Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for providing high electrical resistance for an upper control assembly (including control handles) of an aerial lift are provided through an isolation member that is integral to the upper control assembly and interposed between fluid lines in the control assembly and a set of fluid conduits that extend from the control assembly towards other portions of the aerial lift. The isolation member is a dielectric element that comprises a manifold that is made of material that is substantially electrically non-conductive, and that has a plurality of through-holes or hoses configured to allow hydraulic fluid to flow through the isolation member into and out of the fluid lines and conduits. These methods, systems and apparatuses are preferably used in upper control assemblies of aerial platforms that can carry one or more operators in order to prevent such operators from electrocution when controlling the lift.

Abstract: Facility layouts and configurations for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture. In particular implementations, the core of the facility comprises a controlled growth environment and a central processing system. The controlled growth environment includes systems for exposing crops housed in modules, such as grow towers, to controlled environmental conditions. The central processing system may include various stations and functionality both for preparing crop-bearing modules to be inserted in the controlled growth environment, for harvesting crops from the crop-bearing modules after they have been extracted from the controlled growth environment, and for cleaning or washing crop-bearing modules for re-use. The controlled growth environment may include vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers along one or more grow lines.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data and a plurality of values at a processor. The data can include real-valued data and/or complex data. The plurality of values includes one of a plurality of random values or a plurality of pseudo-random values. The method also includes generating an automorphism, via the processor, based on the plurality of values, and partitioning the data, via the processor, into a plurality of data blocks. The automorphism includes at least one of a linear transformation or an antilinear transformation. Each data block from the plurality of data blocks can have a predefined size. The method also includes applying the automorphism, via the processor, to each data block from plurality of data blocks, to produce a plurality of transformed data blocks, and causing transmission of a signal representing the plurality of transformed data blocks.

Abstract: Facility layouts and configurations for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture. In particular implementations, the core of the facility comprises a controlled growth environment and a central processing system. The controlled growth environment includes systems for exposing crops housed in modules, such as grow towers, to controlled environmental conditions. The central processing system may include various stations and functionality both for preparing crop-bearing modules to be inserted in the controlled growth environment, for harvesting crops from the crop-bearing modules after they have been extracted from the controlled growth environment, and for cleaning or washing crop-bearing modules for re-use. The controlled growth environment may include vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers along one or more grow lines.

Abstract: The invention relates to cheese and cheese-like products comprising about 0.2 to about 6% by weight ?s-casein, ?-casein, or a combination thereof, at least about 5% by weight of one or more hydrocolloids comprising one or more starches, and wherein the cheese or cheese-like product has one or more characteristics of a dairy product, such as flavour, taste, aroma, body, appearance, texture, firmness, handling, density, structure, coagulation, binding, leavening, aeration, foaming, emulsification, elasticity, viscoelasticity, melt, creaminess and mouthfeel.

Abstract: An irrigation system for a vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. An irrigation line having apertures at the select positions provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers, while a gutter structure captures excess solution. In a closed loop system, the excess solution returns to a recirculation tank.

Abstract: A computing device encrypts data with a UBDM transformation by obtaining a sequence of data points and a cryptographic key, and grouping the sequence of data points into at least one data block of a predetermined length. The computing device transforms the data block by applying layers of transformation to generate at least one encrypted data block. Each layer includes a key application transformation based on the cryptographic key, an automorphism, and a permutation. The computing device provides the encrypted data block to a transmitter for transmission.

Abstract: A data processing system includes a processor; and a memory comprising programming instructions for execution by the processor to manage data files stored using both local and cloud data storage. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to obtain a handle with an oplock on a selected file; set a timer; and dehydrate the selected file when the timer elapses provided that the oplock remains unbroken when the file is dehydrated.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing, through a computer network via a server computer, a video content distribution and messaging platform to communicate video content from a plurality of content sources to respective user devices of platform users, and for enabling platform users to share the video content with their friends. The method comprises receiving, at the platform, a video recommendation from a first platform user for an instance of video content distributed to the first platform user, the video recommendation to be communicated to at least one other platform user who is a friend of the first platform user. The method further comprises sending from the platform the video recommendation to the at least one other platform user who is a friend.

Abstract: An irrigation system for a vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. An irrigation line having apertures at the select positions provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers, while a gutter structure captures excess solution. In a closed loop system, the excess solution returns to a recirculation tank.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data and a plurality of values at a processor. The data can include real-valued data and/or complex data. The plurality of values includes one of a plurality of random values or a plurality of pseudo-random values. The method also includes generating an automorphism, via the processor, based on the plurality of values, and partitioning the data, via the processor, into a plurality of data blocks. The automorphism includes at least one of a linear transformation or an antilinear transformation. Each data block from the plurality of data blocks can have a predefined size. The method also includes applying the automorphism, via the processor, to each data block from plurality of data blocks, to produce a plurality of transformed data blocks, and causing transmission of a signal representing the plurality of transformed data blocks.

Abstract: The invention relates to cheese and cheese-like products comprising about 0.2 to about 6% by weight ?s-casein, ?-casein, or a combination thereof, at least about 5% by weight of one or more hydrocolloids comprising one or more starches, and wherein the cheese or cheese-like product has one or more characteristics of a dairy product, such as flavour, taste, aroma, body, appearance, texture, firmness, handling, density, structure, coagulation, binding, leavening, aeration, foaming, emulsification, elasticity, viscoelasticity, melt, creaminess and mouthfeel.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the installation/removal of a vehicular component (100), such as a wheel adaptor/spacer. The apparatus (10) includes a support structure (20) and a mounting head (40). The support structure (20) is height adjustable. The mounting head (40) includes an arm assembly (41) which is longitudinally extendable, and, which is rotatably connected to the support structure (20). Mounting brackets (48, 49) are attached to each end of the arm assembly (41) which are adapted to releasably engage the vehicular component (100).

Abstract: Facility layouts and configurations for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture. In particular implementations, the core of the facility comprises a controlled growth environment and a central processing system. The controlled growth environment includes systems for exposing crops housed in modules, such as grow towers, to controlled environmental conditions. The central processing system may include various stations and functionality both for preparing crop-bearing modules to be inserted in the controlled growth environment, for harvesting crops from the crop-bearing modules after they have been extracted from the controlled growth environment, and for cleaning or washing crop-bearing modules for re-use. The controlled growth environment may include vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers along one or more grow lines.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data and a plurality of values at a processor. The data can include real-valued data and/or complex data. The plurality of values includes one of a plurality of random values or a plurality of pseudo-random values. The method also includes generating an automorphism, via the processor, based on the plurality of values, and partitioning the data, via the processor, into a plurality of data blocks. The automorphism includes at least one of a linear transformation or an antilinear transformation. Each data block from the plurality of data blocks can have a predefined size. The method also includes applying the automorphism, via the processor, to each data block from plurality of data blocks, to produce a plurality of transformed data blocks, and causing transmission of a signal representing the plurality of transformed data blocks.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for a prefabricated building skin system including a composite external wall panel. The external wall panel may include an inner skin forming a first side of the external wall panel and an outer skin forming a second side of the external wall panel. A fiber reinforced polymer is wrapped around a panel edge connecting the inner skin and the outer skin. A foam center may be disposed between the inner skin and the outer skin. A thermoset resin may be infused into the composite external wall panel. At least one steel connector integrated between the inner skin and the outer skin. The steel connector may be connectable to a building column, wherein the steel connector is configured to support a vertical load.

Abstract: A controlled environment agriculture system including multiple environmental grow zones through which plants and/or lighting or other equipment that influence environmental equipment are cycled during the growth phase of farm production. In one implementation, the system includes multiple grow zones through which plants are cycled during the growth phase of farm production. The system may include a first environmentally-controlled growing chamber, a second environmentally-controlled growing chamber, and one or more interfaces to allow a conveyance mechanism to transfer grow containers between the chambers. Each growth chamber may include environmental control systems, and associated sensors, for regulating at least one environmental condition, such as air temperature, airflow speed, relative air humidity, and ambient carbon dioxide gas content.

Abstract: Facility layouts and configurations for an automated crop production system for controlled environment agriculture. In particular implementations, the core of the facility comprises a controlled growth environment and a central processing system. The controlled growth environment includes systems for exposing crops housed in modules, such as grow towers, to controlled environmental conditions. The central processing system may include various stations and functionality both for preparing crop-bearing modules to be inserted in the controlled growth environment, for harvesting crops from the crop-bearing modules after they have been extracted from the controlled growth environment, and for cleaning or washing crop-bearing modules for re-use. The controlled growth environment may include vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers along one or more grow lines.

Abstract: A bag-in-bottle type of a squeeze dispenser comprising a housing, a cap, a flexible bag for containing fluid, and means to equilibrate atmospheric air pressure with air pressure inside the housing is disclosed. Said means include a closable air channel. The closable air channel, and the cap, may each be in an open or a closed position. When the cap is in an open position, the closable air channel is in a closed position, thus substantially locking the air inside the housing in place and allowing for fluid to be dispensed from the flexible bag upon application of pressing force on the sidewalls of the housing. When the cap is in a closed position, the closable air channel is in an open position, allowing for a flow of atmospheric air into, and out of, the dispenser housing and thereby equilibrating the air pressure inside the housing with air pressure of the atmospheric air.

Abstract: A bag-in-bottle type of a squeeze dispenser comprising a housing, a cap, a flexible bag for containing fluid, and means to equilibrate atmospheric air pressure with air pressure inside the housing is disclosed. Said means include a closable air channel. The closable air channel, and the cap, may each be in an open or a closed position. When the cap is in an open position, the closable air channel is in a closed position, thus substantially locking the air inside the housing in place and allowing for fluid to be dispensed from the flexible bag upon application of pressing force on the sidewalls of the housing. When the cap is in a closed position, the closable air channel is in an open position, allowing for a flow of atmospheric air into, and out of, the dispenser housing and thereby equilibrating the air pressure inside the housing with air pressure of the atmospheric air.