Abstract: There is provide a method of installing a security alarm system in a building having one of a doorbell chime, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector and a thermostat in an existing location. The method includes disconnecting the one of the doorbell chime, the smoke detector, the carbon monoxide detector and the thermostat from existing wiring thereof. The method includes removing from the existing location the one of the doorbell chime, the smoke detector, the carbon monoxide detector and the thermostat. The method includes installing in the existing location a security control panel. The method includes connecting the existing wiring to the security control panel so as to receive power therefrom.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing flexible graphite sheet material involve patterning the material, on at least one major surface, prior to further processing of the material such as densification, lamination, folding or shaping into three-dimensional structures. For densification and lamination, the patterning is selected to facilitate the removal of air from the flexible graphite sheet material during the densification and lamination process. For folding or shaping, the patterning is selected to render the graphite sheet material more flexible. In some embodiments, methods for increasing the through-plane conductivity of flexible graphite sheet material are employed. Integrated heat removal devices include sheets of graphite material that have been selectively patterned in different regions to impart desirable localized properties to the material prior to it being shaped or formed into an integrated heat removal device.

Abstract: Approaches useful to operation of scalable processors with ever larger numbers of logic devices (e.g., qubits) advantageously take advantage of QFPs, for example to implement shift registers, multiplexers (i.e., MUXs), de-multiplexers (i.e., DEMUXs), and permanent magnetic memories (i.e., PMMs), and the like, and/or employ XY or XYZ addressing schemes, and/or employ control lines that extend in a “braided” pattern across an array of devices. Many of these described approaches are particularly suited for implementing input to and/or output from such processors. Superconducting quantum processors comprising superconducting digital-analog converters (DACs) are provided. The DACs may use kinetic inductance to store energy via thin-film superconducting materials and/or series of Josephson junctions, and may use single-loop or multi-loop designs. Particular constructions of energy storage elements are disclosed, including meandering structures.

Abstract: A method and system for electrochemically regenerating hydroxide (MOH) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from an alkali metal carbonate (M2CO3) via an electrochemical reactor that can replace a conventional thermochemical causticizing operation in a DAC system. The electrochemical reactor comprises: a cathode having an inlet for receiving an electrolyte feed stream comprising MOH, M2CO3 and H2O, and an outlet for discharging an electrolyte product stream comprising MOH, M2CO3, H2O and H2; a porous hydrophilic transport barrier in adjacent contact with the cathode; a porous hydrophilic anode in adjacent contact with the transport barrier configured and operable to generate CO2 in the presence of MOH while suppressing their recombination; a porous hydrophobic CO2 and O2 separation barrier in adjacent contact with the anode; and a product gas exit channel in adjacent contact with the CO2 and O2 separation barrier and for discharging an anode product stream comprising at least CO2.

Abstract: This invention was designed to condense, separate and collect volatile compounds from the vapor steam as they exit the dehydrator. Bulk condensate is allowed to accumulate and separate in a separator vessel under vacuum. The undesirable water phase condensate is periodically drained into a water vessel, which is also held under vacuum instead of atmospheric pressure to avoid agitation and mixing of the contents of the separator vessel arising from purging the separator vessel to atmosphere. The separated and desirable oily condensates can then be easily recovered from the separator vessel.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance for repositioning teeth, the orthodontic appliance comprises an upper aligner and a lower aligner, at least bulge of the aligners is applied at a distal surface of the teeth, the bulge is dimensioned and positioned to maintain a wedge-shaped space between the occlusal surfaces of the upper posterior teeth and lower posterior teeth when the upper aligner has contact with the lower aligner in centric relation.

Abstract: Degeneracy in analog processor (e.g., quantum processor) operation is mitigated via use of floppy qubits or domains of floppy qubits (i.e., qubit(s) for which the state can be flipped with no change in energy), which can significantly boost hardware performance on certain problems, as well as improve hardware performance for more general problem sets. Samples are drawn from an analog processor, and devices comprising the analog processor evaluated for floppiness. A normalized floppiness metric is calculated, and an offset added to advance the device in annealing. Degeneracy in a hybrid computing system that comprises a quantum processor is mitigated by determining a magnetic susceptibility of a qubit, and tuning a tunneling rate for the qubit based on a tunneling rate offset determined based on the magnetic susceptibility. Quantum annealing evolution is controlled by causing the evolution to pause for a determined pause duration.

Abstract: There is provided a bag including a plurality of line positioning members coupled to a peripheral portion of the bag. The bag includes a line extending through the line positioning members. The line has a first position in which the line extends about the peripheral portion of the bag. The line includes a connector slidably coupled to the line. The connector includes a sleeve, a catch facing the sleeve and an elongate member extending between and coupling together the sleeve and the catch. The line is moveable from the first position thereof to a second position in which a pair of looped portions thereof extend towards the front of the bag and are selectively coupled together via the connector.

Abstract: There is provided a method of installing a magnetic proximity sensor including positioning the magnetic field sensor in a desired location and positioning a magnet in a desired location relative to the magnetic field sensor, with an indicator of the sensor continuing to be turned on during the predetermined period of time when the magnetic field generated by the magnet is sensed by the magnetic field sensor, and being turned off during the predetermined period of time when the magnetic field generated by the magnet is not sensed by the magnetic field sensor. The indicator light thus assists in determining proper relative positioning of the magnet and the magnetic field sensor. If after the predetermined period of time more time is needed to install the magnetic proximity sensor, the method includes initiates another predetermined period of time by removing and replacing a lid of the magnetic proximity sensor.

Abstract: There is provided an apron according to one aspect. The apron includes a bib having a top and spaced-apart sides. The apron includes a first strap having a pair of spaced-apart ends which couple to and extend outwards from the top of the bib. The apron includes a second strap which couples to and extends between the sides of the bib. The apron includes a coupling member positioned between the sides of the bib. The coupling member slidably couples together the first strap and the second strap. There is further provided a tie-free apron according to yet another aspect. The apron includes a bib having a top and spaced-apart sides. The apron includes a self-adjusting strap load equalizing system. The self-adjusting strap load equalizing system includes a neck-yoke strap, a back strap, and a coupling member which slidably couples together the straps.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a material from a cartridge comprises a dispensing head having a passage therethrough, the passage extending from a receiving socket to a dispensing orifice through said dispensing head, an outer casing, securable to the dispensing head and rotatably relative to the dispensing head and an end cap threadably received within the dispensing head and having an end connector disposed towards the dispensing head. The receiving socket and the end connector are adapted to receive the cartridge so as to rotatably fix the end cap relative to the dispensing head wherein rotation of the outer casing threadably moves the end cap in a longitudinal direction thereby compressing the cartridge between the dispensing head and the end cap. A kit may include the apparatus and a cartridge extending between first and second ends and having an interior adapted to contain a substance to be dispensed therefrom.

Abstract: Exfoliated graphite materials, and composite materials including exfoliated graphite, having enhanced through-plane thermal conductivity can be used in thermal management applications and devices. Methods for making such materials and devices involve processing exfoliated graphite materials such as flexible graphite to orient or re-orient the graphite flakes in one or more regions of the material.

Abstract: Flex duct systems have a flex duct having a wire-reinforced core and first and second hollow connector ends threaded to one each of ends of the wire-reinforced core. Each connector end has a plurality of locking tabs. A boot, a saddle trunk, or a linking connector each have a plurality of sleeves each protruding radially outward and positioned to releasably, attachably receive one of the plurality of locking tabs for a fluid tight connection therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for stacking hay bales comprises a base frame securable to a motorized vehicle, a plurality of tines pivotally connected to the base frame extending to free distal ends, the tines defining locations therebetween spaced to correspond to a bale of hay and a push bar extending parallel to the base frame and movable between a retracted position proximate to the base frame to an extended position along the plurality of tines to push the hay bales from therebetween. In operation, the apparatus is used by passing at least two of a plurality of tines to each side of a hay bale, lifting the hay bale by a platform extending from a base of the plurality of tines and pushing the hay bales off the tines with the push bar.

Abstract: A method and a wearable system which includes distance sensors, cameras and headsets, which all gather data about a blind or visually impaired person's surroundings and are all connected to a portable personal communication device, the device being configured to use scenario-based algorithms and an A.I to process the data and transmit sound instructions to the blind or visually impaired person to enable him/her to independently navigate and deal with his/her environment by provision of identification of objects and reading of local texts.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a metered dose inhaler (MDI) comprising an API formulation suitable for administration to a patient in need thereof by inhalation, as well as methods and uses of the MDI.

Abstract: The application discloses methods and compositions for the inhibition of the alternative complement pathway. The methods and compositions involve the use of aptamers for inhibiting complement Factor D. The application further provides anti-Factor D aptamers for the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration, geographic atrophy, wet age-related macular degeneration or Stargardt disease. In some cases, stem-loop aptamers are provided for the inhibition of Factor D.

Abstract: A resistance-generating device includes a resilient body extending between opposed ends. The resilient body has a first portion extending between first and second mounting members of the device, and a second portion extending between the first and second mounting members. The first portion is spaced apart from the second portion, and the first and second mounting members are made of an inelastic material. At least one of the first and second mounting members is removably mountable to a corresponding one of the first and second mounting members of another resistance-generating device. The resilient body generates resistance upon the first and second portions being elastically deformed by displacement of the second mounting member mounted to a second structure relative to the first mounting member mounted to a first structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for coupling an item to another item. The apparatus comprises a coupler mounted on the item and comprising a mating face having a plurality of catches thereon, the plurality of catches comprising at least one complementary pair of catches positioned and shaped to be engaged with corresponding catches of another coupler having an identical mating face when mating faces of two couplers are facewise engaged with and rotated relative to each other to align with each other. The coupler may be implemented as a floor plate of a magazine, as a clip, or in other forms.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for heating well fracturing fluid using natural gas supplied to a frac water heater are provided. In some embodiments, portable separators can be tied into an existing, on-site, natural gas source and supply the heating unit's burner system with the producer's own produced natural gas (for example, sweet fuel gas). By using on-site sweet fuel gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or diesel consumption and associated cartage costs can be reduced or eliminated. As such, the apparatuses and methods can also reduce the associated carbon footprint on the environment. In some embodiments, the apparatuses and methods can comprise a drying element to dry or condition the gas prior to use.