Abstract: Certain embodiments are described that are directed to lead containing compositions including radiation absorption metals in combination with a polymeric material. In some aspects, a composition includes lead, optionally at least one additional heavy metal known to have shielding capability against ionizing radiation and at least one polymer, polymer blend or co-polymer. Sheets and articles including the compositions are also described.

Abstract: Secure authentication using attestation tokens and inviolable quotes to validate request origins is performed by systems and platforms. An application programming interface (API) service is hosted via secure enclave of a computing platform container. Requests to a resource system for highly confidential/sensitive information persisted in a data storage, or for computational services, are made through the enclave, which is a source from which requests are trusted. An API call is made from the secure enclave to the resource system to establish a secure communication session based on a signed certificate for the secure enclave that is signed using an encrypted memory of the secure enclave. The API call also includes an attestation token used to validate the secure enclave as the source requesting the information or service via the API call. Confidential/sensitive information is provided to the secure enclave if the API call source is validated by the resource system.

Abstract: A gas-fired water heater including a water tank, a combustion chamber, a burner assembly disposed within the combustion chamber, a gas valve for controllably supplying gas to the burner assembly, a temperature sensor coupled to the combustion chamber, wherein the temperature sensor generating a signal related to the temperature of the combustion chamber, and a controller having an electronic processor and memory. The controller is configured to receive the signal at a first predetermined time and at a second predetermined time, calculate a change in temperature based on the signal received at the first predetermined time and the signal received at the second predetermined time, compare the change in temperature to a rate of change threshold to produce a first comparison, and shut the gas valve in response to the change in temperature being less than the rate of change threshold.

Abstract: A server connected to a user input device issues a first stream of questions to the user input device to obtain responses with inputs for a financial plan model. Some of the inputs define fixed financial objectives. The server executes a financial plan model using the inputs. If the outputs of the financial plan model do not represent a financial plan that is feasible for meeting the fixed objectives, the server issues a second stream of questions to obtain from the user an indication of which fixed objectives can become variable objectives. On receipt of responses defining one or more variable objectives corresponding to some or all of the fixed objectives, the server executes the financial plan model using the variable objectives and issues a most optimal subset of financial plan outputs from amongst any feasible sets of financial plan outputs for presentation on the user input device.

Abstract: An automatic golf ball washer includes a substantially enclosed body that can receive one or more golf balls onto a rotary carriage that spins the golf ball within a supply of washing fluid and contacts the moving golf ball with stationary brushes within the body.

Abstract: A microcontroller controls a BLDC motor with Hall sensors. In a calibration mode, the microcontroller operates the motor at substantially constant load and speed. A first current value across the motor is detected. A reference phase angle value is adjusted and a second current value is detected. If the second current value is less than the first current value, then the reference phase angle value is adjusted and a next current value is detected. The adjusting and detecting is repeated until the next current value is greater than the previous current value indicating that the adjustment increased current across the motor. The adjusted reference phase angle value before increased motor current is stored. In a normal operating mode, using the adjusted reference phase angle value results in desired motor operation where minimal current is consumed for a given load and speed despite asymmetries in motor windings and Hall sensor placement.

Abstract: A microcontroller controls a BLDC motor with Hall sensors. In a calibration mode, the microcontroller operates the motor at substantially constant load and speed. A first current value across the motor is detected. A reference phase angle value is adjusted and a second current value is detected. If the second current value is less than the first current value, then the reference phase angle value is adjusted and a next current value is detected. The adjusting and detecting is repeated until the next current value is greater than the previous current value indicating that the adjustment increased current across the motor. The adjusted reference phase angle value before increased motor current is stored. In a normal operating mode, using the adjusted reference phase angle value results in desired motor operation where minimal current is consumed for a given load and speed despite asymmetries in motor windings and Hall sensor placement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the prognosis and/or diagnosis of vascular-related disorders in a subject and in particular pregnancy-related vascular disorders. The present disclosure is based on the finding that a positive correlation exists between positive prediction of a vascular disorder event in a subject and the concentration of the circulating marker NTproCNP (also referred to as NT-CNP) in humans and animals. In addition, the present disclosure is based on the finding that there is also a positive correlation between the occurrence of a vascular related adverse event during pregnancy and the concentration of the circulating marker NT-proCNP in the maternal circulation.

Abstract: A fuel fired, atmospheric water heater has a burner positioned inside a combustion chamber. All combustion air entering the combustion chamber must pass through a damper. The damper is operable to adjust the flow resistance to combustion air entering the combustion chamber. The damper is biased to a closed position such that during non-firing periods of the water heater, the damper significantly reduces the flow rate of combustion air being provided to the combustion chamber reducing standby heat loss. An actuator is in fluid communication with a fuel supply line such that when pressurized fuel is provided to the burner, the pressurized fuel causes the actuator to move the damper to an open position to permit operative combustion air delivery to the combustion chamber during firing periods of the water heater.

Abstract: An automatic golf ball washer includes a substantially enclosed body that can receive one or more golf balls onto a rotary carriage that spins the golf ball within a supply of washing fluid and contacts the moving golf ball with stationary brushes within the body.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has a tread, a belt structure, and a carcass, the belt structure comprising: at least one zigzag belt structure, and a contrasting colored wear indicator located radially inward of the zigzag belt structure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the prognosis and/or diagnosis of vascular-related disorders in a subject and in particular pregnancy-related vascular disorders. The present disclosure is based on the finding that a positive correlation exists between positive prediction of a vascular disorder event in a subject and the concentration of the circulating marker NTproCNP (also referred to as NT-CNP) in humans and animals. In addition, the present disclosure is based on the finding that there is also a positive correlation between the occurrence of a vascular-related adverse event during pregnancy and the concentration of the circulating marker NT-proCNP in the maternal circulation.

Abstract: A water heater including a storage tank, a combustion chamber, a burner for producing products of combustion, the burner positioned in the combustion chamber, a flue extending from the combustion chamber through the storage tank, and a baffle positioned within the flue and directing the flow of the products of combustion through the flue. The baffle includes multiple clockwise twist segments and multiple counterclockwise twist segments.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a tread, a crown reinforcement radially inward of the tread, a pair of bead cores, a carcass structure radially inward of the crown reinforcement and wound around the bead cores, an innerliner radially inward of the carcass structure, and a barrier layer interposed between the carcass structure and the innerliner. The barrier layer includes two fabric pieces one on each side of a center line of the pneumatic tire. One end of each fabric piece is located near the centerline of the pneumatic tire. The other end of each fabric piece being wrapped around the bead cores and terminating at least at the radial outermost part of the bead cores.

Abstract: A gas-fired heating device having a burner, a pilot to provide a pilot flame, a thermopile thermally coupled to the pilot flame and configured to generate a power in response to the pilot flame, an electrically controlled gas valve to control the flow of gas to at least one of the pilot and the burner, and a controller electrically coupled to the thermopile and the gas valve. The controller receives and is powered by the power from the thermopile. The controller initiates closing of the gas valve after a monitored component of the power, such as a voltage, traverses a threshold.

Abstract: A water heater includes a storage tank, a heat source for heating water stored in the storage tank, and a dip tube extending into the tank. The dip tube includes upper and lower ends, a restriction between the upper and lower ends so as to create back pressure in the dip tube above the restriction, the restriction positioned in an upper portion of the storage tank, a lower opening below the restriction for providing cold water to a lower portion of the storage tank, and an upper opening above the restriction for providing cold water to the upper portion of the storage tank due to the first restriction.

Abstract: A means of measuring and monitoring skeletal growth rate using a plasma analyte, amino-terminal C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-CNP). Plasma NT-CNP concentrations reflect the potential for further growth of the immature skeleton. Measurement of plasma NT-CNP in a subject, when related to the mean of an appropriate age and gender matched set of control subjects, provides an index of the severity of a growth disorder not otherwise available and facilitates diagnosis in children with undetected osteo-chondrodysplasias or other intrinsic disorders of the growth plate. The invention also provides a means of detecting and monitoring potentially harmful effects of drugs and other factors on skeletal growth long before they are evident using current methods in clinical practice.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the state of a token and communication exchanges between the token containing an embedded integrated circuit chip and a system are provided. Communications between the token and the system are established and the exchanged of commands and responses between the token and the system are monitored and evaluated for compliance with an identified policy. The identified policy contains lists of impermissible commands, responses and content, and delivery of the commands and responses is contingent upon compliance with the identified policy. The token is in communication with a token reader which communicates with the system using token reader driver software. Either the token reader driver software or the token itself is adapted to provide for the desired monitoring, evaluation and policy enforcement. Systems and methods are also provided that enforce policies at access points within a physical access system. The physical access system can be used in combination with tokens.

Abstract: An igniter bracket for a gas control valve comprising a base member sized and shaped to be mounted adjacent at least a portion of a first surface of the gas control valve; an igniter holder extending from the base member in a direction away from the gas control valve and having an opening to receive an igniter; at least one positioning arm extending from the base member in a direction substantially opposite of the igniter holder and adapted to engage at least a portion of a second surface of the gas control valve or a body extending from a second surface; and at least one clamp member extending from the base member in a direction substantially opposite of the igniter holder and adapted to engage at least a portion of a third surface of the gas control valve or a body extending from the third surface.

Abstract: An igniter bracket for a gas control valve comprising a base member sized and shaped to be mounted adjacent at least a portion of a first surface of the gas control valve; an igniter holder extending from the base member in a direction away from the gas control valve and having an opening to receive an igniter; at least one positioning arm extending from the base member in a direction substantially opposite of the igniter holder and adapted to engage at least a portion of a second surface of the gas control valve or a body extending from a second surface; and at least one clamp member extending from the base member in a direction substantially opposite of the igniter holder and adapted to engage at least a portion of a third surface of the gas control valve or a body extending from the third surface.