Abstract: In some cases, a delivery service system may include a handheld electronic device for use with a delivery service (e.g., a grocery delivery service). When operating in a voice input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store audio data in memory. The stored audio data may be communicated from the handheld electronic device (e.g., via a Wi-Fi connection) to the delivery service for speech processing. When operating in a scanner input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store item identifier information (e.g., barcode data) in memory. The stored data may be communicated to the delivery service for item identification processing. In some cases, a user interface associated with the delivery service may allow the user to review and confirm an order prior to submission of the order for delivery.

Abstract: A weight sled for fitness training that uses a plurality of resistance mechanisms to allow for adjustment of resistance. Depending on the configuration, wheel skid or slippage control may be provided by electronic monitoring of the angular velocity of one or more wheels and electronic adjustment of the resistance of any skidding or slipping wheels, bias correction and directional control may be provided by using a plurality of resistance mechanisms via differential adjustment of the resistance of the plurality of resistance mechanisms, and differential adjustment of the resistance mechanisms may be used to manually or automatically offset a directional bias in the sled, ground surface, or the athlete's abilities to keep the sled moving in a linear motion, and to prevent wheel skid on surfaces with differing friction coefficients.

Abstract: In some scenarios, the approach may be used with two or more vehicles travelling in formation where selected vehicles may be fully or partially autonomously controlled. Information is collected at each vehicle and from the drivers and it is shared with other vehicles and drivers to make a collective decision to enter or leave autonomy.

Abstract: Pump cassettes, wound-treatment apparatuses and methods. In some embodiments, a pump cassette comprises: a pump body having a pump chamber, an inlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber, and an outlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber; a diaphragm coupled to the pump body such that the diaphragm is movable to vary a volume in the pump chamber; and an identifier configured to store one or more properties of the pump cassette such that the identifier is readable by an automated reader to determine the one or more properties. In some embodiments, the pump cassette is configured to be removably coupled to a wound-treatment apparatus having an actuator such that the actuator can be activated to move the diaphragm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a black leaf tea product, the process comprising the steps of: providing black leaf tea having a moisture content of less than 5 wt. %; and then subjecting this black leaf tea starting material to a heat treatment step by contacting it with a heated surface at a temperature of 100° C. to 170° C. for a duration of 2 to 25 minutes. The present invention also relates to a black leaf tea product obtainable by this process.

Abstract: An applicator can include a dispenser for dispensing an amount of a therapeutic composition, which can include an amount of sugar or sugar alcohol and an amount of an alkalizing agent. In some cases, the alkalizing agent can include L-Arginine. In some cases, 75% or more of the composition by weight has a comedogenicity rating of 3 or less on a scale of 0-5. The dispenser can also have a power supply configured to provide power through a contact tip of the dispenser to provide nerve stimulation, such as using vibration, heating, cooling, and/or electrical stimulation.

Abstract: A communication system employed during wellbore operations, such as during drilling, cementing, fracturing, or other wellbore operations, which utilizes ultrasound (i.e., acoustic waves characterized by ultrasonic frequencies) to communicate sensor and/or control information from inside a riser and/or blowout preventer (BOP) to outside the riser/BOP, and/or vice versa. More specifically, the communication system may include an internal ultrasonic module (IUM) residing inside the riser/BOP and acoustically coupled to a drill string and/or a centralizer also inside the riser/BOP. The communication system may further include an external ultrasonic module (EUM) residing outside the riser/BOP and acoustically coupled to the riser/BOP.

Abstract: An inventory of computer resources requiring backup data protection including an estimate of future growth of storage resources along with a set of data retention policies, rules, and outcomes in conformance with business requirements, is created. An architecture for initial ingest of protected data and a backup execution approach is created, based on the resource inventory, a sizing and assumptions of resources and data, and the set of data retention policies, rules, and outcomes. An initial ingest copies the protected data to the backup storage. The initial ingest architecture is transformed to a steady-state ingest phase, by incrementally adjusting the resources based on progress of the initial ingest. Responsive to completing the initial ingest of protected data, a steady-state backup ingest is performed. A validity of the sizing and assumptions of architecture resources is determined and an adjustment to the resources is performed based on the validity determination.

Abstract: A variable turbine geometry assembly includes an adjustment ring extending along and rotatable about an axis, at least one vane lever coupled to the adjustment ring, and at least one vane coupled to the at least one vane lever. The variable turbine geometry assembly also includes a biasing member coupled to the adjustment ring at a first circumferential location on the adjustment ring and coupled to the adjustment ring at a second circumferential location on the adjustment ring. The biasing member extends from the first circumferential location to the second circumferential location. The biasing member is operably in contact with the at least one vane lever between the first circumferential location and the second circumferential location to bias the at least one vane lever toward the adjustment ring and to reduce vibration between the adjustment ring and the at least one vane lever.

Abstract: A mobile tower for transportation to and rapid deployment at remote sites where the mobile tower can be engaged with the ground, the mobile tower including an extendable and retractable tower secured to a mobile support structure including a frame having a plurality of rapidly deployable outriggers, wherein the tower includes three series of pivotally interconnected tower sections or segments, sections or segments of which engage with segments of each of the other series when the tower is assembled; the mobile tower including a plurality of guy wires secured between the extendable and retractable tower and the respective outriggers to stabilize the tower after the tower is assembled. The guy wires are preferably secured to the extendable and retractable tower at first and second connecting positions that are displaced from one another about an outer perimeter. Methods of deploying the mobile tower are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure refers to methods and system for classifying rocks according to their minerals from the processing of color images and hyperspectral images. The methods and systems of this disclosure achieve an efficient and low-cost classification of rocks with minerals. In particular, the method uses classification methods that take color images and hyperspectral images and give as a result a probability that the rock or rocks present in said images are suitable or waste.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of disposable assay test devices, particularly for use in point-of-care assays. The invention further relates to the use of such devices, including kits comprising such devices, to facilitate the accurate measurement of the levels of sepsis in the blood using electronic measurements.

Abstract: A lint catching system is provided for a clothes dryer. The lint catching system filters lint from exhaust air expelled from the clothes dryer.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a concentration of sanitizer in a solution includes providing a device that includes a plurality of sensors. The method continues by executing, via the device, a calibration stage that includes placing the device in sanitizer-free water, wherein the device: determines a temperature of the water; conducts a water analysis; and measures, via at least one sensor, a baseline resistance of the water. Sanitizing compounds are added to the water; and the device executes an operational stage, wherein the device: determines a resistance of the water with the sanitizing compounds; calculates a concentration of the sanitizing compounds in the water, wherein the concentration is based on the temperature of the water, the water analysis, and the baseline resistance; compares the calculated concentration to a predetermined threshold concentration; and activates an indication module of the device based on the comparison of the calculated concentration to the predetermined concentration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods facilitating the non-invasive administration (such as oral administration) of therapeutic proteins or peptides (such as insulin) which maintain biological activity when absorbed. The composition of the present invention comprises a therapeutic amount of a conjugate, wherein the conjugate comprises a quantum dot and a therapeutically effective peptide or protein.

Abstract: A method may include obtaining connection-related data associated with user equipment (UE) devices operating in a network, wherein the UE devices include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and devices other than UAVs. The method may include storing the connection-related data; identifying, in the stored connection-related data, data associated with known UAVs and filtering the stored connection-related data based on a distance associated with a known UAV. The method may further include training a machine learning classifier using the filtered data and executing the machine learning classifier to identity UAVs operating in the network.

Abstract: In some cases, a delivery service system may include a handheld electronic device for use with a delivery service (e.g., a grocery delivery service). When operating in a voice input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store audio data in memory. The stored audio data may be communicated from the handheld electronic device (e.g., via a Wi-Fi connection) to the delivery service for speech processing. When operating in a scanner input mode, the handheld electronic device may record and store item identifier information (e.g., barcode data) in memory. The stored data may be communicated to the delivery service for item identification processing. In some cases, a user interface associated with the delivery service may allow the user to review and confirm an order prior to submission of the order for delivery.

Abstract: An inventory of computer resources requiring backup data protection including an estimate of future growth of storage resources along with a set of data retention policies, rules, and outcomes in conformance with business requirements, is created. An architecture for initial ingest of protected data and a backup execution approach is created, based on the resource inventory, a sizing and assumptions of resources and data, and the set of data retention policies, rules, and outcomes. An initial ingest copies the protected data to the backup storage. The initial ingest architecture is transformed to a steady-state ingest phase, by incrementally adjusting the resources based on progress of the initial ingest. Responsive to completing the initial ingest of protected data, a steady-state backup ingest is performed. A validity of the sizing and assumptions of architecture resources is determined and an adjustment to the resources is performed based on the validity determination.

Abstract: Systems for detecting, locating and mitigating impact forces directed towards a person's head are described herein. The systems include devices for wearing on a wearer's head. The devices include a base configured to conform to the wearer's head and retain a plurality of pouches on an outer surface of the base. The plurality of pouches are configured to absorb at least a portion of the impact force directed towards the outer surface of the base, provide an indication when the impact force directed towards the outer surface of the base has a magnitude exceeding a concussion-indicating level of force, and provide a location of impact when the impact force directed towards the outer surface of the base has a magnitude exceeding the concussion-indicating level of force.

Abstract: A remotely releasable tow line is provided. The tow line has a releasable latch at a distal end that is removably connected to a race car. The releasable latch is operatively associated with a cable handle adjacent to a proximal end of the tow line. Accordingly, a user disposed on a tow vehicle, to which the proximal end is connected, may manipulate the cable handle so that the release latch disconnects from the race car, in such a way that while the race car is still being towed it is unhooked from the tow vehicle, thereby saving time in getting the race car in a pit area where the race car can be tended to before its soon-approaching next race.