Abstract: Embodiments of a method include connecting an inner end of a base of a fluid coupling assembly to an outer surface of a manifold of a hydraulic fracturing system. The base includes an outer end opposite the inner end and a through-passage extending from the outer end to the inner end. In addition, the method includes inserting a coupling adapter into the through-passage from the outer end to compress the coupling adapter into the through-passage and to position a connection device of the coupling adapter outside of the through-passage at the outer end.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus for charging an electric vehicle, can include a receptacle mountable to a structure above the electric vehicle. The receptacle can maintain a charge transmitting device, which can be automatically moveable and directable from the receptacle toward a target area on the electric vehicle associated with a receiving coil mounted on the electric vehicle for the charging of an electric vehicle when the one receiving coil engages with the charge transmitting device when the electric vehicle is located below the receptacle. One or more optical sensors can be utilized to direct the charge transmitting device toward the target.

Abstract: A package, for example, a freezable microwavable package containing a food product, has a sealing film that includes a vent system that is scored into the package.

Abstract: A system comprising an agitation and flocculation system and a particulate filter capture system, and optionally a feedback system and/or an ion exchange resin system. The agitation and flocculation system configured to receive a contaminated aqueous stream and an anhydrite quantity, and comprising means for agitating the aqueous stream and a means for mixing the aqueous stream with the anhydrite, such that a precipitate of calcium+contaminant complexes is formed. Also, a system comprising a fixed-bed type cross-flow system and a particulate filter capture system, and a corresponding method of removing per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances from the contaminated aqueous stream. The method comprising the acts of: providing an anhydrite quantity; contacting and agitating the anhydrite quantity with a contaminated aqueous stream; and collecting the precipitate of calcium+contaminant complexes formed from the aqueous stream.

Abstract: A windlass tourniquet that facilitates the application of circumferential pressure and that compensates for natural pressure creep that occurs within minutes of tourniquet application

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods disclosed herein relate to configuring a light emitter to direct emitted light having a preselected wavelength through a liquid retained by a collapsible reservoir to a light sensor disposed in the collapsible reservoir, determining a distance separating the light emitter from the light sensor across the collapsible reservoir interior based on the amount of emitted light absorbed by the liquid, and determining the volume of the liquid retained by the collapsible reservoir based on the distance. The liquid may comprise an active compound formulation. An excipient may be added to the liquid in an excipient concentration governing a linear relationship between distance and light absorption at the preselected wavelength. The distance may be determined as a function of the linear relationship. The risks of abrupt therapy cessation or premature refill may be advantageously reduced by providing real-time remaining liquid volume measurements as the collapsible reservoir collapses.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing acid gases and other impurities from raw biogas streams, such as biogas from landfills or biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion, is disclosed. The method provides efficient generation of high-purity renewable natural gas from raw biogas. The biogas is treated in a multi-stage membrane system integrated with compression equipment. The membrane separation stages are integrated with high-pressure and low-pressure compressors with the low-pressure compressor operating in a defined pressure range. The combined system provides for efficient contaminant removal from raw biogas to generate high-purity methane products with reduced membrane area and compression energy consumption.

Abstract: A flood footprint estimation system that can generate a requested flood footprint is described herein. For example, the flood footprint estimation system can estimate water surface elevations at various points along a stream or river. The flood footprint estimation system can then perform a smoothing operation on the estimated water surface elevations to generate a trend line or curve of the estimated water surface elevations in which each point of the trend line or curve corresponds to a water surface elevation value that is no greater than any of the water surface elevation values of the previous points of the trend line or curve. The flood footprint estimation system can use the trend line or curve to perform an iterative water expansion to determine which geographic locations may flood. Results of the iterative water expansion can be provided to a user device in the form of a user interface.

Abstract: An impact mill using hammers to strike particles and reduce their size as the material progresses through a grinding chamber. Baffles are provided in the grinding chamber, adjacent the interior wall thereof, concentrically about the drive shaft of the mill. The baffles are adjacent to the hammers in the area of hammer sweep and form a path for the material using the flow of air through the mill and the swing of hammers to keep material from falling within the mill and remaining in the hammer sweep area. A variable speed motor varies the rate of movement of the hammers to increase or decrease the rate of strike of hammers to more efficiently and effectively reduce the material passing therethrough. The baffles can be retrofit into existing mills and can be created in angular sections with the lining of the grinding chamber for modular installation and removal.

Abstract: A produce wash system is provided. The produce wash system includes a produce line including a short-term wash device and a rinse transition component followed by a wash device, a short-term wash treatment that is applied by the short-term wash device to a product, wherein the short-term wash treatment remains on the product for a pretreatment time that lasts until the short-term wash treatment is rinsed off, and a rinse solution applied by the rinse transition component that rinses the product after the product leaves the short-term wash device and before the product enters the wash device, and a wash treatment that is applied by the wash device to the product, wherein the wash treatment rinses any remaining short-term wash treatment from the product. The pretreatment time is set at or below a damage threshold time beyond which the short-term wash treatment damages the product beyond a damage threshold.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer implemented method and system for gathering information from a user related to, filing for, and obtaining government benefits, such as Social Security benefits. The present invention also enables the user to track the benefit application approval process and reminders when certain data or responses are due. There is a feature which enables the user to modify the data submitted for the benefits when circumstances warrant. There is also a decision appeal process feature.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for removing acid gases and other impurities from raw biogas streams, such as biogas from landfills or biogas from controlled anaerobic digestion, is disclosed. The method provides efficient generation of high-purity renewable natural gas from raw biogas. The biogas is treated in a multi-stage membrane system integrated with compression equipment. The membrane separation units are arranged into interconnected high-pressure and low-pressure gas recycling loops powered by high-pressure and low-pressure compressors. The combined system provides for the generation of efficient contaminant removal from raw biogas to generate high-purity methane products with reduced compression energy consumption.

Abstract: Techniques for triggering or massaging a deep back muscle of a user are provided. In an example, an apparatus can include a base, a slanted portion and a trigger portion. The base can include a number of sidewalls. The slanted portion can extend from a first major side of the base and can extend from an edge of a lateral sidewall of the base. The trigger portion can extend from the first major surface and can include a curved portion. A user's body weight and relaxed breathing can trigger or massage the deep back muscle via the trigger portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, a formulation in a package, the formulation comprises one or more active agents and is co-mingled with a whipping agent prior to being filled under pressure into the package. The whipping agent is added in sufficient amounts to be dispersed in the formulation. The pressurized package is under sufficient pressure suitable to maintain the whipping agent dispersed in the formulation; and the pressurized package is under sufficient pressure to expel the formulation as a whipped formulation upon application of external force on the formulation in the package.

Abstract: An adjustable height golf tee system having a tee and an anchor is discussed. The tee is height-adjustable relative to the anchor. A first anchor includes a cap, a stem, and a tip. The stem can be threaded internally, externally, or a combination thereof. A second anchor includes a base, a first stem, a cap, and a second stem as well as optional spacers. The stems can be threaded internally. Both the first and second anchors can be composed multiple pieces (e.g., a detachable cap, a detachable stem, or a detachable portion thereof) to provide access to an inner cavity of the respective stems.

Abstract: A system for transdermal alcohol sensing to be worn near a skin surface of a user, including: an alcohol sensor; a microporous membrane; a housing coupled to the alcohol sensor and the membrane, defining a volume between the alcohol sensor and a first membrane side, and fluidly isolating the volume from a second membrane side opposing the first membrane side; an electronics subsystem electrically coupled to the alcohol sensor, operable to power and receive signals from the alcohol sensor; and a fastener operable to position the second membrane side proximal the skin surface.

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: Renewably-sourced biodegradable polyolefin packaging, utensils, and containers include a renewably-sourced polyolefin (for example, polyethylene and polypropylene) and a biodegrading agent. The renewably-sourced biodegradable polyolefin packaging is made from plant materials typically by polymerizing olefins that are made from reducing alcohols created by fermenting plant materials. An example of a suitable plant material is sugarcane and its derivatives. The biodegrading agent accelerates the biodegradation of polyolefin packaging even in anaerobic and dark (i.e., absent of ultraviolet light) environments. Such a packaging is particularly useful for packaging frozen food that is to be microwaved in the packaging. The package is also particularly usable as packaging for frozen comestibles, which are often stored at dry-ice temperatures.

Abstract: An encoder provides a bitstream having a coded current picture including a coded coding tree unit and signaling information. The signaling information indicating that geometric partitioning is enabled for the bitstream and further including partition index information enabling the decoder to determine endpoints for first and second straight line partition boundaries in the coding tree unit. The bitstream enables a compliant decoder to reconstruct the coding tree unit, which is partitioned into three non-rectangular regions by the first and second straight line partition boundaries.