Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for microbial sampling of foods. For example, a method may include providing at least one aggregating sampler at one or more sampling locations, and sampling a production lot of produce or other food items such as meat using the at least one aggregating sampler to create one or more samples that makes up a microbial sampling. Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for microbial sampling of foods. For example, an apparatus, such as a microbial aggregating sampler, may include a covering having a microbial sampling material with a pocket formed in the covering to receive an appendage or a tool for handling of the covering.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for microbial sampling of foods. For example, a method may include providing at least one aggregating sampler at one or more sampling locations, and sampling a production lot of produce or other food items such as meat using the at least one aggregating sampler to create one or more samples that makes up a microbial sampling. Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for microbial sampling of foods. For example, an apparatus, such as a microbial aggregating sampler, may include a covering having a microbial sampling material with a pocket formed in the covering to receive an appendage or a tool for handling of the covering.

Abstract: A device for sending and receiving messages between an electronic control unit of a vehicle and an external device includes a processor, a memory, a first port, and a second port. The memory, first port, and second port are each in communication with the processor. The first port is configures to communicate with the electronic control unit of a vehicle, while the second port is configured to communicate with the external device. The processor is configured to receive a request message from the external device via the second port, transmit the request message to the electronic control unit of the vehicle; receive requested information from the electronic control unit of the vehicle based on the request message, and determine an information subset in the requested information that should be transmitted to the external device; and transmitting the information subset to the external device.

Abstract: The system for sending and receiving messages from an electronic control unit of the vehicle includes a processor, a database, and a port in communication with the processor. The database contains information as to the emissions of the vehicle and the port is configured to communicate with the electronic control unit of the vehicle. The processor is configured to receive information from the electronic control unit of the vehicle, compare the information from the electronic control unit of the vehicle with information found in the database. By so doing, the processor can determine if the information from the electronic control unit of the vehicle does not match the information in the database. If this is the case, the system can provide an indication to the user of the system that the vehicle may have been tampered with and any emissions related testing may be incorrect.

Abstract: A device for sending and receiving messages between an electronic control unit of a vehicle and an external device includes a processor, a memory, a first port, and a second port. The memory, first port, and second port are each in communication with the processor. The first port is configures to communicate with the electronic control unit of a vehicle, while the second port is configured to communicate with the external device. The processor is configured to receive a request message from the external device via the second port, transmit the request message to the electronic control unit of the vehicle; receive requested information from the electronic control unit of the vehicle based on the request message, and determine an information subset in the requested information that should be transmitted to the external device; and transmitting the information subset to the external device.

Abstract: Multiple parameters of manufactured units are continually measured until some of the units fail, where failure can be accelerated by adjusting operating conditions. Pre-failure data is then examined to find outliers or aberrant parameter values that may have contributed to the failures. The data is normalized to allow different parameters to be compared to one another. The parameters producing the highest outlier values are then used to screen subsequently manufactured units, thus significantly reducing the number of measurements that have to be taken to screen the units. Lower outlier values for these parameters are, however, used in screening subsequently manufactured units to “catch” potentially defective units.

Abstract: Multiple parameters of manufactured units are continually measured until some of the units fail, where failure can be accelerated by adjusting operating conditions. Pre-failure data is then examined to find outliers or aberrant parameter values that may have contributed to the failures. The data is normalized to allow different parameters to be compared to one another. The parameters producing the highest outlier values are then used to screen subsequently manufactured units, thus significantly reducing the number of measurements that have to be taken to screen the units. Lower outlier values for these parameters are, however, used in screening subsequently manufactured units to “catch” potentially defective units.

Abstract: A feeder comprising in combination a vessel (10) of substantially circular cross section that contains an en-masse conveyor (11) that is constrained to pass through a trough (16.sub.1, 16.sub.2) spaced from the internal wall of said vessel so that material being conveyed from an inlet (10.sub.1) in said vessel (10) to an outlet (14.sub.2) in said vessel (10) by said conveyor does not come into rubbing contact with said wall.