Abstract: Compositions and methods of phytoparasitic pest population control are provided, the compositions comprise a first component comprising an agriculturally acceptable complex mixture of dissolved organic material characterized by natural organic matter that is of defined composition, suitable for soil, foliar, and seed coating. In one embodiment, the phytoparasitic pest is nematodes.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is operable in an efficiency mode providing a first power output range between zero and a transition power output and in a power mode providing a second power output range between the transition power output and a maximum power output. The efficiency mode can include a first ignition timing and a first air/fuel ratio of the mixture to avoid premature auto-ignition, and the power mode can include a second ignition timing and a second air/fuel ratio of the mixture to avoid premature auto-ignition of the mixture. To further enable knock free operation of such an engine, turbulence can be imparted to the mixture to promote a faster burn duration and high temperatures that may lead to premature auto-ignition of the mixture can be avoided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an inventory condition of objects based on captured images are described. An exemplary inventory control system or method utilizes a highly efficient and economical approach to apply suitable imaging parameters for capturing images of a storage drawer being accessed by a user, or for manipulating the captured images of the drawer. An inventory condition of the drawer is determined based on the captured images or manipulated images.

Abstract: There is described a gaming table (3) having a playing surface (9) in which a display panel (6) is positioned below the playing surface of the gaming table, and is operable to display moving and/or still images which can be viewed through the playing surface by players at the table. A diffuser screen 8 may be placed between the playing surface (9) and the display panel (6). If the upper surface of the display panel (6) is uneven, a cover sheet 16 may be placed over the display panel (6) to provide a smooth substrate for the diffuser screen (8) and/or the playing surface (9). Embodiments are described in which a projector projects an image onto the undersurface of a screen mounted below the playing surface so that the image is visible through the playing surface.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for predicting a likely side effect profile for even new, untested medications. A predicted side effect profile may be generated based on intersections of side effect profiles of other medications that affect the same or related molecular entities, such as the nearby target proteins, involve the same pathways, or are otherwise similarly related. To generate a predicted side effect profile for a new drug targeting a novel or previously un-targeted protein target, an analyzer may query an adverse event database for records pertaining to patients who have taken drugs or combinations of drugs that target or affect molecular entities in the vicinity of the novel target within a global molecular entity graph, and, in some embodiments, may retrieve a plurality of adverse event records and generate an intersection of side effects associated with related targets to predict likely side effects for the novel target.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing, maintaining or adjusting the chemical and physical structure of a CO2 Composite Spray in real-time. A light beam is passed through a portion of the CO2 Composite Spray plume, following which the transmitted light is collected using a detector and analyzed using a computer processing device. Light absorption, reflection and/or florescence data are correlated with CO2 particle density and particle size, spray plume length, organic and inorganic spray additives, and water vapor content. The treatment spray geometry is used to optimize and control a CO2 Composite Spray in precision cleaning, machining, and cooling processes.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for monitoring the play at a gaming table. The disclosed embodiment comprises a dealing shoe adapted to output signals when cards are dealt, and an input device operable by means of sensors and/or by the dealer to output signals indicating the occurrence of events during game play such as the arrival and departure of players from the table, the placing of the first bet for each game, and the resolution of the wagers to end the game. Output signals are received and stored in a memory with an associated timestamp, and analysis of the signals and their respective timestamps enables the apparatus to determine the number of players present for each game, and to calculate the number of games played, and the duration of each game.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the production, delivery and control of microscopic quantities of minute solid carbon dioxide (CO2) particles having uniform density and distribution for use in a CO2 Composite Spray process, which employs compression of liquid carbon dioxide to form a supersaturated liquid, which is then condensed via micro-capillaries into minute and highly energetic solid carbon dioxide particles, which are injected into a propellant gas stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for identifying unknown drug targets via adverse event data. An analyzer receives an identification of a first drug having one or more unknown target proteins and identifies a second drug related to the first drug. The analyzer retrieves, from an adverse event database, a first side effect profile associated with the first drug, and a second side effect profile associated with the second drug. The analyzer generates a third side effect profile including a subset of the first side effect profile not shared by the second side effect profile, and identifies a third drug having a fourth side effect profile including the third side effect profile. The analyzer retrieves a list of one or more target proteins of the third drug not targeted by the second drug, and presents the retrieved list as potential target proteins of the first drug.

Abstract: Two methods of making subsonic ammunition articles are provided that size the cavity to the propellant charge. The first method includes molding a core sleeve comprised of a unified neck, cavity sized to the propellant charge volume and a trailing end with an ejector ring, primer seat and flash hole; then, molding a polymer based casing over the core sleeve except the neck and a portion of the trailing end; then, inserting the primer, propellant charge and projectile; thereby, completing a subsonic ammunition article with a rigid core and a polymer casing. The second method includes injection molding a polymer sleeve within the casing of an ammunition article around a core pull positioned within the casing to form a thicker casing wall and a propellant cavity the volume of which corresponds to a desired propellant charge.

Abstract: A fluid application system includes a diluent reservoir, a chemical container, a sprayer housing, a manifold located in the sprayer housing, and a pump assembly in fluid communication with an outlet of the manifold. The manifold includes a diluent inlet in fluid communication with the diluent reservoir, a chemical inlet in fluid communication with the container, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the diluent inlet and the chemical inlet and the outlet of the manifold. The pump assembly draws a mixture of the chemical and the diluent from the manifold and sprays the mixture of the chemical and the diluent from the nozzle.

Abstract: Inventory control systems for monitoring the removal and replacement of objects are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer includes at least one storage location for storing objects, and configured to move in a first direction allowing increasing access to storage locations of the drawer, and a second direction allowing decreasing access to storage locations of the drawer. An image sensing device is provided to form at least one first image of the storage locations when a respective storage drawer moves in the second direction. The system includes a data processor configured to receive information representing images of the storage locations generated by the image sensing device, and determine an inventory condition of the objects stored in the respective storage drawer according to the at least one first image.

Abstract: Among other things, a video is downloaded to a mobile device. The video includes a TV show and commercials embedded within the TV show. The video is stored persistently on the mobile device. At least part of the video is played on the mobile device while the device is offline. Metadata is stored on the mobile device that indicates an expiry applicable to at least one of the commercials embedded in the video. The mobile device performs an action at a time related to the expiry.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring an inventory condition of objects based on captured images are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects; and a data storage device storing reference data for each storage drawer. The reference data includes, for each region of interest corresponding to each respective storage drawer, at least one of a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when a stored object is present, and a reference image signature representing attributes of the region of interest when the stored object is not present.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive rotary control device with an illumination function includes a rotary encoder having a conductive outer casing and a rotatable shaft extending from it, the shaft operating as a light guide for a light source located in the rotary encoder, a conductive sleeve mechanically coupled to and surrounding the side of shaft, and electrically coupled to the conductive outer casing of the rotary encoder, so that touch-sensitivity is provided and light is allowed to exit the shaft and such that the device can be provided as a kit of parts or form part of a mixing console.

Abstract: A wheel clamp attaches to a vehicle wheel for performing a wheel alignment on the vehicle. The wheel clamp has a body for supporting a target or measuring head, and three extendable arms slidably mounted to the body. Each arm has a gripping portion for gripping the tire's tread surface and a sidewall contact portion for contacting the tire sidewall such that the clamp body is substantially parallel to the vehicle wheel and the wheel clamp has no contact with the rim. A self-centering linkage has enmeshed gears and link arms respectively connecting the arms to the gears, such that when the gears are rotated, the arms simultaneously proportionally slide relative to the clamp body, so the gripping portions of the arms engage and grip the tire tread surface and tighten the clamp onto the tire, while the sidewall contact portions of the arms contact the tire sidewall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for modifying a template polynucleotide for characterisation, especially for nanopore sequencing. The method produces a modified polynucleotide which is complementary to the template polynucleotide at some positions and which contains universal or abasic nucleotides at the other, and in some instances predicable, positions. The resulting modified polynucleotide can then be characterised.

Abstract: A method of esterifying free fatty acid in natural oil comprises heating the natural oil (2) to a first temperature above a reaction temperature, feeding the heated natural oil into an acid-resistant pipe reactor (5), providing a mixture of acid catalyst (6) and short chain alcohol (8) at a second temperature below the reaction temperature, and feeding the mixture of acid catalyst and short chain alcohol into the natural oil in the pipe reactor (5). The short chain alcohol and free fatty acid react at the reaction temperature to form an ester.