Abstract: A computer predicts damage to crop plants (110) in a particular geographic area (100), caused by Sclerotinia fungi. The computer receives current condition data (202) in form of time-series, collected during a monitor interval. The current condition data (202) comprises plant data with an identifier of a particular crop plant species, the identifier of crop plants previously grown, and biomass data; as well as environmental with weather data and with soil moisture data. The computer processes the current condition data (202) by an artificial neural network (472), and provides predicted damage data (302). The artificial neural network (472) has previously being trained by a combination of historical condition data in the form of time-series for the particular geographic area (100) and historical damage data in form of expert annotations.

Abstract: A gas-delayed blowback system for a firearm preferably includes a receiver, a barrel and a spring-loaded moveable slide. The barrel is ported to at least two gas compression chambers into which expanding propellant gases flow after the firearm is fired. The gas compression chambers and ports vary in volume such that propellant gas pressure increases rapidly in one of the chambers, thereby locking the slide upon firing. Pressure in the other gas compression chambers increases and decreases at a slower rate due to a smaller port size, further delaying rearward travel of the slide after the bullet exits the barrel and barrel pressure is relieved.

Abstract: A gas-delayed blowback system for a firearm preferably includes a receiver, a barrel and a spring-loaded moveable slide. The barrel is ported to at least two gas compression chambers into which expanding propellant gases flow after the firearm is fired. The gas compression chambers and ports vary in volume such that propellant gas pressure increases rapidly in one of the chambers, thereby locking the slide upon firing. Pressure in the other gas compression chambers increases and decreases at a slower rate due to a smaller port size, further delaying rearward travel of the slide after the bullet exits the barrel and barrel pressure is relieved. As a result, unlocking of the firearm is sufficiently delayed and felt recoil is reduced due to redistribution of propellant gas pressure, thereby accommodating modern high-pressure ammunition rounds.

Abstract: A hybrid chassis for fiber management includes a fixed tray adapted to mount to one of a rack and a frame; a sliding chassis assembly housed in the fixed tray; fiber connectors on a front faceplate of the sliding chassis assembly; internal cross connections in the sliding chassis assembly between the fiber connectors; and a sliding mechanism between the sliding chassis assembly and the fixed tray providing constrained sliding of the sliding chassis assembly between at least two positions including an operating, recessed position and a maintenance, fiber access position. In the operating, recessed position, the sliding chassis assembly can be recessed by about 3.3? in the fixed tray, wherein, in the maintenance, fiber access position, the sliding chassis assembly can be recessed by about 1.3? for fiber access, and wherein the constrained sliding can be about 2?.

Abstract: A hybrid chassis for fiber management includes a fixed tray adapted to mount to one of a rack and a frame; a sliding chassis assembly housed in the fixed tray; fiber connectors on a front faceplate of the sliding chassis assembly; internal cross connections in the sliding chassis assembly between the fiber connectors; and a sliding mechanism between the sliding chassis assembly and the fixed tray providing constrained sliding of the sliding chassis assembly between at least two positions including an operating, recessed position and a maintenance, fiber access position. In the operating, recessed position, the sliding chassis assembly can be recessed by about 3.3? in the fixed tray, wherein, in the maintenance, fiber access position, the sliding chassis assembly can be recessed by about 1.3? for fiber access, and wherein the constrained sliding can be about 2?.