Abstract: A header of a combine harvester includes an auger for directing a movement of harvested crop material toward a feederhouse of the combine harvester. The auger includes multiple protrusions configured to both extend from and retract into the auger during rotation of the auger to assist movement of the harvested crop material toward the feederhouse.

Abstract: A system for facilitating the execution of law enforcement duties is disclosed. More particularly, according to one aspect of the invention, an electronic system is configured to facilitate the performance of law enforcement duties by quasi-instantaneously providing actionable intelligence to its users, such as front-line law enforcement officers, in response to a real-time query (e.g., accessing witness, medical, military personnel, law enforcement personnel, and government personnel information). According to another aspect of the invention, a system implements a set of automated status classifications for subjects with suspected or confirmed involvement in criminal and/or terrorist activities. The status classifications specifically and concisely establish the subject's involvement in criminal and/or terrorist activities.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback having a cushioned component pivotally coupled to the seatback and operable between deployed and retracted positions. The cushioned component includes an interior cavity. A rack assembly is positioned within the interior cavity and includes a forward-most rack with a first receiving area. The rack assembly further includes a rearward-most rack having a second receiving area. A first cartridge assembly is removeably received in the first receiving area of the rack assembly. A second cartridge assembly is removeably received in the second receiving area of the rack assembly. The rack assembly may also include one or more intermediate rack assemblies positioned between the forward-most and rearward-most rack assemblies for supporting other intermediate cartridge assemblies. Each cartridge assembly includes a different density profile for providing variated comfort settings to the seatback of the seat assembly.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for training and/or utilizing a query canonicalization system. In various implementations, a query canonicalization system can include a classification model and a canonicalization model. A classification model can be used to determine if a search query is well-formed. Additionally or alternatively, a canonicalization model can be used to determine a well-formed variant of a search query in response to determining a search query is not well-formed. In various implementations, a canonicalization model portion of a query canonicalization system can be a sequence to sequence model.

Abstract: A method for execution-time dynamic range partitioning includes receiving user data including a partitioning key and a clustering key. The user data includes a respective number of total rows defining a total data size for the user data. The method also includes identifying storage constraints for the data storage system. The storage constraints include a target file size and a target number of rows per file. The method further includes determining a plurality of split points for the user data based on the storage constraints. The method also includes generating partitioning quantiles from the plurality of split points that define a range between each split point of the plurality of split points. The method further includes range partitioning each row of the user data into files using the partitioning quantiles.

Abstract: A hermetically-sealed edge-connect header that can withstand high temperatures, high pressures (or high vacuum levels), and high vibration environments, along with two corresponding connectors are disclosed. After brazing the edge-connect header components, the assembly is machined to form a slot with a portion of each of a plurality of electrical conductors removed in the machining process, resulting in a header with a high pin density. During the process of mating the first connector design to the edge-connect header, a plurality of wipers in the connector deflect, thereby causing the wipers to extend from the connector and contact the corresponding electrical conductors in the header. During the process of mating the second connector design to the edge-connect header, each of a plurality of wipers formed of low-mass, compliant metal wool, forms multiple contact points with a corresponding electrical conductor in the header.

Abstract: A computer-readable non-transitory physical storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable code for electronically facilitating contact between mutually interested entities, said machine-executable code to be executed by a microprocessor, said machine executable code which when executed by said microprocessor causes the microprocessor to perform operations including suggesting to a first user other users that first user may be interested in, where the suggested other users are filtered based on their location, causing a device to display a graphical user interface (GUI) for the first user to input a rating of the first user's level of interest in one or more respects in at least one other user, accepting the first user's level of interest rating via the GUI while not displaying the first user's rating to the at least one other user, and electronically notifying a pair of users that have rated each other above a threshold level.

Abstract: A fitting assembly can include a socket fitting comprising an end wall and a substantially cylindrical sidewall extending from the end wall, the end wall and cylindrical sidewall defining a cylindrical interior recess, the cylindrical sidewall defining an open end opposite the end wall allowing access to the cylindrical interior recess, the cylindrical interior recess configured to receive a first end portion of a brace member, a bore formed through the end wall and a hole formed through the cylindrical sidewall; a first fastener engaged with the hole and extending into the cylindrical interior recess, the first fastener configured to couple the brace member to the socket fitting; and a second fastener defining a tail end engaged with the bore, the second fastener repositionable relative to the socket fitting to adjust a length of the fitting assembly, wherein the second fastener is oriented perpendicular to the first fastener.

Abstract: The present invention relates to azeotropic blends and pseudoazeotropic blends and to coating compositions including such blends. In one aspect, an azeotropic blend or a pseudoazeotropic blend consists essentially of octamethyltrisiloxane and a second component selected from the following: amyl acetate, 2-propoxyethanol, 1-methoxy-2-propylacetate, and 1-propoxy-2-propanol.

Abstract: Disclosed are latexes, suspensions, and colloids having a cationic antimicrobial compound complexed with an anionic surfactant. The surfactant may have greater affinity for the antimicrobial compound than other anionic surfactants and other anions in the latex, suspension, or colloid that contribute to disperse phase stability to prevent disrupting the dispersions. Dispersions containing the antimicrobial compound may therefore have a shelf life comparable to dispersions that are otherwise identical but lack the cationic antimicrobial compound and its complexed anionic surfactant. Coatings made with the complexes can exhibit essentially undiminished antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: An interspinous, interlaminar space expander and measurement instrument for preparing an interspinous, interlaminar space between adjacent vertebrae to receive an implantable interspinous, interlaminar stabilization device is provided. The instrument includes an indicator which measures both height of the space and applied force to maintain that height.

Abstract: A cleaning system and method includes suspending and exploding, adjacent a bank of HRSG finned-tubing, a plurality of generally uniformly spaced detonation cords. Each detonation cord has an explosive grain loading of 18-50 grains per foot. A detonation delay assembly attached to each of the plurality of detonation cords creates a predetermined delay between each detonation cord explosion. After the detonation cords are exploded, a suspended elongated beam, having a transport assembly and a pressurized air blower assembly directs pressurized air towards an adjacent the bank of HRSG finned-tubing as the pressurized air blower assembly is moved along a portion of the beam. A suspension assembly moves the beam, the transport assembly, and the pressurized air blower assembly up or down so that a next portion of the bank of HRSG finned-tubing may be cleaned by the pressurized air.

Abstract: The combination of skin-contacted stimulation together with capillary blood flow monitoring is applied in a tandem, coordinated fashion in an integrated system and method to provide early detection of compromised circulation conditions, to provide data useful for prescribing therapeutic treatments including stimulation therapies, and to monitor the effectiveness of various treatments. The disclosed methods and system can apply to a broad spectrum of diagnosed and/or undiagnosed vascular diseases and extend to detection and treatment of limb or appendage injury. An integrated device which can be a portable or a wearable product which makes use of the new system and method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for decorating a translucent container including cleaning an exterior surface of the container and applying a silver layer to the exterior surface followed by a black layer applied over the silver layer. Portions of the silver and black layers are selectively removed to form one or more shapes using a laser. A translucent protective layer is applied over the entire exterior of the container.

Abstract: Vehicles that are autonomous or human-operated may drive in a platoon to achieve energy savings. A leader vehicle receives information broadcasts from following vehicles that include a state of energy and one or more other values such as energy usage rates, range, destination, and aerodynamic properties. The leader vehicle may then determine an ordering of vehicles that increases the range of the platoon, e.g., reduces the number of refueling/recharging stops of the platoon. Other considerations for ordering the vehicles may include overall energy savings and a fair distribution of energy savings. A desired ordering may be achieved by transmitting swap commands to pairs of vehicles until the platoon is in the correct ordering.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bottom wall, a plurality of connected walls attached to the bottom wall to define a cavity having a top rim, and a flange extending laterally outward from the top rim. At least a portion of the flange extends downwardly from the top rim. The portion of the flange includes an aperture configured to accept a user's thumb, and the portion of the flange is substantially symmetrical about a center line of the apparatus.

Abstract: Ladders, ladder components and related methods are provided. In some embodiments, adjustable stepladders are provided which include locking mechanisms that enable height adjustment of the ladder through application of a force towards the rails of the ladder. The locking mechanism may include a base or bracket, a handle or lever pivotally coupled with the bracket, an engagement pin coupled with the lever, a biasing member to bias the handle towards a first position relative to the bracket, and a detent mechanism for retaining the lever in at least a second position relative to the bracket.

Abstract: A drill bit comprises a bit body having a longitudinal axis and a blade extending radially outward from the longitudinal axis along a face region and axially along a gauge region. A gauge region includes a cutting element located proximate to an uphole edge of the blade in the gauge region. A remainder of the gauge region is free of cutting elements mounted thereon. A method of drilling a borehole comprises rotating the bit about the longitudinal axis, engaging a formation with cutting elements mounted to the face region, and increasing a lateral force applied substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that the cutting element engages the formation and such that side cutting exhibited by the tool is initially minimal and substantially constant and subsequently increases in a substantially linear manner with increasing lateral force.

Abstract: A system that includes a wheel carrier system. The wheel carrier system includes a first wheel that couples to a first shaft. A first connector couples the first shaft to a central shaft. A second wheel couples to a second shaft. A second connector couples the second shaft to the central shaft. The first wheel and the second wheel independently rotate and move vertically. A first wheel carrier arm couples to a wheel carrier frame. A first link rotates a ground engaging tool system with respect to the wheel carrier frame to transition the ground engaging tool system from a lowered position to a raised position. An actuator simultaneously rotates the first wheel carrier arm from a first position to a second position and the ground engaging tool system from the lowered position to the raised position.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for determining the size of blood vessels are disclosed. In one implementation, a blood vessel sizing device is configured for placement on an area of skin of a patient. The device includes a plurality of radiopaque concentric-circle elements. In one implementation, a blood vessel sizing method includes placing a marker having a plurality of concentric-circle elements on the skin of a patient, imaging a blood vessel of the patient and the device, and comparing the imaged blood vessel to the imaged circles to determine the blood vessel size, the concentric-circle elements allowing a determination of size without errors of parallax.