one flowpath for reducing a pressure of a fluid flowing through the fluid passageway. The diffuser includes a second material having a second hardness greater than the first hardness of the first material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for configuring a pipe assembly includes an inner pipe positioned within an outer pipe, wherein at least one guide fixedly attached near an end of the pipe assembly cooperates with a recess integrated near the end of the pipe assembly to retain movement of the inner pipe with respect to the outer pipe.

Abstract: A circuit module configured for connective mating with standards compliant receptacles includes a PCB configured with one or more tabs populated with conductive pads for connection to the receptacle. In preferred embodiments, the tab or tabs emerge from a circuit module case configured to be substantially compliant with dimensional requirements for connectors that couple with receptacles compliant with various specifications including, in preferred embodiments, the SFF 8639 or SATA Specifications.

Abstract: A high speed, high reliability circuit module and connective strategy that is connectively compliant with a receptacle in compliance with the SFF-8639 Specification whether expressing for example a PCIe interface or a high speed SAS interface. The present invention reduces impedance discontinuity by reducing the interconnection length and cross-planar transit found in typical specification compliant connectors.

Abstract: A steam assisted ring style desuperheater includes a ring body defining an axial flow path and one or more spray nozzles extending through a wall of the ring body. Each of the nozzles is connected to a separate cooling water manifold and atomizing steam manifold to conduct cooling water and atomizing steam separate from each other through the spray nozzle to an injection point. An atomizing head of each nozzle combines the cooling water and atomizing steam to form a spraywater cloud that is injected radially into the axial flow path. The spray nozzles include one or more flow passage inserts that define separate first and second fluid flow paths for conducting the cooling water and the atomizing steam separately through the spray nozzle.

Abstract: Thermally compensated valve trim apparatus are disclosed. An example valve trim apparatus includes a valve plug having a recess, an insert fixed in the recess and having an opening therein. The insert is made of a material having a greater strength than a second material of the valve plug. The example valve trim apparatus also includes a valve stem having a threaded end disposed in the opening of the insert to form a valve stem connection, and a spacer operatively coupled to the valve plug and vale stem to affect a load exerted on the valve stem connection in response to a change in temperature.

Abstract: A high speed, high reliability connector that may be employed with standard Serial ATA (SATA) or Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) compliant receptacle connectors. The present invention reduces impedance discontinuity by reducing the interconnection length and cross-planar transit found in typical SATA and SAS compliant connectors.

Abstract: A valve cage for a fluid flow control device includes a hollow cylindrical body, a noise abatement section, a high capacity flow section, and a transition section. The noise abatement section has a plurality of inlet openings, a plurality of outlet openings, and a plurality of tortuous flow paths extending between the inlet and outlet openings. The high capacity flow section is disposed axially adjacent to the noise abatement section and includes a first axial end, a second axial end, and a plurality of primary flow openings. The transition section is defined at an interface between the noise abatement section and the second axial end of the high capacity flow section and includes a plurality of transition openings. The transition section provides a valve cage with zero dead band between the noise abatement and high capacity flow sections when implemented into a fluid flow control device.