Abstract: A diffuser assembly for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a housing having a wall and a passage formed in the wall. The diffuser assembly also includes a first adjustment panel moveably coupled to the wall and having a first flange and a second adjustment panel moveably coupled to the wall and having a second flange. The first flange and the second flange define at least a portion of an inlet port of the diffuser assembly that extends through the passage. The inlet port is configured to fluidly couple to a duct and direct an air flow from the duct into an interior volume of the housing. The first adjustment panel and the second adjustment panel are configured to translate along the wall to adjust a size of the inlet port.

Abstract: There is described a basketball deflection device. It includes a flat platform and a plurality of pairs of suspension elements. One end of the suspension elements is attached to the platform and the other end of the suspension elements is attached to a basketball basket rim, thereby suspending the platform from the basketball basket rim. Each pair of the plurality of suspension elements is of a different length such that the platform hangs at an angle in which a front edge of the platform is lower than a back edge of the platform.

Abstract: Devices and methods for providing sensory feedback during an exercise are disclosed. An exertion target is set, for a user performing the exercise, based on a self-calibration that estimates the user's ability using signal amplitudes of surface electromyography (sEMG) data, wherein the exertion target includes a target signal amplitude of muscle contractions to be reached during the exercise. sEMG data are received from a measurement device attached to the user as the user performs the exercise. Upon processing the sEMG data, sensory feedback is generated at a computing device operated by the user, wherein the sensory feedback has an intensity proportional to the user's exertion level as the user performs the exercise, and wherein the sensory feedback changes over a course of the exercise in dependence on a duration that the user maintains a muscle contraction at or above the target signal amplitude, and the change in sensory feedback is configured to encourage the user to prolong the duration.

Abstract: A tool for use with Quick Release (QR) fasteners, and related methods and kits. The tool generally includes an elongate main body with a fastener-receiving area. The fastener-receiving area is configured to simultaneously support the head of the QR fastener and depress the button of the QR fastener. The fastener-receiving area includes a slot that is distally and downwardly open, two shoulders that bound the slot, and a ventral surface. The QR fastener is inserted into the slot so that the head of the QR fastener rests on the first and second shoulders, the collar portion of the QR fastener extends through the slot, and the ventral surface depresses the button of the QR fastener. With the button depressed in this fashion, the retention feature of the QR fastener is released, which allows the worker to manipulate the QR fastener by moving the tool.

Abstract: A method for operating a train comprising two or more locomotives, the method comprising the steps of: a) Setting one or more locomotive control levels and choosing a selected route of travel; b) Calculating a target train speed profile and a target in-train force profile over at least a portion of the selected route; c) Measuring one or more operating parameters related to the operation of the train; d) Calculating a future train speed profile and a future in-train force profile for a future period based on at least one of the one or more operating parameters, at least one of the one or more locomotive control levels and one or more pieces of information relating to the selected route; e) Calculating adjusted locomotive speed control levels relating to the one or more operating parameters based on a difference between the target train speed profile and the future train speed profile, the adjusted locomotive control levels being adapted to maintain the target train speed profile over the future period; f)

Abstract: A liquid antimicrobial composition is provided for use in the disinfection of the skin of a human or an animal, in particular where disinfection of a drug resistant organism is required. The composition comprises a cationic, cell membrane-disrupting biocide and a cationic dendrimer capable of inhibiting an efflux pump mechanism of said cell membrane. The cationic, cell membrane-disrupting biocide is preferably any or a combination of chlorhexidine, a polymeric biguanide, octenidine dihydrochloride and a quaternary ammonium compound. The dendrimer is provided to bind and disrupt the cell membranes of microorganisms in order to inhibit or destroy the cell's efflux pump mechanism thereby preventing microorganism strains resistant to the cationic membrane-disrupting biocide from becoming prevalent, particularly if the biocide comprises chlorhexidine.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for using digital health technologies to monitor effects of pharmaceuticals in clinical trials. In some implementations, a research study involves use of a pharmaceutical by participants in the research study. A system generates a set of technology requirements for monitoring effects of the pharmaceutical on the participants during the research study. The system accesses a database comprising information describing characteristics of different technology items, including types of measurements that the different technology items are capable of performing. The system selects one or more technology items that capable of satisfying the technology requirements for monitoring effects of the pharmaceutical, including performing the types of measurements specified by the technology requirements.

Abstract: An intrauterine contraceptive system may include a contraceptive intrauterine device, a retrieval thread permanently attached to the intrauterine device and an insertion device for inserting the intrauterine device into a uterus. The system may also include a release thread releasably coupled with the intrauterine device. The intrauterine device may be deployable out of a distal end of the insertion device and may be configured to change from a delivery configuration when housed in the insertion device to a deployed configuration when deployed in a uterus. The retrieval thread and the optional release thread may be at least partially housed within the insertion device during insertion of the intrauterine device into the uterus. The release thread may extend from the intrauterine device through the insertion device to an attachment point at or near a proximal end of the insertion device.

Abstract: A salt recovery system, comprising: a) a salt recovery tank, configured to receive and hold brine; b) a fluid tank, configured to hold a fluid and comprising a heater configured and heat the fluid in the fluid tank; c) a heat exchanger pipe, configured to receive the fluid from the fluid tank, to enable heat exchange between the fluid in the heat exchanger pipe and the brine in the salt recovery tank, and to release the fluid into the fluid tank; d) a circulation pump configured for driving a circulation of the fluid from the fluid tank, through the heat exchanger pipe, and back into the fluid tank; e) a first vacuum pump configured to lower pressure inside the salt recovery tank and to pump the water vapor out the salt recovery tank; f) a recycled water tank, configured to receive the water vapor from the first vacuum pump.

Abstract: Methods and devices addressing power tracking of transmission systems using antenna arrays are disclosed. The disclosed teachings may be implemented on a channel element to channel element basis, are adaptive and can be implemented on short time durations such as time slots. Power efficiency can be improved when applying the described methods to the design of systems with antenna arrays.

Abstract: A surface finish stylus and associated methods for a multi-directional scanning probe the stylus having an elongate stylus shaft having a longitudinal axis and one or more contact elements protruding from the elongate shaft for contacting a surface to be measured. The one or more contact elements are configured to enable measurement of surface finish during motion of the stylus shaft relative to a surface along a measurement direction that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis. The multi-directional scanning probe may be carried by a coordinate measuring machine or machine tool.

Abstract: An elastomeric laminate is extensible in a first direction and has a first laminate surface; a second laminate surface substantially opposite the first laminate surface; and a laminate thickness, T, extending between the first and second laminate surfaces. A pre-SELFed coverstock layer forms the first laminate surface. The pre-SELF coverstock layer has a primary activation pattern, wherein the primary activation pattern includes SELF-specific land areas that extend in the first direction and one or more activation thicknesses. Each activation thickness is less than the laminate thickness, T. The elastomeric laminate also has an elastomeric layer joined to the pre-SELFed coverstock layer. The elastomeric layer forms the second laminate surface. The elastomeric laminate may be a zero strain laminate, a gathered laminate, or a hybrid gathered laminate.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring patients with dysphagia, or swallowing impairments, that monitors muscle movement during intensive swallowing exercises to provide adjuvant visual feedback from surface electromyography.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pairing for-hire vehicles with their associated medallion are disclosed. Some for-hire vehicles, such as taxis operate with a for-hire vehicle meter (taximeter). In some embodiments, the meter contains an identifier of a medallion that is associated with the meter. The meter may then determine if it is connected or properly associated with the medallion. If the meter is connected or properly associated with the medallion, it will then access the identification information of the medallion and determine if identification information matches its contained medallion identifier. If the identification information does not match, the meter may shut down and thereafter be non-engageable. The relationship between the medallion and the meter is advantageously used to enforce restrictions on the operation of the for-hire vehicle including, for example, time and location of pick-up restrictions.

Abstract: A three-dimensional display system includes a first display and a second display spaced apart from the first display having one or more light sources configured to emit light and to illuminate the first display, where the first display is at least partially transparent such that the second display is visible through the first display. The three-dimensional display system includes a special effect system disposed at least in part between the first display and the second display and is configured to be activated to cause a special effect to be visible through the first display. The three-dimensional display system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first display, the second display, and the special effect system.

Abstract: A single manufactured piece of injection molded or 3D (three-dimensional) printed plastic, metal, rubber, or wax is provided. The piece is adapted to fit around a communication port receptacle and a corresponding portion of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) where the communication port receptacle is located on the PCB. The piece includes a latch adapted to push down on a tab of a connector for a cord when the connector is inserted into the communication port receptacle to hold the connector within the communication port receptacle.

Abstract: Packets in a data communications network are encapsulated by an encapsulation module on a sending computer and decapsulated on the receiver computer, the transmission of data packets being controlled by credit sent by the receiving computer. When overloaded, network switches trim the payload from packets; trimmed packets inform the receiving computer of the demands of the sending computer.

Abstract: A vibratory meter (5), and methods of manufacturing the same are provided. The vibratory meter includes a pickoff, a driver, and a flow tube (700) comprising a tube perimeter wall with: a first substantially planar section (706a), a second substantially planar section (706b) coupled to the first substantially planar section to form a first angle ?1 (704), a third substantially planar section (706c), a fourth substantially planar section (706d), and a fifth substantially planar section (706e).

Abstract: A damper for a semiconductor metrology or inspection system includes a pair of parallel plates with a fluid with a variable viscosity retained between plates. At least one wire is disposed between the plates, which may include one or more sets of lands and grooves. In some implementations, both plates include intermeshed lands and grooves. A controller is configured to provide a current to the at least one wire in order to adjust an electromagnetic field or a current through the fluid. The fluid may be a magnetorheological fluid or an electrorheological fluid in which the viscosity of the fluid is variable based on the electromagnetic field or current through the fluid. The controller varies the current applied to the wire to adjust the viscosity of the fluid to alter the damping of the semiconductor metrology or inspection system based on movement of the stage.