Abstract: A hearing loss alleviating device sized and configured to be received, at least in part, by a central auditory system of a subject and a method of using the same. The hearing loss alleviating device includes a power supply and at least one of an electromagnetic radiation generator, an electromagnetic field generator, and a high frequency sound generator. When powered, the hearing loss alleviating device generates at least one of electromagnetic radiation, an electromagnetic field, and high frequency sound.

Abstract: A garment, particularly in the form of a brassiere, described herein that includes a breast covering portion sized and configured to receive a breast of a wearer; and an electromagnetic radiation source facing inwardly towards the skin of the wearer, the electromagnetic radiation source configured to irradiate a portion of a breast and being positioned along a portion of the breast covering portion. Also described are methods of delivering electromagnetic radiation, and methods of treatment using the brassiere.

Abstract: Methods and devices for delivering electromagnetic radiation for therapeutic purposes are provided herein. The methods and devices include contacting blood with electromagnetic radiation, preferably by an optical fibre. The methods and devices are particularly suitable for intra-arterial irradiation of a treatment site of a subject.

Abstract: A securing assembly for an article, said securing assembly including: a footing adapted to be securable to a floor or a similar supporting surface underneath said article; a securing rod dimensioned and arranged to be releasably and rigidly securable between said article and said footing.

Abstract: Electrical connector includes a connector housing configured to engage a mating connector during a mating operation. The electrical connector also includes a plurality of electrical contacts coupled to the connector housing. Each of the electrical contacts includes a proximal base coupled to the connector housing and an elongated body that extends from the proximal base to a distal end. The elongated body includes an outer plating that comprises a precious metal. The outer plating forms interstitial regions that define an array of cavities. The interstitial regions form an exterior surface of the corresponding electrical contact that engages a corresponding contact of the mating connector during the mating operation.

Abstract: Electrical connector includes a connector housing configured to engage a mating connector during a mating operation. The electrical connector also includes a plurality of electrical contacts coupled to the connector housing. Each of the electrical contacts includes a proximal base coupled to the connector housing and an elongated body that extends from the proximal base to a distal end. The elongated body includes an outer plating that comprises a precious metal. The outer plating forms interstitial regions that define an array of cavities. The interstitial regions form an exterior surface of the corresponding electrical contact that engages a corresponding contact of the mating connector during the mating operation.

Abstract: A securing assembly for an article, said securing assembly including: a footing adapted to be securable to a floor or a similar supporting surface underneath said article; a securing rod dimensioned and arranged to be releasably and rigidly securable between said article and said footing.

Abstract: An electrical terminal (10) having an electrical contact (18) and a crimp barrel (20) configured to be crimped around an end of a wire. The crimp barrel (20) includes a base (22) and opposing side walls (24) that define an opening (25) of the crimp barrel (20). The side walls (24) extend outwardly from the base (22) to ends (50) and include base segments (52) and end segments (54). A sealing wing (56) extends from the end of at least one of the side walls (24). The side walls (24) are configured to be folded over the wire when crimped such that a gap is defined between the end segment (54) and the base segment (52) of at least one of the side walls (24). The sealing wing (56) is configured to extend within the gap between the end segment (54) and the base segment (52) when the side walls (24) are crimped over the end of the wire.

Abstract: An electrical terminal (10) having an electrical contact (18) and a crimp barrel (20) configured to be crimped around an end of a wire. The crimp barrel (20) includes a base (22) and opposing side walls (24) that define an opening (25) of the crimp barrel (20). The side walls (24) extend outwardly from the base (22) to ends (50) and include base segments (52) and end segments (54). A sealing wing (56) extends from the end of at least one of the side walls (24). The side walls (24) are configured to be folded over the wire when crimped such that a gap is defined between the end segment (54) and the base segment (52) of at least one of the side walls (24). The sealing wing (56) is configured to extend within the gap between the end segment (54) and the base segment (52) when the side walls (24) are crimped over the end of the wire.

Abstract: An electrical terminal is provided for terminating a wire. The electrical terminal includes an electrical contact and a crimp barrel extending from the electrical contact. The crimp barrel is configured to be crimped around an end of the wire. The crimp barrel includes a base and opposing side walls that extend from the base. The base and the side walls define an opening of the crimp barrel that is configured to receive the end of the wire therein. The side walls extend outwardly from the base to ends. The side walls include base segments that extend from the base and end segments that extend from the base segments and include the ends. A sealing wing extends from the end of at least one of the side walls. The side walls are configured to be folded over when crimped over the end of the wire such that a gap is defined between the end segment and the base segment of at least one of the side walls.

Abstract: An electrical terminal is provided for terminating a wire. The electrical terminal includes an electrical contact and a crimp barrel extending from the electrical contact. The crimp barrel is configured to be crimped around an end of the wire. The crimp barrel includes a base and opposing side walls that extend from the base. The base and the side walls define an opening of the crimp barrel that is configured to receive the end of the wire therein. The side walls extend outwardly from the base to ends. The side walls include base segments that extend from the base and end segments that extend from the base segments and include the ends. A sealing wing extends from the end of at least one of the side walls. The side walls are configured to be folded over when crimped over the end of the wire such that a gap is defined between the end segment and the base segment of at least one of the side walls.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of isolating linaclotide, a cyclized 14-amino-acid peptide with three disulfide bonds. The sequence consists of Cys-Cys-Glu-Tyr-Cys-Cys-Asn-Pro-Ala-Cys-Thr-Gly-Cys-Tyr with disulfide bridges between the cysteine residues at positions 1 and 6, 2 and 10, and 5 and 13. The drug acts as a GCC superagonist, elevating intracellular cGMP composition for treating various disorders, including gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, congestive heart failure and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract: A system and method for use with an optical communication beam of light is disclosed. The system allows the beam of light to operate at an adequate power level that provides a robust optical link while minimizing any safety risk to humans. Such a system includes multiple operating modes which control the power output of the beam of light. In the normal mode, the beam of light operates at a selected power level which provides a desired signal to noise ratio. Once a blocking occurs, the beam of light enters a power reduction mode to prevent harm to the blocking object. An acquisition and recovery mode is then employed to reestablish the blocked communication link.

Abstract: A draft force sensor is provided for a coupling member coupled between a towing vehicle and a towed earth engaging implement, such as a scraper. The draft force sensor includes first and second bores extending through the coupling member. Each bore has a horizontal axis which extends perpendicular to a main fore-and-aft axis of the coupling member. The second bore is positioned above the first bore and spaced apart from the first bore. Each of the bores is surrounded by an outer cylindrical wall. Four electrical strain gauges are spaced apart and placed on the wall of each of the bores. A center line bisects an axis line which extends between the axes of the first and second bores. The axis of each bore is spaced apart from the center line by a distance which is less than a diameter of the bores. The strain gauges are connected electrically in a circuit which generates a draft force signal in response to draft forces applied to the coupling member.

Abstract: A system and method for use with an optical communication beam of light is disclosed. The system allows the beam of light to operate at an adequate power level that provides a robust optical link while minimizing any safety risk to humans. Such a system includes multiple operating modes which control the power output of the beam of light. In the normal mode, the beam of light operates at a selected power level which provides a desired signal to noise ratio. Once a blocking occurs, the beam of light enters a power reduction mode to prevent harm to the blocking object. An acquisition and recovery mode is then employed to reestablish the blocked communication link.

Abstract: A continuous boiling water unit is disclosed and comprises a water heating tank (1) containing an electric heating element (2) near the bottom of the tank (1) and a level control tank (3) mounted alongside the heating tank (1). An interconnecting steam communication port (21) is located between the level control tank (3) and the heating tank (1), together with a draw-off connection (23) and a flow connection (10). There further comprises an electronic temperature sensor in the form of a thermister (50) operable to sense the temperature of water in the heating tank (1), and upon sensing boiling of the water in the heating tank (1), operable to cause cut-off of the supply to the heating element (2).

Abstract: A process for purifying crude polyether polyols which are prepared by anionic polymerization of alkylene oxides in the presence of basic catalysts. The polyols are mixed with water and ortho-phosphoric acid in certain quantity ratios, an adsorption agent is incorporated in the reaction mixture, the mixture is filtered and the water is removed from the polyether polyol by distillation.

Abstract: A valve for controlling flow of viscous fluid from a reservoir through a valve seat in a wall to a working chamber of a fluid coupling. Presence of fluid in the working chamber permits the drive to transmit torque in response to a single input variable, such as temperature. The valve comprises a valve arm pivotally mounted to the reservoir side of the wall and a closure member positioned on the working chamber side of the wall. The valve is biased to a position preventing flow except when a bimetallic temperature responsive element displaces the valve to an open position. The valve arm is shaped so that centrifugal force acting on it counteracts the centrifugal pressure force on the fluid in a direction opening the valve. The valve therefore is rendered insensitive to all variables except temperature.

Abstract: Glass reinforced thermoplastic molding material pigmented with inorganic pigments and characterized by improved mechanical properties. Molding material according to the invention contains a pigment having a Mohs hardness of less than 5.