Abstract: A compound of formula (I), formula (II), or a combination thereof, and salts thereof is described. Each A may be independently an optionally substituted conjugated species or an optionally substituted aromatic species. Each R may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, or H. Each R2 may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, H, or part of a cyclic boronate ester with an other R2. Each n may be independently less than or equal to 3 and greater than or equal to 1. Each x may be independently less than or equal to 3.

Abstract: A spring and damper system for a circuit board includes a spring arrangement having a plurality of compression springs. Each of the compression springs has a contact portion and two ends which are disposed away from their respective contact portion. Each of a plurality of dampers is disposed on a respective one of the ends of the compression springs and configured to contact a portion of the circuit board.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing urethane-free polyfunctional acrylate compounds. The method includes reaction of a polyol with acrylic acid in the presence of an inhibitor. A catalyst may also be present. The catalyst may be an acid and the inhibitor may be a substituted phenol compound. Excess acid may be removed by adding a salt and excess water may be removed by adding a drying agent. The reaction converts alcohol groups of the polyol to acrylate groups to provide a radiation-curable polyfunctional acrylate compound. The reaction is applicable to polyols generally and provides a scalable high yield process for forming urethane-free polyfunctional acrylates over a wide range of molecular weights. Coatings made from the acrylate products exhibit modulus and tensile strength characteristics favorable for primary fiber coatings.

Abstract: Articles utilizing polymeric dielectric materials for gate dielectrics and insulator materials are provided along with methods for making the articles. The articles are useful in electronics-based devices that utilize organic thin film transistors.

Abstract: A programmable smoking cessation system includes an electronic vaporizing apparatus system, apparatus, nicotine management plan. Methods for the reduction of nicotine consumption based on the nicotine management plan to reduce or eliminate nicotine dependence. The systems, apparatuses and methods described herein utilize a digital processing device in combination with a vapor release mechanism to vaporize and blend nicotine and non-nicotine liquid substances from cartridge chambers to produce vapors configured to reduce nicotine consumption and dependence at a modulated rate over a specified period of time based on the nicotine management plan. The system and apparatus are configurable to track and report data acquired during use and provide feed back to a user and/or a clinical professional.

Abstract: An optical fiber coating composition is provided. The optical fiber coating composition includes a radiation-curable component, a photoinitiator, and an acrylic polymer having at least one benzophenone group.

Abstract: A cordset assembly that may have an electrical device and at least one cord. A clamp may be disposed on the cord and may be received in a cord hole that may be at least partially defined by a mounting boss. A seal assembly may be disposed in the cord hole between the clamp and a cap. The cap, seal assembly, and clamp may cooperate to secure the cord.

Abstract: An optical fiber coating composition that includes an acrylic copolymer. The acrylic copolymer is a block copolymer that includes two or more acrylic blocks. The two or more acrylic blocks differ in glass transition temperature (Tg). The acrylic copolymer may include an acrylic block with a Tg above 50° C. and an acrylic block with a Tg below 0° C. Representative monomers from which the repeat units of the acrylic blocks are derived include alkyl(meth)acrylates. In one embodiment, the acrylic copolymer includes an acrylic block with repeat units derived from methylmethacrylate and an acrylic block derived from butylacrylate. The acrylic copolymer lacks urethane groups, lacks urea groups, lacks radiation-curable groups, and is otherwise unreactive with other components in the coating composition. The acrylic copolymer features high solubility in common acrylate-based radiation-curable coating compositions and can be provided at high concentrations in acrylate-based coating compositions.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I), formula (II), or a combination thereof, and salts thereof is described. Each A may be independently an optionally substituted conjugated species or an optionally substituted aromatic species. Each R may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, or H. Each R2 may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, H, or part of a cyclic boronate ester with an other R2. Each n may be independently less than or equal to 3 and greater than or equal to 1. Each x may be independently less than or equal to 3.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I), formula (II), or a combination thereof, and salts thereof is described. Each A may be independently an optionally substituted conjugated species or an optionally substituted aromatic species. Each R may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, or H. Each R2 may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, H, or part of a cyclic boronate ester with an other R2. Each n may be independently less than or equal to 3 and greater than or equal to 1. Each x may be independently less than or equal to 3.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to thiophene-based ditin compounds and methods of making and using such compounds. The disclosed compounds are novel structures having organotin groups on a conjugated aryl group spaced from and adjacent to a fused thiophene moiety. The formation of trialkyl tin groups spaced away from the fused thiophene moieties is advantageous in that it allows for novel polymerization via Stille coupling.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I), formula (II), or a combination thereof, and salts thereof is described. Each A may be independently an optionally substituted conjugated species or an optionally substituted aromatic species. Each R may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, or H. Each R2 may be independently an optionally substituted C1-C40 linear alkyl chain, an optionally substituted branched alkyl chain, an optionally substituted alkyl chain containing heteroatoms, substituted alkyl chains, H, or part of a cyclic boronate ester with an other R2. Each n may be independently less than or equal to 3 and greater than or equal to 1. Each x may be independently less than or equal to 3.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing urethane-free polyfunctional acrylate compounds. The method includes reaction of a polyol with acrylic acid in the presence of an inhibitor. A catalyst may also be present. The catalyst may be an acid and the inhibitor may be a substituted phenol compound. Excess acid may be removed by adding a salt and excess water may be removed by adding a drying agent. The reaction converts alcohol groups of the polyol to acrylate groups to provide a radiation-curable polyfunctional acrylate compound. The reaction is applicable to polyols generally and provides a scalable high yield process for forming urethane-free polyfunctional acrylates over a wide range of molecular weights. Coatings made from the acrylate products exhibit modulus and tensile strength characteristics favorable for primary fiber coatings.

Abstract: A braking system for a wind turbine is provided. The system includes one or more motors for driving a part of the wind turbine, a first group of brakes for braking the part of the wind turbine, and a second group of brakes for braking the part of the wind turbine. The first group of brakes is in a normally closed condition and the second group of brakes is in a normally open condition, so that a default brake torque can be selectively chosen that is less than a maximum brake torque.

Abstract: A braking system for a wind turbine is provided. The system includes one or more motors for driving a part of the wind turbine, a first group of brakes for braking the part of the wind turbine, and a second group of brakes for braking the part of the wind turbine. The first group of brakes is in a normally closed condition and the second group of brakes is in a normally open condition, so that a default brake torque can be selectively chosen that is less than a maximum brake torque.

Abstract: In a laryngoscope, a blade for displacing a person's tongue in order to facilitate insertion of an endotracheal tube into the person's trachea includes a distal portion for insertion through the person's mouth and into the person's oropharynx and an elongated portion extending from the distal portion; the elongated portion is substantially wider than the distal portion and includes an inner side that is disposed for contacting and displacing the person's tongue when the distal portion is inserted into the person's oropharynx; and the inner side of the elongated portion is laterally contoured for restraining the person's tongue in a relatively centered position while the tongue is being displaced. The blade and the handle of the laryngoscope are injection molded in the same mold and may be of the same plastic material. Preferably the blade is transparent for transmitting light from a light source in the handle.

Abstract: An electrical power system to provide a selected voltage to a load such as a fluorescent lighting system is characterized by a winding 3 having a positive end connected to a positive rail and is tapped at a predetermined position for supplying an output terminal with a selected voltage. A first relay contact can electrically connect a neutral end of the winding to a neutral rail to provide one selected voltage or a second relay contact can electrically short-circuit a predetermined number of turns of the winding in response to a request for a second selected voltage. When a fault condition is monitored, a third relay contact can electrically short-circuit the neutral end of the winding to the predetermined position to put the system into a failsafe condition which prevents turns of the winding being open circuit.

Abstract: An oxyalkylated, halogenated product useful in making polyurethane foams is prepared by reacting an epoxide compound with a halogenated aromatic hydroxyl-containing compound (phenol) which is either a monohydroxy or polyhydroxy compound. Said aromatic hydroxyl compound has a hydroxy group attached directly to the aromatic nucleus. By the process of the invention, hydroxyalkylation occurs in the presence of a catalyst selectively active in the predominant oxyalkylation of aromatic hydroxyl groups, said catalyst selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium and a zinc or magnesium salt as defined. The reaction mixture can include an aliphatic hydroxyl-containing compound, a neutral phosphorus compound, and aliphatic or aromatic anhydrides or mixtures thereof to enhance the flame-retardant properties of the oxyalkylated product.

Abstract: Presently available transducer systems provide analog electrical outputs portional to the linear displacement of an active element from the surface being measured. However, use requires that all or part of the surface be conductive. The present cartridge permits use of these transducers on any surface, conductive or not. It includes a tubular casing receiving both an active element portion of the transducer and a plunger formed of a conductive material. The plunger is reciprocally mounted with a compression spring normally urging it outwardly so that its tip end can contact and follow the surface to be measured. A set screw arrangement limits the plunger reciprocation. The length of the received portion of the transducer is precisely adjustable so that its active element can be disposed a precise spaced distance from the plunger when it is spring-pressed to its limit. As the plunger tip rides the surface being sensed its inward motion is limited by contact with the transducer end wall.

Abstract: A fluidically controlled cargo hook control system for use with aircraft including a fluidic circuit actuatable so that the cargo hook can be opened at pilot command during the pilot command mode of operation, so that the cargo hook will automatically open upon cargo touch-down during the automatic touch-down mode of operation, so that the pilot may override the automatic touch-down system to open the cargo hook at his command during the automatic touch-down mode of operation, and so that the entire fluidic system can be placed in the safe-mode condition so that neither automatic touch-down input nor pilot input can open the cargo hook.