Abstract: A method of producing a degradable material includes steps of providing ?-valerolactone 2-ethylidene-6-hepten-5-olide (EVL) or other suitable monomer; combining the EVL or other suitable monomer with a catalyst to form a reaction mixture; and subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions that will allow the EVL or other suitable monomer to react in the presence of the catalyst to thereby form a product composition including a polymer of the EVL or other suitable monomer, where the polymer is hydrolytically degradable.

Abstract: A method of assembling a ratcheting strap adjuster comprises inserting a distal end of a rotation assembly through first and second apertures in respective first and second side plates of a frame, with a proximal end of the rotation assembly positioned proximate the first side plate and the distal end positioned proximate the second side plate. A captive member is movably connected to the second side plate proximate the distal end, wherein the captive member is movable between an engaging position and a releasing position, and wherein an engaging portion of the captive member is configured and arranged to selectively engage the distal end of the rotation assembly in the engaging position.

Abstract: A method of assembling a ratcheting strap adjuster comprises inserting a distal end of a rotation assembly through first and second apertures in respective first and second side plates of a frame, with a proximal end of the rotation assembly positioned proximate the first side plate and the distal end positioned proximate the second side plate. A captive member is movably connected to the second side plate proximate the distal end, wherein the captive member is movable between an engaging position and a releasing position, and wherein an engaging portion of the captive member is configured and arranged to selectively engage the distal end of the rotation assembly in the engaging position.

Abstract: A method of producing a degradable material comprising steps of hydrogenating 2-ethylidene-6-hepten-5-olide (EVL) by introducing hydrogen to the EVL in order to obtain modified EVL; combining the modified EVL with a catalyst to form a reaction mixture; and subjecting the reaction mixture to reaction conditions that will allow the modified EVL to react by ring-opening polymerization in the presence of the catalyst to form a product composition including polymeric-EVL, wherein the polymeric-EVL is hydrolytically degradable, wherein the reaction conditions include a reaction temperature of from ?40° C. to 70° C.

Abstract: A method of assembling a ratcheting strap adjuster comprises inserting a distal end of a rotation assembly through first and second apertures in respective first and second side plates of a frame, with a proximal end of the rotation assembly positioned proximate the first side plate and the distal end positioned proximate the second side plate. A captive member is movably connected to the second side plate proximate the distal end, wherein the captive member is movable between an engaging position and a releasing position, and wherein an engaging portion of the captive member is configured and arranged to selectively engage the distal end of the rotation assembly in the engaging position.

Abstract: An adjustable safety harness comprises first and second shoulder straps, a waist strap, and pad assemblies. A shoulder pad assembly comprises a base pad portion, first and second shoulder pad portions, and first and second extension portions. The first and second shoulder pad portions extend from the base pad portion. The first and second extension portions are selectively operatively connected to the first and second shoulder pad portions. A waist pad assembly comprises a base waist pad portion and first and second side pad portions. The first and second side pad portions are selectively operatively connected to the base waist pad portion. At least a portion of each of the first and second side pad portions includes at least two sizing indicators configured and arranged to provide selective adjustment of the adjustable padding to one of at least two sizes.

Abstract: A combination leg pad and trauma strap comprises a trauma strap and a leg pad. The trauma strap includes an intermediate portion interconnecting a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end includes a loop forming a first portion and a second portion. The leg pad includes a pad, a pad cover, and a housing panel. The first portion is positioned proximate the housing panel and the second portion is positioned between the pad cover and the pad. The pad cover and the housing panel form a channel through the loop between the first and second portions configured and arranged to receive a leg strap of a safety harness thereby connecting the trauma strap to the safety harness when installed on the safety harness.

Abstract: A method of assembling a ratcheting strap adjuster comprises inserting a distal end of a rotation assembly through first and second apertures in respective first and second side plates of a frame, with a proximal end of the rotation assembly positioned proximate the first side plate and the distal end positioned proximate the second side plate. A captive member is movably connected to the second side plate proximate the distal end, wherein the captive member is movable between an engaging position and a releasing position, and wherein an engaging portion of the captive member is configured and arranged to selectively engage the distal end of the rotation assembly in the engaging position.

Abstract: Motor controllers and methods for controlling drive circuit bypass signals are provided. The motor controller includes a drive circuit configured to generate variable frequency power based on input power received from a power source, and a drive contactor coupled between an output of the drive circuit and the motor. The drive contactor is configured to couple the drive circuit to the motor when a drive enable signal is received from an external controller, and decouple a line power enable signal from a line contactor by the external controller based on a presence of the drive enable signal. The line contactor is configured to couple the motor directly to the power source when the line power enable signal is received by the line contactor.

Abstract: A method for assessing a state of health of a battery having a plurality of heterogeneous cells includes subjecting the cells of the battery to a plurality of diagnostic current pulse cycles; identifying extreme cells based upon the cycles; estimating model parameters of the extreme cells; and estimating upper and lower bounds for the estimated model parameters. Estimating model parameters includes performing a recursive least squares analysis on the extreme cells. Estimating the upper and lower bounds for the estimated model parameters includes performing a sparse Gaussian process regression using the estimated model parameters.

Abstract: Targeted therapies are available for cancers expressing oncogenic epidermal growth receptor (EGFR) and (or) human EGFR2 (HER2), however acquired or intrinsic resistance often confounds therapy success. Common mechanisms of therapy resistance involve activating receptor point mutations and (or) upregulation of signaling downstream of EGFR/HER2 to Akt and (or) mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. However, additional pathways of resistance may exist thus, confounding successful therapy. To determine novel mechanisms of EGFR/HER2 therapy resistance in breast cancer, Gefitinib® or Lapatinib® resistant variants were created from SKBR3 breast cancer cells. Syngenic therapy sensitive and resistant SKBR3 variants were characterized for mechanisms of resistance by mammosphere assays, viability assays, and western blotting for total and phospho proteins. Combinations of treatments focused on RGFR/HER2 and Rac inhibitors (1,5-disubstituted 1, 2, 3-triazoles, e.g.

Abstract: A method of producing a degradable material includes steps of providing ?-valerolactone 2-ethylidene-6-hepten-5-olide (EVL) or other suitable monomer; combining the EVL or other suitable monomer with a catalyst to form a reaction mixture; and subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions that will allow the EVL or other suitable monomer to react in the presence of the catalyst to thereby form a product composition including a polymer of the EVL or other suitable monomer, where the polymer is hydrolytically degradable.

Abstract: A method for preparing a first component of a comestible composition is provided including forming an extrudate of the first component. The extrudate is cooled to a first temperature. The extruder is further cooled to a second temperature. The first temperature is greater than the second temperature.

Abstract: Computing device, computer instructions and method for identifying seismic traces prone to cycle-skipping in a full waveform inversion method. The method includes receiving recorded seismic data recorded with seismic sensors over a subsurface of interest; selecting a model that describes the subsurface; calculating, based on the model and the recorded seismic data, estimated seismic data; and choosing a probabilistic measure that characterizes a relationship between the recorded seismic data and the estimated seismic data. The probabilistic measure includes at least one statistical function.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software are disclosed for a tool for traffic operations engineers and transportation planners to use to determine, show, approximate, or estimate the effects of construction or other impediments will have on segments of roadways.

Abstract: A method for preparing a first component of a comestible composition is provided including forming an extrudate of the first component. The extrudate is cooled to a first temperature. The extruder is further cooled to a second temperature. The first temperature is greater than the second temperature.

Abstract: A method may include receiving flight plan data representing a set of current flight plans and receiving surveillance data representing a set of current aircraft statuses. The method may further include generating merged data representing a set of flight portions that remain to be flown. The method may also include receiving operational context data representing airspace configurations, airport configurations, or a combination thereof, and receiving weather data. The method may include generating predicted flight traffic data by performing a simulation of flights over a duration of time, the simulation based at least partially on the merged data, the operational context data, and the weather data. The method may further include generating a user output based at least partially on the predicted flight traffic data.

Abstract: A spa fixture lighting system assembly includes a wall-fitting nut having a threaded inner circumferential portion and an interior radial seat, and a light source disposed on a light source seat selected from the group consisting of the interior radial seat, an exterior radial sidewall of the wall-fitting nut, or an exterior circumferential sidewall of the wall-fitting nut.

Abstract: An actuator is provided for opening and closing a miter gate. The actuator includes a base, a slider, a yoke, a shaft, a damper and swing arms. The base supports the miter gate as a pair of doors each hinging on respective posts. The base includes a tunnel into which the slider translates. The yoke has a clevis and prongs extending therefrom that pivot on the base and a clevis. The shaft turns in the clevis. The damper has a tube that houses a spring into which a tang inserts. The tang pivots on the shaft within the clevis. The tube pivots on the slider. The first and second swing arms pivotably connect to the slider and to the doors. The doors open by translating the slider towards the doors. The doors close by translating the slider away from the doors.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for transparent hierarchical routing in an integrated circuit (IC) design. A logical netlist can be analyzed in the IC design to identify endpoints of a physical route that crosses at least one physical hierarchy boundary. Next, a set of routing shapes can be created to electrically connect the endpoints of the physical route. The set of routing shapes can then be transformed to corresponding routing shapes in each physical hierarchy context along the physical route.