Abstract: There is provided a curable composition comprising one or more reactive components that cure upon exposure to suitable conditions, the curable composition comprising: (i) at least one aromatic nitroso or at least one aromatic nitroso precursor compound or combinations thereof; and (ii) a film former component comprising at least one non-halogenated hydroxy group-containing resin together with at least one crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods for account reconciliation using a distributed ledger are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for account reconciliation using a distributed ledger may include: (1) a payment sending financial institution receiving a transaction involving an account maintained by the payment sending financial institution for a payment receiving financial institution; (2) the payment sending financial institution communicating the transaction to the payment receiving financial institution using a transaction network; (3) the payment sending financial institution writing the transaction as a first ledger entry to the payment sending financial institution's copy of a distributed transaction ledger; (4) the payment sending financial institution receiving a second ledger entry from the payment receiving financial institution; and (5) the payment sending financial institution reconciling the account using the first ledger entry and the second ledger entry.

Abstract: A system, method, mobile communication device and one or more computer programs for an access control system for controlling access to a restricted area. In one form, the restricted area is a parking station. In one aspect, the system includes: a communication system; and a computer program executable by a mobile communication device configured to: receive one or more entry signals from the communication system when the entity approaches an entry point of a restricted area; transfer, to the communication system, an entry request; receive, from the communication system, authorisation data indicative of the entity being granted access to enter the restricted area by an access control system; receive one or more exit signals from the communication system when the entity approaches an exit point of the restricted area; and transfer, to the communication system, an exit request indicative of the authorisation data in order to exit the restricted area.

Abstract: The present disclosure related to a flexible electronic substrate assembly and a method and system of processing solder paste onto an electrical substrate. The assembly includes a flexible substrate having a solderable medium provided along the flexible substrate. A pattern of solder paste may be cured to a portion of the solderable medium. The solderable medium may be a generally continuous construction or a patterned construction relative to the flexible substrate. The substrate may be unwound from a roll of substrate material before solder paste is deposited thereon. The flexible electric substrate assembly may be formed though a roll to roll process. Infrared heat may be applied to the substrate with the solder paste deposit as the substrate is traveling along the process direction to reflow the solder paste as the substrate is traveling along the process direction at a high rate of speed.

Abstract: A method for controlling heater ventilation fan operation increases fan speed from low to high after a short delay after turn-on, and continues fan operation for a period of time based on duration of operation, after turn-off. The higher fan speed improves heat transfer and efficiency while the heating system is operating. Continuing fan operation after turn-off maximizes recovery of additional heat from the heat exchanger. Known methods do not provide sufficient air flow to efficiently transfer heat from the heat exchanger to the air, and leave high temperature air (i.e., 110 to 200° F.) in the heat exchanger after turn-off.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for separating, characterizing and/or identifying microorganisms in a test sample. The method of the invention comprises an optional lysis step for lysing non-microorganism cells that may be present in a test sample, followed by a subsequent separation step. The method may be useful for the separation, characterization and/or identification of microorganisms from complex samples such as blood-containing culture media. The invention further provides for spectroscopic interrogation of the separated microorganism sample to produce measurements of the microorganism and characterizing and/or identifying the microorganism in the sample using said spectroscopic measurements.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling a cooling ventilation fan after the thermostat call for cooling has ended by providing a variable fan-off delay time based on cooling system parameters including but not limited to the cooling system operating time, duration of the thermostat call for cooling, relative humidity, temperature split, thermostat temperature rate of change, or thermostat temperature reaching a minimum inflection point or crossing a fixed or variable thermostat differential or differential offset.

Abstract: An oral formulation of bromelain effective to treat and prevent diarrhea caused by pathogenic microbes. This formulation does not kill pathogenic microbes, and thus does not facilitate the proliferation of anti-microbial resistant organisms. The invention entails formulating an aqueous oral suspension of bromelain, Blanose sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, citric acid anhydrous, Epikuron 135F lecithin oil and ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic acid, disodium salt dihydrate (“EDTA”).

Abstract: Method for controlling an HVAC ventilation fan in heating or cooling mode and varying the fan-off time delay as a function of heat source or cool source operational time. Method for increasing heater ventilation fan speed from the low speed used for heating to the high speed used for cooling. Method for maintaining the heat pump reversing valve signal at the same position throughout the cool or heat source operational and extended variable fan-off time delay. Method for closing economizer dampers at the end of the cool or heat source operational time while continuing to operate the ventilation fan for an extended variable fan-off time delay.

Abstract: Method for controlling an HVAC ventilation fan in heating or cooling mode and varying the fan-off time delay as a function of heat source or cool source operational time. Method for increasing heater ventilation fan speed from the low speed used for heating to the high speed used for cooling. Method for maintaining the heat pump reversing valve signal at the same position throughout the cool or heat source operational and extended variable fan-off time delay. Method for closing economizer dampers at the end of the cool or heat source operational time while continuing to operate the ventilation fan for an extended variable fan-off time delay.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating borehole mud slownesses are disclosed. An example method includes estimating a borehole drilling fluid slowness value based on a tube wave modulus value, a tube-wave slowness value, and a drilling fluid density value. The borehole is associated with an anisotropic elastic medium.

Abstract: A sampling device for a specimen container having a closure sealing the interior of the specimen container from the environment includes a needle, a body coupled to the needle and defining a chamber in fluid communication with the needle, the body further comprising a port forming an opening in the body, the port in fluid communication with the chamber. A multitude of the sampling devices may be stored in a cassette. The sampling devices may include a second chamber for separation and concentration of a microbial agent present in a sample. In this configuration second chamber is connected to the first chamber via a valve or the like.

Abstract: The present application provides for air treatment systems for treating air input into a transportation enclosure via at least one input. The air treatment systems include at least two filters that increase in ASHRAE 52.2 Standard MERV parameters in the direction of the flow of air. The filter positioned furthest downstream is at least a parameter 8 MERV ASHRAE Standard 52.2 filter. The air treatment systems include at least one ultraviolet (UV) light emitting device, and UV light reflective material. UV light emitted from the at least one UV light emitting device irradiates at least a portion of the plurality of filters. The plurality of filters, at least one ultraviolet (UV) light emitting device, and UV light reflective material provide a dose of UV light of at least 20 J/m2 to the air input into the transportation enclosure via the at least one input.

Abstract: Technologies are described for methods for fabricating a film component. The methods may comprise sputtering a first film onto a substrate. The first film may include a semiconductor compound material. The semiconductor compound material may include a semi-metal material and one or more alkali material. The methods may further comprise evaporating a second film onto the first film. The second film may include the one or more alkali materials. The one or more alkali materials may catalyze crystallization of the semiconductor compound material in the first film substantially throughout the first film to form the film component in the first layer.

Abstract: There is provided a curable composition comprising one or more reactive components that cure upon exposure to suitable conditions, the curable composition comprising: (i) at least one aromatic nitroso or at least one aromatic nitroso precursor compound or combinations thereof; and (ii) a film former component comprising at least one non-halogenated hydroxy group-containing resin together with at least one crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for a fan controller. The fan controller determines HVAC system type and heating or cooling mode for gas furnace, heat pump, electric resistance, and hydronic heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. For gas furnace heating systems, the apparatus and methods include energizing the blower fan from a lower fan speed used for heating by the furnace-fan controller to the high-speed used for cooling by the fan controller after fan-on delay time P1 to increase delivered heating capacity, satisfy the thermostat sooner and save heating energy. For heat pump, electric resistance, and hydronic heating systems the apparatus and methods include energizing the fan relay after a short fan-on delay time P0 based on previous off-cycle duration P11. For all these HVAC systems, the apparatus and methods vary extended fan-off time delay P2 as a function of cool-source operational time P4 or heat-source operational time P3.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for efficient HVAC fan control. The apparatus includes an efficient fan controller for direct-expansion air conditioning and gas furnace, heat pump, electric resistance, and hydronic heating systems. For gas furnace heating systems, the apparatus and methods include energizing the heater ventilation fan from the low speed used for heating to the high speed used for cooling after time period P1 to deliver more heating output to satisfy the thermostat sooner and save heat source energy. For heat pump, electric resistance, and hydronic heating systems the apparatus and methods include energizing the fan relay after a short fan-on time delay P0 based on the previous HVAC system off-cycle time P11. For all of these HVAC systems, the apparatus and methods vary the extended fan-off time delay P2 based on air conditioning compressor or heat source operational time P3.

Abstract: A method for efficient control of a heater ventilation fan. The method includes switching the heater ventilation fan from low speed to high speed after a brief period P1 following starting, and continuing heater ventilation fan operation for a variable period of time P2 after the heat source has stopped. The period P1 is preferably about four minutes, and the period P2 is determined by the duration of heating and is generally between two and four minutes. Operating the heater ventilation fan at high speed improves heat transfer and efficiency while the heating system is operating, increases warm air movement to the space, satisfies the thermostat set point temperature in less time, reduces heating system operation, and reduces energy use. Continuing heater ventilation fan operation after turn-off maximizes recovery of additional heat from the heat exchanger to improve overall efficiency, extend the off cycle time, and save energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for determining the antibiotic-resistance status of microorganisms. The invention further provides methods for determining the antibiotic-resistance status of microorganisms in situ within a single system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a separation device or container that can be used in the separation, isolation or pelleting of microorganisms from a test samples known to contain or suspected of containing said microorganisms. Subsequently, the separated, isolated or pelleted microorganism sample can undergo one or more interrogation steps to provide measurements useful for the characterization and/or identification of microorganism. In one aspect of the present invention, the interrogation steps can occur in situ in the separation device or container described herein.