Abstract: A modular self-massaging apparatus includes a framework and a ball assembly mounted to the framework. The ball assembly is modular and can be disassembled and reassembled in a variety of configurations. The apparatus is modular because the ball assembly and other ball assemblies can be applied to and carried in the apparatus at a variety of locations across the apparatus.

Abstract: A diverter valve for extruded materials, including a split cylinder in the cylindrical opening of a base, each cylinder half being independently pivotable. The base includes first and second inlets for first and second extruded material, and first and second outlets for the material. Base first and second flow paths carry the first and second extruded materials from the inlets to the output openings, and third and fourth flow paths carry extruded material from the first and second first inlet openings to the first and second outlets. The first and second inlet openings and the first and second output openings are axially open to the central opening, and the cylinder halves are adjacent along a plane substantially radial to the central opening axis with each of the cylinder halves including a recess open along the radial plane.

Abstract: In an example, there is disclosed a method or system for merging multiple system trees of different resources based in multiple locations over a data exchange layer. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system for merging assets of different types within one or more tree-based locations. For example, an end node may be represented in a single location, a single message broker may provide services for and be represented in multiple locations. The asset to asset relationships within merged trees may be used to ensure availability of services and visualization of the system for management purposes.

Abstract: A soft tissue mobilization instrument for use in the treatment of the soft tissue of a person being treated by a practitioner having a handle structured for grasping by the hand of the practitioner, an offset body engaging, elongated, elliptical shaped thumb cup working member, and an index finger guide connecting the handle and the working member structured to locate and support the outer edge of the index finger of the practitioner when grasping the instrument. The instrument allows treatment pressure to come from the practitioner's hand thereby relieving pressure on the thumb during a treatment process.

Abstract: A soft tissue manipulation instrument for use by a practitioner on the soft tissue of a living being having an elongated body with soft edges, a front surface, a rear surface, sides, a tapered end and a curved, concave end opposite the tapered end. The front surface has a plurality of finger engaging recesses; at least one recess located adjacent the tapered end and at least a second recess located adjacent the curved end. The rear surface includes an elongated finger engaging slot disposed in a longitudinal direction between the tapered end and the curved end.

Abstract: A system for receiving and ejecting a fluid testing device test strip includes a strip connector having first and second guide rails, and divider walls each having a channel. A sled has first and second legs connected to a cross member. Each leg has a contact leg extending inwardly from a chamfered end. The first and second legs when positioned parallel to the guide rails have the contact leg captured in the divider wall channels retaining the sled in sliding contact with the guide rails for motions in loading and ejection directions. A mechanism assembly is movably connected to the fluid testing device. The cross member is coupled so operation in a first direction displaces the sled in the loading direction positioning the sled in a test strip test position, and opposite operation positions the contact legs in direct contact with and ejects the test strip.

Abstract: A polymer filter assembly through which flowable material from a supply is directed for processing before passing to a die assembly through which the flowable material is delivered to form a sheet layer. The polymer filter assembly has a polymer filter frame that supports processing components for the flowable material and a support assembly for the polymer filter frame. The support assembly includes components cooperating between the polymer filter frame and a base upon which the polymer filter frame is supported to allow controlled relative vertical movement between the polymer filter frame and base to thereby permit controlled alignment between the polymer filter frame and at least one of: a) an upstream component that delivers flowable material from the supply; and b) the die assembly.

Abstract: A system configured to receive and eject a fluid testing device test strip. The system includes a strip connector having first and second guide rails, and divider walls each having a channel. A sled has first and second legs connected to a cross member. Each leg has a contact leg extending inwardly from a chamfered end. The first and second legs when positioned parallel to the guide rails have the contact leg captured in the divider wall channels retaining the sled in sliding contact with the guide rails for motions in loading and ejection directions. A mechanism assembly is movably connected to the fluid testing device. The cross member is coupled so operation in a first direction displaces the sled in the loading direction positioning the sled in a test strip test position, and opposite operation positions the contact legs in direct contact with and ejects the test strip.

Abstract: A soft tissue manipulation instrument for use by a practitioner on the soft tissue of a person having a first section with an outer tissue engagement edge shaped to conform to the soft tissue being treated and a second gripping section interconnected at a 90 degree angle with the first section having an outer curved gripping surface for the hand of the practitioner using the instrument.

Abstract: Rotating wellhead hanger assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, a wellhead hanger assembly includes a casing hanger and a casing hanger running tool coupled to the casing hanger. An exterior surface of the casing hanger includes a recess and the casing hanger running tool includes a dog that extends inward from the casing hanger running tool into the recess of the exterior surface of the casing hanger. Engagement of the dog with the recess of the casing hanger facilitates synchronous rotation of the casing hanger and its running tool. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treatment of subjects for the purpose of inhibiting vaso-occlusive events, including embolism, by administering agents, including anagrelide and anagrelide derivatives, which reduce the number of circulating platelets to low normal or to below normal levels. Methods and pharmaceutical preparations comprising such agents are provided.

Abstract: Methods for metabolic oligosaccharide engineering that incorporates derivatized alkyne-bearing sugar analogs as “tags” into cellular glycoconjugates are disclosed. Alkynyl derivatized Fuc and alkynyl derivatized ManNAc sugars are incorporated into cellular glycoconjugates. Chemical probes comprising an azide group and a visual or fluorogenic probe and used to label alkyne-derivatized sugar-tagged glycoconjugates are disclosed. Chemical probes bind covalently to the alkynyl group by Cu(I)-catalyzed [3+2] azide-alkyne cycloaddition and are visualized at the cell surface, intracellularly, or in a cellular extract. The labeled glycoconjugate is capable of detection by flow cytometry, SDS-PAGE, Western blot, ELISA, confocal microscopy, and mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Rotating wellhead hanger assemblies are provided. In one embodiment, a wellhead hanger assembly includes a casing hanger and a casing hanger running tool coupled to the casing hanger. An exterior surface of the casing hanger includes a recess and the casing hanger running tool includes a dog that extends inward from the casing hanger running tool into the recess of the exterior surface of the casing hanger. Engagement of the dog with the recess of the casing hanger facilitates synchronous rotation of the casing hanger and its running tool. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a protective container for transporting an enclosed object such as a flat screen television or other flat screen monitor. The protective covering includes two flaps and a base having soft padding material on their inner surfaces. An open configuration is essentially flat, allowing a monitor to be easily positioned on the covering. The flaps fold up to transform the protective container into a closed configuration, with straps or other connectors holding the flaps in place. The protective container has various features making it convenient to move manually and to transport in a delivery truck. The protective container is more convenient to use than the prior art, and can be manufactured from relatively inexpensive materials.

Abstract: A running tool with an overshot sleeve is provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a running tool and an overshot sleeve including a first portion threaded onto the running tool and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are connected together in a manner that allows the first portion and the second portion to rotate with respect to one another. The second portion of the sleeve can engage an additional component, such as a casing hanger, and the running tool and the overshot sleeve can be configured to selectively convert rotation of the running tool into axial motion of the overshot sleeve with respect to the running tool. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic ink developer comprises a developer roller (112) rotatable about an axis, first and second electrodes (108, 110) proximate the developer roller (112) and an inlet chamber (100) extending along the axis from a first end adjacent an inlet opening (122) to a second end opposite the first end. A neck (104) forms an uninterrupted ink flow path from the inlet chamber (100) to the developer roller (112).

Abstract: A novel treatment for dialysis patients needing a hemodialysis graft by providing a therapeutic formulation that can be infused to such patients, which may mitigate graft-related neointimal hyperplasia, thrombosis, and/or related mechanisms of graft failure. The therapeutic formulation may include sirolimus and/or other olimus drug(s). The therapeutic formulation may be infusible and stable in solution for such a pharmaceutical and therapeutic purpose. The therapeutic formulation may have a pharmaceutically acceptable shelf life such that the pharmaceutical agent remains chemically stable (e.g., does not precipitate) for a suitable number of days (e.g., at least 30 days, at least 60 days, at least 90 days, etc.) at 37° C. The therapeutic formulation may be suitable for application to a patient's blood vessel/vascular graft via an infusion pump. For instance, the therapeutic formulation may be suitable for application to the patient's hemodialysis graft location.

Abstract: Provided are prophylactic and therapeutic methods of treatment of subjects for the purpose of inhibiting vaso-occlusive events, including embolism, by administering agents, including anagrelide and anagrelide derivatives, which reduce the number of circulating platelets to low normal or to below normal levels. Methods and pharmaceutical preparations comprising such agents are provided.

Abstract: A modular self-massaging apparatus includes a framework and a ball assembly mounted to the framework. The ball assembly is modular and can be disassembled and reassembled in a variety of configurations. The apparatus is modular because the ball assembly and other ball assemblies can be applied to and carried in the apparatus at a variety of locations across the apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for testing and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing medical device. The system includes parallel first and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the guide rails. A sled includes a sled post and opposed first and second side leg sets each having at least one deflectable leg. Each of the deflectable legs is externally slidably engaged to one of the guide rails limiting the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction. An actuator arm is rotatably connected to a mechanism assembly. The sled post is received in an actuator arm slot. Actuator arm rotation in a loading rotational direction displaces the sled in the loading direction in a sliding motion. Subsequent opposite rotation of the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction displaces the sled in the ejection direction and ejects the test strip.