Abstract: A guardrail assembly comprising a first bracket coupled to a first vertical surface and a second bracket coupled to a second vertical surface spaced from the first vertical surface. The first bracket includes a first socket and a second socket. The first socket supports a first horizontal rail and comprises a first support surface and two walls extending from the first support surface to define a gap therebetween to receive the first rail. The first socket defines an opening at an end of the two walls to allow the first horizontal rail to be removed from the first socket by lifting the rail. The second socket is similar to the first socket and supports a second rail. The second bracket is similar to the first bracket, with a third socket supporting a second portion of the first rail, and a fourth socket supporting a second portion of the second rail.

Abstract: A guardrail assembly comprising a first bracket coupled to a first vertical surface and a second bracket coupled to a second vertical surface spaced from the first vertical surface. The first bracket includes a first socket and a second socket. The first socket supports a first horizontal rail and comprises a first support surface and two walls extending from the first support surface to define a gap therebetween to receive the first rail. The first socket defines an opening at an end of the two walls to allow the first horizontal rail to be removed from the first socket by lifting the rail. The second socket is similar to the first socket and supports a second rail. The second bracket is similar to the first bracket, with a third socket supporting a second portion of the first rail, and a fourth socket supporting a second portion of the second rail.

Abstract: An engagement index reflects a user's level of engagement with a digital resource. Actions of the user, such as the amount of time spent on a page, the number of pages accessed, the amount of time spent in a session, and the number and type of annotations made may be used as factors in the determination of the engagement index. Data values corresponding to one or more of the factors are received and are validated to eliminate any extreme values and to make the values comparable with one another. Different validation methods may be used for different factors. Once the data values are validated, weighting coefficients are applied to the validated values. The system then determines the engagement index by summing the weighted values. Once calculated, the engagement index may be aggregated with other engagement indexes or compared to engagement indexes for other users.

Abstract: An engagement index reflects a user's level of engagement with a digital resource. Actions of the user, such as the amount of time spent on a page, the number of pages accessed, the amount of time spent in a session, and the number and type of annotations made may be used as factors in the determination of the engagement index. Data values corresponding to one or more of the factors are received and are validated to eliminate any extreme values and to make the values comparable with one another. Different validation methods may be used for different factors. Once the data values are validated, weighting coefficients are applied to the validated values. The system then determines the engagement index by summing the weighted values. Once calculated, the engagement index may be aggregated with other engagement indexes or compared to engagement indexes for other users.

Abstract: A collapsible artificial Christmas tree that opens and retracts like an umbrella has an elongate trunk with a branch hinge connected to a trunk. A tree branch is rotatably connected to the branch hinge. A slide ring is slidably connected to the trunk. A branch lift rod is rotatably connected to the slide ring. The branch lift rod is rotatably connected to the tree branch for moving the tree branch when the slide ring slidably moves on the trunk.

Abstract: A polymeric surfactant comprises the reaction product of ethylentcally unsaturated monomers at least 40 percent by weight of which are acid group containing monomers, including a combination of both acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, at least a portion of the acid groups being neutralized by a base. Also disclosed is an aqueous acrylic latex made by polymerizing a second polymer from ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of said polymeric surfactant, whereby the latex comprises polymeric particles containing two polymers. The latex may be used to advantage in very low V.O.C. coatings that may be spray applied.