Abstract: A framing accessory at least a portion of which comprises a fire resistant material. In some embodiments, a first portion of the framing accessory comprises fire resistant material, while a second portion comprises non-fire resistant material. In other embodiments, the entire framing accessory may be made of fire resistant material. The framing accessory may be formed, such as by molding, injection molding, extrusion, or co-extrusion, as a single, unitary structure. In one embodiment, the framing accessory may comprise a control joint, wherein the central portion of the control joint comprises fire resistant material. In another embodiment, the framing accessory may comprise a cap installed between a header track and a ceiling as part of a fire-rated wall assembly. The cap may comprise a U-shaped profile and the header track may be received within an interior cavity of the cap.

Abstract: A casing bead for constructing a wall structure includes a bead wall, a flange, and a removable leg. The flange extends away from the bead wall and is configured to receive a viscous construction material thereon to facilitate embedment of the casing bead within the viscous construction material to form part of the wall structure. The casing bead may be positioned adjacent to a frame member thereby forming a gap between the bead wall and the frame member. The leg is removably connected to the bead wall and configured to extend into the gap thereby inhibiting the viscous construction material from being introduced into the gap. Furthermore, the leg is configured to be selectively removed from the bead wall to reveal at least a portion of the gap to allow a user to introduce a sealant into the gap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed of providing a user application with a notification message. One example method may include receiving a script to setup a message queue, the script may include a database schema and the script may be executed by a processor to apply the database schema to a database that includes the message queue. The method may also include receiving one or more notifications messages having specific notification content that is applied to notification messages. The notifications may be received from a remote device. The message queue may include notification content used to generate notification messages destined for end user devices.

Abstract: An electrical power conversion system includes an alternating current (AC)-to-direct current (DC) power converter that is configured to convert power between AC power and DC power. The AC-to-DC power converter includes switching legs that each connect to a phase of the AC power. Each of the switching legs includes two electronic devices connected in series with one another between a positive DC bus terminal and a negative DC bus terminal. The electrical power conversion system also includes a DC-to-DC power converter that is configured to convert power between the DC bus power and DC terminal power via a positive DC terminal and a negative DC terminal. The DC-to-DC power converter is configured to control a differential voltage between the positive and negative DC terminals and a common-mode voltage that is between a neutral of the AC power and each of the positive and negative DC terminals.

Abstract: A kit and method for the detection of bed bugs is discussed. The kit comprises at least one pair of polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) amplification primers capable of forming a Cimicidae-DNA-amplification-product for a family of organisms of a Cimicidae. Additionally, the kit provides a specimen collection device for collecting a DNA sample from an area suspected of harboring one or more members of the Cimicidae family. The kit also provides a DNA probe having fluorescent primer chemistry. In a preferred embodiment, the nucleic acid amplification detection kit utilized a pair of PCR primers. The probe utilizes fluorescent primer chemistry and contains chemistry similar to Taqman Probes, Molecular Beacons, Hybridization Probes; or Eclipse Probes. Additionally, the kit contains a positive-control-Cimicidae DNA template for confirming Cimicidae-DNA-amplification-product.

Abstract: A system (e.g., a control system) includes a sensor configured to monitor an operating condition of a vehicle system during movement of the vehicle system along a route. The system also includes a controller configured to designate one or more operational settings for the vehicle system as a function of time and/or distance along the route. The controller is configured to operate in a first operating mode responsive to the operating condition of the vehicle system being at least one of at or above a designated threshold, and in a second operating mode responsive to the operating condition of the vehicle system being below the designated threshold. The controller designates operational settings to drive the vehicle system toward achievement of a first objective when in the first operating mode and toward achievement of a different, second objective when in the second operating mode.

Abstract: An intercostal-pump based fluid management system, as described herein, comprises an intercostal pump that is, generally, a resiliently flexible bulb having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is attached to a first tube that extends from the intercostal pump to a first area of a patient's body, for example, the patient's pleural cavity. The outlet is connected to a second tube that extends from the intercostal pump to a second area of a patient's body, for example, the patient's peritoneal cavity. Upon operation of the intercostal pump, fluid is transferred from the first area of the patient's body to the second area. In use, the intercostal pump is placed between a first rib and a second rib in a patient. The intercostal pump operates by being successively compressed and decompressed between the first and second ribs as the patient breaths. As the patient inhales, the patient's rib cage expands and the intercostal pump is decompressed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and machine readable media for implementing a knowledgebase for inferring relationships between biological categories such as patient conditions, drugs, medical groups, genes, and trials, and for flexibly querying that system to access relevant categories of results, such as drugs and ongoing clinical trials. The system may be a cloud-based system.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a vehicle system control movement of the vehicle system along a route. The vehicle system includes one or more propulsion-generating vehicles. A propulsion-generating helper vehicle is temporarily added to the vehicle system such that the helper vehicle increases one or more of an amount of tractive force or an amount of braking effort generated by the vehicle system. The helper vehicle may be added during movement of the vehicle system. The system and method may add the helper vehicle without de-linking the propulsion-generating vehicles in the vehicle system from each other. The system and method optionally may control movement of the propulsion-generating vehicles and the helper vehicle according to a trip plan that designates operational settings as a function of at least one of time or distance along the route.

Abstract: In an electronic device, an RC oscillator generally includes a resistor, a capacitor and at least one inverter. The resistor and capacitor generate a time-varying voltage. The time-varying voltage is provided to the at least one inverter to cause a clock signal to propagate therethrough. The clock signal propagates with a time delay that is at least partially dependent on a supply voltage. The supply voltage is adjusted to maintain the time delay at almost a constant value.

Abstract: A nickel and chromium alloy having a combined wt. % of nickel and chromium of at least 97 wt. %, wherein the chromium accounts for 33 to 50 wt. % of the alloy. The alloy may be provided in strip form and has adequate ductility for the manufacture of various products, such as sheaths for flux cored welding electrodes. A method of making the alloy strip includes forming a powder charge that is 97 to 100 wt. % of nickel and chromium combined and the chromium accounts for 33 to 50 wt. % of the charge, roll compacting the powder charge to form a green strip, sintering the green strip to form a sintered strip, and cold rolling and annealing the sintered strip to form the alloy strip.

Abstract: A method of making a molybdenum or molybdenum alloy metal strip is disclosed. The method includes roll compacting a molybdenum-based powder into a green strip. The method also includes sintering the green strip followed by a combination of warm rolling, annealing, and cold rolling steps to form the final metal strip which may be cut-to-length. The strip at the final thickness may also undergo an optional stress relief step.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system for transmitting data to an object travelling along a surface. The object preferably contains an antenna which produces a read range having a length (L) in the direction of travel and a width (W) substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. A first plurality of RFID transponders may be positioned within a surface as a row which is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel. A second plurality of RFID transponders may be positioned following the first row. Depending on the speed of the object travelling the surface at this location, more rows of transponders may be used. A method for placing the RFID transponders within the surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for emission of an electron current from an electrode and converting energy released by nuclear decay to useful electrical work. An electrode assembly is provided which includes an emitter material and a radioactive source such that nuclear decay from the radioactive source causes or enhances electron emission from the electrode. A thermoelectron energy converter is provided which includes an emitter electrode, a radioactive source in the vicinity of the emitter electrode, a collector electrode, an enclosure, and electrical leads. Nuclear decay from the radioactive source causes or enhances electron emission from the emitter electrode. The electrons emitted from the emitter electrode travel to the collector electrode and can be driven through an external circuit, outputting electrical power.

Abstract: A circuit includes a crystal oscillator to generate an output frequency for a circuit. A driving oscillator generates a startup signal having a driving frequency that is provided to activate the crystal oscillator. The driving frequency of the startup signal is varied over a range of frequencies that encompass the operating frequency of the crystal oscillator to facilitate startup of the crystal oscillator.

Abstract: A convertible sofa and sofa frame deployable between a sofa orientation and a bed orientation. The frame has a base frame with a seat extension frame comprising a seat frame and a mid-frame pivotally secured to the base frame. Cushioning is on one side of the base frame. A seat back frame is pivotally secured to the base frame, the second cushioning on what is a back side when in the sofa orientation. Removable seat back cushions engage the front side of the seat back frame in the sofa orientation. In the bed orientation, the seat frame is extended, the seat back portion is pivoted horizontally, and the removable seat back cushions are located on the mid-frame between the seat frame and the seat back frame.