Abstract: A retractable leash device has a first handle for holding the device, a spool and a leash wound on the spool. There is a spring-based rewind mechanism for the leash. A second handle is provided for manually retracting the leash. A mechanical coupling between the second handle and the spool provides a second rewind mechanism for the leash. This second rewind mechanism is used to pull an animal back toward the owner in a safe and convenient way.

Abstract: A method for generating detergent-solubilized G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in powdered form. The powdered GPCRs is storable at temperatures of ?20° C. or lower and for durations of 365 days or longer without substantial loss of functionality of the GPCRs after rehydration as compared to a pre-frozen state. The method can maintain minimal detergent to protein ratio in molar concentrations. The method can further generate GPCRs with specific water or deuterium content as required in certain experiments, such as mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, or quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS).

Abstract: Described here are methods, devices, and systems for characterizing a physiological signal, and more specifically an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. Generally, the method includes receiving an ECG signal generated by an ECG device coupled to a patient. The ECG signal may comprise a plurality of cardiac beat intervals. A set of evaluable replicates may be identified using a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for each cardiac beat, a repolarization signal, and an isoelectric line. Interval measurements may be determined from the set of evaluable multi-beat sequences. An ECG signal characteristic may be determined from the interval measurements.

Abstract: A method of making a projectile apparatus is provided that includes making one or components of the apparatus using an additive manufacture technique such as 3-D printing or laser-aided additive manufacture. The projectile apparatus can have a projectile, a propellant, and one or more optional components such as a wading, a sabot, and an intermediary device. The projectile can be fired through a barrel having a smooth bore. Additive manufacture methods can be used that involve forming components from superalloys having nanoparticles incorporated therein. The projectile apparatus can convert gas pressure or gas velocity into a high rate of projectile spin. The projectile has long-range accuracy due to a high or sustainable velocity and high rate of spin.

Abstract: A hidden fastener screen installation system is disclosed which includes a plurality of screen frame extrusions cooperating to form an opening across which a screen is positioned, wherein each screen frame extrusion defines at least one mounting surface configured to receive a plurality of mechanical fasteners to retain the screen frame extrusion to a portion of a building structure, and wherein at least one mounting rib extends outwardly from the mounting surface. The system further includes a trim mold defining a channel configured to closely receive and retain the mounting rib, wherein the screen is received in the channel and is retained by cooperation between the trim mold and the mounting rib, and wherein a portion of the trim mold is configured to extend over the fasteners such that the fasteners are hidden upon installation of the trim mold on the screen frame.

Abstract: A projectile apparatus is provided that includes a projectile, a propellant, and optional components such as a wading, a sabot, and an intermediary device. The projectile can be fired through a barrel having a smooth bore. A sabot is provided that can include molded features, for example, a base portion and a plurality of petal portions defining, in-part, a volume for accommodating a projectile. The sabot and wadding can include molded features that control and direct gases produced by the propellant. The apparatus can convert gas pressure or gas velocity into a high rate of projectile spin. The projectile has long-range accuracy due to a high or sustainable velocity and high rate of spin.

Abstract: Chemical structures that define cells in which operating material can be held, as well as compositions that contain such chemical structures and operating material, compositions for use in making such compositions, and methods for making all of the above. Compositions for use in making such chemical structures, comprising nuclear moiety precursor compounds and elongated moiety precursor compounds. Lattice structures comprising nuclear moieties (analogous to nodes) and elongated moieties (analogous to connectors extending between nodes). Articles comprising one or more of such compositions. Also, a structure that comprises a lattice structure/operating material region (comprising at least a first lattice structure (comprising a plurality of nuclear moieties and a plurality of elongated moieties) and at least a first operating material) and at least a first additional region.

Abstract: Chemical structures that define cells in which operating material can be held, as well as compositions that contain such chemical structures and operating material, compositions for use in making such compositions, and methods for making all of the above. Compositions for use in making such chemical structures, comprising nuclear moiety precursor compounds and elongated moiety precursor compounds. Lattice structures comprising nuclear moieties (analogous to nodes) and elongated moieties (analogous to connectors extending between nodes). Articles comprising one or more of such compositions.

Abstract: A method for generating detergent-solubilized G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in powdered form. The powdered GPCRs is storable at temperatures of ?20° C. or lower and for durations of 365 days or longer without substantial loss of functionality of the GPCRs after rehydration as compared to a pre-frozen state. The method can maintain minimal detergent to protein ratio in molar concentrations. The method can further generate GPCRs with specific water or deuterium content as required in certain experiments, such as mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, or quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS).

Abstract: Ice mitigation for bridge cables is provided by a system having a plurality of heaters on one or more bridge cables, extending parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof, arranged in a plurality of heater sections, and configured to heat an outer surface of the bridge cables, and a control system including one or more controllers configured to individually activate and regulate heating output of the heater sections to prevent snow or ice from falling from the bridge cables. The heater sections can be arranged radially, about a circumference of the bridge cables, and/or axially, end to end along a length of the bridge cables, so that power can be individually directed to the heater sections to account for differing heating requirements at different radial and/or axial aspects of the bridge cables.

Abstract: A snow and ice melt system having one or more zones, each including one or more heaters, and having one or more controllers configured to use a power output of each heater and an average temperature of each zone to determine operational control of each heater to achieve a specified result. Hydronic or resistive heaters could be used. The controllers may be configured to use a system temperature response over time to determine if a phase change of the snow or ice is occurring. The phase change might indicate that snow or ice is present on a zone and is melting. Use of a first derivative of the system temperature response over time might determine a percentage of a zone covered by snow or ice. Use of a second derivative of the system temperature response over time might determine whether melting is complete.

Abstract: Ice mitigation for bridge cables is provided by a system having a plurality of heaters on one or more bridge cables, extending parallel to a longitudinal axis thereof, arranged in a plurality of heater sections, and configured to heat an outer surface of the bridge cables, and a control system including one or more controllers configured to individually activate and regulate heating output of the heater sections to prevent snow or ice from falling from the bridge cables. The heater sections can be arranged radially, about a circumference of the bridge cables, and/or axially, end to end along a length of the bridge cables, so that power can be individually directed to the heater sections to account for differing heating requirements at different radial and/or axial aspects of the bridge cables.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for converting broad spectrum electromagnetic energy to useful, narrow bands of electromagnetic energy. The broad spectrum electromagnetic energy may be from the Sun or from combustion, and output from the apparatus may be bands of visible light, infrared, microwaves, or a combination thereof. The apparatus can function as part of a highly efficient plant growing system or may function as part of a heating or warming system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enabling distributed computers to communicate more effectively in an enterprise that provides flexible approval notifications in an organization, wherein at least one of the distributed computers stores a graph database in which attributes regarding individuals of the organization are stored. The computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a server computer in the distributed computers, a request for a task to be performed, wherein the task requires approval by at least a first person in the organization who has authority to approve the request. The computer-implemented method also includes traversing, by the server computer, the graph database, to determine an identity of the first person, wherein traversing is performed based on criteria determined at least partially by information automatically extracted from the request.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of barcode readers, and more particularly, to barcode readers designed to operate in an environment with densely packed barcodes. In an embodiment, the present invention is a barcode reader that includes an imaging assembly operable to capture image frames; an aiming light assembly operable to emit an aiming light; and a controller configured to: decode a barcode within a decode frame image captured by the imaging assembly; upon decoding the barcode within the decode frame image, cause a capture of a picklist frame image; and report the barcode to an external host upon at least some overlap between a location of the barcode within the decode frame image and the location of the at least a portion of the aiming light pattern in the picklist frame image.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of barcode readers, and more particularly, to barcode readers having multiple linear image sensors. In an embodiment, a barcode reader includes a first optical assembly including a first linear imaging sensor, a second optical assembly including a second linear imaging sensor, and a controller connected configured to: simultaneously cause both of the first linear imaging sensor and the second linear imaging sensor to respectively capture light from a first FOV and a second FOV for a predetermined amount of time, and simultaneously capture a first output signal from the first linear imaging sensor and a second output signal from the second linear imaging sensor.

Abstract: A monolithically integrated device includes a substrate, a first set of Group III nitride epitaxial layers grown for a first HFET on a first region of the substrate, and a second set of Group III nitride epitaxial layers for a second HFET grown on a second region of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for converting broad spectrum electromagnetic energy to useful, narrow bands of electromagnetic energy. The broad spectrum electromagnetic energy may be from the Sun or from combustion, and output from the apparatus may be bands of visible light, infrared, microwaves, or a combination thereof. The apparatus can function as part of a highly efficient plant growing system or may function as part of a heating or warming system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing data input/output operations are described that include virtual machines operating with a shared storage within a host. In such a system, a computer-implemented method is provided for dynamically provisioning cache storage while operating system applications continue to operate, including stalling the virtual machine's local cache storage operations, changing the provision of cache storage size; and resuming the operations of the virtual machine.