Abstract: This invention relates to a feeder for feeding hay bales to animals. The inventive animal feeder includes a feeder base, a feeder cone and a tray. The feeder cone is mounted above the base for receiving and holding the hay to be fed to animals. In one embodiment, the feeder cone has three inwardly sloping cone side assemblies and an inwardly sloping shortened cone side assembly to facilitate loading hay into the feeder cone. A tray is supported by the base and positioned below the feeder cone to catch hay that falls as animals are feeding from the feeder cone, preventing waste and exposure to parasite and other contaminants. In an alternative embodiment, all four sides of the feeder cone 12 are constructed the same, with no shortened side.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a temperature controlled charcoal grill and smoker that enables users to better control the cooking and smoking temperature relative to previous solutions. In some embodiments, for example, a user may place a divider in the interior of a fuel basket to coarsely adjust the amount and type of solid fuel used to heat a food-cooking enclosure of the temperature controlled charcoal grill and smoker. In addition, the user can also position a heat deflector tent above one or more heat transfer openings in a grease tray to further adjust the cooking and smoking temperature. Further still, the user can provide even finer control (including closed-loop control) over the cooking and smoking temperature using a controller that controls the speed of a fan that directs combustion air into the fuel basket.

Abstract: A device for collecting fluid discharged from a vagina of a woman with the woman seated or lying on a support surface, the device including a receptacle portion for receiving the fluid and a planar portion for inserting under the woman. The receptacle portion has an angled bottom surface and a drain opening for draining fluid from the receptacle portion. Also, an apparatus containing the device and a vessel for collecting and measuring fluid drained from the vessel and a method for collecting and measuring fluid loss by a woman following birth of her child by vaginal delivery.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to provide portioned instances of a compressible material includes a channel assembly, a gas source, a cutting assembly, and a discharge assembly. The channel assembly holds a bulk instance of the material extending through upper and lower channels of a continuous channel. The gas source supplies gas to compress the bulk instance. The cutting assembly moves in relation to the channel assembly to isolate the upper and lower channels, severing upper and lower material portions of the bulk instance. The discharge assembly directs gas to impinge on a lower face of the cutting assembly to discharge the lower material portion as a portioned instance. The channel assembly may be moveable, where operation of the gas source, cutting assembly, and/or discharge assembly are based on moving the channel assembly between various positions. The gas supply may be controlled based on a determined property of the portioned instance.

Abstract: Systems and methods for connecting datasets are disclosed. For example, a system may include a memory unit storing instructions and a processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. The operations may include receiving a plurality of datasets and a request to identify a cluster of connected datasets among the received plurality of datasets. The operations may include selecting a dataset. In some embodiments, the operations include identifying a data schema of the selected dataset and determining a statistical metric of the selected dataset. The operations may include identifying foreign key scores. The operations may include generating a plurality of edges between the datasets based on the foreign key scores, the data schema, and the statistical metric. The operations may include segmenting and returning datasets based on the plurality of edges.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to create personalized artwork may include an art creation server comprising a processor, a data store, and a controller comprising a plurality of subsystems including a data management engine, a randomization engine, and an online shopping engine. The data management engine may be configured to receive art objects and words. The randomization engine may automatically generate personalized artwork by selectively arranging a subset of the art objects and words. The randomization engine may also be configured to automatically generate a rendering of the personalized artwork, selectively save the rendering of the personalized artwork based upon a save selection by a user, and selectively generate a different rendering of the personalized artwork based upon an edit selection by the user.

Abstract: A system and method used to deliver an aortic valve therapeutic device, such as a delivery device for an aortic valve replacement, to an aortic valve site. The system includes a cable percutaneously introduced a cable into a vasculature of a patient and positioned to run from a femoral vein, through the heart via a transseptal puncture, and to a femoral artery. The therapeutic device is passed over an end of the cable at the venous side and is secured to the cable. The therapeutic device is pushed in a distal direction while the second end of the cable is pulled in the proximal direction to advance the therapeutic device to the mitral valve site. A left ventricle redirector aids in orienting the therapeutic device and preventing migration of the cable towards delicate mitral valve structures and chordae tendoneae during advancement of the therapeutic device.

Abstract: A method of isolating vehicle occupant respiration includes energizing a source of ultraviolet radiation to sterilize in air. A first sensor detects carbon dioxide content of that air. A second sensor detects quality of that air. A third sensor detects particulate in that air. Result from the first sensor is compared to baseline carbon dioxide reading recorded in a controller connected with the sensors. Fan speed increases temporal duration of air exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Result from the second sensor is compared with baseline air quality recorded in the controller. A signal is sent to a display comprising the filtration system to identify contaminate in the air. Result from the third sensor is compared with baseline particulate recorded in controller. An alert is sent to an interested party indicating particulate presence in the air.

Abstract: Material flow modifiers as disclosed herein overcome drawbacks associated with known adverse flow conditions (e.g., surface erosion, head losses, particulate drop-out, and the like) that arise from flow of certain types of materials (e.g., fluids, slurries, particulates, flowable aggregate, and the like) through a material flow conduit. Such material flow modifiers provide for flow of flowable material within a flow passage of a material flow conduit (e.g., a portion of a pipeline, tubing or the like) to have a rotational flow profile. Advantageously, the rotational flow profile centralizes flow toward the central portion of the flow passage, thereby reducing magnitude of laminar flow to overcome the aforementioned adverse flow conditions.

Abstract: An axle assembly having a countershaft transmission. The countershaft transmission may operatively connect a rotor shaft of an electric motor to a drive pinion that may be rotatable about a drive pinion axis. The electric motor and the countershaft transmission may be positioned on opposite sides of a differential assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a subsonic ammunition including a polymeric casing body; a propellant insert positioned in the propellant chamber to reduce the internal volume of the propellant chamber; a propellant disposed and confined within the propellant chamber; a primer insert positioned at the body base and in communication with the propellant chamber; a primer and diffuser disposed in the primer insert in combustible communication with the propellant; and a projectile frictionally fitted in the mouth in combustible communication with the propellant.

Abstract: A downhole tool including a tubular member having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a flow bore. An expandable member is arranged on the outer surface. The expandable member is selectively radially outwardly expandable. An activation mechanism is operatively connected to the expandable member. The activation mechanism is operable to radially outwardly expand the expandable member. A control line extends along the outer surface and over the expandable member. A control line guidance system is operable to shift the control line radially outwardly from the outer surface.

Abstract: A measurement system includes an optical source (e.g., laser) to irradiate a sample (e.g., a cell); a solid-state photon detector (SSPD) to receive resultant light from the sample; and a photon counter to count photons received by the SSPD. The photon counter can include a differentiator to provide a differentiated photon signal and a crossing detector configured to count photons based on a number of times the differentiated photon signal crosses a predetermined threshold level. In some examples, a pulse detector can provide a pulse-width signal from the SSPD output photon signal, and a pulse counter can count based on both a number of pulses and widths of the pulses. The SSPD can include a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) array or a solid-state photomultiplier. Some examples use the measurement system to measure samples in fluids, e.g., in flow cytometers or multi-well plates.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for dynamically providing content to a user. The disclosed embodiments include generating a recommendation matrix based on event data received from a client. In certain embodiments, the client may be configured to generate event data associated with the client or a user associated with the client. The disclosed embodiments may also include generating an offer score matrix based on the recommendation matrix and the event data. In certain aspects, the offer score matrix may include score values associated with a set of offers to be provided to the user. The disclosed embodiments may identify a first offer from the set of offers based on the score values for the offers and provide an identification of the first offer, The disclosed embodiments may also receive content associated with the first offer for display on the client.

Abstract: A platform that utilizes QR codes, Radio Frequency Identification and/or Near Field Communication for geolocation in securing users safety and a MESH network to ensure emergency safety device performs under any network configuration cellular/wifi/bluetooth. The platform enables the dashboard and/or application programs executing thereon to effectively secure users of platform with audio/visual recordings of any such events which may endanger an associate working in a discrete location on their own. A user can also locate the associate in the case of an emergency. The platform also enables speech enabled summoning of the panic button. The platform plans to utilize ultra wide band technologies in addition to cellular/wifi/bluetooth channels. The platform is also available to emergency services based on the severity of an issue that may arise. The platform can also transmit single channel walkie talkie services to users of platform at the same location.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses an amino acid composition for stimulating muscle protein synthesis. Further, the present disclosure relates generally to the use of an anabolic amino acid composition for the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis. In particular, disclosed are compositions and methods of using the same for the prevention and/or treatment of a loss of any one of muscle mass, muscle strength, muscle function, and physical function, or any combination thereof, in a mammal, especially an adult mammal. Also provided are kits comprising a composition for the stimulation of muscle protein synthesis and, in certain embodiments, instructions for administration.

Abstract: A rotary union includes a housing having a shaft rotatably mounted in a bore. A plurality of annular plates is mounted on the shaft in spaced relation, and a plurality of spools is disposed in alternating fashion between the plurality of annular plates on the shaft. Each spool includes two seal rings creating mechanical face seals with adjacent annular plates. The shaft, the plurality of annular plates and the plurality of spools are arranged to assemble in a stacked arrangement, which is insertable as a whole into the cylindrical bore of the housing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing a biological sample. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a sample vessel containing the sample; retrieving information from an information storage unit associated with the sample; using said information for selecting at least one cartridge front at least two or more different cartridges, each configured for use with a sample processing device; loading at least one or more reagents onto the cartridge, wherein the one or more reagents to be added are selected based at least in part on the information or instructions derived from the information; and placing the sample vessel in the cartridge.

Abstract: A stock material unit for a dunnage conversion machine is provided herein. The stock material includes a first strip of sheet material at least partially defining a three-dimensional configuration. The strip of sheet material includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The stock material includes a splice member mounted with respect to the sheet material in a first position. The splice member includes a connector that has a bonding member configured to stick to the first end. The connector is releasable from the first position and repositionable to a second position in which it is affixed to the first end by a connecting portion. In the second position, the connecting portion has an exposed area for affixing to a second end of a second continuous sheet of the material to daisy chain the first and second strips of sheet material.

Abstract: According to aspects of the disclosure, an apparatus is disclosed comprising: a controller; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the controller, the ADC including an input terminal for receiving a sensor signal from a transducer; and a diagnostic circuit coupled to the input terminal of the ADC and to the controller, the diagnostic circuit being configured to: generate a diagnostic signal that indicates whether a voltage at the input terminal of the ADC meets a first threshold, and provide the diagnostic signal to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to: receive a data sample from the ADC, detect whether the data sample meets a second threshold, and transition the apparatus into a safe state when: (i) the diagnostic signal indicates that the voltage at the input terminal does not meet the first threshold, and (ii) the data sample meets the second threshold.