Abstract: A system for modeling risk of rail buckling in railroad infrastructure is presented. The system can receive a myriad of data related to railroad tracks and/or railroad operations, and weight the data using specially-designed weighting factors that can be unique to each data type. The weighted data can be transformed via specialized algorithms to generate location scores reflective of a risk isolated to a particular area. The system can further utilize additional specialized algorithms to elucidate how such isolated risk can be extrapolated from one location to another. The system can implement a multilayer approach, formulating one or more layers of risk models and aggregating such models into an overarching risk model that can more-accurately forecast risk of rail buckling in a railroad track.

Abstract: A hip belt includes a center panel, and first and second padded portions connected to the center panel and extending therefrom. Each of the first and second padded portions includes a rear end, an opposed front end, and a face extending therebetween. A pulley assembly is carried on the padded portion, and the pulley assembly includes proximal pulleys located at the rear end, distal pulleys located between the front and rear ends, and a cord wound therebetween. A collapsible panel between the proximal and distal pulleys collapses when the pulley assembly contracts. A buckle is carried at a front end of the respective first of second padded portion.

Abstract: A hip belt includes an inelastic center panel and first and second padded portions connected to the center panel and extending therefrom. Each of the first and second padded portions has a rear end proximate to the center panel, an opposed front end, and a face extending therebetween. Each also has an adjustable pulley assembly carried on the padded portion, and a strap secured to the pulley assembly over the padded portion for sliding movement along the face of the padded portion. A buckle is carried at the front end of each padded portion for coupling with each other.

Abstract: An electrical insulator apparatus and method of manufacturing an electrical insulator apparatus includes a core strength member which is positioned at least partially within at least one end-fitting. A thermoplastic exterior body having a plurality of spaced fins is injection-molded over the core strength member and at least partially over the at least one end-fitting. The core strength member is attached to the at least one end-fitting without a mechanical compression to the at least one end-fitting and without an adhesive between the core strength member and the at least one end-fitting. One or more mechanical upset structures formed on the at least one end-fitting prevent movements of the injection molded thermoplastic exterior body relative to the at least one end-fitting.

Abstract: An electrical insulator apparatus and method of manufacturing an electrical insulator apparatus includes a core strength member which is positioned at least partially within at least one end-fitting. A thermoplastic exterior body having a plurality of spaced fins is injection-molded over the core strength member and at least partially over the at least one end-fitting. The core strength member is attached to the at least one end-fitting without a mechanical compression to the at least one end-fitting and without an adhesive between the core strength member and the at least one end-fitting. One or more mechanical upset structures formed on the at least one end-fitting prevent movements of the injection molded thermoplastic exterior body relative to the at least one end-fitting.

Abstract: A conductor cover apparatus for use with an overhead electrical transmission and distribution system and related methods is provided. The conductor cover apparatus has a center cover member. At least one arm connector is formed on the center cover member, the at least one arm connector having an opening and a first hole positioned between a first external side and a second external side of the at least one arm connector. An extension arm is positioned at least partially interior of the first and second external sides of the at least one arm connector. At least one pin is removably connecting the extension arm to the at least one arm connector, wherein the at least one pin is positioned through the first hole of the at least one arm connector and a first arm hole within the extension arm.

Abstract: An electrical insulator apparatus and methods of using the same are provided. The apparatus includes an insulator body formed about a central axis, the insulator body having a plurality of spaced fins positioned along an exterior of the insulator body. A first jaw portion is positioned on an upper portion of the insulator body. A second jaw portion is positioned proximate to the first jaw portion and is movable with respect to the first jaw portion. At least one fastener is connected between the first and second jaw portions. A jaw platform is positioned at least partially between the first and second jaw portions, wherein the first and second jaw portions and the jaw platform form a notch sized to receive an electrical conductor, wherein the jaw platform substantially lies within a first plane angled substantially between 6° and 184° with respect to the central axis of the insulator body.

Abstract: A conductor cover apparatus for use with an overhead electrical transmission and distribution system and related methods is provided. The conductor cover apparatus has a center cover member. At least one arm connector is formed on the center cover member, the at least one arm connector having an opening and a first hole positioned between a first external side and a second external side of the at least one arm connector. An extension arm is positioned at least partially interior of the first and second external sides of the at least one arm connector. At least one pin is removably connecting the extension arm to the at least one arm connector, wherein the at least one pin is positioned through the first hole of the at least one arm connector and a first arm hole within the extension arm.

Abstract: The present general inventive concept relates to the display of visual media by a media display stand apparatus and related methods. The apparatus accommodates and displays visual media, while simultaneously exposing the end-user participant to the presence of eye(s) or eye-like graphical representations. By including eye(s) or eye-like graphical representations, the end-user participant is motivated and encouraged to engage in desired behavior at higher frequency rates and longer durations than would otherwise occur in the absence of such eye(s) or eye-like graphical representations.

Abstract: An electrical insulator apparatus and methods of using the same are provided. The apparatus includes an insulator body formed about a central axis, the insulator body having a plurality of spaced fins positioned along an exterior of the insulator body. A first jaw portion is positioned on an upper portion of the insulator body. A second jaw portion is positioned proximate to the first jaw portion and is movable with respect to the first jaw portion. At least one fastener is connected between the first and second jaw portions. A jaw platform is positioned at least partially between the first and second jaw portions, wherein the first and second jaw portions and the jaw platform form a notch sized to receive an electrical conductor, wherein the jaw platform substantially lies within a first plane angled substantially between 6° and 184° with respect to the central axis of the insulator body.

Abstract: According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for allocating resources in a distributed computing system are provided. In one embodiment, a distributed computing system includes a computing grid including a plurality of grid nodes, a web server configured in a service-oriented architecture and operable to provide one or more business applications to a plurality of clients by executing one or more services on the plurality of grid nodes, and a resource control system communicatively coupled to the web server. The resource control system is operable to receive one or more performance parameters of the business applications executed on the plurality of grid nodes, provision one or more of the grid nodes in response to the performance parameters falling below a predetermined minimum level, and un-provision one or more of the grid nodes in response to the performance parameters exceeding a predetermined maximum level.

Abstract: An order processing system, method, and program product that generates an order receipt based on an order request. The system, method, and program product include a plurality of request handlers for processing different types of order requests. One of the plurality of request handlers is selected to process the order request based on the type of order request. Once processing is complete, an order receipt is generated.

Abstract: Power line current fed power supplies producing stable load currents and related methods are described. The power supplies may include a current transformer coupled to an inductive network. In some embodiments, the current transformer operates in saturation mode. In some embodiments, a substantially constant DC current is generated having a magnitude that remains substantially constant despite variations of the magnitude of AC current in the power line.

Abstract: Power line current fed power supplies producing stable load currents and related methods are described. The power supplies may include a current transformer coupled to an inductive network. In some embodiments, the current transformer operates in saturation mode. In some embodiments, a substantially constant DC current is generated having a magnitude that remains substantially constant despite variations of the magnitude of AC current in the power line.

Abstract: A suture anchor member manual loading device may include a body comprising first and second portions preventing operator contact with a tip of a needle. An anchor receiving portion shaped to receive and restrain a suture anchor member is disposed in the first portion of the body. A suture receiving portion has a first end connected to the anchor receiving portion and a second end disposed on an outer surface of the body such that the suture receiving portion extends away from the anchor receiving portion at a non-parallel angle. When the suture is tensioned the anchor member is translationally and rotationally restrained against the anchor receiving portion. A needle receiving portion disposed in the second portion of the body is shaped to receive the needle such that the suture anchor member is received into a lumen of the needle when the needle is advanced through the needle receiving portion.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a blast-resistant armored land vehicle. Wheels or tracks may be attached to the vehicle by an independent suspension. The vehicle may include a body comprised of sheet materials, the body having a longitudinal centerline, an upper portion including opposite side portions, a first bottom portion defining a V, with the apex of the V substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and extending along a portion of the vehicle, and a second bottom portion defining a V, with the apex of the V substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and extending along another portion of the vehicle. The first bottom portion further includes an energy-absorbing member extending longitudinally within an interior of the first bottom portion. The energy-absorbing member may be on the inside of the apex of the V and be held in position during the blast by its own inertia.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a blast-resistant armored land vehicle. Wheels or tracks may be attached to the vehicle by an independent suspension. The vehicle may include a body comprised of sheet materials, the body having a longitudinal centerline, an upper portion including opposite side portions, a first bottom portion defining a V, with the apex of the V substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and extending along a portion of the vehicle, and a second bottom portion defining a V, with the apex of the V substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and extending along another portion of the vehicle. The first bottom portion further includes an energy-absorbing member extending longitudinally within an interior of the first bottom portion. The energy-absorbing member may be on the inside of the apex of the V and be held in position during the blast by its own inertia.