Abstract: A method can include receiving sensor data from at least three different types of sensor situated in the geographic area, the types of sensors including an air temperature sensor, relative humidity sensor, dewpoint sensor, soil moisture sensor, soil temperature sensor, average wind speed sensor, maximum wind speed sensor, and a rainfall sensor, producing a feature vector including a time series of values corresponding to the received sensor data, and using a neural network, estimating the physical characteristics, the physical characteristics including at least one of (a) a leaf wetness, (b) a solar radiation, (c) an evapotranspiration, (d) a future soil moisture, and (e) a future soil temperature.

Abstract: A media fingerprint archive system generates and archives media fingerprints from second media content portions such as commercials. A downstream media measurement system can extract/derive query fingerprints from an incoming signal and query the media fingerprint archive system whether any of the query fingerprints matches any archived fingerprints. If so, the media measurement system can perform media measurements on a specific secondary media content portion from which the matched query fingerprint is derived. If not, the media measurement system can analyze media characteristics of a media content portion to determine whether the media content portion is a secondary media content portion and perform media measurement if needed to. The media measurement system may send fingerprints from an identified secondary media content portion to the media fingerprint archive system for storage.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power apparatus, includes at least one first and second power supply to receive power from a main power supply, the at least one first power supply including at least one first input capacitor to smooth voltage ripples, a voltage monitor to monitor voltage provided by the main power supply, and cause enablement and/or disablement of at least one part of the at least one first power supply according to the voltage provided by the main power supply, and at least one first blocking and passing component configured to selectively channel energy from the main power supply to charge the at least one first input capacitor during a time when the at least one part is enabled, and channel energy from the at least one first input capacitor to the at least one second power supply during a time when the at least one part is disabled.

Abstract: A baler and methods of operating a baler. For example, the baler includes a housing defining an interior volume, the interior volume comprising a compression portion and a loading portion. The baler also includes a first closure movably coupled with the housing and operative to enclose the compression portion and a second closure movably coupled with the housing and operative to enclose the loading portion. Further, the baler includes a reciprocating compression assembly including a linear actuator and a platen operably coupled with the linear actuator. The platen is movable between a retracted position and an extended position in response to actuation of the linear actuator. Additionally, the first closure defines at least one recess therein and a lip extending about at least a portion of the at least one recess. The lip is operative to engage with compressible material disposed in the compression portion.

Abstract: A communication device includes a display screen upon which information is displayed. A microprocessor configured to execute at least one notification program is provided that displays a notification descriptive of an access control request on the display screen. The at least one notification program is programmed to receive data indicative of an access control request and to receive data descriptive of the access control request. Additionally, the at least one notification program is further programmed to display a notification indicative of the access control request and comprising an explanation of the access control request based on the received descriptive data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are transaction completions methods and systems. The systems and methods may include receiving, at a computing device comprising a processor, shopper information associated with a shopper; printing a team member receipt and a customer receipt. The team member receipt and the customer receipt each may include a matching code. The systems and methods may further include receiving product information for a plurality of products the shopper wishes to purchase and printing a transaction receipt listing the plurality of products the shopper purchased. The team member receipt may be matched with the customer receipt via the matching code.

Abstract: A junction hub may include a fixture body include a top portion and a bottom portion. The junction hub may further include a connector device for operably coupling a mounting structure to the fixture body. The junction hub may even further include a terminal block disposed in the fixture body for facilitating the connection of a power source to at least one lighting fixture.

Abstract: A media fingerprint archive system generates and archives media fingerprints from second media content portions such as commercials. A downstream media measurement system can extract/derive query fingerprints from an incoming signal, and query the media fingerprint archive system whether any of the query fingerprints matches any archived fingerprints. If so, the media measurement system can perform media measurements on a specific secondary media content portion from which the matched query fingerprint is derived. If not, the media measurement system can analyze media characteristics of a media content portion to determine whether the media content portion is a secondary media content portion and perform media measurement if needed to. The media measurement system may send fingerprints from an identified secondary media content portion to the media fingerprint archive system for storage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, mode changes between deactivating cylinders is based on an amount of time a valve is deactivated, and the longer the valve is deactivated the sooner cylinder valves may be deactivated. If the amount of time the valve is deactivated is short, the time that valves may be deactivated may be delayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an engine with deactivating and non-deactivating valves are presented. In one example, a position of one or more volumetric efficiency control devices is changed in response to a request to deactivate one or more engine cylinders while at the same time the engine central throttle is adjusted. Spark timing may also be adjusted if engine air flow deviates from a desired engine air flow.

Abstract: A virtual cypher system for providing online real-time performances. The virtual cypher system creates a virtual cypher for providing sequential online real-time performances based on a filtering scheme using customizable user selected features. The virtual cypher system generates a user profile page for each new user, determines whether a virtual cypher exists for a category and performance selection chosen by a user, creates a virtual cypher in conformance with the customizable user selected features when the system determines that a virtual cypher does not already exist for the category and performance selection, and adds the user to a waitlist queue. Further, the virtual cypher system initiates, in sequential order, a content-specific real-time performance corresponding to the performance selection, for each user in the waitlist queue, and transmits received real-time streaming data corresponding to the performance by each user to viewers of the virtual cypher.

Abstract: A communication device includes a display screen upon which information is displayed. A microprocessor configured to execute at least one notification program is provided that displays a notification descriptive of an access control request on the display screen. The at least one notification program is programmed to receive data indicative of an access control request and to receive data descriptive of the access control request. Additionally, the at least one notification program is further programmed to display a notification indicative of the access control request and comprising an explanation of the access control request based on the received descriptive data.

Abstract: A body cooling assembly for cooling parts of a body includes a belt that is extendable around a waist. A housing is mounted on the belt includes a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall that extends between and is attached to the top and bottom wall. The housing has a first aperture and a second aperture for taking in and expelling air. A cooling unit is mounted in the housing. When actuated the cooling unit draws air into the housing, cools the air and dispends the cold air outwardly. A plurality of tubes is fluidly coupled to the housing and in thermal communication with the cooling unit such that air moves through the cooling unit and exits the housing through the tubes. The tubes are positionable on parts of a body and have a plurality of vent holes wherein each tube releases air.

Abstract: A foundation anchor system for a building structure is disclosed herein. The foundation anchor system includes a positioning member for setting and aligning a sill plate anchor component in a foundation wall of a building structure, an anchor member configured to be disposed in the foundation wall, and an anchor bolt configured to secure a sill plate member to the foundation wall. The positioning member includes a body portion, first and second downwardly extending tab portions for overlapping opposite sides of the foundation wall, and an anchor component engagement portion configured to removably engage an end of a sill plate anchor or an end of a sill plate anchor bolt. The anchor member includes a tubular body portion with a threaded interior bore, and a frustoconical skirt portion for retaining the anchor member in the foundation wall. An installation method utilizing the foundation anchor system is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Bethanechol is administered topically, for the treatment of xerostomia.

Abstract: Method of operating a blast furnace installation comprising a top gas recycle blast furnace and hot stones, whereby a hydrocarbon containing fuel is transformed into a transformed gas stream consisting mainly of CO and H2 and substantially devoid of hydrocarbon, whereby a low-heating-value gaseous fuel is generated comprising a mixture of the transformed gas with a portion of the CO2-rich tail gas obtained by decarbonatation of the blast furnace gas, and whereby the low-heating-value fuel is used to heat the hot furnace gas is heated before being injected into the blast-furnace.