Abstract: An exterior building panel includes a panel body having a polymeric framing arrangement including an outer boundary portion extending around an outer perimeter of the panel body and a plurality of crossing frame members extending between opposed first and second sides of the outer boundary portion to define a plurality of cavities surrounded by the outer boundary portion, core insulation material disposed in each of the plurality of cavities, an insulation layer surrounding the framing arrangement and the core insulation material, and an insulating lamina coating covering the insulation layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices. The aerosol delivery devices may include a housing and a cartridge including an atomizer and a reservoir configured to contain an aerosol precursor composition. The cartridge may be configured to move relative to at least a portion of the housing between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Related assembly methods are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermal interface material detection includes a heat dissipating device stack up that includes a heat dissipating device, a thermal interface material, a heat generating component, and a printed circuit board. The heat dissipating device is disposed on the thermal interface material, the thermal interface material is disposed on the heat generating component, and the heat generating component is disposed on the printed circuit board. A channel in a body of the heat dissipating device includes an embedded conductive probe, where a first end of the embedded conductive probe leads to a lower surface of the body of the heat dissipating device and a second end of the embedded conductive probe leads to an upper surface of the body of the heat dissipating device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and reporting the status of paper ballots for mail-in voting are provided. The paper ballots are monitored during their transit to and/or from the voters. Reports regarding the status of such paper ballots may be provided to the voters and/or the elections division. Such reports may facilitate increased transparency into the mail-in voting process.

Abstract: Automated pipetting systems and methods are disclosed for aspirating and dispensing fluids, particularly biological samples. In one aspect, a liquid dispenser includes a manifold and one or more pipette channels. The manifold includes a vacuum channel, a pressure channel, and a plurality of lanes. Each lane includes an electrical connector, a port to the pressure channel, and a port to the vacuum channel. The pipette channels can be modular. Each pipette channel includes a single dispense head and can be selectively and independently coupled to any one lane of the plurality of lanes. In some aspects, a valve in the pipette channel is in simultaneous fluid communication with a pressure port and a vacuum port of the manifold. The valve selectively diverts gas under pressure and gas under vacuum to the dispense head in response to control signals received through the electrical connector of the manifold.

Abstract: Introduced here are methods, apparatuses, and systems for mitigating the contact pressure applied to a human body by the surface of an object, such as a chair, bed, or table. A pressure-mitigation apparatus can include a series of chambers whose pressure can be individually varied. When placed between a patient and a contact surface, a controller can vary the contact pressure on the human body by controllably inflating one or more chambers, deflating one or more chambers, or any combination thereof. By monitoring the pressure in each chamber over time, the controller can also gain an enhanced understanding of movement(s) performed by the human body when positioned on the pressure-mitigation apparatus.

Abstract: Introduced here are pressure-mitigation apparatuses for mitigating the pressure applied to a human body by the support surface of an object. The pressure-mitigation apparatus can include a series of chambers that can be individually controlled to vary the pressure therein. By varying the chamber pressure, the main point of pressure applied by the support surface to the human body may be moved across the surface of the human body. An attachment apparatus may be used to securely adhere the pressure-mitigation apparatus to the support surface.

Abstract: In some implementations, a method may include obtaining target fault data indicating a preselected fault for a vehicle having a hydrogen source. In addition, the method may include obtaining vehicle fault data indicating a fault of the vehicle. The method may include identifying a match between the fault and the preselected fault. Moreover, the method may include purging, in response to the identifying the match, hydrogen from the hydrogen source so as to reduce consequences of a battery thermal event by reducing the likelihood of a hydrogen-fueled fire.

Abstract: A method of forming a glass sheet comprises: (a) forming a ribbon of glass from molten glass with a pair of forming rollers; (b) reducing horizontal temperature variability of the ribbon of glass to be 10° C. or less across 80 percent of an entire width of the ribbon of glass before the ribbon of glass cools to a glass transition temperature; (c) controlling a cooling rate of the ribbon of glass while the ribbon of glass moves vertically downward within a setting zone such that the ribbon of glass has a first average cooling rate before the ribbon of glass cools to the glass transition temperature and a second average cooling rate after the ribbon of glass cools to the glass transition temperature, the first average cooling rate being less than the second average cooling rate; and (d) separating a glass sheet from the ribbon of glass.

Abstract: A method of delivering a health care active having the steps of administering to a mammal in need of a health benefit or a treatment for a health condition a personal health care article and consuming the article. The article contains one or more filaments that contain a backbone material, a health care active and optionally aesthetic agents, extensional aids, plasticizers, and crosslinking agents.

Abstract: Systems for displaying images in a cinema setting can include components to reduce screen-door effect. The systems can include an array of light emitting sources or other active sources of light. In one example, the light emitting source emit pixels of light to a projection lens to project an image represented by the projection lens and a baffle and an aperture stop can block part of the light from the sources that exceeds an allowable cone angle of acceptable of the system. In another example, a display includes the array of light emitting sources and additional elements, such as diffuser elements, positioned in front of the array of light emitting sources.

Abstract: Methods and devices for compressing transaction identifiers by a first mining node in a blockchain network. The method may include building a first candidate block containing a first ordered list of transaction identifiers; receiving, from a second mining node, data defining a second ordered list of transaction identifiers in a second candidate block being mined by the second mining node; determining that at least one of the transaction identifiers in the first ordered list is also in the second ordered list; generating an append message containing data defining the first ordered list of transaction identifiers, wherein the data specifies said at least one transaction identifier in the first ordered list of transaction identifiers by including an index position of said at least one transaction identifier in the second ordered list of transaction identifiers; and transmitting the append message to the second mining node.

Abstract: Selective discharging of a rechargeable battery pack across a power supply system load is provided, which includes determining occurrence of a condition within the power supply system, the power supply system including a power supply circuit and a backup energy source. The power supply circuit receives main input power, and the backup energy source is operatively coupled to the power supply circuit to supply backup power to the system load when main power input to the power supply circuit is unavailable. Based on determining occurrence of the condition within the power supply system, a controller actively discharges a rechargeable battery pack of the backup energy source. The actively discharging includes controlling the power supply circuit to force discharging of power from the rechargeable battery pack to the power supply system load by suspending the main input power within the system from powering the system load.

Abstract: The current invention features a rod screw for medical application that can be configured and used to fixate fracture of bones varying in shape and dimension, and treating maladies such as scoliosis, and securing an implanted device, to tissue such as bone. This is achieved by designing a flexible rod screw with a mechanism to lock the configuration in a rigid state. In an embodiment, a bone-fracture fixation device, such as a rod screw, includes a flexible body, a plurality of flexible members, and first and second interfaces. The flexible members are disposed longitudinally within the flexible body, such that the flexible body is rigid when the flexible members are fixed into position. And the first and second interfaces are respectively coupled to the flexible body, each of at least one of the first and second interfaces including a respective at least one hole each configured to receive a respective attachment member configured to engage a bone.

Abstract: Mechanisms are disclosed for securing a catheter in place to facilitate puncturing a hole through a vessel wall. The securing mechanisms include mechanically releasing arms that press against the wall of the vessel. The mechanically releasing arms are advanced out of the catheter. Outside of the catheter, the securing mechanisms angle or curve toward the vessel wall to contact the wall. The more the mechanically releasing arms are advanced, the closer the approach to the wall and the more force placed against the wall to anchor the catheter in place. The mechanically releasing arms include a plurality of wires that angle or curve toward the vessel wall when deployed, one or more wires that coil away from the catheter to contact the vessel wall when deployed, or a stopper arm with a curved endcap that contacts the vessel wall when deployed.

Abstract: In one example in accordance with the present disclosure, an electronic device is described. An example electronic device includes a processor to place the electronic device in a transit mode. When in the transit mode, the processor is placed in an inactive state. The example electronic device also includes a wireless module. An example wireless module includes a wireless controller to, when in the transit mode, periodically activate a wireless transceiver of the electronic device. The example wireless module also includes the wireless transceiver to, when in the transit mode 1) connect to a wireless network and 2) transmit configuration information for the electronic device.

Abstract: A cold gas thruster having a two-stage solenoid is provided. Pressurized gas from the inlet flows to the back side of the piston to hold the piston closed. The pressure is maintained by a check ball held by the solenoid armature. When the solenoid is energized, the armature allows the check ball to move to bleed off the pressure holding the piston closed. The piston moves away from its seat and allows the pressurized gas to flow to the outlet creating thrust. When the solenoid coil is de-energized, the check ball is forced against its seat, which blocks the escape of pressure on the back side of the piston, so that it can re-pressurize back up to the inlet pressure. This creates a force imbalance and moves the piston to close the valve and stop the thrust. Different nozzles can be used for different thrust profiles without changing the solenoid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling tuners in a content distribution system is described. The method and apparatus receive a request from a user device for a program stream over a local network at a receiver device that includes a join request at a network address. The method and apparatus further identify a channel associated with the network address, the channel being one of the channels received by the receiver device from a content service provider. The method and apparatus also determine if the identified channel is already tuned by a tuner in the receiver device. The method and apparatus additionally tune the channel using a tuner not currently being used if it is determined that the identified channel is not already tuned and provide the program stream from the tuned channel at the network address to the user device.

Abstract: Mechanisms are disclosed for securing a catheter in place to facilitate puncturing a hole through a vessel wall. The securing mechanisms include bubbles, meshes, flaps, or similar features that expand when activated to press against the wall of the vessel (e.g., coronary sinus). Activation of the securing mechanisms occurs through removal of a restraint (e.g., a cover) or by pushing or pulling a wire. The securing mechanisms activated by removal of a restraint may self-expand or may expand due to a spring within a mesh structure. The securing mechanisms activated by pushing or pulling a wire expand due to movement of the wire itself or due to movement of a component attached to the wire and to the anchor member.