Abstract: A brake system and a method of monitoring and control. The method may include obtaining data indicative of temperature of a plurality of brake assemblies and determining at least one correlation value based on the temperature data. A mean temperature comparison may be conducted when a correlation value is less than a threshold correlation value.

Abstract: A brake assembly having a brake pad assembly, a clip, and a sensor unit. The brake pad assembly has friction material that extends from a table. The clip straddles and engages the table. The sensor unit straddles the clip and the table such that the sensor unit engages opposing sides of the clip.

Abstract: A content management system stores distributed data tables containing key-value pairs across a plurality of nodes and maintains a plurality of slices, with each slice corresponding to a contiguous key range across the data tables. The content management system may rebalance data among nodes by performing operations such as transferring, merging, or splitting slices. Each operation may be accomplished by performing multiple actions, and each action may cause change in states for slices. During an operation, slices may go through a series of state transitions. For each state transition, the content management system may record a timestamp when the state transition took place and the content management system may maintain a log that records timestamped state transitions associated with slices. The content management system may also perform various invariant checks and determine whether to reject or allow a state transition based on results of invariant checks.

Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by chronic airflow limitation, is a serious and growing public health concern. The major environmental risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking, but the biological mechanisms underlying COPD are not well understood. Herein, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy is used in methods to identify metabolites and biomarkers associated with lung function in COPD.

Abstract: A kinetic dumbbell includes offset weighted ends keyed to a single axle and a grip residing over the axle and between the weighted ends. The axle and weighted ends are free to rotate with respect to the grip. The weighted ends include slots accepting weights to adjust an offset weight of each weighted end. A timer/counter may be attached to one end to signal a user that an exercise is completed. The axle is attached to the weighted ends using a key through the axle, the key residing in channels in the weighted ends to rotationally fixing the axle to each weighted end, and screws and washers to hold the weighted ends on the axle. Bushings reside over the axle and engage each end of the handle to position the handle on the axle.

Abstract: A kinetic dumbbell includes offset weighted ends keyed to a single axle and a grip residing over the axle and between the weighted ends. The axle and weighted ends are free to rotate with respect to the grip. The weighted ends include slots accepting weights to adjust an offset weight of each weighted end. A timer/counter may be attached to one end to signal a user that an exercise is completed. The axle is attached to the weighted ends using a key through the axle, the key residing in channels in the weighted ends to rotationally fixing the axle to each weighted end, and screws and washers to hold the weighted ends on the axle. Bushings reside over the axle and engage each end of the handle to position the handle on the axle.

Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by chronic airflow limitation, is a serious and growing public health concern. The major environmental risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking, but the biological mechanisms underlying COPD are not well understood. Herein, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy is used in methods to identify metabolites and biomarkers associated with lung function in COPD.

Abstract: A machine for cutting the border of a workpiece using one or more water jet cutting tools separately carried by one or more monorail track mounted carriage assemblies is disclosed. The machine can also include an aperture forming apparatus for forming circular openings and/or elongated slots in the workpiece prior to/or simultaneously with the border trimming operation, all while the workpiece occupies a single work station in the machine. In one embodiment, the aperture forming apparatus features a cutting tool mounted on an elongate arm affixed to and extending from a plate which is fixedly oriented in a horizontal plane. While so oriented, a motor and gear assembly causes the plate to wobble in a circular pattern in the plane to, in turn, cause the tool to make a circular cut in the workpiece. In another embodiment of the apparatus, a motor rotates a cam carried on a free end of a stationary arm, the cam containing an eccentrically mounted cutting tool.

Abstract: A shaping apparatus for cutting, joining, or otherwise affecting a workpiece. The apparatus includes a template having a surface defining a path, a shaper, and a compressing member holding a portion of the shaper substantially against the template. The shaper is in communication with a motive force capable of driving the shaper along at least a portion of the path. The shaper becomes activated to affect the workpiece without direct contact of the shaper with the workpiece.

Abstract: A machine for cutting the border of a workpiece using one or more water jet cutting tools. The tools may be carried by one or more monorail track mounted carriage assemblies. The machine can also include an aperture forming apparatus for forming circular openings and/or elongated slots in the workpiece prior to/or simultaneously with the border trimming operation, all while the workpiece occupies a single work station in the machine. In one embodiment, the aperture forming apparatus features a cutting tool mounted on an elongate arm affixed to and extending from a plate which is fixedly oriented in a horizontal plane. In another embodiment of the apparatus, a motor rotates a cam carried on a free end of a stationary arm, the cam containing an eccentrically mounted cutting tool.

Abstract: A machine for cutting the border of a workpiece using one or more water jet cutting tools separately carried by one or more monorail track mounted carriage assemblies is disclosed. The machine can also include an aperture forming apparatus for forming circular openings and/or elongated slots in the workpiece prior to/or simultaneously with the border trimming operation, all while the workpiece occupies a single work station in the machine. In one embodiment, the aperture forming apparatus features a cutting tool mounted on an elongate arm affixed to and extending from a plate which is fixedly oriented in a horizontal plane. While so oriented, a motor and gear assembly causes the plate to wobble in a circular pattern in the plane to, in turn, cause the tool to make a circular cut in the workpiece. In another embodiment of the apparatus, a motor rotates a cam carried on a free end of a stationary arm, the cam containing an eccentrically mounted cutting tool.

Abstract: A casino type game and method of playing the game structured to be played either manually, or electronically, incorporating video display facilities and a controlling central processing unit. Preferably, the game is played by a method incorporating manual and electronic steps at least to the extent that the features associated with the card game of 21 are played manually using one or more conventional decks of cards and of a dealer physically dealing the cards to each of a plurality of participating players. The game stages associated with the preferred features of the dice game craps are preferably played electronically through the replication of a plurality of dice rolls and the video display or depiction of such dice rolls to determine a resulting number that defines a basis of continued play.