Abstract: A portable lighting device includes a housing defining a longitudinal axis, a light source supported by the housing, and a power source positioned within the housing and coupled to the light source. The portable lighting device also includes a clip rotatably coupled to the housing, and a magnetic element coupled to the housing.

Abstract: A braking control system for a vehicle system includes a control chamber configured to control air pressure of a brake pipe of the vehicle system. The system also includes first and second charge valves and first and second vent valves. The first charge valve and the first vent valve are controllable to vent or charge the brake pipe, and the second charge valve and the second vent valve are separately controllable for the same purpose. The system also includes a controller configured to switch operation of the vehicle system between a first operation mode, where the first charge valve and the first vent valve are enabled, and a second operation mode, where the second charge valve and the second vent valve are enabled, in response to an input.

Abstract: A closed cell crosslinked polyolefin foam sheet comprises an opposing first surface region and second surface region, and an intermediate region disposed therebetween, wherein the intermediate region is configured to have a gel content lower than an average gel content of the first surface region and the second surface region to enable a controlled tear propagation within the intermediate region when a splitting force is applied to the closed cell crosslinked polyolefin foam sheet. For example, a ratio of a gel content of the intermediate region versus an average gel content of the first surface region and the second surface region may be about 75% or less, and a ratio of the average cell size of the intermediate region versus an average cell size of the first surface region and the second surface region may be about 125% or higher.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly having arms and braid blades mounted thereto and disposed about a cable opening receiving a cable end along a cable axis. The arms are movable between retracted positions and advanced positions to move the braid blades. The braid blades have edges configured to engage a cable braid of the cable to cut the cable braid. The cable preparation machine includes a mandrel coupled to the end of the cable between the cable braid and an inner insulator of the cable. The braid blades are rotated around the cable axis pressing the cable braid between the edges of the braid blades and the mandrel to cut the braid blade.

Abstract: A method for purifying Apo A-I is provided including the steps of providing a solution comprising Apo A-I and guanidine hydrochloride and filtering the solution through a filter having a pore size in a range from 15 nm to 35 nm to thereby reduce viral contamination of the Apo A-I. An Apo A-I preparation is provided having at least a 12 log LRV (log reduction value) for a parvovirus; and/or at least 9 log LRV for a non-enveloped virus; and/or at least 8.5 log LRV for a lipid enveloped virus. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and reconstituted high density lipoprotein formulation comprising Apo A-I and methods of treating diseases disorders or conditions.

Abstract: An ultrasound system includes a 3D imaging probe and a needle guide which attaches to the probe for guidance of needle insertion into a volumetric region which can be scanned by the 3D imaging probe. The needle guide responds to the insertion of a needle through the guide by identifying a plane for scanning by the probe which is the insertion plane through which the needle will pass during insertion. The orientation of the insertion plane is communicated to the probe to cause the probe to scan the identified plane and produce images of the needle as it travels through the insertion plane.

Abstract: A lighting device including a light source, one or more input devices, and an electronic processor. The electronic processor is configured to receive an input to illuminate the light source at a first illumination intensity value associated with a first operating mode and operate the light source at the first illumination intensity value based on the received input. The electronic processor is further configured to initiate a ramp-down operation of the light source from the first illumination intensity value. The electronic processor is further configured to receive a first mode change input to change from the first operation mode to a second operating mode at a first time, wherein a second illumination intensity value is associated with the second operating mode, and, in response to receiving the first mode change input, control the output of the light source to output a third illumination intensity value.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) front-end receiver having a passive mixer with feed-forward intermodulation distortion cancellation, or at least reduction. An example receiver generally includes a mixer having differential input terminals and differential output terminals and a baseband filter having inputs coupled to the differential output terminals of the mixer. The receiver also includes common-mode sensing circuitry coupled to the differential input terminals of the mixer and configured to sense a common-mode signal of a first differential signal present at the differential input terminals of the mixer. The receiver further includes a conversion circuit coupled to the common-mode sensing circuitry and configured to convert the common-mode signal to a second differential signal presented to the differential output terminals of the mixer and the inputs of the baseband filter.

Abstract: A method of forming unique, private, personal, virtual social networks on a social network system that includes a database storing data relating to corresponding user entities. The method includes: a first user entity sending an invitation to a second user entity, recording in the database the second user entity as a direct contact of the first user entity and determining that third user entities, directly connected to the second user entity, are indirect contacts. A unique, personal, social network formed from direct and indirect contacts is thereby created for each user entity. Each user entity is able to control privacy of its data with respect to other user entities depending on the connection factor to that other entity and/or that other entity's attributes. Each user entity is able to take the role of provider or participant in applications where the provider provides an item or service to the participant.

Abstract: An improved bullet loader system applies bullets to a feed tube from a source of bullets. The bullets each have a tip-end and a base-end. The bullet-orienting system includes a bullet conveyance that conveys bullets, in tip-end-down and tip-end-up orientations, from a source of bullets to a feed tube along a bullet conveyance path. A bullet-orienting structure comprising a block, a nose guide forming a ledge, a groove, and a tapered opening, and a ramp is disposed at a fixed location proximate the bullet conveyance path. For each tip-end-down oriented bullet, the bullet-orienting structure interacts with the tip-end-down bullet, and flips the tip-end down bullet relative to the bullet conveyance from tip-end-down orientation to the tip-end-up orientation prior to application to the feed tube.

Abstract: A node includes a circuit board assembly having a circuit board and a processor mounted to the circuit board, the processor comprising a pin and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in electrical communication with the pin, the circuit board defining a test point formed therein, the test point electrically communicating with the pin via a trace covered with an insulator; and a non-transitory memory resource, the non-transitory memory resource having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to apply electrical charge to the test point after the circuit board assembly has been encased in potting compound, and command the ADC to read a test point voltage at the test point, the test point voltage indicating voltage of an equivalent RC circuit comprising the insulator as an equivalent capacitor and the potting compound as an equivalent resistor.

Abstract: A testing device for a backflow preventer assembly has a plurality of automated valves. Each automated valve is coupled to a corresponding test valve of the backflow preventer assembly. A high side diverter array is coupled to at least one of the plurality of automated valves. A low side diverter array is coupled to at least one of the plurality of automated valves. A vent side diverter array is coupled to at least one of the plurality of automated valves. A pressure differential transmitter is coupled to the high side diverter array and the low side diverter array. A high side bleed solenoid is coupled to a high side of the pressure differential transmitter. A low side bleed solenoid is coupled to a low side of the pressure differential transmitter. A vent side bleed solenoid coupled to a vent side diverter array. A plurality of bypass solenoids is coupled to the high side bleed solenoid, the low side bleed solenoid and the vent side bleed solenoid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reconstituted high density lipoprotein (rHDL) formulations comprising an apolipoprotein, a lipid and a lyophilization stabilizer. Said formulations have reduced renal toxicity and good long-term stability, especially in lyophilized form.

Abstract: An improved bullet loader system applies bullets to a feed tube from a source of bullets. The bullets each have a tip-end and a base-end. The bullet-orienting system includes a bullet conveyance that conveys bullets, in tip-end-down and tip-end-up orientations, from a source of bullets to a feed tube along a bullet conveyance path. A bullet-orienting structure comprising a block, a nose guide forming a ledge, a groove, and a tapered opening, and a ramp is disposed at a fixed location proximate the bullet conveyance path. For each tip-end-down oriented bullet, the bullet-orienting structure interacts with the tip-end-down bullet, and flips the tip-end down bullet relative to the bullet conveyance from tip-end-down orientation to the tip-end-up orientation prior to application to the feed tube.

Abstract: Fire protective compositions include colloidal silica solids, clay, a low biopersistence fiber or refractory ceramic fiber, water, and optionally a chelating agent. Methods of using the fire protective compositions include providing a polymeric foam substrate, applying the fire protective composition on the polymeric foam substrate, and allowing the fire protective composition to dry.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions comprising cationic peptides and methods of using such compositions to enhance an immune response in a subject. The invention is further directed to methods of treating and/or preventing viral infections and virally-induced cancers.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly having a plurality of arms and braid blades mounted to the corresponding arms. The arms and the braid blades are disposed about a cable opening configured to receive an end of a cable therein along a cable axis. The arms are movable relative to each other between retracted positions and advanced positions. The arms move the braid blades closer to each other within the cable opening as the arms are moved from the retracted positions to the advanced positions. The braid blades have edges configured to engage a cable braid of the cable. The braid blades are driven inward by the arms moving to the advanced positions to pinch the cable braid inward against an inner insulator of the cable and flare outward an end of the cable braid forward of the braid blades.

Abstract: A cable preparation machine includes a frame forming a cable cutting zone, the frame having a cable opening along a cable axis at the cable cutting zone receiving an end of a cable. The cable preparation machine includes a pulley assembly rotatably coupled to the frame about the cable axis and a drive assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly to rotate the pulley assembly about the cable axis. The cable preparation machine includes a blade assembly operably coupled to the pulley assembly and rotated with the pulley assembly about the cable axis.

Abstract: Provided are tissue webs and products that have a modest degree of surface texture, but are still soft. In certain instances the tissue products and webs may also have good sheet bulk and low stiffness. For example, the tissue products may have good softness, such as a TS7 value (measured using the EMTEC Tissue Softness Analyzer) less than 11.0, and a textured surface, such as an R2 value from about 11,000 to about 20,000 (measured using an OpTiSurf tester). The foregoing tissue products may have a sheet bulk greater than about 8.0 cc/g and a Stiffness Index less than about 15.0. In certain instances the tissue product and webs may be through-air dried and may be either creped or uncreped.

Abstract: Fire protective compositions include colloidal silica solids, clay, a low biopersistence fiber or refractory ceramic fiber, water, and optionally a chelating agent. Methods of using the fire protective compositions include providing a polymeric foam substrate, applying the fire protective composition on the polymeric foam substrate, and allowing the fire protective composition to dry.