Abstract: Methods are provided for evaluating the insect resistance of a plant of interest. Specifically, methods are provided for high-throughput screening of soybean plants for resistance to kudzu bugs and stink bugs, including the brown marmorated stink bug and the southern green stink bug. In some embodiments, infesting emergent soybean seedlings with second instar stink bug nymphs and maintaining the nymphs in a closed environment with the seedling for only about 7 days allows evaluation of the stink bug resistance of a soybean variety of interest. Also provided are insect resistant plants, particularly plants resistant to kudzu bugs and stink bugs, as well as seeds produced by the resistant plants. Plants disclosed herein can be used to transfer the resistant trait into plant lines of interest.

Abstract: A mold for shaping glass can be made by a method that includes providing a mold body having a shaping surface comprising at least about 90% nickel and modifying the composition of the shaping surface of the mold body by exposing the shaping surface to an oxidizing heat treatment. The oxidizing heat treatment may include a ramping heat treatment, a fixed heat treatment, or both the ramping heat treatment and the fixed heat treatment. The ramping heat treatment may include increasing a heating temperature at a rate from about 20° C./hour to about 500° C./hour to a temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. The fixed heat treatment may include holding the heating temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. for a holding time of at least about 5 minutes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for presenting fleet vehicle operation information in standardized forms includes a telematics module and a data standardizing module. The telematics module receives measurements related to operation of multiple vehicles in a fleet. The data standardizing module, using a first technique, estimates a first value for a parameter for at least one vehicle of the multiple vehicles based at least on the measurements. Further, the data standardizing module, using a second technique, estimates a second value for the parameter for at least one vehicle of the multiple vehicles based at least on the measurements. The second technique including using some measurement to estimate the second value different from the measurements used to estimate the first value according to the first technique. The data standardizing module outputs one or both of the first value and the second value for presentation to a user.

Abstract: A mold for shaping glass can be made by a method that includes providing a mold body having a shaping surface comprising at least about 90% nickel and modifying the composition of the shaping surface of the mold body by exposing the shaping surface to an oxidizing heat treatment. The oxidizing heat treatment may include a ramping heat treatment, a fixed heat treatment, or both the ramping heat treatment and the fixed heat treatment. The ramping heat treatment may include increasing a heating temperature at a rate from about 20° C./hour to about 500° C./hour to a temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. The fixed heat treatment may include holding the heating temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. for a holding time of at least about 5 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to heat transfer and refrigerant compositions and methods that include HFC-32; HFO-1234ze and HFC-125.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for presenting fleet vehicle operation information in standardized forms includes a telematics module and a data standardizing module. The telematics module receives measurements related to operation of multiple vehicles in a fleet. The data standardizing module, using a first technique, estimates a first value for a parameter for at least one vehicle of the multiple vehicles based at least on the measurements. Further, the data standardizing module, using a second technique, estimates a second value for the parameter for at least one vehicle of the multiple vehicles based at least on the measurements. The second technique including using some measurement to estimate the second value different from the measurements used to estimate the first value according to the first technique. The data standardizing module outputs one or both of the first value and the second value for presentation to a user.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to heat transfer and refrigerant compositions and methods that include HFC-32; HFO-1234ze and HFC-125.

Abstract: A data processing center (DPC) computer receives billing information, including a mobile telephone number, and a bill issuance notification request from an acquirer computer. The DPC computer then determines, based on the mobile telephone number, a mobile payment platform (MPP) computer having an account holder as a customer, transmits the billing information to the MPP computer for relaying a billing issuance notification to a mobile device of the account holder, and then receives information indicating that the account holder has been authenticated and has elected to pay the bill associated with the billing issuance notification. The DPC computer then determines a payment card account number of the account holder, and transmits it to the acquirer computer for bill payment processing.

Abstract: A data processing center computer receives a transaction request from a mobile payment platform (MPP) computer. The transaction request is related to a purchase initiated from an account holder's mobile telephone, and includes a mobile telephone number, a merchant identifier (ID) of a merchant, and a transaction amount. The MPP computer is operated by or on behalf of a service provider having the account holder as a customer. The process also includes translating the account holder's mobile telephone number into the account holder's payment card account number, identifying a merchant acquirer computer, and generating a purchase transaction request including the account holder's payment card account number, the merchant ID, and the transaction amount. The data processing center computer then transmits the purchase transaction request to the merchant acquirer computer for authorization processing.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high purity nickel molds for use in forming three dimensional glass substrates, along with methods of making three dimensional glass substrates. The mold compositions minimize imperfections in the formed glass substrates providing optical quality shaped glass articles for use in electronics applications.

Abstract: A mold for shaping glass can be made by a method that includes providing a mold body having a shaping surface comprising at least about 90% nickel and modifying the composition of the shaping surface of the mold body by exposing the shaping surface to an oxidizing heat treatment. The oxidizing heat treatment may include a ramping heat treatment, a fixed heat treatment, or both the ramping heat treatment and the fixed heat treatment. The ramping heat treatment may include increasing a heating temperature at a rate from about 20° C./hour to about 500° C./hour to a temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. The fixed heat treatment may include holding the heating temperature from about 700° C. to about 1000° C. for a holding time of at least about 5 minutes.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a system for exchanging a milling chamber comprises a vehicle comprising a milling chamber supported by the underside of the vehicle. The underside comprises a track that interfaces with a guide of the milling chamber. The track and guide are configured to accommodate lateral movement of the milling chamber with respect to a length of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in part, to heat transfer and refrigerant compositions and methods that include HFC-32; HFO-1234ze and HFC-125.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for presenting fleet vehicle operation information in standardized forms includes a telematics module and a data standardizing module. The telematics module receives measurements related to operation of multiple vehicles in a fleet. The data standardizing module, using a first technique, estimates a first value for a parameter for at least one vehicle of the multiple vehicles based at least on the measurements. Further, the data standardizing module, using a second technique, estimates a second value for the parameter for at least one vehicle of the multiple vehicles based at least on the measurements. The second technique including using some measurement to estimate the second value different from the measurements used to estimate the first value according to the first technique. The data standardizing module outputs one or both of the first value and the second value for presentation to a user.

Abstract: A fixture for holding a cutter for a vertical turret lathe may comprise a block with a blind hole. A cutter with an indenter on its distal end may be secured within the hole such that a portion of the indenter comprises a positive rake angle. A method for testing cutters may comprise securing a cutter on a fixture of a vertical turret lathe which has a cutting material positioned adjacent the cutter. The cutting material may be rotated around a rotational axis at a constant rotational velocity. The fixture may be urged laterally such that the cutter progressively moves towards a periphery of the cutting material. The rotational velocity may be decreased as the cutter moves laterally to maintain a relative constant linear velocity between the cutting material and the cutter.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a drilling assembly comprises a head located on a rotational axis of the assembly and comprises at least one head element. At least one blade extends distally from the head. A plurality of blade degradation elements are rotationally supported on the blade. Each degradation element comprises an attack angle that affects the penetration rate of each degradation element and a laterally offset angle that primarily affects the rotational rate of each degradation element within their holders. The drilling assembly comprises a central cutting region. The blade degradation elements within the central cutting region form an attack angle of 15 to 20 degrees with the rotational axis of the drilling assembly.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a system is disclosed for removing loose aggregate from a paved surface. The system comprises a motorized vehicle that has a degradation drum connected to the underside of the vehicle. The degradation drum is enclosed by a milling chamber. The milling chamber is comprised of a plurality of plates, including a moldboard that is positioned rearward of the degradation drum. The moldboard has an end that is disposed opposite the underside. The end has a plurality of liquid jet nozzles and a blower mechanism that are directed into the milling chamber.

Abstract: An improved bath apparatus providing 360 degree protection during bathing, is comfortable, easier and safer to use than conventional bathing apparatus, and is collapsible for storage and support. The apparatus includes a protective seat having plural protruding foam members in a radial pattern that when placed in a sink or other bathing basin, extend up the walls of the sink or basin and form a bowl shaped protective padding that provides 360 degree protection for the child. The base foam members have open spaces between them for providing for easy circulation and drainage of water.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, an abrasion resistant nozzle has at least two sintered diamond bodies having flat, mating, exterior surfaces and a thickness, the surfaces being held against each other under compression. An enclosure is formed between the mating surfaces, at least one surface having a groove forming a portion of the enclosure and the other surface forming a remaining portion of the enclosure. The enclosure connects an entry and an exit formed in at least one side of at least one of the bodies.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a motorized vehicle comprises a vehicle frame. The vehicle frame comprises translatable elements. The frame comprises a forward end and a rearward end. The invention comprises of a first rotary degradation drum that is connected to the underside of the frame. The invention comprises of at least a second rotary degradation drum also connected to the underside of the frame and rearward of the first rotary degradation drum.