Abstract: A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, and a controller. The engine is configured to generate power. The transmission is configured to transfer power from the engine to at least one drive wheel to propel the vehicle. The controller is programmed to, in response to a command to shift the transmission and a corresponding command to decrease a torque of the engine to less than a threshold corresponding to a spark retard limit during the shift, (i) increase the pressure of an oncoming clutch to engage the oncoming clutch, (ii) retard an engine spark at the spark retard limit to reduce the torque of the engine to the threshold during the engagement of the oncoming clutch, and (iii) shutdown at least one cylinder of the engine to further reduce the torque of the engine to less than the threshold during the engagement of the oncoming clutch.

Abstract: A whole blood separator device has a sleeve. The sleeve has a sleeve body. The sleeve body has an enlarged first proximal end portion and an enlarged second distal end portion and an intermediate cylindrical tube portion connecting the first proximal end portion and the second distal end portion. The sleeve body is configured to fit inside a test tube and receive whole blood which can be separated by centrifugation into a plasma layer in the proximal end portion, a buffy coat layer in the intermediate portion and a red blood cell portion in the distal portion. The whole blood separator device wherein at least the proximal end portion has an open end. Preferably, the distal end portion also has an open end.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of altering a tooth by applying an object to the tooth, where the object includes a composition that is released from the object onto the tooth, and where the composition has an altering effect on the tooth, such as tooth whitening, tooth repair, tooth maintenance, or combinations thereof. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the objects of the present disclosure. The objects of the present disclosure may be in a chewable form, such as in the form of a chew toy or a chewing gum. The objects of the present disclosure may also be in a form that is capable of being applied topically by rubbing or brushing. The objects of the present disclosure may also include a second composition that has effects other than tooth altering effects, such as enticing a chewing of the object.

Abstract: A whole blood separator device has a sleeve. The sleeve has a sleeve body. The sleeve body has an enlarged first proximal end portion and an enlarged second distal end portion and an intermediate cylindrical tube portion connecting the first proximal end portion and the second distal end portion. The sleeve body is configured to fit inside a test tube and receive whole blood which can be separated by centrifugation into a plasma layer in the proximal end portion, a buffy coat layer in the intermediate portion and a red blood cell portion in the distal portion. The whole blood separator device wherein at least the proximal end portion has an open end. Preferably, the distal end portion also has an open end.

Abstract: A drum-type wood chipper for processing wood includes a chipper drum that is adapted to rotate about a generally horizontal drum axis, a plurality of cutting blades that are disposed around the periphery of the chipper drum, and an engine that is adapted to rotate the chipper drum about the drum axis. The wood chipper also includes a feed system that is adapted to advance wood to be processed towards the chipper drum, and a controller that is operatively connected to the engine and adapted to determine an instantaneous engine operating rate during rotation of the chipper drum. The controller is also operatively connected to the feed system and adapted to control the rate of advance of wood towards the chipper drum. The controller is also adapted to modify the rate of advance of wood towards the chipper drum as the instantaneous engine operating rate changes while the chipper drum is being rotated.

Abstract: A drum-type wood chipper for processing wood includes a chipper drum that is adapted to rotate about a generally horizontal drum axis, a plurality of cutting blades that are disposed around the periphery of the chipper drum, and an engine that is adapted to rotate the chipper drum about the drum axis. The wood chipper also includes a feed system that is adapted to advance wood to be processed towards the chipper drum, and a controller that is operatively connected to the engine and adapted to determine an instantaneous engine operating rate during rotation of the chipper drum. The controller is also operatively connected to the feed system and adapted to control the rate of advance of wood towards the chipper drum. The controller is also adapted to modify the rate of advance of wood towards the chipper drum as the instantaneous engine operating rate changes while the chipper drum is being rotated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparel-mounted panoramic camera system includes a panoramic camera module, a base module, and a mounting apparatus. The camera module includes a panoramic lens having a longitudinal axis, an image sensor positioned below the lens, a processor operable to process image data received from the sensor, a wireless communication transceiver operable to transmit processed image data provided by the processor, and a battery that supplies power to the camera module components. The base module includes a wireless communication transceiver operable to receive the processed image data from the camera module communication transceiver, a processor operable to further process the received processed image data, and a battery that supplies power to the base module components. The mounting apparatus attaches the camera module to an item of apparel such that the longitudinal axis of the panoramic lens is tilted from a vertical direction by a non-zero tilt angle.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparel-mounted panoramic camera system includes a panoramic camera module, a base module, and a mounting apparatus. The camera module includes a panoramic lens having a longitudinal axis, an image sensor positioned below the lens, a processor operable to process image data received from the sensor, a wireless communication transceiver operable to transmit processed image data provided by the processor, and a battery that supplies power to the camera module components. The base module includes a wireless communication transceiver operable to receive the processed image data from the camera module communication transceiver, a processor operable to further process the received processed image data, and a battery that supplies power to the base module components. The mounting apparatus attaches the camera module to an item of apparel such that the longitudinal axis of the panoramic lens is tilted from a vertical direction by a non-zero tilt angle.

Abstract: A material reduction machine includes a frame and a reducing assembly having a cutting element that is mounted for rotation with respect to the frame. The machine includes a feed chute for directing material to be reduced to the reducing assembly, and housing assembly includes a reducing assembly housing which at least partially encloses the reducing assembly and a discharge chute for directing reduced material away from the reducing assembly. An opening in the housing assembly located downstream of the reducing assembly forms an air inlet though which air may be drawn from outside the housing assembly. An air inlet adjustment assembly is mounted so as to be capable of selectively changing the length of the air inlet.

Abstract: A discharge chute for a material reducing machine having a discharge opening includes a plurality of adjacent chute segments and a linkage system. The plurality of adjacent chute segments includes a rear chute segment, an intermediate chute segment and a front chute segment, each of which is pivotally connected to an adjacent chute segment. The linkage system includes a plurality of links that interconnect the adjacent chute segments, and an actuator that is adapted to cause the discharge chute to be steered to the left by pivoting the intermediate chute segment to the left with respect to the adjacent rear chute segment, and to cause the discharge chute to be steered to the right by pivoting the intermediate chute segment to the right with respect to the adjacent rear chute segment.

Abstract: A material reduction machine includes a frame, a drum housing mounted to the frame, and a drum that is mounted for rotation within the drum housing. The drum includes a circumferential wall and a knife that is mounted on the drum. The machine includes a plurality of interchangeable belly bands, each of which is adapted to be removably attached to the frame so as to form a portion of the drum housing and to provide an inner surface that forms a belly band arc portion that is concentric with and of a larger diameter than the circumferential wall of the drum. A first interchangeable bellyband has a smooth inner surface, and a second interchangeable belly band has a plurality of flow interrupters spaced along its inner surface.

Abstract: A drum rotation machine includes a working drum mounted for rotation within an enclosure. An access door provides access to the interior of the enclosure, and the access door is moveable between a closed position and an open position. A latch assembly is mounted on the enclosure and is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the latch assembly prevents the access door from moving from the closed position to the open position. In the unlocked position, the latch assembly allows the access door to be moved from the closed position to the open position, and engages an anti-rotation catch on the working drum to prevent rotation of the working drum.

Abstract: A material reduction machine includes a frame, a drum housing mounted to the frame, and a drum that is mounted for rotation within the drum housing. The drum includes a circumferential wall and a knife that is mounted on the drum. The machine includes a plurality of interchangeable belly bands, each of which is adapted to be removably attached to the frame so as to form a portion of the drum housing and to provide an inner surface that forms a belly band arc portion that is concentric with and of a larger diameter than the circumferential wall of the drum. A first interchangeable bellyband has a smooth inner surface, and a second interchangeable belly band has a plurality of flow interrupters spaced along its inner surface.