Abstract: An article comprises one or more optional permeable facing layers and a body of fibrous absorbing material. The body includes a fibrous lofted nonwoven material. The fibrous absorbing material is adapted to be situated adjacent to a surface having or producing moisture. At least a portion of fibers of the fibrous lofted nonwoven material have a generally vertical orientation relative to the surface having or producing moisture, preferably forming an angle of about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees. The article is capable of absorbing and/or transferring moisture and is permeable and resilient. The article is e.g. a backpack, clothing or protective gear.

Abstract: A composite material including a plurality of discrete layers layered on top of each other. The composite material may include one or more nonwoven layers, which may be one or more needlepunched layers, one or more spun-bond layers, one or more melt-blown layers, one or more spun-laced layers, one or more air-laid layers, or a combination thereof. The composite material may include one or more fibrous material layers. The composite material may include one or more overmolded features from an injection molding process. The present teachings also contemplate methods of making the composite material.

Abstract: A sheath with modular locking attachments is designed so that it can be secured to the body to prevent the knife and/or sheath from hanging on equipment. The locking attachments secure the sheath to the body and lock the knife in the sheath to prevent an enemy combatant from removing the knife and using it against the knife owner, while allowing the knife owner to easily unlock and deploy the knife when needed.

Abstract: A pad material for providing cushioning, guiding absorption and/or evaporation of moisture, or both, including a lofted nonwoven material, such as a carded and lapped fibrous material. The pad material may be adapted for use within an article of footwear. The teachings also pertain to an article of footwear having a sole and an upper, where a portion of the sole, a portion of the upper, or both include the pad material.

Abstract: An article including one or more moisture wicking layers and one or more fibrous layers. The fibrous layers may have generally vertically oriented fibers, which may be oriented generally perpendicularly to a surface having or producing moisture. The article may be adapted to remove moisture form the surface having or producing moisture. The article may be breathable. The article may be quick drying. The article may provide cushioning. The article may be a wearable item.

Abstract: Integrated cartridges for sample homogenization, nucleic acid fragmentation, and nucleic acid detection are disclosed herein. The integrated cartridges include a main housing having a sample well and a detection chamber and a sonication feature coupled to and extending outwardly from the main housing. The sonication feature includes a sonication chamber for receiving a sample fluid. A fluidic path directs the sample fluid from the sample well, to the sonication chamber, and to the detection chamber. Systems for use with the integrated cartridges can include sonotrodes with openings for positioning the sonication feature and/or temperature sensors for monitoring the temperature of the sonication feature. Methods include moving the sample fluid from the sample well to the sonication feature, transmitting ultrasonic energy into the sample fluid, moving the sample fluid from the sonication feature to the detection chamber, and performing a nucleic acid detection assay within the detection chamber.

Abstract: A sheath with modular locking attachments is designed so that it can be secured to the body to prevent the knife and/or sheath from hanging on equipment. The locking attachments secure the sheath to the body and lock the knife in the sheath to prevent an enemy combatant from removing the knife and using it against the knife owner, while allowing the knife owner to easily unlock and deploy the knife when needed.

Abstract: An article including one or more moisture wicking layers and one or more fibrous layers. The fibrous layers may have generally vertically oriented fibers, which may be oriented generally perpendicularly to a surface having or producing moisture. The article may be adapted to remove moisture form the surface having or producing moisture. The article may be breathable. The article may be quick drying. The article may provide cushioning. The article may be a wearable item.

Abstract: Integrated cartridges for sample homogenization, nucleic acid fragmentation, and nucleic acid detection are disclosed herein. The integrated cartridges include a main housing having a sample well and a detection chamber and a sonication feature coupled to and extending outwardly from the main housing. The sonication feature includes a sonication chamber for receiving a sample fluid. A fluidic path directs the sample fluid from the sample well, to the sonication chamber, and to the detection chamber. Systems for use with the integrated cartridges can include sonotrodes with openings for positioning the sonication feature and/or temperature sensors for monitoring the temperature of the sonication feature. Methods include moving the sample fluid from the sample well to the sonication feature, transmitting ultrasonic energy into the sample fluid, moving the sample fluid from the sonication feature to the detection chamber, and performing a nucleic acid detection assay within the detection chamber.

Abstract: A nonwoven composite for high temperature applications requiring Sow flammability, smoke, and/or toxicity, including a fibrous structure having one or more nonwoven material layers including a scrim layer. The scrim is formed from inorganic fibers, at least some of which are adapted to withstand temperatures of up to about 1150° C. The scrim is formed from a wet-laying process. The composite further comprises one or more fiber matrix layers.

Abstract: A fluid containment layer adapted to be used in a pad for absorption, containment, and/or controlled release of liquid or gel, where the fluid containment layer absorbs and/or holds a liquid or gel, such as a disinfecting liquid or gel. The fluid containment layer is resilient and returns to its original shape upon pressure applied thereto. The fluid containment layer includes generally vertically oriented fibers. The fluid containment layer may be used in a self-disinfecting pad.

Abstract: An article to be positioned between a rideable animal, such as an equine animal, and a saddle for absorbing and/or wicking perspiration and providing cushioning. The article includes a fibrous layer having generally vertically oriented fibers. The article is a breathable material. The article may be a saddle pad or an insert for a saddle pad.

Abstract: Network site users can be selected to receive a communication based on a network site event, such as incomplete registration. A hybrid user interaction machine learning scheme can select a portion of the selected users based on user interaction estimates and network sampling data. The electronic document sent to the users can have portions that undergo two-pass ranking for ordering of content items to be included in the electronic document, such as an email.

Abstract: An article to be worn on or around the head for absorbing and/or wicking perspiration. The article may include an elongated body portion and one or more extension features extending from the body portion for guiding absorption and/or evaporation of moisture. The article may be formed of a larger material adapted to provide greater coverage to a wearer's head. The article (10) is formed of: an interior layer (14) adapted to contact a source of moisture; a vertically lapped fibrous layer (12); and an exterior layer (16); wherein the fibrous layer (12) is sandwiched between the interior layer (14) and the exterior layer (16).

Abstract: An article including one or more moisture wicking layers and one or more fibrous layers. The fibrous layers may have generally vertically oriented fibers, which may be oriented generally perpendicularly to a surface having or producing moisture. The article may be adapted to remove moisture form the surface having or producing moisture. The article may be breathable. The article may be quick drying. The article may provide cushioning. The article may be a wearable item.

Abstract: A sheath with modular locking attachments is designed so that it can be secured to the body to prevent the knife and/or sheath from hanging on equipment. The locking attachments secure the sheath to the body and lock the knife in the sheath to prevent an enemy combatant from removing the knife and using it against the knife owner, while allowing the knife owner to easily unlock and deploy the knife when needed.

Abstract: An article including one or more moisture wicking layers and one or more fibrous layers. The fibrous layers may have generally vertically oriented fibers, which may be oriented generally perpendicularly to a surface having or producing moisture. The article may be adapted to remove moisture form the surface having or producing moisture. The article may be breathable. The article may be quick drying. The article may provide cushioning. The article may be a wearable item.

Abstract: A fibrous structure having one or more vertically lapped layers having a first surface and a second surface and a facing layer secured to the first surface of the vertically lapped layer. The fibrous structure is adapted to be used in a flooring assembly. The fibrous structure may include a mesh and/or a backing layer on the second surface of a vertically lapped layer. The fibrous structure exhibits improved performance in below room testing and/or in-room testing as compared with traditional materials of the same thickness.

Abstract: An article including one or more moisture wicking layers and one or more fibrous layers. The fibrous layers may have generally vertically oriented fibers, which may be oriented generally perpendicularly to a surface having or producing moisture. The article may be adapted to remove moisture form the surface having or producing moisture. The article may be breathable. The article may be quick drying. The article may provide cushioning. The article may be a wearable item.

Abstract: Network site users can be selected to receive a communication based on a network site event, such as incomplete registration. A hybrid user interaction machine learning scheme can select a portion of the selected users based on user interaction estimates and network sampling data. The electronic document sent to the users can have portions that undergo two-pass ranking for ordering of content items to be included in the electronic document, such as an email.