Abstract: A computing device provides enhancement of the capabilities of text messaging applications that execute on user devices. The computing device includes a processor that receives a text message via a network from a user device, the text message including a character representation of a product bundle of a merchant. The processor determines bundle data for the product bundle by referencing a database using the character representation. The processor provides one or more text messages via the network to the user device with transaction data including the bundle data, payment data, and shipping data. The processor receives a text message via the network from the user device confirming the transaction data. The user may use text commands presented by the computing device or natural language conversation in the text messages to the computing device to modify the transaction data and perform other ecommerce actions.

Abstract: A crop prediction system performs various machine learning operations to predict crop production and to identify a set of farming operations that, if performed, optimize crop production. The crop prediction system uses crop prediction models trained using various machine learning operations based on geographic and agronomic information. Responsive to receiving a request from a grower, the crop prediction system can access information representation of a portion of land corresponding to the request, such as the location of the land and corresponding weather conditions and soil composition. The crop prediction system applies one or more crop prediction models to the access information to predict a crop production and identify an optimized set of farming operations for the grower to perform.

Abstract: A system is provided for use with an insulated boom section of a bucket truck. The system includes a source of high volume and pressure, dry air; one or more interior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air to direct the air into an interior of the insulated boom section. One or more exterior air diffusers connected to the source of high volume and pressure, dry air direct the air to along an exterior surface of the insulated boom section. A method is also provided for cleaning or drying both the interior and exterior surfaces simultaneously of an insulated boom section of the boom of a bucket truck. The boom of a bucket truck is further provided in another aspect that includes at least one insulated boom section, a source of high volume and pressure, dry air, one or more interior air diffusers and one or more exterior air diffusers. A pre-heating air heater may be removably mounted into the boom.

Abstract: A coaxial sensor array system configured for prediction of leaks in a water distribution network based on data acquired from coaxial sensor array including: at least one hydrophone; a hydrophone mount configured to house the at least one hydrophone; a pressure transducer configured to measure pressure of a water column within which the plurality of hydrophones is submerged; a pressure transducer mount implemented as a lead-free brass disc configured for fitment of the pressure transducer; an electrical connector configured to connect communication cables to the pressure transducer; a sensor housing configured to house the at least one hydrophone and the pressure transducer; and an end cap configured to seal a back end of the coaxial sensor array system and further configured to allow communications to pass through into a watertight shielded flexible conduit.

Abstract: An interferometric optical fibre sensor comprises optical fibre defining an optical circuit configured to propagate a first optical wave via an environment in which the optical fibre can be exposed to a stimulus that modifies the first optical wave, and a second optical wave, and to combine the first optical wave and the second optical wave to create an interference signal containing information about the stimulus, wherein optical fibre propagating either or both of the first optical wave and the second optical wave comprises hollow core optical fibre configured to propagate the optical wave or waves by an antiresonant optical guidance effect.

Abstract: A method of on-demand energy delivery to an active suspension system is disclosed. The suspension system includes an actuator body, a hydraulic pump, an electric motor, a plurality of sensors, an energy storage facility, and a controller. The method includes disposing an active suspension system in a vehicle between a wheel mount and a vehicle body, detecting a wheel event requiring control of the active suspension; and sourcing energy from the energy storage facility and delivering it to the electric motor in response to the wheel event.

Abstract: Disclosed are gas cylinder assemblies for containing pressurized gas. The gas cylinder assembly has a polymeric liner and a low-permeability barrier layer. The polymeric liner a first end portion, a second end portion and a central body. The central body comprises an outer surface and an inner surface disposed between the first end and the second end. The gas cylinder assembly comprises a reinforcement structure wound over the central body. The gas cylinder assembly further comprises a metal foil interposed between the reinforcement structure and central body. The metal foil is configured to reduce permeation of contents of the polymeric liner.

Abstract: A method of preparing a whitened tobacco material is provided, including: (i) extracting a tobacco material with a first extraction solution to provide a tobacco solids material and a tobacco extract; (ii) cooking the tobacco solids material in an alkaline cooking liquid comprising sodium sulfide and having a pH of greater than 11 to form a tobacco pulp; (iii) treating the tobacco pulp with an acid to lower the pH of the tobacco pulp and provide a neutralized tobacco pulp; (iv) extracting the neutralized tobacco pulp with a second extraction solution comprising at least one chelating agent to provide an extracted tobacco pulp; and (v) bleaching the extracted tobacco pulp with a bleaching solution to provide a whitened tobacco material.

Abstract: Examples provide a trailer hitch system for connecting a tow vehicle and a trailer. Some examples of the system include a vehicle connector configured to be coupled to the tow vehicle and a chamber coupled to the vehicle connector. The chamber includes a center, an interior wall, and a valve for modulating a flow of hydraulic fluid within the chamber. A pin extends through the chamber and is configured to rotate within the chamber. A paddle is coupled to the pin and sized and shaped to sit substantially flush against the interior wall. The paddle is configured to push the hydraulic fluid in a first direction and a second direction through the valve. A trailer connector is coupled to the pin and configured to be coupled to the trailer.

Abstract: Embodiments for power generation include defining a power tile within a power distribution network having a grid of power rails, the power tile having logic gates, and applying an initial power grid pattern from a plurality of power grid patterns for the power tile such that initial power grid pattern relates to timing characteristics of the logic gates of the power tile. The power grid patterns each have a different number of connectors connecting one power rail to another power rail in the grid of power rails. A subsequent power grid pattern is selected from the power grid patterns for the power tile such that the subsequent power grid pattern meets a threshold condition for the timing characteristics of the logic gates of the power tile. The timing characteristics for the logic gates are determined based on a voltage drop associated with the subsequent power grid pattern.

Abstract: One example system comprises a light source configured to emit light. The system also comprises a waveguide configured to guide the emitted light from a first end of the waveguide toward a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide has an output surface between the first end and the second end. The system also comprises a plurality of mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror reflects a first portion of the light toward the output surface. The second mirror reflects a second portion of the light toward the output surface. The first portion propagates out of the output surface toward a scene as a first transmitted light beam. The second portion propagates out of the output surface toward the scene as a second transmitted light beam.

Abstract: A security lock hardware box is provided for installation in a door sash. The lock hardware box is installed in a door sash for receiving locking hardware. It has a body part having first chamber for receiving a door latching mechanism, and a second chamber for receiving a door locking mechanism. Front and rear cover plates securable over the front and rear face of the body part with respective openings and holes to receive the locking and latching mechanisms. The body part has protrusions for fitting within the door sash, the length of which can be greater to provide greater strength and security regardless of the size of the lock hardware box or the size of the door sash that can accommodate the lockbox.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preparing whitened tobacco composition including chemically pulping a tobacco material to form a tobacco pulp, extracting the tobacco pulp with an extraction solution, treating the tobacco pulp with a solution comprising an oxidizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to lighten the color of the tobacco pulp to give a whitened tobacco pulp, and drying the whitened tobacco pulp to provide the whitened tobacco composition. Alternative bleaching processes and treatment methods effective for preparing whitened tobacco compositions are also provided herein.

Abstract: One example system comprises a light source configured to emit light. The system also comprises a waveguide configured to guide the emitted light from a first end of the waveguide toward a second end of the waveguide. The waveguide has an output surface between the first end and the second end. The system also comprises a plurality of mirrors including a first mirror and a second mirror. The first mirror reflects a first portion of the light toward the output surface. The second mirror reflects a second portion of the light toward the output surface. The first portion propagates out of the output surface toward a scene as a first transmitted light beam. The second portion propagates out of the output surface toward the scene as a second transmitted light beam.

Abstract: A rigid valve block body and a method for determining fluid flow direction are disclosed. The valve block body includes a first fluid inlet and a further fluid inlet at opposed sides of a rigid valve block body. A first fluid outlet of the valve block body and a further fluid outlet of the valve block body are disposed in a spaced apart relationship. A first V-shaped fluid communication passageway comprises two passageway portions each extending within the valve block body from a first common root region proximate to the first fluid inlet. A further V-shaped fluid communication passageway comprises two further passageway portions each extending within the valve block body away from a further common root region proximate to the further fluid port. An end region of each passageway portion of the first V-shaped fluid communication passageway meets an end region of a respective passageway portion of the further V-shaped fluid communication passageway proximate to a respective fluid outlet.

Abstract: One example system includes a light source that emits light. The system also includes a waveguide that guides the emitted light from a first side of the waveguide toward a second side of the waveguide opposite the first side. The waveguide has a third side extending between the first side and the second side. The system also includes a mirror that reflects the guided light toward the third side of the waveguide. At least a portion of the reflected light propagates out of the waveguide toward a scene. The system also includes a light detector, and a lens that focuses light from the scene toward the waveguide and the light detector.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining a subtype of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) of an individual by detecting the expression level of at least one subtype classifier selected from a group of genes that are relevant for determining HNSCC subtypes. Also provided herein are methods for determining a suitable treatment and predicting the overall survival and the likelihood of metastasis for the HNSCC patients according to their subtypes.

Abstract: A system for powering a vehicle is provided. The system can include an engine or power generation system to be powered by a fuel and a housing. The housing can be configured to couple to one or more frame rails of the vehicle, receive and protect a cylinder configured to store the fuel to be used by the engine or power generation system. The housing can have one or more access panels allowing access to an interior of the housing. The cylinder can include a first end portion, a second end portion, a central body forming an enclosed cavity for storing pressurized gas, a reinforcement structure disposed over the central body, and a metal foil interposed between the reinforcement structure and central body. The metal foil can be configured to reduce permeation of contents of the cylinder.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of preparing whitened tobacco composition including chemically pulping a tobacco material to form a tobacco pulp, extracting the tobacco pulp with an extraction solution, treating the tobacco pulp with a solution comprising an oxidizing agent for a time and at a temperature sufficient to lighten the color of the tobacco pulp to give a whitened tobacco pulp, and drying the whitened tobacco pulp to provide the whitened tobacco composition. Alternative bleaching processes and treatment methods effective for preparing whitened tobacco compositions are also provided herein.