Abstract: A valve assembly having a valve body, a hardened insert, a sealing insert, and a carrier. The hardened insert is cylindrical and comprises a primary sealing surface. The sealing insert is cylindrical and comprises an initial sealing surface. The carrier has an inside surface. The hardened insert and the sealing insert are coupled to the carrier. In a closed configuration of the valve assembly, the valve body contacts the primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the initial sealing surface of the sealing insert to prevent fluid flow through the valve assembly, and in an open configuration, the valve body is separated from the primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the initial sealing surface of the sealing insert to allow fluid flow through the valve assembly.

Abstract: Compositions are provided that exhibit an austenitic nickel microstructure. The compositions comprise Ni, Cr, Mo and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, and Ti. Feedstock having the composition may be in the form of a cored wire or wires, a solid wire or wires, or a powder.

Abstract: In one aspect, the application provides an electrical system including a conductor, a ground, an arrester electrically connected to the conductor, and a disconnector assembly electrically connected between the arrester and the ground. The disconnector assembly includes an isolator configured to perform an operating function in response to the occurrence of an event and a housing configured to surround the isolator. The isolator includes a first terminal electrically connected to the arrester by a first wire and a second terminal electrically connected to the ground by a second wire. The housing includes a first opening through which the first terminal extends, a second opening through which the second terminal extends, and a retention mechanism configured to hold the isolator in place relative to the arrester.

Abstract: A valve assembly having a valve body, a hardened insert, a sealing insert, and a carrier. The hardened insert is cylindrical and comprises a primary sealing surface. The sealing insert is cylindrical and comprises an initial sealing surface. The carrier has an inside surface. The hardened insert and the sealing insert are coupled to the carrier. In a closed configuration of the valve assembly, the valve body contacts the primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the initial sealing surface of the sealing insert to prevent fluid flow through the valve assembly, and in an open configuration, the valve body is separated from the primary sealing surface of the hardened insert and the initial sealing surface of the sealing insert to allow fluid flow through the valve assembly.

Abstract: Omni-directional orthogonally-polarized antenna system for MIMO applications are disclosed herein. An example antenna system can have two arrays of horizontally polarized radiating elements, and two arrays of vertically polarized radiating elements, each array having roughly 180-degree radiation pattern, disposed about a central axis in a common horizontal plane, arrays of common polarization separated by 180-degrees, such that MIMO processing of signals to the arrays of common polarization results in a radiation pattern that is substantially constant over 360-degrees in azimuth.

Abstract: Examples of a removal tool for a two-piece guide bushing are provided. A specific example comprises a handle, a cap coupled to the handle, the cap comprising arced slots; and a raised boss coupled to the cap, the raised boss configured to fit over the stem guide of a two-piece guide bushing. The guide bushing removal tool may be coupled to a two-piece guide bushing and the guide bushing removal tool may be configured such that rotation of the handle releases the guide bushing center of the two-piece guide bushing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ?-aminoamide derivative compound and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, provided is a therapeutic agent which can overcome the disadvantages of existing drugs used as a MAO-B inhibitor and, specifically, reversibly inhibits MAO-B through a non-covalent bond so as to alleviate or eliminate the side effects of the existing drugs which exhibit a therapeutic effect by irreversibly acting via a covalent bond with MAO-B. Particularly, a new compound having superior stability and efficacy compared to the existing reversible MAO-B inhibitors may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides both compositions comprising Methylobacterium and compositions comprising Methylobacterium that are depleted of substances that promote growth of resident microorganisms on a lettuce plant or seed. Also provided are methods for improving lettuce production, methods of making the compositions, and methods of treating a lettuce plant or seed with the compositions comprising Methylobacterium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of copper-based alloys. The alloys can comprise hard phases of silicides and can be free or substantially free of Co, Mn, Mo, Ta, V, and W. The copper-based alloys can be used as feedstock for PTA and laser cladding hardfacing processes, and can be manufactured into cored wires used to form hardfacing layers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a non-magnetic iron-based alloy. The alloy can contain high hard phase fractions providing for significant toughness and wear resistance. The alloy can have high austenite content and high toughness in some embodiments. Further, embodiments of the alloy can include a number of large or extremely hard particles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a channel-coupled scaffold. The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a channel-coupled scaffold, which includes: (1) a step of compressing a first elastic substrate which includes a groove on the surface of the substrate to close the groove; (2) a step of loading a scaffold composition onto the closed groove; and (3) a step of restoring the elastic substrate. The present disclosure also provides an apparatus for manufacturing a channel-coupled scaffold, which includes: a first elastic substrate which includes a groove on the surface of the substrate and onto which a scaffold composition is loaded: and a compression module which compresses the width of the groove of the elastic substrate to close it. The apparatus or method may accumulate a microchannel controlling local mass transfer, and align a collagen fiber in the scaffold at the same time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an adjustable-incline climbing wall. The climbing wall comprises one or more climbing panels supported by a frame and a system for adjusting the incline of the frame to provide a climbing wall of a desired incline. The incline of the climbing wall may be adjusted by activating an actuator, which extends the upper portion of the frame a distance from a support wall, tilting the climbing wall to a desired incline. When the climbing wall is substantially vertically oriented, the system for adjusting the incline of the climbing wall may extend only a small distance from the support wall so that the adjustable-incline climbing wall has a relatively small footprint. In some embodiments, the climbing wall may also comprise one or more fitness accessories that can brought to an optimal height for a particular user through adjustment of the climbing wall incline.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of alloys which can be particularly advantageous in twin wire arc spray methods for coating of a substrate. In some embodiments, a plurality of alloys can be used to form both hard and soft particles on a surface. In some embodiments, chromium can be minimized or eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising Methylobacterium and depleted of substances that promote growth of resident microorganisms on a plant or seed, methods for improving fruit production, methods of making the compositions, and methods of treating a plant or seed with a composition comprising Methylobacterium. Also provided are methods and compositions comprising Methylobacterium that provide for improved fruit production.

Abstract: The present invention provides both compositions comprising Methylobacterium and compositions comprising Methylobacterium that are depleted of substances that promote growth of resident microorganisms on a lettuce plant or seed. Also provided are methods for improving lettuce production, methods of making the compositions, and methods of treating a lettuce plant or seed with the compositions comprising Methylobacterium.

Abstract: A pump fluid end comprising: a reciprocating element disposed within a reciprocating element bore and having an outer surface; a reciprocating element packing positioned within the reciprocating element bore; and optionally a sleeve positioned within the reciprocating element bore and having an inner surface proximate the outer surface of the reciprocating element, wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the reciprocating element and/or the inner surface of the sleeve is coated with a multi-layer surface coating comprising a plurality of layers including: a first layer in contact with the at least a portion of the outer surface of the reciprocating element and/or the inner surface of the sleeve; and a second layer disposed over at least a portion of the first layer; and wherein at least one of the plurality of layers has a different visual appearance and/or material composition than another of the plurality of layers.

Abstract: A system and method for installing replacement plungers in plunger pumps used in the hydrocarbon industry. The system includes an elongated, cylindrical plunger body with an elongated circular tube disposed around the cylindrical plunger body. An end wall having an aperture formed therein encloses one end of the tube with an axially movable plate disposed within the tube adjacent the end wall between the end wall and the first plunger end of the plunger body. A removable cap is mounted to the opposite end of the tube to enclose and secure the plunger body within the tube. The outer diameter of the tube is sized to fit in the plunger bore of a pump. To install the replacement plunger, the cap is removed from the end of the tube and the tube is inserted into the plunger bore until the tube abuts packing within the tube. Once positioned, an axial force is applied to the movable plate in order to urge the plunger body from the tube and into engagement with the packing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an adjustable-incline climbing wall. The climbing wall includes one or more climbing panels supported by a frame and a system for adjusting the incline of the frame to provide a climbing wall of a desired incline. The incline of the climbing wall may be adjusted by activating an actuator, which extends the upper portion of the frame a distance from a support wall, tilting the climbing wall to a desired incline. When the climbing wall is substantially vertically oriented, the system for adjusting the incline of the climbing wall may extend only a small distance from the support wall so that the adjustable-incline climbing wall has a relatively small footprint. In some embodiments, the climbing wall may also include one or more fitness accessories that can be brought to an optimal height for a particular user through adjustment of the climbing wall incline.

Abstract: A high-pressure plunger pump used in the hydrocarbon industry injects pressurized lubricating fluid to the low-pressure side of a packing assembly during a suction stroke of a pump plunger in order to activate seals within the packing assembly thereby minimizing migration of working fluid along the pump plunger during the suction stroke. The system includes a pump manifold having an elongated bore in which a plunger reciprocates. A packing assembly is disposed around the plunger and includes V-shaped seals having a low-pressure end and a high-pressure end. A high-pressure lubricating fluid pump fluidly communicates with the packing assembly low-pressure end to injects pressurized lubricating fluid to the low-pressure end during a suction stroke. The pressure of the injected lubricating fluid during the suction stroke is selected to be equal to or greater than the pressure of a working fluid in the main pump housing.

Abstract: A host machine operated for a specific purpose can have restricted access to other components in a multi-tenant environment in order to provide for the security of the host machine. The access restriction can prevent the host machine from obtaining updates to critical system-level configurations, but such information can be obtained through a signed command received to an API for the host machine. The command can be signed by a quorum of operators, and the host machine can be configured to verify the signatures and the quorum before processing the command. The host machine can store the updates to ephemeral storage as well as persistent storage, such that upon a reboot or power cycle the host machine can operate with current configuration data.