Abstract: A growing medium comprising fibrous tree bark and fibrous wood components, wherein the fibers of the growing medium have an average length to width ratio, such that the growing medium has a dry bulk density of about 60 kg/m3 or lower and wet bulk density of about 120 kg/m3 or lower.

Abstract: Systems and methods for erasing content stored on a set top box via a dedicated input object of a remote input device are described. A set top box (STB) receives a request to activate the set top box. The STB can create a storage location to which the STB is configured to store identifiers and passwords of a guest. The STB stores one or more user identifiers and passwords of the guest that correspond to one of one or more applications or web services accessed via the device. The STB receives, from a remote control device via a wireless communication, a command to delete the user identifiers and passwords stored on the STB responsive to selection of a delete button on the remote control device. An agent executing on the STB can delete the one or more user identifiers and passwords from the STB responsive to receipt of the command.

Abstract: Systems and methods for erasing content stored on a set top box via a dedicated input object of a remote input device are described. A set top box (STB) receives a request to activate the set top box. The STB can create a storage location to which the STB is configured to store identifiers and passwords of a guest. The STB stores one or more user identifiers and passwords of the guest that correspond to one of one or more applications or web services accessed via the device. The STB receives, from a remote control device via a wireless communication, a command to delete the user identifiers and passwords stored on the STB responsive to selection of a delete button on the remote control device. An agent executing on the STB can delete the one or more user identifiers and passwords from the STB responsive to receipt of the command.

Abstract: A compressed growing medium or mulch fiber opener comprising at least one set of adjacent rotating members, the rotating members having a surface and including at least one wire wound around at least a portion of the surface, wherein the wire includes a plurality of projections engaging compressed or partially opened growing medium or mulch fiber, and wherein a distance between the adjacent rotating members is sufficiently small to create at least one pinch point between the adjacent rotating members, the adjacent rotating members separating the fibers as the fibers pass through the at least one pinch point so that the density of the fiber is lowered by at least 50-95%.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating and providing application access via a hotel management system are provided. A cloud management system (CMS) establishes a first connection with a hotel management system (HMS) of a hotel property and a second connection with a set top box (STB) of the hotel property. STB includes a plurality of applications accessible by a guest of the hotel property. The CMS receives, from the STB via the second connection, a request of a guest of the hotel property to purchase access to an application of the plurality of applications provided by the STB. The CMS transmits, to the HMS via the first connection a request for payment to an account of the guest at the hotel property. The CMS then transmits, responsive to receiving approval for payment from the HMS, an approval to purchase access to the application via the second connection to the STB.

Abstract: Systems and methods for erasing content stored on a set top box via a dedicated input object of a remote input device are described. A set top box (STB) receives a request to activate the set top box. The STB can create a storage location to which the STB is configured to store identifiers and passwords of a guest. The STB stores one or more user identifiers and passwords of the guest that correspond to one of one or more applications or web services accessed via the device. The STB receives, from a remote control device via a wireless communication, a command to delete the user identifiers and passwords stored on the STB responsive to selection of a delete button on the remote control device. An agent executing on the STB can delete the one or more user identifiers and passwords from the STB responsive to receipt of the command.

Abstract: A method for making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149° C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.

Abstract: A compressed growing medium or mulch fiber opener comprising at least one set of adjacent rotating members, the rotating members having a surface and including at least one wire wound around at least a portion of the surface, wherein the wire includes a plurality of projections engaging compressed or partially opened growing medium or mulch fiber, and wherein a distance between the adjacent rotating members is sufficiently small to create at least one pinch point between the adjacent rotating members, the adjacent rotating members separating the fibers as the fibers pass through the at least one pinch point so that the density of the fiber is lowered by at least 50-95%.

Abstract: A method for making a dyed mulch composition or a dyed growing medium, the method comprising combining tree bark including one or more pigments and/or pigment precursors and wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition at a temperature greater than about 149° C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks, the refiner separating the tree bark and wood components into fibers and separating the fibers from each other; and dyeing the wood components by the one or more pigments and/or pigment precursors while the tree bark and the wood components are being separated into fibers in the refiner to obtain dyed fibers.

Abstract: A growing medium comprising fibrous tree bark and fibrous wood components, wherein the fibers of the growing medium have an average length to width ratio, such that the growing medium has a dry bulk density of about 60 kg/m3 or lower and wet bulk density of about 120 kg/m3 or lower.

Abstract: A method for making a finished fabric comprising the following steps: (a) providing yarn; (b) sizing the yarn using a solution of about 75% of water based on the solution; about 12.5% of steam condensate based on the solution; and from about 12 to about 14% of a sizing solution, based on the solution wherein the temperature of the sizing solution is from about 155° F. to about 195° F.; and (c) weaving the yarn of step (b) to form an undyed woven fabric wherein the reed has dpi of from about 31.25 to about 31.75 and dent wire of from about 0.15 mm to about 0.28 mm and from about 2400 to 2700 dents, with from about 70 to about 80% air space, allowing the warp yarn to lie flatter, giving a more full appearance of the finished fabric. The method for making the finished fabric precludes finishing or desizing the undyed woven fabric. The finished fabric made from the foregoing method, and wall covering and art canvas including the finished fabric are also part of the present invention.

Abstract: A water purification device includes a housing including a first chamber in communication with a second chamber, a first filtration stage, and a second filtration stage. The first chamber has the first filtration stage and the second filtration stage. The filtration stages and chambers are arranged in a serial relationship to another filtration stage and chamber, respectively. The first filtration stage includes inorganic particles and the second filtration stage includes a biocide. At least 95 percent of the inorganic particles will pass through about 20,000 micron screen and at least 95 percent will not pass thru about 20 micron screen. The inorganic particles have a cation exchange capacity of 1 to 200 milli-equivalents per 100 grams. The inorganic particles will become charged and have a charge of about 1 to about 500 millivolts with ions from the biocide when the device is filled with water.

Abstract: A flexible eddy current probe and a method of use are provided. A flexible eddy current probe (300) includes at least one substantially planar eddy current array (304) capable of measuring an electromagnetic condition of a portion of a test object (202), wherein the at least one eddy current array (304) is disposed on a flexible substrate (316), and wherein the flexible substrate (316) is conformable to a portion of the test object (202). The flexible eddy current probe includes at least one elongated electrical conductor (312) capable of electrically connecting the at least one eddy current array (304) to a test instrument, and a glove (402) capable of being fitted to an operator's hand and capable of carrying the eddy current array (304) and conforming the array in testing communication with the test object (202).

Abstract: An apparatus for controlled pollination of a maize plant is provided. The apparatus may include a reusable air discharger having an internal cavity and an outlet, and configured, when actuated, to expel air from the internal cavity through the outlet and into a single use, biodegradable applicator having a first open end and a second open end. The applicator may further be configured to receive at least one maize tassel containing maize pollen thereon, and to direct the maize pollen through the second end of the applicator upon actuation of the air discharger. A method for controlled pollination of two or more maize plants using a common air discharger is also provided.

Abstract: A water purification device includes a housing including a first chamber in communication with a second chamber, a first filtration stage, and a second filtration stage. The first chamber has the first filtration stage and the second filtration stage. The filtration stages and chambers are arranged in a serial relationship to another filtration stage and chamber, respectively. The first filtration stage includes particles and the second filtration stage includes a biocide. At least 95 percent of the particles will pass through about 20,000 micron screen and at least 95 percent will not pass thru about 20 micron screen. The particles have a cation exchange capacity of 1 to 200 milli-equivalents per 100 grams. The particles will become charged and have a charge of about 1 to about 500 millivolts with ions from the biocide when the device is filled with water.

Abstract: A milk frothing device comprises a housing (2) including a container (10) for receiving the milk to be frothed, and a frothing means (20), wherein the container comprises a side wall (11), a bottom portion (13) and an inclined wall portion (12), wherein the inclined wall portion is inclined with respect to the side wall and is confined by the side wall and the bottom portion, wherein the container and the frothing means together form an asymmetrical arrangement.