Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a reading performance based on one or more metrics, adjusting a commanded lateral reading location of a head relative to a medium, determining the reading performance after the adjusting, comparing the reading performance after the adjusting relative to the reading performance before the adjusting for determining whether the reading performance has improved, and selecting a commanded lateral reading location based on the comparing. In another embodiment, a controller is configured to perform the foregoing method. In yet another embodiment, a computer program product includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a controller configured to perform the foregoing method.

Abstract: A system is provided having a guide member with features, such as grid and axes, which spatially correlate to tissue with a lesion adjacent the guide member, and a template device upon the tissue aligned with the features having a first aperture over the guide member, and a second aperture over the tissue with the lesion. A microscope captures one or more images of the tissue via the second aperture at one or more locations each spatially correlated with a location selected or being mapped along the guide member in the first aperture. Prior to imaging and template device placement, marks are recorded along the guide member when part of a tracing sheet is positioned in a folded state over the lesion to establish spatial correlation of the features of the guide member to the lesion when in an unfolded state and positioned for use with the template device and microscope.

Abstract: A dryer having an inlet end, a discharge end, an exterior shell, a discharge end manifold and an inlet end manifold. The preferred dryer also comprises a primary tube adapted to convey heat transfer oil to and from the dryer, a discharge end secondary tube which is in fluid communication with the primary tube and the discharge end manifold, and an inlet end secondary tube which is in fluid communication with the inlet end manifold. The preferred dryer further comprises a plurality of tertiary tubes which are in fluid communication with the discharge end manifold and the inlet end manifold, a heat source that is adapted to heat the heat transfer oil, and a sweep gas assembly. The preferred method comprises providing such a dryer, introducing heat transfer oil into the dryer, introducing wood materials into the dryer and drying the wood materials.

Abstract: An assembly for processing green biomass material for pelletizing into a fuel pellet includes a heating assembly, a drying assembly and a cooling assembly. The heating assembly heats a thermal fluid to a temperature within the range of 200° F. to 550° F. The drying assembly includes a rotating dryer drum that has a plurality of thermal fluid tubes therein. Material that is dried in the dryer drum is conveyed to a rotating cooling drum that has a cooling tube extending along the interior thereof. A nozzle is mounted on the end of the cooling tube to discharge cooling fluid on the material therein, and a plurality of flights are mounted on the interior of the cooling drum and arranged to direct material from the inlet to the discharge outlet as the cooling drum is rotated.

Abstract: This document provides medical device systems and methods for obtaining tissue samples. For example, this document provides medical device systems and methods for transbronchial needle biopsy tissue acquisition. In some cases, a needle biopsy system includes an actuator device, an outer needle with a lumen therethrough, and an inner needle at least partially disposed within the lumen. The outer needle can extend distally from the actuator device. A distal tip of the inner needle can be capable of being fully disposed within the lumen. The inner needle can extend distally from the actuator device. The actuator device can be configured to translate the outer needle proximally and distally. The actuator device can be configured to translate the inner needle proximally and distally independently of the outer needle.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, methods, devices and kits relating to the infusion of a catheter lock solution into an indwelling catheter. Inventive compositions, methods, devices and kits aid in diminishing the effects of microbial infection in catheters and occlusion of the catheters. A lock solution provided by the invention includes citrate and a paraben. The solution preferably has a density suitable for retention of the solution in a catheter during the lock period. Another lock solution provided by the invention includes citrate, a paraben and a photo-oxidant, such as, for example, methylene blue.

Abstract: A concrete plant comprising an aggregate feed bin adapted to hold and release aggregate materials, a feed conveyor adapted to receive the aggregate materials from the aggregate feed bin, a collecting belt conveyor adapted to receive the aggregate materials from the feed conveyor, a silo assembly adapted to hold and release components of concrete, a screw conveyor adapted to receive the components of concrete from the silo assembly and convey the components of concrete to the collecting belt conveyor, and a mixer adapted to receive the aggregate materials and components of concrete from the collecting belt conveyor and mix the aggregate materials and components of concrete with water. The amount of aggregate materials received by the collecting belt conveyor from the conveyor and the amount of concrete components received by the collecting belt conveyor from the conveyor are precisely and accurately controlled.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell for adjusting pH and replenishing nickel in a nickel plating solution of a nickel plating bath and a method of using the same is disclosed. The electrolytic cell comprises an inlet for receiving nickel plating solution from the nickel plating bath; a cooled cathode connected to a first bus bar connected to a negative terminal of a power supply; a plurality of nickel anodes capable of creating hydrogen gas on the cooled cathode when current is applied, connected to at least a second bus bar, the at least the second bus bar connected to a positive terminal of the power supply; and an outlet for returning nickel plating solution in the electrolytic cell to the nickel plating bath.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the temperature of the asphalt mix comprising a recycled asphalt pavement source that is adapted to provide an amount of recycled asphalt pavement, a recycled asphalt pavement sensor that is adapted to determine an amount of RAP moisture contained in the amount of recycled asphalt pavement, a liquid asphalt cement source that is adapted to provide an amount of liquid asphalt cement, a liquid asphalt cement meter that is adapted to determine the amount of liquid asphalt cement provided by the liquid asphalt cement source, a burner assembly having a variable firing rate, a dryer, and a controller that is adapted to communicate with the recycled asphalt pavement source, the recycled asphalt pavement sensor, the liquid asphalt cement source, the liquid asphalt cement meter, and the burner assembly. The controller automatically controls the variable firing rate of the burner assembly.

Abstract: A combination of components is provided for use in making asphalt concrete from a plurality of aggregate material streams. The combination includes an indirect dryer for heating aggregate material from a first material stream without directly exposing said first stream material to hot gases of combustion. The combination also includes a mixer for mixing aggregate material from the first material stream, aggregate material that has not been heated in the indirect dryer from a second material stream, and a binder component to produce asphalt concrete.

Abstract: A dryer performance optimization system comprising a dryer having an inner wall and being adapted to rotate at variable speeds and a variable frequency drive being adapted to vary the rotational speed of the dryer. The preferred system also comprises a baghouse having an inlet end being adapted to receive exhaust gas from the dryer and an outlet end and a controller being adapted to control the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer. A method for controlling the temperature of exhaust gas in a baghouse comprising providing a dryer performance optimization system as described herein and varying the temperature of the exhaust gas from the dryer by varying the rotational speed of the dryer.

Abstract: An enclosure for enclosing an area including a frame and a canopy assembly. The frame includes an upper laterally-extending support, a first upstanding support coupled to a first end of the upper support, and a second upstanding support coupled to a second end of the upper support. The upper support is length-adjustable. The canopy assembly is connectable to the frame for defining an enclosed area, and includes a plurality of collars removably connectable to the frame, and at least one panel holdable in a plane defined by the supports of the frame. The circumference of at least one such collar is adjustable so that when the length of the upper support is adjusted, the collar circumference can be adjusted to accommodate the change in length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for applying high resolution spectral imaging (hyperspectral or multispectral) to property characterization, specifically rooftop classification of type and condition using reference data for insurance applications. The system can also be used to classify the condition of vegetation and property hazards. Classifying rooftop type and condition using remote spectral imaging greatly improves quantitative accuracy of roof inspections and decreases the cost of inspection across large geographic domains. By comparing the spatially subset spectral reflection of rooftops to a reference spectra, the rooftop type and condition can be accurately assessed. The aerial inspection produces uniform and consistent data can be ingested into property insurance evaluations for many different uses.

Abstract: A reflective insulation layer is provided for a structure. The structure includes a wall and spaced-apart strips which extend along the wall from a top portion of the wall to a bottom portion of the wall. The reflective insulation layer includes a low emittance layer having first perforations, an intermediate low emittance layer having first perforations and an outer synthetic polymer layer having second perforations. Additionally, the reflective insulation layer includes a first expander spaced between the low emittance layer and the intermediate low emittance layer, to couple the low emittance layer to the intermediate low emittance layer and form a first air space. Additionally, the reflective insulation layer includes a second expander spaced between the intermediate low emittance layer and the outer synthetic polymer layer, to couple the intermediate low emittance layer to the outer synthetic polymer layer and form a second air space.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for storing data on a magnetic tape comprises receiving data from two different hosts and simultaneously writing the data from the hosts to the magnetic tape using multiple transducers. In another approach, a method for storing data on a magnetic tape comprises receiving requests to establish a concurrent reservation from multiple hosts and allocating a unique stripe in a wrap to each of the hosts that sent the requests, wherein the wrap is a collection of data tracks to be written simultaneously in one direction of tape movement by multiple transducers of a tape head, and the wrap is logically divided into the stripes. Also, the method includes receiving data from the hosts and simultaneously writing the data from the hosts to the magnetic tape using the multiple transducers. Other systems and methods concerning storing data on magnetic tapes are described as well.

Abstract: An assembly for processing green biomass materials from two separate feed sources for use as a fuel pellet includes a drying assembly, a torrefaction assembly and a heating assembly. The drying assembly is adapted to convert the green biomass material obtained from a first source to white biomass material. The torrefaction assembly is adapted to convert green biomass material obtained from a second source to torrefied biomass material. The heating assembly provides heat for both the drying assembly and the torrefaction assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for applying high resolution spectral imaging (hyperspectral or multispectral) to property characterization, specifically rooftop classification of type and condition using reference data for insurance applications. The system can also be used to classify the condition of vegetation and property hazards. Classifying rooftop type and condition using remote spectral imaging greatly improves quantitative accuracy of roof inspections and decreases the cost of inspection across large geographic domains. By comparing the spatially subset spectral reflection of rooftops to a reference spectra, the rooftop type and condition can be accurately assessed. The aerial inspection produces uniform and consistent data can be ingested into property insurance evaluations for many different uses.

Abstract: An inflatable or gas-filled insulation panel comprises an envelope having two outer sheets sealed together along edges of the sheets and at least one of the sheets has an outer reflective surface. The envelope encases a plurality of internal films that include a polymeric film having a plurality of reflective stripes disposed thereon and spaced apart on the films. Seals are formed along the gaps or areas between the reflective stripes on the films by application of heat and pressure, which causes the films to seal to each other and the outer sheets at spaced apart intervals. A channel is formed between the outer edges of the films and the outer sheets, and a valve, disposed at an end of the panel, is in fluid communication with the channel for the injection of a fluid, such as an inert gas or air, to inflate panel.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, methods, devices and kits relating to the infusion of a catheter lock solution into an indwelling catheter. Inventive compositions, methods, devices and kits aid in diminishing the effects of microbial infection in catheters and occlusion of the catheters. A lock solution provided by the invention includes citrate and a paraben. The solution preferably has a density suitable for retention of the solution in a catheter during the lock period. Another lock solution provided by the invention includes citrate, a paraben and a photo-oxidant, such as, for example, methylene blue.

Abstract: An inflatable or gas-filled insulation panel comprises an envelope having two outer sheets sealed together along edges of the sheets and at least one of the sheets has an outer reflective surface. The envelope encases a plurality of internal films that include a polymeric film having a plurality of reflective stripes disposed thereon and spaced apart on the films. Seals are formed along the gaps or areas between the reflective stripes on the films by application of heat and pressure, which causes the films to seal to each other and the outer sheets at spaced apart intervals. A channel is formed between the outer edges of the films and the outer sheets, and a valve, disposed at an end of the panel, is in fluid communication with the channel for the injection of a fluid, such as an inert gas or air, to inflate panel.