Abstract: A stair stringer may include a body. The body may include a horizontal arm, a center angled portion coupled to the horizontal arm, and a vertical arm coupled to the center angled portion. The stair stringer may also include a first appendage coupled to a first edge of the horizontal arm, a second appendage coupled to a second edge of the horizontal arm, a third appendage coupled to a third edge of the vertical arm, and a fourth appendage coupled to a fourth edge of the vertical arm. The fourth edge may be adjacent the third edge. The first appendage, the second appendage, and the third appendage are parallel with respect to one another. A stairway system may include a first stair stringer and a second stair stringer. The second stair stringer may be an architectural chiral with respect to the first stair stringer.

Abstract: A stair stringer may include a body. The body may include a horizontal arm, a center angled portion coupled to the horizontal arm, and a vertical arm coupled to the center angled portion. The stair stringer may also include a first appendage coupled to a first edge of the horizontal arm, a second appendage coupled to a second edge of the horizontal arm, a third appendage coupled to a third edge of the vertical arm, and a fourth appendage coupled to a fourth edge of the vertical arm. The fourth edge may be adjacent the third edge. The first appendage, the second appendage, and the third appendage are parallel with respect to one another. A stairway system may include a first stair stringer and a second stair stringer. The second stair stringer may be an architectural chiral with respect to the first stair stringer.

Abstract: A fetal scalp monitor is disclosed that enables a medical professional to monitor the well-being of a fetus in utero. The fetal scalp monitor has a main body, with a central core having a temperature sensor, conductive dome, grounding ring, and tocodynamometer. The main body also has at least one adhesive portion to facilitate the attachment of the device onto the scalp of a fetus, and a plurality of concentric rings to militate against amniotic fluids from entering the adhesive portion. The vital signs of the infant and conditions inside the uterus are then transmitted, either wired or wirelessly, to a fetus monitoring device.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for or reducing the size of the forward mapping table in an SSD or other storage device using hashing. A physical address of a storage location within a storage media is determined for the storage of data associated with a logical block address. The data is written to the storage location and a hash value is computed from a representation of the physical address using a hash function, where the size of the hash value is smaller than the representation of the physical address and the hash value points to a plurality of separate storage locations in the storage media. The hash value is stored in the forward mapping table associated with logical block address as opposed to the representation of the physical address.

Abstract: Technologies are described herein for or reducing the size of the forward mapping table in an SSD or other storage device using hashing. A physical address of a storage location within a storage media is determined for the storage of data associated with a logical block address. The data is written to the storage location and a hash value is computed from a representation of the physical address using a hash function, where the size of the hash value is smaller than the representation of the physical address and the hash value points to a plurality of separate storage locations in the storage media. The hash value is stored in the forward mapping table associated with logical block address as opposed to the representation of the physical address.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum and side wall retractor allows clinicians to visualize the cervix and upper vagina by retracting vaginal walls simultaneously. This device is comprised of a handle, a mobile introducer allowing the device to comfortably be inserted vaginally, and a lower blade capable of stabilizing the cervix and a body containing the side wall retractor. This retractor is comprised of a rolled-up sheet of transparent plastic which can be opened through a rotating shaft countersunk in the body of the base. A friction or sprocket gear allows the rotating shaft to open and close the plastic side wall retractor as well as completely unwinding the transparent plastic sheet so that the device can be removed while leaving surgical instruments in the vagina. The rotating shaft serves as a light guide and brings light from the knob, which contains an LED, into the rolled-up sheet during examinations.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for reusable containers and item delivery using reusable containers. In several embodiments, the reusable containers described herein include removable divider walls that can be used to selectively divide an interior of the container into multiple smaller portions. By a further approach, the container and divider walls can have cooperating components to mount the divider wall to the container. In some embodiments, the reusable containers described herein can also include bag handle holding features so that bags placed therein are prevented from spilling contents during transport.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum and side wall retractor allows clinicians to visualize the cervix and upper vagina by retracting vaginal walls simultaneously. This device is comprised of a handle, a mobile introducer allowing the device to comfortably be inserted vaginally, and a lower blade capable of stabilizing the cervix and a body containing the side wall retractor. This retractor is comprised of a rolled-up sheet of transparent plastic which can be opened through a rotating shaft countersunk in the body of the base. A friction or sprocket gear allows the rotating shaft to open and close the plastic side wall retractor as well as completely unwinding the transparent plastic sheet so that the device can be removed while leaving surgical instruments in the vagina. The rotating shaft serves as a light guide and brings light from the knob, which contains an LED, into the rolled-up sheet during examinations.

Abstract: A fetal scalp monitor is disclosed that enables a medical professional to monitor the well-being of a fetus in utero. The fetal scalp monitor has a main body, with a central core having a temperature sensor, conductive dome, grounding ring, and tocodynamometer. The main body also has at least one adhesive portion to facilitate the attachment of the device onto the scalp of a fetus, and a plurality of concentric rings to militate against amniotic fluids from entering the adhesive portion. The vital signs of the infant and conditions inside the uterus are then transmitted, either wired or wirelessly, to a fetus monitoring device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful for reusable containers and item delivery using reusable containers. In several embodiments, the reusable containers described herein include removable divider walls that can be used to selectively divide an interior of the container into multiple smaller portions. By a further approach, the container and divider walls can have cooperating components to mount the divider wall to the container. In some embodiments, the reusable containers described herein can also include bag handle holding features so that bags placed therein are prevented from spilling contents during transport.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for remotely tuning a diesel engine of a vehicle using a pneumatic control device. A tunable control system for an aneroid fuel control (AFC) injection system includes a pneumatic control device that has a pneumatic pressure regulator configured to be adjusted by a first tuning adjustment controller and a pneumatic flow control valve configured to be adjusted by a second tuning adjustment controller. An air signal line links the pressure regulator to the flow control valve. The control system also includes an inlet line connected to the control device and configured to be connected to an air pressure source of an engine. An outlet line is connected to the control device and is configured to be connected to an AFC of an engine.

Abstract: A wheel is disclosed for use with a compactor machine. The wheel may have a rim with a first edge zone, a second edge zone, and a center zone located between the first and second edge zones. The wheel may also have a first plurality of plus tips protruding radially outward from the rim at the first edge zone, and a second plurality of paddle tips protruding radially outward from the center zone.

Abstract: The technology described herein relates to determination of fetal lung maturity, e.g. by non-invasive methods and methods of treatment and assays relating thereto.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a directly actuated valve that comprises a strain-type actuator to actuate a valve member to travel between a closed position and an open position, the method comprising transmitting displacements from the strain-type actuator to the valve member, maintaining a compressive stress on the actuator that is greater than a predetermined minimum stress by applying a pre-load compressive stress and limiting to less than predetermined limits at least one of: (a) acceleration and deceleration of the valve member when moving between open positions and the closed position; and (b) velocity of said valve member immediately before contacting the valve seat.

Abstract: An automatic shut down system for a machine having an engine and a work implement is disclosed. The automatic shut down system may have a position sensor, which may be associated with the work implement. The position sensor may be configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of the work implement. The automatic shut down system may also have a controller, which may be in communication with the position sensor. The controller may be configured to shut down the engine, based on the position signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a directly actuated valve that comprises a strain-type actuator to actuate a valve member to travel between a closed position and an open position, the method comprising transmitting displacements from the strain-type actuator to the valve member, maintaining a compressive stress on the actuator that is greater than a predetermined minimum stress by applying a pre-load compressive stress and limiting to less than predetermined limits at least one of: (a) acceleration and deceleration of the valve member when moving between open positions and the closed position; and (b) velocity of said valve member immediately before contacting the valve seat.

Abstract: An automatic shut down system for a machine having an engine and a work implement is disclosed. The automatic shut down system may have a position sensor, which may be associated with the work implement. The position sensor may be configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of the work implement. The automatic shut down system may also have a controller, which may be in communication with the position sensor. The controller may be configured to shut down the engine, based on the position signal.

Abstract: An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency.

Abstract: An insulated ice making compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The ice making compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the ice making compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the ice making compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the ice making compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the ice making compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency. The refrigerator has an improved water fill tube for the ice maker.