Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computing system for dividing a volume into a plurality of segments. The plurality of segments may be assigned to a plurality of nodes of a multi-node storage system. One or more input/output (IO) request paths for accessing the plurality of segments may be defined based upon, at least in part, assigning the plurality of segments to the plurality of nodes.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a disruptive low capital and operational cost logistics system and method that provides for fast and massive delivery of e-commerce merchandise, including same day delivery, of thousands of items and packages, in extensive geographical areas, such as whole states, countries and continents, reducing the need for building, operating, or using multiple fulfillment warehouses located near the consumers as in traditional e-commerce logistics, creating a revolution in the e-commerce industry worldwide. In a disruptive manner, the systems and methods of the present invention facilitate the logistics for e-commerce delivery processes, and also may allow at the same time reducing the use of massive quantities of cardboard packages that are used for protection and containment for e-commerce orders, being sustainably beneficial for the e-commerce market, the environment, and the consumer.

Abstract: A method for treating a breathing condition includes providing a face strip having an adhesive layer and a mesh layer disposed on the adhesive layer and applying the adhesive layer to a mouth of a patient diagnosed with a breathing condition including at least one of a dry mouth, a sore throat, nasal congestion, or hypoxia. The method further includes covering the patient's mouth with the face strip and providing resistance from the face strip at the patient's mouth, and increasing nasal respiration with the face strip. The face strip reduces or prevents the incidence of the breathing condition.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are directed to a Swappable Retractable Tool Tip (SRTT), which is designed as a next generation of friction stir welding tools and retractable tool tips. The disclosed SRTT may be “swappable,” having different types of retractable tool tips that can be assembled and employed as a part of the SRTT. A SRTT system can include at least: a blank tool holder, a piston, and a retractable tool tip. In operation, the blank tool holder allows air to flow to cause movement of the piston and the retractable tool tip. For example, compressed air can push up on the piston and the retractable tool tip, retracting it into a “home” position inside of the blank tool holder. Also, the SRTT can include springs that push down on the piston and the retractable tool tip, extending the tip into an “extended” position outside of the blank tool holder.

Abstract: Elevator systems, methods, and devices comprising dual source light systems are described herein. Such elevator systems may be associated with or located within wind turbines and wind turbine towers. In embodiments, an elevator cabin may comprise a dual source light system further comprising at least one light source, a supercapacitor unit, an electronic circuit electrically connected to the at least one light source and the supercapacitor, and a housing unit. The dual source light system can receive energy from an external power source, convert one or more characteristics of the energy, e.g., voltage or current, and distribute the energy to the at least one light source. Any excess energy can be used to charge the supercapacitor such that when energy from the external power source is insufficient to power the at least one light source, such as during an outage, the electronic circuit draws energy from the charged supercapacitor.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH011017. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH011017, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH011017 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH011017.

Abstract: Provided herein are cyclic polypeptide compounds that can, e.g., bind specifically to human proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and optionally also inhibit interaction between human PCSK9 and human low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), and pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more of these compounds. Also provided are methods of reducing LDL cholesterol level in a subject in need thereof that include administering to the subject one or more of the cyclic polypeptide compounds or a pharmaceutical composition provided herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for logging temperatures of food products using a temperature assembly including a housing and one or more temperature sensors, e.g., an infrared sensor for surface temperatures and an elongate probe for acquiring a temperature within a food product, and a mobile electronic device including a camera, a communication interface for communicating with the temperature assembly, a processor configured to acquire a temperature reading from the temperature assembly and an image from the camera when the temperature reading is acquired, and memory for storing the temperature reading and image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a fully reusable upper stage for a multi-stage launch vehicle are provided. The reusable upper stage uses an aerospike engine for main propulsion and for vertical landing. A heat shield can include a plurality of scarfed nozzles embedded radially around a semi-spherical surface of the heat shield, wherein inboard surfaces of the plurality of scarfed nozzles collectively define an aerospike contour. The heat shield can be actively cooled to dissipate heat encountered during reentry of the upper stage.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive system for an agricultural implement includes a high pressure supply line configured to provide hydraulic fluid under pressure. The hydraulic drive system also includes a low pressure return line configured to return the hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic drive system further includes a plurality of hydraulic motors and coupled to the high pressure supply line. The hydraulic drive system still further includes a plurality of cylinder systems isolated from the high pressure supply line to minimize a supply pressure of the hydraulic fluid provided from a pump coupled to the high pressure supply line and to minimize throttling losses in the hydraulic drive system during operation of the hydraulic drive system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mapping addressable information (e.g., locations denoted by name or address, street addresses, landmarks, etc.) off of disparate applications on a mobile device, onto an existing map on the mobile device, are disclosed. An application on a mobile device may display addressable information (e.g., a website displaying a location name and/or address, an email containing an address, etc.). In response to a user's selecting the addressable information and invoking a mapping command, a map-display application (e.g., Google Maps®, Yahoo! Maps®, Windows Live Search Map®, MapQuest®, iPhone® maps, Waze® etc.) may be automatically presented (e.g., launches, become visible, displayed, etc.) displaying the addressable information in addition to at least one prior mapping content previously displayed by the map-display application.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a user includes a faceplate, an arm, a bridge, and a base. The bridge is rotatably attached to the faceplate to allow the faceplate to be pivotably adjusted. The bridge includes a hub with first and second hub bodies. Locking pins on the hub bodies slidingly engage pivot adjustment holes in first and second pivot adjustment rings. First and second buttons can be depressed to slide the hub bodies inwardly to separate the locking pins from the pivot adjustment holes to allow the hub to rotate, thereby allowing the faceplate to pivot. When the buttons are released, the hub bodies slide outwardly to insert the locking pins into the same or different pivot adjustment holes to prevent the hub from rotating.

Abstract: A lineal product includes a composite pultruded substrate having a solid outer surface, and a multi-layer coating extruded directly onto the outer surface. The coating comprises a solid extruded base layer comprising a first thermoplastic material extruded onto the outer surface, the base layer having a base-layer inner surface in intimate contact with the outer surface and a base-layer outer interface. The coating further comprises a solid extruded outer layer comprising a second thermoplastic material comprising polymethyl methacrylate extruded onto the first thermoplastic material, the solid extruded outer layer having an outer-layer interface in intimate contact with the base-layer outer interface and an outer-layer outer surface, wherein the intimate contact between the base-layer outer interface and the outer-layer interface forms a solid interface between the base layer and the outer layer. The solid extruded outer layer has a hardness of at least 1H pencil hardness.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for generating power in the vicinity of a drilling rig are disclosed. During a drilling operation, heat generated by drilling fluid flowing from a borehole, exhaust from an engine, and/or fluid from an engine's water (or other fluid) jacket, for example, may be utilized by corresponding heat exchangers to facilitate heat transfer to a working fluid. The heated working fluid may cause an ORC unit to generate electrical power.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating hydraulic fracturing units to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead may include receiving a target flow rate and/or a target pressure for fracturing fluid supplied to the wellhead. The systems and methods may increase a flow rate from the hydraulic fracturing units according to a controlled increasing flow rate schedule toward the target flow rate and/or target pressure. When it has been determined the target flow rate and/or target pressure has been achieved, the systems and methods also may include operating the hydraulic fracturing units to maintain the target flow rate and/or target pressure. When the target flow rate has not been achieved, the systems and methods also may include generating notification signals, and/or when the target pressure has not been achieved, the systems and methods further may include operating the hydraulic fracturing units to maintain a maximum flow rate.

Abstract: An aeroderivative gas turbine provided with a casing, a compressor including a rotor mounted on a generator shaft supported for rotation in the casing, a high pressure turbine arranged in the casing and with a rotor mounted on the generator shaft for co-rotation with the compressor rotor, a combustor, a power turbine arranged in the casing and including a rotor mounted on a turbine shaft to drive a load, wherein a thermal insulation coating is present to reduce heat dispersion through the casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a mouse device (102) through pressure detection, and further proposes a corresponding mouse device (102). Pressure detected between the mouse device (102) and an operation surface (104) may be obtained. An operating state corresponding to the pressure may be determined. The mouse device (102) may be configured to the operating state.

Abstract: A distally-actuated scanning mirror includes: a mirror block with reflective surface on one side; torsional hinges with proximal ends rigidly attached to the mirror block, and with distal ends attached to flexural structures configured to transform translational motion of the piezoelectric elements into rotational motion of the distal ends of the hinges; and piezoelectric elements providing such translational motion. The distally-actuated scanning mirror also includes flexural structures made of separate flexures attached to the opposite surfaces of the distal ends of the hinges, which flexural structures have defined thinned-down flexural points. Portions of the distally-actuated scanning mirror may be 3D printed and/or fabricated by silicon MEMS technology. The mirror is fabricated from a Silicon-on-Insulator wafer, having a relatively thick (e.g., 380 um) handle layer, and a relatively thin e.g., 50 um), where photolithography with backside-alignment allows separate patterning of these two layers.

Abstract: A computing system includes a processor and a memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing system to: receive yield data for a field and a spatial data set; process the yield data and the spatial data to generate a nitrogen loss spatial map layer; and generate a prescription. A computer-implemented method includes receiving yield data for a field and a spatial data set; processing the yield data and the spatial data to generate a nitrogen loss spatial map layer; and generating a digital agricultural prescription. A non-transitory computer readable medium includes program instructions that when executed by one or more processors, cause a computer to: receive yield data for a field and a spatial data set; process the yield data and the spatial data to generate a nitrogen loss spatial map layer; and generate a prescription.

Abstract: A system and method for managing virtual queues. A cloud-based queue service manages a plurality of queues hosted by one or more entities. The queue service is in constant communication with the entities providing queue management, queue analysis, and queue recommendations. The queue service is likewise in direct communication with queued persons. Sending periodic updates while also motivating and incentivizing punctuality and minimizing wait times based on predictive analysis. The predictive analysis uses “Big Data” and other available data resources, for which the predictions assist in the balancing of persons across multiple queues for the same event or multiple persons across a sequence of queues for sequential events.