Abstract: Patient support apparatuses include a frame, support surface, and a controller. The controller provides notification to a user of a service event relating to the patient support apparatus. The controller limits functionality of a component of the patient support apparatus based upon a severity of the service event. The controller may also, or alternatively, detect when a control is activated by a user and, in response to such activation, determine whether the patient support apparatus has been marked for use or marked for servicing. If marked for use, the controller responds in a first manner, and if marked for service, the controller responds in a different manner. In other embodiments, a method is provided for determining an order in which multiple patient support apparatuses should be service. In still other embodiments, the patient support apparatus automatically changes to an unusable configuration when in need of high priority service.

Abstract: A portable asset dispensing device includes a container configured to be moved to a plurality of locations, an interior and an end. A door is positioned at the end of the container and includes a locking mechanism. A security access device is disposed at the end and configured to accept access information, and a controller controls access into the container and tracks a plurality of items within the interior of the container. The device includes a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers disposed within the interior of the container, the plurality of RFID readers being configured to detect RFID tags located on the plurality of items within the interior of the container and communicate the items to the controller.

Abstract: A system for controlling light transmittance includes a panel which is capable of at least one of darkening and lightening in response to applied electric voltage and/or current. The panel includes at least one substrate, an electrically conductive coating on at least a portion of a surface of the at least one substrate forming at least one electrode, and an electrochromic medium covering portions of the at least one substrate and the at least one electrode and in electrical communication with the electrode. The system further includes a power supply in electrical communication with the at least one electrode and a controller in communication with the power supply configured to cause the power supply to apply a voltage and/or current to the at least one electrode according to a predetermined pattern for controlling the transmittance of the panel. The predetermined pattern comprises a plurality of micro-pulses which are less than or equal to 0.5 second in duration.

Abstract: Described are techniques for treating metals by exposing the metals to reactive solutions to reduce a temperature of the metal and to modify a surface of the metal through chemical reaction, such as by removing material or adding material. The disclosed techniques may advantageously increase the rate at which the temperature of the metal may be reduced as compared to conventional cooling techniques involving pure water, increase metal manufacturing rates, and reduce overall complexity of a metal manufacturing process. The disclosed techniques may also advantageously expand the range of available surface treatments, allow for faster surface treatment processes, and reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals during a surface treatment process. Such advantages may arise by employing chemical processing that takes place or takes place more efficiently at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Patient support apparatuses include a frame, support surface, and a controller. The controller provides notification to a user of a service event relating to the patient support apparatus. The controller limits functionality of a component of the patient support apparatus based upon a severity of the service event. The controller may also, or alternatively, detect when a control is activated by a user and, in response to such activation, determine whether the patient support apparatus has been marked for use or marked for servicing. If marked for use, the controller responds in a first manner, and if marked for service, the controller responds in a different manner. In other embodiments, a method is provided for determining an order in which multiple patient support apparatuses should be service. In still other embodiments, the patient support apparatus automatically changes to an unusable configuration when in need of high priority service.

Abstract: Aerodynamic structures having lower surface spoilers are described herein. One disclosed example apparatus includes a first spoiler of an aerodynamic structure of an aircraft, where the first spoiler is to deflect away from a first side of the aerodynamic structure and a second spoiler on a second side of the aerodynamic structure opposite of the first side, where the second spoiler is to deflect away from the second side to reduce a load on at least one of the first spoiler or a flap of the aerodynamic structure.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a base, a litter frame, and an elevation assembly supporting the litter frame on the base. The elevation assembly is configured to effect changes in elevation of the litter frame relative to the base. The elevation assembly includes a pair of hydraulic actuators and a hydraulic fluid control system for delivering fluid to the first and second hydraulic actuators. The control system includes a pump and a user operable control coupled to the pump for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid from the pump to the first and second hydraulic actuators.

Abstract: A bleed valve for a gas turbine engine, the bleed valve comprising: an inlet coupled to an air source; and an outlet coupled to an air sink. The bleed valve also comprises a first stage of flow area modulation between the inlet and the outlet. Also a second stage of flow area modulation between the first stage and the outlet. The pressure can be equalized between the first and second stages. There is also an arrangement comprising a plurality of bleed valves and a controller to control the flow areas of at least one of the first and second stages of each bleed valve.

Abstract: An oral care composition comprising a surfactant having formula [R(OC2H4)xOSO3]2M wherein R is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group with an alkyl chain length of 8 to 30 carbon atoms; x is from 0 to 10; and M is a divalent metal cation selected from zinc cations, copper cations and stannous cations is provided.

Abstract: A person support for supporting a person includes a first layer and a resilient second layer. The first layer has a surface topography with a first region with a curvature configured to correspond and generally conform, in an unloaded state, to the shape of a first portion of a person's body. The surface topography has a second region configured to correspond and generally conform, in an unloaded state, to the shape of a second portion of a person's body. The resilient second layer overlays the first layer and forms a person support surface.

Abstract: A screen is provided. The screen includes: a substrate; an adhesive affixed to the substrate; and a mixture of reflective beads and transparent beads affixed by the adhesive to the substrate.

Abstract: Patient support apparatuses include a frame, support surface, and a controller. The controller provides notification to a user of a service event relating to the patient support apparatus. The controller limits functionality of a component of the patient support apparatus based upon a severity of the service event. The controller may also, or alternatively, detect when a control is activated by a user and, in response to such activation, determine whether the patient support apparatus has been marked for use or marked for servicing. If marked for use, the controller responds in a first manner, and if marked for service, the controller responds in a different manner. In other embodiments, a method is provided for determining an order in which multiple patient support apparatuses should be service. In still other embodiments, the patient support apparatus automatically changes to an unusable configuration when in need of high priority service.

Abstract: A method of forming a trim panel is provided. The method includes the steps of: heating a non-woven material to a predetermined temperature; applying a decorative film having perforations to a first surface of the heated material to create a bilaminate; placing the bilaminate layer into a cavity of a tool such that the decorative film is facing the cavity; heating the cavity; and injecting a thermoplastic resin into the tool such that the thermoplastic resin is adhered to a second surface of the material, the second surface being opposite to the first surface.

Abstract: A robotic amphibious mine breaching system including a hybrid chassis with deployable Mat Modules provides a detection and navigation grid with breaching mechanisms to range from underwater to edge of shore, the beach and continue inland. A computer-controlled transmitter and receiver unit integrates signals from different spatial locations establishing a grid. The surface and underwater mine counter-measure system deploys transponders and sensors to detect anomalies in the electromagnetic field caused by both magnetic and non-magnetic objects therein during underwater travel creating a cleared navigational grid establishing landing lanes for Force Protection and Maneuver Capabilities.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a melt-processable material comprises: processing a cross-linked polymeric foam to form a processed cross-linked polymeric foam material wherein the processed cross-linked polymeric foam material has an average particle size suitable for feeding to a melt processor, feeding the processed cross-linked polymeric foam material to the melt processor, and melt mixing a composition comprising the processed cross-linked polymeric foam material and a thermoplastic material wherein the processed cross-linked foam material has a domain size, under melt mixing conditions, less than or equal to the processing spaces of the melt processor.

Abstract: A daisy-chain storage synchronization (DSS) system and method that permits a daisy-chain of interconnected pass-thru disk drive controllers (PTDDCs) each connected to a SATA local disk drive (LDD) disk storage element (DSE) to support state synchronization within PTDDCs in the daisy-chain is disclosed. The PTDDCs within the daisy-chain are configured to individually maintain drive state information (DSI) relating to the LDD as well as chain state information (CSI) relating to the individual PTDDCs within the daisy-chain. This state information may be modified on receipt of out-of-band signaling (OBS) from other PTDDC elements up the daisy-chain as well as OBS from other PTDDC elements down the daisy-chain. CSI is determined in part by conventional SATA OBS state register protocols that are modified by internal state registers (ISR) in each individual PTDDC daisy-chain element so as to make the DSS transparent to existing SATA OBS single-disk standard hardware command protocols.

Abstract: A method for calculating a fare for a transport service is provided. One or more processors receive a plurality of location data points from a computing device associated with a vehicle providing the transport service. The plurality of location data points correspond to a route of travel during performance of the transport service. A determination is made, based on a set of location data points of the plurality of location data points, that the vehicle has potentially driven along a roadway in which a toll is to be assessed as part of the fare. The roadway in which the toll is to be assessed is identified. The amount for the toll is determined for the identified roadway.

Abstract: A thermal stand-off includes a rigid thermal stand-off section within a spatial region that extends along a distance between a first location and second, opposed location. The rigid thermal stand-off section includes a tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path that extends from the first location to the second location. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path is longer than the distance of the spatial region. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path can include a tensile spring constant that is greater than a maximum tensile spring constant of a coil spring that fits in the same spatial region and is formed of the same material composition. The tortuous solid-wall thermal conduction path can include an antegrade section and, relative the antegrade section, a retrograde section.

Abstract: This operative technique allows for an alternative treatment for patients with diagnoses of hernias or other symptoms in various regions within the body. The proposed approach has the benefit of providing the surgeon faced with the lack of long-term treatment solutions for conditions and symptoms including neuromuscular disorders. The proposed prosthetic device and method presents surgeons with a multi-functional device for stimulus control, operative procedure and surgical technique to achieve results to relieve a variety of patient symptoms. This system provides an accurate robotic surgical technique allowing a minimally invasive procedure.

Abstract: Aerodynamic structures having lower surface spoilers are described herein. One disclosed example apparatus includes a first spoiler of an aerodynamic structure of an aircraft, where the first spoiler is to deflect away from a first side of the aerodynamic structure and a second spoiler on a second side of the aerodynamic structure opposite of the first side, where the second spoiler is to deflect away from the second side to reduce a load on at least one of the first spoiler or a flap of the aerodynamic structure.