Abstract: A text communication management system is provided that receives, analyzes, and enforces recipient actions regarding phone-based text communications. The text communication management system can obtain recipient action data regarding a recipient's action with respect to a particular text communication, and enforce the recipient action with respect to future text communications. The management system can also or alternatively analyze the recipient action data in connection with recipient action data from multiple other recipients to generate a model for use in determining whether future phone-based text communications should be permitted, determining the likelihood that such communications will cause recipients to opt-out, and the like.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a first hydraulic pump/motor coupled with the internal combustion engine, and a second hydraulic pump/motor is coupled with at least one driven wheel of the vehicle. A clutch establishes a driving connection between the first hydraulic pump/motor and the internal combustion engine, and selectively interrupts the driving connection when disengaged. At least one vehicle accessory device is coupled to the first hydraulic pump/motor. The at least one vehicle accessory device is operable under power of the internal combustion engine when the clutch is engaged and the internal combustion engine is running, and the at least one vehicle accessory device is operable directly by the first hydraulic pump/motor operating in a motor mode when the clutch is disengaged, regardless of whether or not the internal combustion engine is running. A corresponding method of operating the vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a first hydraulic pump/motor coupled with the internal combustion engine, and a second hydraulic pump/motor is coupled with at least one driven wheel of the vehicle. A clutch establishes a driving connection between the first hydraulic pump/motor and the internal combustion engine, and selectively interrupts the driving connection when disengaged. At least one vehicle accessory device is coupled to the first hydraulic pump/motor. The at least one vehicle accessory device is operable under power of the internal combustion engine when the clutch is engaged and the internal combustion engine is running, and the at least one vehicle accessory device is operable directly by the first hydraulic pump/motor operating in a motor mode when the clutch is disengaged, regardless of whether or not the internal combustion engine is running. A corresponding method of operating the vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: In another form of the invention, there is provided a system for treating a manure slurry, comprising: a manure lagoon comprising: a lower anaerobic stratum comprising anaerobic microbes; an upper aerobic stratum comprising aerobic microbes; and an intermediate facultative stratum comprising facultative microbes. In another form of the invention, there is provided a system for treating a manure slurry, comprising: a manure lagoon comprising: a lower anaerobic stratum comprising anaerobic microbes; and an upper aerobic stratum comprising aerobic microbes. In another form of the invention, there is provided a system for treating a manure slurry, comprising: a manure lagoon comprising: an aerator for creating an aerobic stratum within only a portion of the manure slurry.

Abstract: A novel rotational and positionable robotic arm-controlled underwater bottom artifact and sample suction recovery apparatus and interchangeable bottom coring apparatus, wherein the interchange is effected underwater by rotation of a common deploying arm and remote-control mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aerating a surface layer in a stratified liquid body using a depth-adjustable, fine bubble, surface layer aeration unit comprising: a body comprising at least one hollow internal structure; an air inlet communicating with the at least one hollow internal structure, whereby air from an external air source may be introduced into the at least one hollow internal structure; at least one fine bubble aerator communicating with the at least one hollow internal structure, whereby air from the at least one hollow internal structure may be released through the fine bubble aerator into an adjacent fluid; and at least one weight pod attached to the body, wherein the at least one weight pod comprises structure for adjusting the weight of the at least one weight pod, whereby the buoyancy of the aeration unit may be adjusted so as to permit the at least one fine bubble aerator to be positioned at a desired depth in a fluid body.

Abstract: A miniaturized communications unit for use in object tracking, control and the like. Each communications and identification unit repeatedly transmits an identification code on a predetermined wavelength at a transmission interval randomly selected from within a predetermined time interval range in order to avoid repeated transmission collisions between two or more units. The transmission may further include data corresponding to a sensed environmental attribute. Each unit that receives a transmission stores the received identification code and any data in a time ordered record. This stored record preferably also includes an electronic date and time stamp. The stored data can be transmitted to an external data port for later use or analysis by an external data processor.