Abstract: A crop prediction system performs various machine learning operations to predict crop production and to identify a set of farming operations that, if performed, optimize crop production. The crop prediction system uses crop prediction models trained using various machine learning operations based on geographic and agronomic information. Responsive to receiving a request from a grower, the crop prediction system can access information representation of a portion of land corresponding to the request, such as the location of the land and corresponding weather conditions and soil composition. The crop prediction system applies one or more crop prediction models to the access information to predict a crop production and identify an optimized set of farming operations for the grower to perform.

Abstract: A cladding protection device for placement around a column. The cladding protection device including a first guard and a second guard, wherein the first guard and the second guard are couplable to one another to bound a central area dimensioned to receive the column. The first guard including a slot and the second guard including a projection, wherein the projection is configured to engage the slot to thereby couple the first guard to the second guard, and the projection is skewed inwardly toward a center of the central area to enable the projection to engage the slot.

Abstract: A variety of applications can include apparatus having p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistors and n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS) transistors with different metal silicide contacts. The active area of the NMOS transistor can include a first metal silicide having a first metal element, where the first metal silicide is a vertical lowest portion of a contact for the NMOS. The PMOS transistor can include a stressor source/drain region to a channel region of the PMOS transistor and a second metal silicide directly contacting the stressor source/drain region without containing the first metal element. The process flow to form the PMOS and NMOS transistors can enable making simultaneous contacts by a pre-silicide in the active area of the NMOS transistor, without affecting stressor source/drain regions in the PMOS transistor. The process flow and resulting structures for PMOS transistors and NMOS transistors can be used in various integrated circuits and devices.

Abstract: Introduced here are computer programs and associated computer-implemented techniques for determining range of an object using a single camera. Specifically, an approach to utilizing a computing device to capture range-related information from an object (also called a “target”) using illumination parallax and spectral analysis of corresponding images is disclosed herein. To achieve illumination parallax, a series of illumination events may be performed in sequence, such that the target is sequentially illuminated with different ranges of electromagnetic radiation. Information regarding the target can be computed, inferred, or otherwise determined through analysis of images captured in conjunction with the illumination events.

Abstract: A ring includes a toroid having an inner portion. An adaptive force region is extending from the inner portion. The adaptive force region is operable to exhibit non-Hookean deformation.

Abstract: We disclose an in-toilet urinalysis system which includes a system for collection urine and for analysis of urine components using aptamer technology. Urine collection system may dispense urine into cuvettes, channels, or other containers that include aptamers. The aptamers may detect target molecules in urine. The aptamers may measure urine analytes, detect excreted drugs or drug metabolites, or disease markers. Upon binding to the target molecule, the aptamers may produce a signal which a sensor in the toilet may detect. In some embodiments, the signal may be electrochemical, fluorescent, or colorimetric. The measurements obtained from analysis of the urine may be used to assess a user's health or diagnose disease. In some embodiments, the measurements are stored in a controller which may transmit the measurements to a healthcare provider for assessment.

Abstract: An arm restraint system is provided for restraining movement of an arm of a patient's body lying over a top surface of a table. A padded restraint is configured to at least partially receive the arm of said patient to thereby maintain the arm at a position laterally adjacent to the patient's body without the arm being restrained by tucking. In one example, the system includes a rigid support frame located at a lateral edge of said table and the padded restraint is securely fixed to the rigid support frame via a repositionable fastener to inhibit movement of the patient's arm relative to the rigid support frame.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a spectrometer is presented. In accordance with some embodiments, the spectrometer includes an optical sensor array, the optical sensor array including a substrate and an array of pixels formed on the substrate; a spectral filter array formed over the pixels of the optical sensor array, the spectral filter array filtering incident light such that each pixel receives light of a spectral transmission profile associated with the pixel; a transparent spacer formed over the spectral filter array; and an opaque mask having input apertures allowing light through the transparent spacer and onto a portion of the spectral filter array. The spectrometer can be formed from the optical sensor array using a combination of photolithographic techniques and bonding of certain layers.

Abstract: A toilet seat with handles is disclosed. The handles include light transmitters and light receivers. The light transmitters and receivers may be used to determine blood oxygen saturation levels and heart rate of a toilet seat user. Ultrasonic transmitters and receivers in the toilet seat handle are also disclosed for determining bone density of a toilet seat user. The handles may be retractable and may include UV sanitation.

Abstract: A cladding protection device for placement around a column. The cladding protection device including a first guard and a second guard, wherein the first guard and the second guard are couplable to one another to bound a central area dimensioned to receive the column. The first guard including a slot and the second guard including a projection, wherein the projection is configured to engage the slot to thereby couple the first guard to the second guard, and the projection is skewed inwardly toward a center of the central area to enable the projection to engage the slot.

Abstract: We disclose an in-toilet urinalysis system which includes a system for collection urine and applying the urine to a urine test strip. The system may include an orifice within a toilet bowl which leads into a channel. The channel may be connected to a capillary which has an orifice at each end. Urine may pass through the orifice, into the channel, then may be moved by capillary action through the capillary. A urine test strip dispenser may move reaction pads on a urine test strip to the distal end of the capillary to load the reaction pads with urine. The reaction pads may absorb the urine from the most distal orifice of the capillary. A measurable chemical reaction may occur in the reaction pads in response to urine analytes.

Abstract: We disclose a device and method for collecting a urine sample as a user urinates into a toilet. The device further conducts analytical measurements which may include spectral, colorimetric, and chemical assays. The user need only urinate normally into the toilet. A urine collection trap, which includes a vertical slit, may capture a urine sample which has a volume in the microliter range. Pumps may divert the urine from the vertical slit into a conduit that is connected to spectral analysis devices and other devices for analyzing the urine sample. The disclosed device is both convenient and prevents unsanitary urine spills.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a spectrometer is presented. In accordance with some embodiments, the spectrometer includes an optical sensor array, the optical sensor array including a substrate and an array of pixels formed on the substrate; a spectral filter array formed over the pixels of the optical sensor array, the spectral filter array filtering incident light such that each pixel receives light of a spectral transmission profile associated with the pixel; a transparent spacer formed over the spectral filter array; and an opaque mask having input apertures allowing light through the transparent spacer and onto a portion of the spectral filter array. The spectrometer can be formed from the optical sensor array using a combination of photolithographic techniques and bonding of certain layers.

Abstract: An in-toilet urine sampling and measurement system is disclosed. One or more toilet sensors trigger volatilization, measurement, and analysis of volatile compounds in a urine sample. Volatile urine compounds may be concentrated, measured, and analyzed by a measurement system attached to a toilet bowl. A volatilizer system may use heat generated from one or more measurement devices to assist in volatilization of the urine sample.

Abstract: A toilet with multiple urinalysis instruments is disclosed. Two or more of the optical instruments are able to take simultaneous measurements. Optical instruments may share a common light source. One or more light source may use amplitude modulation. A cleaning jet may be used to clean and dry a surface tension urine slot. An inductive heater may be used to preheat and control urine temperature while testing the urine.

Abstract: A method of obtaining health data of a toilet user using one or more sensors is disclosed. One or more sensors are used by a toilet user while the toilet user is using the toilet to take health measurement readings of the user. Dynamic heart stress readings may be obtained and monitored over weeks, months and years. Rolling averages of heart function and heart health may be determined and deviations from the rolling averages may trigger notifications. Other health related measurements and functions such as temperature, respirations, heart rate, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and stethoscope sounds are also recorded and stored for trending and data analysis.

Abstract: We disclose an in-toilet urinalysis system which includes a system for collection urine and for analysis of urine components using aptamer technology. Urine collection system may dispense urine into cuvettes, channels, or other containers that include aptamers. The aptamers may detect target molecules in urine. The aptamers may measure urine analytes, detect excreted drugs or drug metabolites, or disease markers. Upon binding to the target molecule, the aptamers may produce a signal which a sensor in the toilet may detect. In some embodiments, the signal may be electrochemical, fluorescent, or colorimetric. The measurements obtained from analysis of the urine may be used to assess a user's health or diagnose disease. In some embodiments, the measurements are stored in a controller which may transmit the measurements to a healthcare provider for assessment.

Abstract: A cladding protection device is provided for protecting a height adjustment mechanism used to raise and lower the height of an operating room table. The cladding protection device includes a plurality of bodies seated upon the table base of the operating room table to surround a perimeter of the height adjustment mechanism to thereby inhibit contact with foreign objects. In one example, a complimentary coupler comprising a first coupler on one of the plurality of bodies removably engages a second coupler on another of the plurality of bodies to form the cladding protection device. In another example, a plurality of inwardly projecting stand-offs are located in close proximity with the perimeter of the height adjustment mechanism to inhibit directional movement of the cladding protection device.

Abstract: A toilet seat with handles is disclosed. The handles include light transmitters and light receivers. The light transmitters and receivers may be used to determine blood oxygen saturation levels and heart rate of a toilet seat user. Ultrasonic transmitters and receivers in the toilet seat handle are also disclosed for determining bone density of a toilet seat user. The handles may be retractable and may include UV sanitation.