Abstract: Exemplary traction battery pack designs are described for use in electrified vehicles. An exemplary traction battery pack may include one or more thermal barrier structures. In some implementations, each thermal barrier structure may include both a heat exchanger portion for stabilizing a temperature of battery cells of the traction battery pack and a vacuum portion for isolating the battery cells and/or the heat exchanger portion from ambient conditions. In other implementations, the thermal barrier structure may include only the vacuum portion. The thermal barrier structure may be arranged to interface with a battery array of the traction battery pack and could be integrated as part of an enclosure assembly of the traction battery pack.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of generating proteoglycans with distinct glycan structures in engineered, non-naturally occurring eukaryotic cells. These methods make accessible a dynamic range of protein glycosylation. Compositions of engineered, non-naturally occurring cells capable of generating these proteoglycans are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for minimally-invasive arthroscopic use in a constrained joint space, including a handle assembly, a shaft assembly including a shaft having a longitudinal shaft axis and a lumen therethrough and connected to handle assembly at proximal end of shaft and an operative portion including a working tip with a tool mounted thereon at distal end of shaft. Operative portion is selectively moveable between a first configuration substantially aligned with longitudinal shaft axis, and a second, deployed, configuration in which at least part of operative portion has a selectable working direction defined by the angle between tool and longitudinal shaft axis and a selectable lateral displacement defined by the linear distance between working tip and longitudinal shaft axis, measured at a central location point at which tool is mounted and perpendicular to longitudinal shaft axis, the working direction and lateral displacement being selectable independently of one another.

Abstract: Disclosed is an approach that uses an overload valve to operate a steam turbine reheat section. In one embodiment, the steam turbine reheat section receives a supply of reheated steam from a reheater at a first steam admission location via a reheat valve. The steam turbine reheat section is further adapted to receive a diverted portion of the reheated steam from the reheater at a second steam admission location via the overload valve.

Abstract: Disclosed is an approach that uses an overload valve to operate a steam turbine reheat section. In one embodiment, the steam turbine reheat section receives a supply of reheated steam from a reheater at a first steam admission location via a reheat valve. The steam turbine reheat section is further adapted to receive a diverted portion of the reheated steam from the reheater at a second steam admission location via the overload valve.

Abstract: A method of aiding in the diagnosis or prediction of degenerative joint disease in a joint of a patient. The method comprises obtaining a test spectrum of Raman scattered radiation from cartilage tissue in the joint, and analyzing the test spectrum, or one or more regions thereof, to assess whether the test spectrum is consistent with the patient having, or subsequently developing, degenerative joint disease in the joint.

Abstract: A multiple generator elution system for selectively eluting from a plurality of parent-daughter generators according to an elution schedule it calculates taking into account supply data, demand data, and available activity in each of the generators.

Abstract: A method of aiding in the diagnosis or prediction of degenerative joint disease in a joint of a patient. The method comprises obtaining a test spectrum of Raman scattered radiation from cartilage tissue in the joint, and analysing the test spectrum, or one or more regions thereof, to assess whether the test spectrum is consistent with the patient having, or subsequently developing, degenerative joint disease in the joint.

Abstract: Bone cement mixing systems and related methods are disclosed. The bone cement mixing systems can include a first chamber, a second chamber, and a passage fluidly connecting the first and second chambers. A first piston can be disposed in the first chamber, and a second piston can be disposed in the second chamber.

Abstract: In a steam turbine high pressure end seal region, brush seals are provided between first and second pressure regions having a pressure drop in excess of the sealing capacity of an individual brush seal. To use brush seals between the first and second regions, one or more intermediate pressure regions are maintained at a substantially fixed predetermined pressure between the first and second pressure regions. Brush seals are interposed between adjacent pressure regions whereby the pressure drop between adjacent pressure regions is within the sealing capacity of the individual brush seal disposed between the adjacent pressure regions.

Abstract: In a steam turbine high pressure end seal region, brush seals are provided between first and second pressure regions having a pressure drop in excess of the sealing capacity of an individual brush seal. To use brush seals between the first and second regions, one or more intermediate pressure regions are maintained at a substantially fixed predetermined pressure between the first and second pressure regions. Brush seals are interposed between adjacent pressure regions whereby the pressure drop between adjacent pressure regions is within the sealing capacity of the individual brush seal disposed between the adjacent pressure regions.

Abstract: A method for overhauling a steam turbine to increase its power without increasing its overall length. Existing seal assemblies containing seals other than brush seals are replaced with longitudinally-shorter replacement seal assemblies having only brush seals. An existing turbine section, such as a high-pressure turbine section, is replaced with a longitudinally-longer replacement turbine section having additional stages (i.e., additional rows of rotating buckets or blades).

Abstract: A steam turbine having a shaft and a first (e.g., high-pressure) turbine section. A first embodiment also includes a first bearing longitudinally spaced apart from the first turbine section and further includes a first brush-seal assembly, having bristles, longitudinally positioned between the first turbine section and the first bearing and radially positioned proximate the shaft. The steam turbine is devoid of any backup seal to the bristles. In a second embodiment, a second brush seal assembly is positioned between the first and second (e.g., intermediate-pressure) turbine sections which lack any intervening bearing.

Abstract: The method involves having the subject, to whose fractured limb an external fixator has been applied, undergo a specific load test, measuring the load carried by the fixator and the total load carried by the limb during the test, and determining a measure representing a comparison between the two measured loads. The test is preferably a dynamic one, and a suitable apparatus for carrying out the method is described, which includes a forceplate incorporated in a treadmill assembly to stimulate muscle activity in the limb during the test. The method and device provides an early indication as to whether or not bone healing has started, and thus can be used to provide an advance warning in cases of delayed osseous union.