Abstract: A roller ball assembly is provided. The assembly includes a primary roller ball supported by a support element that is composed of a superhard material. The assembly includes a cup defining a cavity within which the support element is positioned. A cap is coupled with the cup and positioned to retain the primary roller ball within the cavity. Also, a cup is disclosed for supporting roller halls. Additionally, disclosed are system and apparatus incorporating the assembly, as well as to methods of making and using the same.

Abstract: A furnace with a condensing heat exchanger and a pH sensor, and a method of monitoring the furnace are provided. The furnace may include a condensate collector box and/or a condensate trap. At least one of the condensate collector box and/or the condensate trap may include pH sensor (e.g., disposed within the respective component). The pH sensor is configured to measure a pH level of the condensate from the condensing heat exchanger. The furnace may include a control board configured to receive the pH level from the pH sensor. The control board may be configured to trigger a notification and/or change the operation of the furnace (e.g., to dilute the condensate) based on the received pH level. The notification may include at least one of: an illumination of an indicator disposed on the furnace, and a transmission of a signal to a communicating device such as a thermostat.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention provide for one or more machine learning models configured to generate one or more student outcome predictions, such as whether a student will correctly respond to items of an assessment or will pass the assessment, based on monitored student activity and associated parameters. Inputs to the machine learning models may include outputs of other predictive models, such as an item response theory model and a short term prediction model. The machine learning models may output a student outcome prediction vector containing student outcome predictions for each uncompleted item of an assessment being delivered to a student in real-time. Remediation activities may be recommended to or automatically initiated for the student based on the student outcome predictions. A delivery order of the assessment may be modified based on the student outcome predictions.

Abstract: A furnace with a condensing heat exchanger and a pH sensor, and a method of monitoring the furnace are provided. The furnace may include a condensate collector box and/or a condensate trap. At least one of the condensate collector box and/or the condensate trap may include pH sensor (e.g., disposed within the respective component). The pH sensor is configured to measure a pH level of the condensate from the condensing heat exchanger. The furnace may include a control board configured to receive the pH level from the pH sensor. The control board may be configured to trigger a notification and/or change the operation of the furnace (e.g., to dilute the condensate) based on the received pH level. The notification may include at least one of: an illumination of an indicator disposed on the furnace, and a transmission of a signal to a communicating device such as a thermostat.

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature within a heating apparatus for eliminating or reducing combustion resonance, the method including measuring a temperature of the burner assembly; comparing the measured temperature with a predetermined temperature limit or range; determining whether the measured temperature is greater than a predetermined temperature limit or range; performing a controlled action if the measured temperature is greater than the predetermined temperature limit or range.

Abstract: A control assembly for controlling an HVAC unit, and method of controlling an HVAC unit, the HVAC unit having a burner assembly and at least one of a blower, an inducer fan, an air/fuel control system, the method including: measuring a temperature of the burner assembly; comparing the measured temperature of the burner assembly with a predetermined temperature based on firing rate; controlling the HVAC unit to cause the temperature of the burner assembly to come within predetermined limits; wherein the controlling step includes at least one of the steps of: initiating, terminating or modifying, the operation of one or more of the blower, the inducer fan, or modifying an air/fuel mixture of the air/fuel control system, reducing the temperature of the burner assembly to within predetermined limits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stretchable material suitable for use in an inflatable medical device. The stretchable material has at least one reinforcing polymer layer with a top and bottom side forming a porous matrix which is imbibed with a sealing material to infiltrate and substantially seal spaces of the porous matrix and extend beyond the reinforcing polymer layer to form a surface coating.

Abstract: A non-shortening catheter balloon having a longitudinal axis and an inflatable balloon able to be affixed to a catheter shaft is provided. The balloon has an uninflated length which remains relatively unchanged upon inflation and is formed of least two helically oriented wrapped passes of balloon materials at a balanced force angle. Methods of making this balloon are also provided.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an electronic circuit board containing a processing element and a vision sensor. A carrier frame is used to support the electronic circuit board. An optical element is positioned over the sensor and supported by the carrier frame. The electronic circuit board is bent to reduce the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device, without increasing the others of the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present invention provide for one or more machine learning models configured to generate one or more student outcome predictions, such as whether a student will correctly respond to items of an assessment or will pass the assessment, based on monitored student activity and associated parameters. Inputs to the machine learning models may include outputs of other predictive models, such as an item response theory model and a short term prediction model. The machine learning models may output a student outcome prediction vector containing student outcome predictions for each uncompleted item of an assessment being delivered to a student in real-time. Remediation activities may be recommended to or automatically initiated for the student based on the student outcome predictions. A delivery order of the assessment may be modified based on the student outcome predictions.

Abstract: A hemostatic putty for treatment of a variety of wounds topographies, including but not limited to highly three dimensional wounds, for example gunshot wounds and impalements, is disclosed. The putty is comprised of a matrix polymer weakly crosslinked or not crosslinked such that a viscoelastic matrix is formed. The viscoelastic nature of the putty is tunable by the composition and enables the putty to conform to a variety of wound topographies. Likewise, a hemostatic polymer, for example chitosan or hydrophobically modified chitosan, is included in this matrix to impart hemostatic properties and tissue adhesive on the putty. The hemostatic polymers disclosed prevent microbial infection and are suitable for oxygen transfer required during normal wound metabolism.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an electronic circuit board containing a processing element and a vision sensor. A carrier frame is used to support the electronic circuit board. An optical element is positioned over the sensor and supported by the carrier frame. The electronic circuit board is bent to reduce the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device, without increasing the others of the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stretchable material suitable for use in an inflatable medical device. The stretchable material has at least one reinforcing polymer layer with a top and bottom side forming a porous matrix which is imbibed with a sealing material to infiltrate and substantially seal spaces of the porous matrix and extend beyond the reinforcing polymer layer to form a surface coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stretchable material suitable for use in an inflatable medical device. The stretchable material has at least one reinforcing polymer layer with a top and bottom side forming a porous matrix which is imbibed with a sealing material to infiltrate and substantially seal spaces of the porous matrix and extend beyond the reinforcing polymer layer to form a surface coating.

Abstract: A hemostatic putty for treatment of a variety of wounds topographies, including but not limited to highly three dimensional wounds, for example gunshot wounds and impalements, is disclosed. The putty is comprised of a matrix polymer weakly crosslinked or not crosslinked such that a viscoelastic matrix is formed. The viscoelastic nature of the putty is tunable by the composition and enables the putty to conform to a variety of wound topographies. Likewise, a hemostatic polymer, for example chitosan or hydrophobically modified chitosan, is included in this matrix to impart hemostatic properties and tissue adhesive on the putty. The hemostatic polymers disclosed prevent microbial infection and are suitable for oxygen transfer required during normal wound metabolism.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inflatable solar photovoltaic collector system that uses a flexible tubular plastic enclosure that is inflated to support a solar photovoltaic collector. Both the flexible tubular plastic enclosure and the solar photovoltaic collector can be flexible and lightweight and can be used as a portable generator of electricity. In addition to providing support for the solar photovoltaic collector, the flexible tubular plastic enclosure can also be inflated with a blower, which cools the solar photovoltaic collector to prevent thermal radiation damage to the solar photovoltaic collector and simultaneously provides a source of warm air. Further, the flexible tubular plastic enclosure can be inflated with a lighter-than-air gas so that the inflatable photovoltaic collector system floats in air. Also, the flexible tubular plastic enclosure can be tightly sealed so that the inflatable photovoltaic collector system floats in water. The system can also be used to create a source of potable water.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an electronic circuit board containing a processing element and a vision sensor. A carrier frame is used to support the electronic circuit board. An optical element is positioned over the sensor and supported by the carrier frame. The electronic circuit board is bent to reduce the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device, without increasing the others of the length, thickness and/or width of the electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method for warming a fluid for intravenous administration is presented. The system includes an enclosure, a frangible bladder disposed at least partially within the enclosure, and a first reactant of an exothermic reaction disposed within the frangible bladder. The apparatus includes a second reactant of the exothermic reaction disposed within the enclosure and external to the frangible bladder, and a channel at least partially enclosed by the enclosure. The frangible bladder is configured to be ruptured to mix at least a portion of the first reactant and the second reactant to initiate the exothermic reaction, thereby warming at least a portion of the channel.

Abstract: A hemostatic putty for treatment of a variety of wounds topographies, including but not limited to highly three dimensional wounds, for example gunshot wounds and impalements, is disclosed. The putty is comprised of a matrix polymer weakly crosslinked or not crosslinked such that a viscoelastic matrix is formed. The viscoelastic nature of the putty is tunable by the composition and enables the putty to conform to a variety of wound topographies. Likewise, a hemostatic polymer, for example chitosan or hydrophobically modified chitosan, is included in this matrix to impart hemostatic properties and tissue adhesive on the putty. The hemostatic polymers disclosed prevent microbial infection and are suitable for oxygen transfer required during normal wound metabolism.