Abstract: A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant, referred to by its cultivar name, ‘NSG 9’, is provided which exhibits a semi-dense habit and an upright growth. ‘NSG 9’ displays, on an early basis, white inflorescence generally at a level above the foliage. ‘NSG 9’ commonly displays a calyx that is larger than the diameter of its corolla when open. ‘NSG 9’ forms in abundance early-ripening attractive fruits of large dimensions, longer in length than in width, mainly conical, with very firm flesh and orange red color. The new variety is particularly well suited for the commercial industry.

Abstract: An optical system and method are presented for use in measurements on an upper surface of a layered sample when located in a measurement plane. The optical system is configured as a normal-incidence system having an illumination channel and a collection channel, and comprises an objective lens unit and a light propagation affecting device. The objective lens unit is accommodated in the illumination and collection channels, thereby defining a common optical path for propagation of illuminating light from the illumination channel toward an illuminating region in the measurement plane and for propagation of light returned from measurement plane to the collection channel. The light propagation affecting device comprises an apertured structure located in at least one of the illumination and collection channels, and configured to provide angular obscuration of light propagation path for blocking angular segments associated with light propagation from regions outside the illuminated region.

Abstract: A method may include obtaining irradiance data at a first time and a second time from sensors, determining whether one or more solar modules of a plurality of networked power plants will be covered by a shadow or shade at a third time based on the irradiance data, and generating, based on the determination, a power output prediction for each power plant of the networked power plants at the third time. The method may further include receiving power delivery profiles for first and second loads, adjusting a power output of one or more power plants of the networked power plants based at least in part on the power output prediction and the power delivery profiles for the first and second loads, and allocating a combined power output of the power plants to the first and second loads based on first and second load reliability thresholds.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for use in measuring one or more characteristics of patterned structures. The method comprises: performing measurements on a patterned structure by illuminating the structure with exciting light to cause Raman scattering of one or more excited regions of the pattern structure, while applying a controlled change of at least temperature condition of the patterned structure, and detecting the Raman scattering, and generating corresponding measured data indicative of a temperature dependence of the detected Raman scattering; and analyzing the measured data and generating data indicative of spatial profile of one or more properties of the patterned structure.

Abstract: The copolymerization of ethylene with an optional comonomer is conducted in the presence of a catalyst having a specific aryloxy ether ligand structure. The process enables very high conversions of ethylene to polyethylene at very short residence times when conducted under conditions of pressures of at least 10.3 MPa and high ethylene feed concentrations of from 70 to 150 grams per liter. Using these polymerization conditions, the level of unsaturation may be controlled by the polymerization temperature: for example, a level of 0.09 vinyl groups per 1000 carbon atoms was observed at a polymerization temperature of 160° C. and a level of 0.22 vinyls per 1000 carbon atoms was observed at 220° C.

Abstract: The present invention describes a Solid-Liquid-Solid hydrometallurgical process, optimized and independent of redox potential, to increase the solubilization of metals from ores and/or concentrates with a granulometry of less than 40 mm, by means of an initial stage called “Activation”; a second stage called “Dry autocatalytic transformation”; a third stage called “Washing and re-wetting”; and where the stages of dry autocatalytic transformation and washing and re-wetting, can be repeated in an alternating and repeated way.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating an implant in a medical care center prior to using the implant in a medical procedure. The method comprises applying a plasma-generating electromagnetic (EM) field using at least one electrode so as to generate plasma in a vicinity of the implant while displacing the electrode and the implant relative to one another. A portable plasma module and a docking station configured to connect to the portable plasma module, thereby forming a plasma generating system, are also provided. A plasma generating apparatus for treating an implant prior to using the implant in a medical procedure is also provided.

Abstract: A process, a system, and an apparatus are provided for converting a lower alkane to an alkene. Oxygen and the lower alkane are provided to an ODH reactor to convert at least a portion of the lower alkane to an alkene. An ODH stream comprising the alkene, an oxygenate, steam, and a carbon-based oxide is produced. The bulk of the oxygenate is removed from the ODH outlet stream by non-dilutive cooling, with residual oxygenate being removed using dilutive quenching with a carbonate. Subsequently, separation of the carbon-based oxide from the alkene is achieved using a caustic tower, which also produces spent caustic in the form of a carbonate, which is then used as the carbonate for dilutive quenching. Dilutive quenching using a carbonate allows conversion of the oxygenate to an acetate, which can then be used to simplify separation of the oxygenate from water.

Abstract: A method may include obtaining irradiance data at a first time and a second time from sensors, determining whether one or more solar modules of a plurality of networked power plants will be covered by a shadow or shade at a third time based on the irradiance data, and generating, based on the determination, a power output prediction for each power plant of the networked power plants at the third time. The method may further include receiving power delivery profiles for first and second loads, adjusting a power output of one or more power plants of the networked power plants based at least in part on the power output prediction and the power delivery profiles for the first and second loads, and allocating a combined power output of the power plants to the first and second loads based on first and second load reliability thresholds.

Abstract: Multilayer Films have a first skin layer that is prepared from a high density polyethylene and a second skin layer (also referred to as the sealant layer) that is prepared from a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) having a density of from 0.90 to 0.92 g/cc and a Dilution Index, Yd, of greater than 0°. Seals can be prepared by placing two pieces of this film against each other such that the sealant layers are in contact with each other, then applying heat to at least one high density skin layer such that heat is transmitted/conducted through the multilayer film in a sufficient amount to melt the sealant layer and form a seal. The use of LLDPE having a Dilution Index of greater than 0° has been found to improve the sealing performance of multilayer films in comparison to multilayer films where the sealant layer is a conventional LLDPE having a Dilution Index of less than 0°.

Abstract: The present invention is a dock seal system for mounting on a structure wall. The system includes at least one side seal made up of a backer board having a hollow configuration and a foam seal attached to the backer board. A first side of at least one wear pleat is removably connected to the foam seal by at least one pleat fastener. This allows rapid, easy replacement of worn-out wear pleats.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for managing electrical energy generated by a renewable microgrid. One or more processors of a system may store priorities for one or more consumer loads; forecast an amount of available electrical energy for a time period; allocate a first electrical energy amount to a first consumer load to a first energy limit for the time period; determine more electrical energy is forecast to be available from the RES or the ESS for the time period; identify a second consumer load of the one or more consumer loads; allocate a second electrical energy amount to the second consumer load for the time period; and direct electrical energy from the RES or the ESS to the first and second consumer loads according to the allocations.

Abstract: The copolymerization of ethylene with an optional comonomer is conducted in the presence of a catalyst having a specific aryloxy ether ligand structure. The process enables very high conversions of ethylene to polyethylene at very short residence times when conducted under conditions of pressures of at least 10.3 MPa and high ethylene feed concentrations of from 70 to 150 grams per liter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for managing a temperature of a battery energy storage system (“BESS”). A method may comprise obtaining a charge/discharge schedule for a battery energy storage system (BESS) for a first time period; identifying, from the charge/discharge schedule, a charge or discharge time period of the BESS within the first time period; calculating a beginning time of a temperature control time period in which equipment operates to control a temperature of the BESS to reach a target temperature by a beginning time of the charge or discharge time period; and controlling the equipment operating to control the temperature of the BESS for the temperature control time period such that the temperature of the BESS reaches the target temperature by the beginning time of the charge or discharge time period.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment disclosed herein is method for power distribution optimization. In some embodiments, the method includes determining an efficiency for each power block of a plurality of power blocks of a power distribution optimization system, determining a characteristic for each power block, determining a power to provide, selecting a first percentage of the power that a first power block is to provide and a second percentage of the power that a second power block is to provide at least based on the efficiency for each power block, the characteristic for each power block, and the power to provide, wherein the first percentage of the power is greater than the second percentage of the power, and sending a dispatch command to cause the first power block to provide the first percentage of the power and the second power block to provide the second percentage of the power.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for improved bifacial solar modeling. A method may comprise measuring an albedo of a surface on which an array of bifacial solar modules is disposed and setting an albedo parameter of a bifacial gain model. The method may further comprise measuring a backside irradiance of the array and setting a backside irradiance parameter. The method may further comprise setting a shed transparency parameter using the measured backside irradiance and a geometric model of the array. The method may further comprise setting a rear shading parameter using a shading model of the array. The method may further comprise computing an expected bifacial gain of the array. The method may further comprise determining an actual bifacial gain of the array. The method may further comprise setting a rear mismatch parameter to minimize a loss function of the expected bifacial gain and the actual bifacial gain.

Abstract: Provided in this disclosure are oxidative dehydrogenation catalysts that include a mixed metal oxide having the empirical formula: Mo1.0V0.12-0.49Te0.05-0.17Nb0.10-0.20Od wherein d is a number to satisfy the valence of the oxide. The oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst is characterized by having XRD diffraction peaks (2? degrees) at 22±0.2, 27±0.2, 28.0±0.2, and 28.3±0.1. The disclosure also provides methods of making the catalysts that include wet ball milling.

Abstract: A method for use in measuring one or more characteristics of patterned structures, the method including providing measured data comprising data indicative of at least one Raman spectrum obtained from a patterned structure under measurements using at least one selected optical measurement scheme each with a predetermined configuration of at least one of illuminating and collected light conditions corresponding to the one or more characteristics to be measured, processing the measured data, and determining, for each of the at least one Raman spectrum, a distribution of Raman-contribution efficiency (RCE) within at least a part of the structure under measurements, being dependent on characteristics of the structure and the predetermined configuration of the at least one of illuminating and collected light conditions in the respective optical measurement scheme, and analyzing the distribution of Raman-contribution efficiency and determining the one or more characteristics of the structure.

Abstract: Compositions, systems, and methods for making a whipped beverage concentrate are disclosed. A method for producing a whipped beverage concentrate may include creating a base mixture comprising at least two ingredients, wherein the at least two ingredients includes an instant drink mix. The method may further include inserting the base mixture into a canister, wherein the canister is configured to dispense nitrous oxide into the base mixture. The method may additionally include initiating release of nitrous oxide into the base mixture, thereby creating a whipped beverage concentrate configured for dispensing from the canister.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a temperature-regulating containment system for actively heating and/or cooling a liquid to a desired liquid temperature, and methods of making and using such a temperature-regulating containment system, whereby the temperature-regulating containment system comprises: (i) a container having an internal cavity defined by a sidewall upwardly extending from a bottom wall, the internal cavity configured to contain liquid which has a liquid temperature; (ii) a temperature regulator operatively coupled to the internal cavity, the temperature regulator configured to regulate the temperature of the internal cavity and the liquid therein; (iii) a pressurizable chamber disposed between the internal cavity and the temperature regulator; and (iv) a pressure regulator operatively coupled to the chamber, the pressure regulator configured to regulate the pressure of the chamber.