Abstract: A state change device may be electrically connected to a switched receptacle, or to both the switched and unswitched receptacles, of an outlet. The state change device may generate a change of state signal when power is applied to, or removed from, the switched receptacle. The state change device may wirelessly communicate the signal. The state change device may include a load control circuit that may be configured to control the amount of power delivered to an electrical load that is electrically connected to the state change device. The state change device may receive commands directed to the load control circuit. The state change device may be deployed in a load control system and may operate as a control entity, such that the state change device may issue commands to one or more load control devices, responsive to the application or removal of power at the switched receptacle.

Abstract: Techniques are described for injection molding. When material inside a cavity of a tool is solidified into a molded part, the tool imparts a finished surface onto the part, including sidewalls with a zero or low-draft angle. To allow separation from the cavity without using sleeves or sliders, the cavity is widened, just prior to the part being ejected. The tool is made from metal with a high coefficient of thermal expansion, so the size of the cavity can be manipulated using temperature control. Heat applied to an outer portion of the metal surrounding the cavity pulls the metal away from the part creating an air gap within the cavity. Carefully applied cooling to an inner portion of the metal blocks the heat and keeps the surface temperature under control, which preserves the finished surface on the part. When the air gap allows, the part releases from the cavity with the finished surface intact.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides modified, transgenic, or genome edited/mutated corn plants that are semi-dwarf and have one or more improved ear traits relative to a control plant, such as increase in ear diameter, ear fresh weight, and single kernel weight, and increased yield. The modified, transgenic, or genome edited/mutated corn plants comprise a transgene encoding one or more molybdenum cofactor (Moco) biosynthesis polypeptides and have a reduced expression of one or more GA20 or GA3 oxidase genes. Also provided are methods for producing the modified, transgenic, or genome edited/mutated corn plants.

Abstract: A method of use and reagent kit for nucleic acid stabilization and room temperature transport of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, followed by rapid identification are disclosed. Using the methods and compositions herein, molecular diagnostics or detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses from the biological sample is performed without extraction or purification of viral DNA or RNA.

Abstract: A portable birdfinding device comprising a plurality of PDM microphone sensors (e.g. a microphone array) coupled to processing electronics that electronically filter the acoustic signals to detect sounds from birds, and to interpret the acoustic signals to identify the angle-of-arrival (e.g. azimuth and elevation) and distance from which the bird sound is coming. Additional electronic processing may provide an identification of the bird species. In some embodiments, the microphone array may have sensors spaced so that sounds from distant birds have a different time of flight to reach the different microphone sensors, while having the spacing between microphones be less than half of the wavelength for sounds made by a predetermined bird species. The microphone array may be positioned onto an object wearable by the birdwatcher, such as a hat or a jacket. In some embodiments, the electronic processing may be carried out using a smartphone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chamber reamer used to form a chamber in a firearm wherein the chamber is adapted to fit a multi piece ammunition cartridge comprising: a reamer comprising a reamer profile corresponding to an ammunition cartridge having a reduced neck height comprising: a shortened neck having a projectile aperture, wherein the shortened neck is reduced by 25-100% of the neck height of a standard cartridge neck; a shoulder extending from the shortened neck to a cartridge side wall; and wherein the cartridge side wall extends from the shoulder to the base to form an interior propellant chamber; wherein the base comprises an extraction ring, a primer recess positioned in the base in communication with the propellant chamber through a flash hole that extends from the primer recess into the propellant chamber.

Abstract: A map database stores data describing a set of connected roadways, each having one or more lanes. A navigation system selects a route for an autonomous vehicle (AV) by identifying a set of candidate lanes for routing the AV in the map database and retrieving at least one parameter of each candidate lane from the map database. The navigation system determines a performance metric for each of the candidate lanes, the performance metric for a given candidate lane based on the retrieved at least one parameter of the given candidate lane. The navigation system selects a candidate lane for routing the AV based at least in part on the determined performance metrics.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for formulating a skin care product to mitigate aging or to restore damaged skin. One skin care product includes a blend of growth factors, peptides, and amino acids. Also disclosed is a skin care product formed from a synthesized protein matrix. The synthesized protein matrix can mimic the regenerative effects of human placental proteins, which are desirable when applied to skin because, as skin loses its regenerative properties, humans shows signs of aging, and a decrease in healing capabilities. The exemplary skin-care products disclosed herein can be applied to skin to help mitigate this skin aging process or to restore damaged skin.

Abstract: A clip for electrically bonding a pair of adjacently-disposed metal panels is disclosed. One embodiment entails such a clip (104) including a first clip member (112) and an oppositely disposed second clip member (116). The surface (114) of the first clip member (112) that faces the second clip member (116) includes at least one grounding projection (128), while the surface (118) of the second clip member (116) that faces the first clip member (112) also includes at least one grounding projection (128). The clip (104) may be installed on a standing seam (102) of a panel assembly (100), with its first clip member (112) engaging one of the metal panels 82? that define this stand seam (102) and with its second clip member (116) engaging the other of the metal panels 82? that define this same standing seam (102).

Abstract: A solid state optical beam steering device including a body of electro-optical material wherein the body of electro-optical material comprises any material of a class of hydrogen-doped phase-change metal oxide and wherein the body has a first face and a second face opposite the first face, a first transparent resistive sheet on the first face of the body of electro optic material, wherein the first transparent resistive sheet has a first side and a second side, and a transparent conductor on the second face of the body of electro optic material, wherein the transparent conductor is coupled to the second side of the first transparent resistive sheet.

Abstract: Debris filters for automatic swimming pool cleaners may be formed of metal, carbon fibers, or composites more rigid than soft nylon bags. In at least one version, the filter may be made of, or include, steel or stainless steel. Non-uniform sizes, densities, and/or shapes of openings in the filtration material may be created to provide different levels of filtration in a single device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for monitoring plant development in aeroponic farming. The output from one or more sensors in the apparatus be used to modify the flow of one or more fluids to the developing plants.

Abstract: The present specification provides for and includes novel methods of curing tobacco to produce desirable smoke and flavor characteristics while reducing the undesirable compounds imparted during a conventional fire-curing process. The present specification provides for and includes cured tobacco having reduced polyaromatic hydrocarbons and TSNA as compared to conventionally fire-cured tobacco. Also provided are tobacco products made with tobacco leaf cured using the disclosed processes.

Abstract: A pallet comprises an upper load supporting surface having a peripheral edge, and a lower surface having a peripheral edge. The lower surface has substantially the same dimensions as the upper load supporting surface. A plurality of peripheral supports are provided at or near the peripheral edge of the lower surface and extend upwardly therefrom to the upper load supporting surface so that the upper load supporting surface and the lower surface are spaced from each other and define sides of the pallet. Each side of the pallet has a first opening and a second opening which are defined by the upper load supporting surface, the lower surface, and a pair of peripheral supports. Inclined surfaces are provided on the lower surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a sealing portion on a duct member for use in connection to another duct member, with the connection between the duct members being substantially sealed from the egress of air in an air handling system.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a processing core, memory coupled to the processing core, a plurality of pins, an input/output (IO) control module operably coupled to provide control signaling indicating desired functions for the plurality of pins, and a plurality of programmable IO interface modules. A programmable IO interface module includes: a front-end module coupled to at least one pin of the plurality of pins, a back-end module coupled to at least one of the processing core and the memory, and an IO configuration module coupled to the IO control module. Each of the front-end module and the back-end module are configurable, via the control signaling, to configure the at least one pin to operate as one of: a bidirectional interface, an input, an output, a concurrent drive & sense interface, and a concurrent transmit-receive data interface.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for are provided for implementing a hybrid spectrum access system and access probe framework. A system includes a base station coupled to a network, a spectrum access system, and user equipment coupled to the base station and the spectrum access system. The user equipment is configured to transmit, to the base station, a first network access request following a first access sequence while transmitting signals under a first power limit. If no response is obtained from the base station, the user equipment is configured to transmit a second network access request above the first power limit, but under a second power limit. The user equipment is configured to obtain spectrum access from the spectrum access system and transmit a second network access request to the base station.

Abstract: A system and method for beamforming beams including: matching weights T to a distribution of resources for each of the beams based on a traffic variation for each of the beams; calculating, with a signal processor for each of the beams based on the weights T, a power scalar ? and a weighted minimum mean squared error (WMMSE) matrix WWMSE; and transmitting/receiving the beams based on the power scalar ? and the WMMSE matrix WWMSE, where the power scalar/3 satisfies a total power constraint of an antenna subsystem.

Abstract: A block may comprise a base comprising a first block side comprising a first side plane and a connective protrusion coupled to the base and extending distally outwardly and substantially perpendicularly from the first side plane. The connective protrusion may comprise a center pillar coupled to the base extending distally outward from the first side plane, a base portion coupled to the center pillar and the base and extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the center pillar in a first direction, and an overhang portion coupled to the center pillar extending axially and substantially perpendicularly from the center pillar in a second direction opposite the first direction such that there is an overhang space between the first side plane and the overhang portion. The block may further comprise additional connective protrusions, and the connective protrusions of multiple blocks may enable the coupling of such blocks.

Abstract: Lanthanide compounds for vapor deposition having ?50.0 ppm, ?30.0 ppm, or ?10.0 ppm of all halide impurity combined is provided. The purification systems and methods are also provided.