Abstract: Provided herein are biofilm inhibitors obtained from marine microbial derived natural product extracts from Streptomyces gandocaensis, resulting in biofilm inhibitors, cahuitamycins. Also provided are mutant S. gandocaensis, methods of inhibiting biofilm formation, methods of producing, or increasing the production of, cahuitamycins, methods for synthesizing cahuitamycins, and methods of purifying cahuitamycins.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a compressor system operable for compressing a working fluid such as air. A conditioner is positioned upstream of the compressor to reduce the humidity and may in certain forms control a temperature of the working fluid entering the compressor. An aftercooler and an oil cooler is positioned downstream of the compressor. A first heat exchange system may direct water from a source through the conditioner to the aftercooler and oil cooler. An oil heat exchange circuit directs oil from the compressor to the oil cooler and then to a regenerator prior to reentry into the compressor. A control system is operable for controlling portions of compressor system to provide inlet air to the compressor at a desired temperature and humidity.

Abstract: An arbitrary customer instance is transferred from a customer environment to a target managed-infrastructure-as-a-service cloud environment as a transferred image. An image adjustment plan, capturing at least one adjustment required to render the transferred image compliant with standards of the target managed-infrastructure-as-a-service cloud environment, is formulated. The image adjustment plan is executed to adjust the transferred image to obtain an adjusted image compliant with standards of the target managed-infrastructure-as-a-service cloud environment. The adjusted image is on-boarded into the managed-infrastructure-as-a-service cloud environment as a standard image thereof.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for reducing flammability in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system having R32 refrigerant included in the refrigerant composition. Refrigerant compositions and methods of use are described which can be used for retrofitting, servicing, controlling flammability, improving performance, lubricant solubility and miscibility, and improving the safety of an HVAC system.

Abstract: An actuation apparatus includes a module movably tethered to a base member. Each of the module and base member include a plurality of magnetic elements aligned in a plurality of paired magnet sets such that in a non-actuated condition a repulsive magnetic force generated by each paired magnet set causes separation of the module and base member. Application of an actuation force to an actuation surface of the module, in opposition to the magnetic repulsive force, causes movement of the module toward the base member such that contact is made between terminals defined by the magnetic elements of at least one of the paired magnet sets, to generate an output signal. In an illustrative example, the base member is a steering wheel armature of a vehicle and the module is a wheel hub assembly including an air bag and a hub cover defining the actuation surface.

Abstract: An imaging light guide has a waveguide formed as a coated substrate having first and second surface coatings. A first in-coupling diffractive optic on the first coating directs diffracted light of a first wavelength range into the waveguide along a first direction. A second in-coupling diffractive optic on the second coating directs diffracted light of a second wavelength range into the waveguide along a second different direction. A first dichroic patch between the first surface of the substrate and the first surface coating for (a) transmitting the first wavelength range, (b) transmitting the second wavelength range through a range of incidence angles, and (c) reflecting the second wavelength range through a higher range of incidence angles. A second dichroic patch between the second surface of the substrate and the second surface coating for transmitting the second wavelength range and reflecting the first wavelength range.

Abstract: Refrigerant compositions are described, which can be used for example, in refrigeration, air conditioning, and/or heat pump systems which for example, can be incorporated into a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system or unit. The refrigerant composition includes an amount of a R125 refrigerant, an amount of a R32 refrigerant, and an amount of a R1234yf refrigerant, where the R32 refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant, and the R1234yf refrigerant has higher flammability than the R125 refrigerant.

Abstract: Heat is recovered from a heat source to heat water to high temperatures. Apparatuses, systems and methods are described to heat water to a high temperature by using heat, such as may be considered in some instances as waste heat, recovered from a heat source. The methods, systems, and apparatuses described utilize low pressure refrigerant(s) as a fluid to provide a refrigeration cycle that utilizes a source of heat to heat water to a high temperature. The refrigeration cycle can be with or without a cascade cycle. The refrigerant cycle in some examples uses an oil free compressor.

Abstract: A therapeutic garment for an animal includes body portion, first and second leg straps extending caudally from a caudal end of the body portion, a chest plate portion extending cranially from a cranial end of the body portion, an opening defined at the cranial end of the body portion configured to accommodate a head of the animal, first and second ventral elastic straps connected to an exterior surface of the chest plate portion, first and second dorsal elastic straps connected to an exterior surface of the body portion, and at least one rear fastener proximate to the caudal end of the body portion. The first and second leg straps, the first and second ventral elastic straps, and the first and second dorsal elastic straps are each configured to be detachably connected to the at least one fastener proximate to the caudal end of the body portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous pressure cooking product includes a pressure cooking section, an isolating chamber, and an output section. A first product and fluid valve is between the pressure cooking section and the isolating chamber. A second product and fluid valve is between the isolating chamber and the output section. A fluid valve is between a source of pressurized fluid and the isolating chamber. Product is provided to the pressure cooking section and cooked. The fluid valve is opened so that the isolating chamber becomes substantially the same pressure as the pressure cooking section. The first controllable product and fluid flow valve is opened and product enters the isolating chamber, and then closed to isolate product in chamber. The second controllable product and fluid valve is opened and product moves from the chamber to the output section. Then the second controllable product and fluid valve is closed.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring food product from a compartment of a food processing system includes a conduit having a first end portion configured to be in communication with the compartment and a second end portion, a fluid discharge positioned substantially within the conduit between the first end portion and the second end portion, and a pressurized fluid source in communication with the fluid discharge. The pressurized fluid source is operable to propel a fluid through the fluid discharge to move the food product from the first end portion of the conduit toward the second end portion.

Abstract: A rocker shoe has a lower rocker surface extending across the plantar surface of the shoe sole from the heel and terminating short of the toe. A rocker shoe construction kit has a rigid or substantially rigid rocker piece having an upper surface for securing over a major portion of a lower plantar surface of the sole of a shoe upper and a lower surface of predetermined rocker shape, a cushioning layer for securing over the lower surface of the rocker piece, and a layer of tread material configured for securing over the lower surface of the cushioning layer and any exposed portion of the plantar surface of a shoe.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system of a vehicle includes a roof rail airbag that is located at a roof rail of the vehicle and above a door of the vehicle and that is configured to deploy in an outboard direction. A deployment device, when triggered, deploys the roof rail airbag. An actuator, when triggered, actuates a deployable reaction surface (i) from a first state where the deployable reaction surface is stowed behind interior door trim and does not block any part of a window opening of the door when viewed from inboard of the deployable reaction surface (ii) to a second state where the deployable reaction surface blocks at least a portion of the window opening of the door when viewed from inboard of the deployable reaction surface.

Abstract: Compositions comprising surface-modified calcite nanoparticles dispersed in a curable resin and to coatings and fibrous composites incorporating such compositions are described. The nanocalcite particles have a high magnesium to calcium surface concentration ratio. The surface-modifying agents include a binding group ionically associated with the nanoparticles, and a compatiblizing segment compatible with the curable resin. The surface-modifying agent may also include a reactive group capable of reacting with the curable resin. Methods of preparing nanocalcite composites, and coatings and fibrous composites prepared from such nanocalcite composites are also described.

Abstract: Compositions comprising surface-modified nanocalcite particles dispersed in a curable resin system comprising a vinyl ester, and coatings and fibrous composites incorporating such compositions are described. The surface-modifying agents include a binding group ionically associated with the calcite and a compatiblizing segment, compatible with the curable resin. The surface-modifying agent may also include a reactive group capable of reacting with the curable resin system. Methods of preparing nanocalcite composites and coating a fibrous composites prepared from such nanocalcite composites are also described.

Abstract: A nanocomposite is provided including nonspherical silica nanoparticles dispersed in a curable resin or a curing agent, where the nanocomposite contains less than 2% by weight solvent. A composite is also provided including from about 4 to 70 weight percent of nonspherical silica nanoparticles dispersed in a cured resin, and a filler embedded in the cured resin. Further, a method of preparing a nanoparticle-containing curable resin system is provided including mixing from 10 to 70 weight percent of aggregated silica nanoparticles with a curable resin and optionally a dispersant, a catalyst, a diluent, a surface treatment agent, and/or a curing agent, to form a mixture. The mixture contains less than 2% by weight solvent. The method also includes milling the mixture in an immersion mill containing milling media to form a milled resin system including nonspherical silica nanoparticles dispersed in the curable resin.

Abstract: A steering wheel and column assembly for a vehicle includes a steering column housing and a steering column shaft rotatably coupled to the steering column housing. A steering wheel includes a central hub coupled to the steering column shaft and a steering wheel rim connected to the central hub by one or more spokes extending radially from the central hub. A dampening system cooperates with the steering wheel and includes at least one mass damper body disposed adjacent to central hub. One or more vibration damping elements extend at least partially through the at least one mass damper body and the central hub. One or more resilient support members cooperate with the at least one mass damper body, central hub and the one or more vibration damping elements to absorb vibrations in the steering wheel and column assembly.