Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a powered air purifying respirator blower system where volumetric airflow is stepped down into predetermined discrete ranges based on system loading and desired runtime.

Abstract: Described herein is an article having a microsphere layer comprising a monolayer of microspheres, the monolayer of microspheres comprising a first area substantially free of microspheres and a second area comprising a plurality of randomly-distributed microspheres, wherein the monolayer of microspheres comprises a predetermined pattern, the predetermined pattern comprises at least one of (i) a plurality of the first areas, (ii) a plurality of the second areas, and (iii) combinations thereof; and (b) a bead bonding layer disposed on the microsphere layer, wherein the plurality of microspheres are partially embedded in a first major surface of the bead bonding layer, wherein the article has a retroreflectivity (Ra) of less than 5.0 candelas/lux/square meter. Also disclosed herein are transfer carriers and methods of making the articles and transfer carriers.

Abstract: A retroreflective article including a reflective-particle-containing binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a primary reflective layer that covers a portion of the embedded surface area of the transparent microsphere, and a secondary reflective layer provided by portions of the reflective-particle-containing binder layer that are adjacent to portions of the embedded surface area of the transparent microsphere that are not covered by the primary reflective layer.

Abstract: A personal respiratory protection device (10) comprising an upper panel (18), a central panel (16), and a lower panel (20), the central panel being separated from each of the upper and lower panels by a first and second fold, seam, weld or bond, respectively, such that device is capable of being folded flat for storage along the first and second fold, seam, weld or bond and opened to form a cup-shaped air chamber over the nose and mouth of the wearer when in use, wherein the upper panel has a graspable upper tab, the upper tab (41) being graspable in use to open the device.

Abstract: A thin film culture device for detecting aerobic bacteria in a sample is provided. The culture device comprises a self-supporting substrate sheet having a first major surface and a second major surface; a cover sheet attached to the substrate sheet, a sample-receiving zone disposed between the substrate sheet and the cover sheet, a first layer comprising a substantially dry, cold-water-soluble first hydrogel-forming composition adhered to a portion of the sample-receiving zone; and a plurality of indicator agents disposed in at least one layer adhered to the substrate sheet or the cover sheet. The plurality of indicator agents comprises three indicator agents for detecting distinct glycosidase enzyme activities, an indicator agent for detecting an alkyl esterase enzyme activity, an indicator agent for detecting a phosphatase enzyme activity, and a redox indicator. A method of using the culture device is also provided.

Abstract: A granule and building material including a granule having an inner zone and an outer zone that at least partially surrounds the inner zone and that comprises greater than 10% of the total volume of the granule is provided.

Abstract: Protective headgear with a curved switchable shutter and curved front and rear cover plates and including at least two antireflective layers.

Abstract: Spray gun reservoir components are disclosed. The spray gun reservoir component includes a liquid outlet and an outer face, and defines a centerline plane and an attachment plane. The liquid outlet surrounds a longitudinal axis. The outer face extends away from the liquid outlet. The centerline plane passes through the longitudinal axis. The attachment plane is defined orthogonally to the longitudinal axis and the centerline plane. The outer face further comprises a retention feature extending away from the centerline plane and generally parallel to the attachment plane. In some embodiments, the spray gun reservoir component further comprises a bearing surface formed on the outer face along the attachment plane to engage with a corresponding bearing surface on a liquid spray gun attachment point, with the bearing surface comprising the retention feature.

Abstract: A voice-activated encoding method includes determining a voice power parameter based on a frequency domain representation of a voice signal from a voice microphone. The method includes determining an ambient power parameter based on a frequency domain representation of at least one ambient signal from at least one ambient microphone spaced from the voice microphone. The method also includes enabling encoding of an audio signal based on the voice signal in response to comparing the power parameters and a threshold value. A headset including a controller may use the method to determine whether to enable or disable encoding, transmission, or both of an audio signal to another device.

Abstract: An adhesive sheet of an embodiment of the present disclosure is an adhesive sheet including: a rigid resin film having a thickness of 80 micrometers to 500 micrometers, and a first pressure sensitive adhesive layer being disposed on or above a surface of the rigid resin film, wherein the first pressure sensitive adhesive layer includes elastic resin microspheres having a volume average particle diameter of 110 micrometers or greater and a tacky binder, and the first pressure sensitive adhesive layer has an uneven surface due to the presence of the microspheres.

Abstract: Curable silsesquioxane compositions, include three dimension networks of Formula I, Formula II, or a combination of Formula I and Formula II, where the oxygen atom at the * is bonded to another Si atom, R is a fluorinated organic group, R2 is an ethylenically unsaturated organic group, n+m is greater than 3, and the —OH groups are present in an amount of at least 15 wt-% of the network. The curable composition may also include a silanol-terminated fluorinated polysiloxane fluid. The curable composition is a coatable composition that is solvent free and wets glass. The curable composition, when cured, has a refractive index of 1.40 or lower.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compositions and methods for coating, particularly protecting and optionally cleaning, metallic surfaces, and articles containing such surfaces; wherein the compositions include a zwitterionic polymer including pendant zwitterionic moieties, an inorganic silicate, and water.

Abstract: Foam compositions are provided including a polylactic acid polymer; second (e.g., polyvinyl acetate) polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 25° C.; and plasticizer. Also described are articles comprising the foam compositions, such as a sheet or hearing protection article. Methods of making and using the foam compositions are further described herein.

Abstract: Devices for microbial detection of microorganisms are provided including a body member including a substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. The device further includes a substantially dry, first microbial growth nutrient composition disposed on a portion of the first major surface, a first adhesive composition adhered to the first microbial growth nutrient composition, and a cold-water-soluble first hydrogel-forming composition adhered to the first adhesive composition. The device also includes a cover sheet attached to the body member, where the cover sheet includes a first major surface facing the body member. Devices including a water-proof pouch are also provided. Methods for detecting and enumerating at least one microorganism in a sample are additionally provided, using the devices.

Abstract: Article comprising a first, microstructured layer comprising a first material, and having first and second opposed major surfaces, the first major surface being a microstructured surface, and the microstructured surface having peaks and valleys, wherein the peaks are microstructural features each having a height defined by the distance between the peak of the respective microstructural feature and an adjacent valley; and a second layer comprising at least one of a crosslinkable or crosslinked composition, wherein at least a portion of the second major surface of the second layer is directly attached to at least a portion of the first major surface of the first, microstructured layer. Articles described herein are useful, for example, for optical film applications. For example.

Abstract: The disclosed tamper-evident closure (100) encloses a medical access device, such as a vascular access device (200), such that it will be visibly apparent if the medical access device contained in the tamper-evident closure becomes exposed. The tamper-evident closure cannot be reapplied over the medical access device in a way to look the same as it did prior to exposing the medical access device. The tamper-evident closures comprise a holding cavity (110), a securing mechanism (160), and an apparent release. The disclosed tamper-evident closures are well suited for securing a medical access device that has an access point for delivering fluid to a patient or removing fluid from a patient.

Abstract: Composite granules that include metal-containing polymeric materials, and composite granules that include metal complex-containing polymeric materials are provided. The polymeric materials are divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride polymers, partially hydrolyzed divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride polymers, or fully hydrolyzed divinylbenzene/maleic anhydride polymers. Additionally, methods of using the composite granules that include metal-containing polymeric materials to capture volatile, basic nitrogen-containing compounds and methods of using composite granules that include zinc-containing polymeric material to detect the presence of water vapor are provided.

Abstract: Resins are provided including bisphenol M diphthalonitrile ether resin or bisphenol P diphthalonitrile either resin. Compositions are also provided, including a primary amine curative and the bisphenol M diphthalonitrile ether resin or the bisphenol P diphthalonitrile either resin. Further, polymerized products are provided of the bisphenol M diphthalonitrile ether resin or the bisphenol P diphthalonitrile either resin. In addition, a method of making a polymerized network is provided. A two component system is further provided, including a curative in one of the components and the bisphenol M diphthalonitrile ether resin or the bisphenol P diphthalonitrile either resin in the other component. In addition, a resin blend is provided, including a blend of at least two of bisphenol M diphthalonitrile ether resin, bisphenol P diphthalonitrile either resin, or bisphenol T diphthalonitrile ether resin.

Abstract: A filter includes a porous molding, the porous molding being a sintered product of mixed powder containing dry gel powder including an ion exchange resin and thermoplastic resin powder, or a swelled body of the sintered product. When water having an electric resistivity value of 18 M?·cm or more is allowed to pass through a space velocity of 1200 hr?1, the electric resistivity value of water after passage is 15 M?·cm or more. To provide a filter that can efficiently remove metal ions in a solution to be treated, and easily acquire a solution having an extremely low content of metal ions.