Abstract: Catalysts and methods for transformation of glycerol and a carbon feedstock, such as CO2, a carbonate salt or a bicarbonate salt, are described herein. Homogeneous catalysts include compounds of formula M[NHC-R-linker]aLbXc, where M is a transition metal, NHC is an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, R is an alkyl or aryl group, linker is a polar group, L is a neutral ligand, X is an anionic ligand, a ranges from 1-3, b ranges from 0-3, and c ranges from 0-3. Heterogeneous catalysts include a solid support with a catalytically active compound immobilized on the solid support, where the catalytically active compound has the formula M[NHC-R-linker]aLbXc where M is a transition metal, NHC is an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand, R is an alkyl or aryl group; linker is a polar group, L is a neutral ligand, X is an anionic ligand, a ranges from 1-3, b ranges from 0-3, and c ranges from 0-3.

Abstract: Various exemplary methods and devices for tensioning grafts are provided. In general, a surgical device can include a grip and a frame. The frame can have two opposed segments. The segments can be spaced apart from one another and can each be configured to have at least one suture attached thereto. The sutures attached to the frame can each be configured to attach to a graft. The two segments can be configured to dynamically move toward and away from each other in response to tension that is applied to the sutures attached to the frame. The frame can include an indicator configured to provide an indication of the tension applied to the sutures. The grip can have at least one opening therein. The at least one opening can be configured to have a surgical instrument passed therethrough.

Abstract: Methods and systems of managing dynamic response to wind in a solar tracker system are provided. The method includes determining a wind speed, comparing the wind speed to a predetermined threshold value to determine if the wind speed equals or exceeds the predetermined threshold, positioning a windward most solar tracker to a predetermined angle based on the comparing, and positioning a leeward most solar tracker to the predetermined angle based on the comparing. The solar trackers are positioned at the predetermined angle at a predetermined interval starting at the windward most solar tracker and the remaining solar trackers remain in a normal operating condition.

Abstract: A flap-folding module for a food processing line is arranged to receive a food product lying on a sheet of material and to fold a portion of the sheet over the food product. A conveyor system carries the food product and sheet along a product flow path through the module. A gas jet outlet device provides a pulse of gas to raise a leading edge of the sheet, and an edge catch device receives the leading edge, temporarily retaining the leading edge whilst the food product passes beneath, thereby folding a leading portion of the sheet over at least part of the food product. The conveyor system comprises a mid-conveyor section and an upstream conveyor section which is upstream of the mid-conveyor section, and the upstream conveyor section is pivotable relative to the mid-conveyor section about a pivot axis which extends transversely across the product flow path.

Abstract: A solar tracking system includes a pier, a torque tube rotatably supported on the pier, a solar module coupled to the torque tube, wherein rotation of the torque tube effectuates a corresponding rotation of the solar module, and an inerter, the inerter including a drive gear couplable to the torque tube, wherein rotation of the torque tube effectuates movement of the drive gear, a drive gear operably coupled to the drive gear, wherein movement of the drive gear effectuates movement of the driven gear, and a flywheel operably coupled to the driven gear, wherein movement of the driven gear effectuates rotation of the flywheel, wherein a wind loading on the solar module effectuates rotation of the torque tube and a corresponding rotation of the flywheel, where rotation of the flywheel stores kinetic energy to mitigate excitation of the solar tracker.

Abstract: A system for controlling process pathways is described. The system includes a network, a system backend communicable with said network and configured to generate a process pathway based on a set of rules reflecting a predetermined condition and a series of notifications corresponding to the process pathway. The system may also include a mobile device communicable with said system backend via said network. The mobile device may be configured to receive from said backend at least one notification defining a task of the process pathway, and upon which notification a user is authorized to act, allowing the user to modify a state of said the notification with a one-step action.

Abstract: Methods and systems of managing dynamic response to wind in a solar tracker system are provided. The method includes determining a wind speed, comparing the wind speed to a predetermined threshold value to determine if the wind speed equals or exceeds the predetermined threshold, positioning a windward most solar tracker to a predetermined angle based on the comparing, and positioning a leeward most solar tracker to the predetermined angle based on the comparing. The solar trackers are positioned at the predetermined angle at a predetermined interval starting at the windward most solar tracker and the remaining solar trackers remain in a normal operating condition.

Abstract: Various devices, systems, and methods for knotless suture anchors are provided. In general, a guide device can be cannulated and can be configured to slidably receive therein an inserter tool configured to deliver a suture anchor into a hole formed in bone, such as with a drill advanced through the guide device. The guide device with the inserter tool therein can be configured to be held as a unit by one hand of a person, e.g., a surgeon or other medical personnel.

Abstract: A solar tracker including a torque tube, a plurality of bearings configured to receive the torque tube, a plurality of piers each configured to receive one of the plurality of bearings, and a lock-out device mounted on one of the plurality of piers and operatively associated with at least one of the plurality of bearings, the lock out device configured to periodically engage and disengage openings formed in the bearings to limit movement of the torque tube and to transfer load from the torque tube to the pier on which it is mounted.

Abstract: A method for assessing health of a solar tracker includes receiving data associated with a parameter of a plurality of solar trackers of a solar array, determining a health status tier from data received for one or more of the plurality of solar trackers, assigning the determined health status tier to the one or more of the plurality of solar trackers, and instructing solar trackers of the plurality of solar trackers assigned to a first health status tier to transition to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A solar tracker including at least one pair of piers configured to be secured in the ground and defining a span between the pair, a bearing supported on the pier, and a torque tube supported in the bearing such that the bearing enables rotation of the torque tube, the torque tube including a double wall thickness area, wherein the double wall thickness area limits deflection of the torque tube along the span.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for securely executing customized computing workflows for selecting digital components are described. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request for a digital component for presentation by a client device. In response to receiving the request, a pool of candidate digital components is retrieved from a repository of digital components, and each stage of a multi-stage workflow for selecting a digital component from the pool of digital components is executed in a sequence defined by the multi-stage workflow, including a filtering stage, a selection stage, and a rendering stage. After the rendering stage has been executed, a selected and packaged digital component is transmitted for receipt by the client device.

Abstract: A solar tracker including a torque tube, a plurality of bearings configured to receive the torque tube, a plurality of piers each configured to receive one of the plurality of bearings, and a lock-out device mounted on one of the plurality of piers and operatively associated with at least one of the plurality of bearings, the lock out device configured to periodically engage and disengage openings formed in the bearings to limit movement of the torque tube and to transfer load from the torque tube to the pier on which it is mounted.

Abstract: A model predictive controller for a performing stateless prediction. Using dosed form algebraic expressions for the step test in a dynamic matrix eliminates the requirement for individual calculation on each element. With both the dynamic matrix and the vector of predicted errors written in terms of discrete algebraic equations, the control law is written as a function of the current state of the system. The control law is then be reduced to its minimal form, which leaves the next control action to be a function of the system parameters, the past errors, and the past control actions. Since the system parameters are constant, this controller is then be reduced into a single discrete equation. This greatly reduces the computations required in each control loop iteration.

Abstract: A solar tracker including at least one pair of piers configured to be secured in the ground and defining a span between the pair, a bearing supported on the pier, and a torque tube supported in the bearing such that the bearing enables rotation of the torque tube, the torque tube including a double wall thickness area, wherein the double wall thickness area limits deflection of the torque tube along the span.

Abstract: A solar tracking system includes a first solar tracking row and a second solar tracking row, each of the first and second solar tracking rows including a plurality of support piers, a torque tube rotatably supported on the plurality of support piers, a plurality of solar modules coupled to the torque tube, and at least one damper coupled to the plurality of support piers at a first end and coupled to a portion of the torque tube at a second, opposite end, and a connecting rod coupled to a portion of each torque tube of the first and second solar trackers such that rotation of the torque tube of the first solar tracker row effectuates movement of the connecting rod, which in turn, effectuates rotation of the torque tube of the second solar tracking row.