Abstract: A reel has a spool member on which the linear material is spooled, an electric motor that rotates the spool member, and a controller that controls the operation of the motor. The controller monitors an unwound length of the linear material based on sensed rotation of the spool member by one or more sensors. The controller causes the motor to wind the linear material at a drag speed when the linear material is on a ground, at a crawl speed lower than the drag speed when the length of linear material on the ground is shorter than a first threshold amount and through a second predetermined amount once the linear material lifts off the ground to inhibit swing of the linear material as it comes off the ground, and at a docking speed greater than the crawl speed when the unwound linear material is shorter than the second threshold amount.

Abstract: A stand-alone radio frequency hardware component includes a first antenna configured for receiving, over-the-air, a first analog Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal in a first frequency band. A second antenna configured for receiving, over-the-air, at least a second analog GNSS signal in a second frequency band, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band are separate and distinct. A digitizer configured for digitizing the first analog GNSS signal into a first digitalized GNSS signal and for digitizing the second analog GNSS signal into a second digitized GNSS signal. A memory for storing the digitized GNSS signals, wherein the digitized GNSS signals are accessed from the memory by a separate communication device.

Abstract: A cross-platform web-based system for water testing capable of measuring, analyzing and maintaining the quality of water using a plurality of different test strip readers each configured to obtain a digital image of a reagent test strip, normalize and analyze color information in the digital image by colorimetric analysis, and to transmit a set of colorimetric values corresponding to said digital image to a cross-platform cloud-based system for analysis. The cloud-based server(s) receive the colorimetric values, calculate analyte parts-per-million (ppm), and return the calculated analyte ppm with consistant results no matter which reader is used.

Abstract: A wall construction system includes a first block having a first surface and a first void and a second block having a second surface and a second void. The second block is positioned atop the first block to define an interface plane at the adjacent first and second surfaces. The wall construction system further includes a shear member encased within cementitious material within the first and second voids at the interface plane. The cementitious material engages opposing walls of the first and second voids.

Abstract: A method of mitigating undesired pressure variations in a wellbore due to movement of a well tool string in a well can include selectively decreasing and increasing fluid communication between sections of a wellbore on opposite sides of at least one well tool in the well tool string, the fluid communication being increased in response to detecting a threshold movement of the well tool string relative to the wellbore. A well tool string can include a well tool connected in the well tool string, and having an enlarged outer dimension relative to adjacent sections of the well tool string, a flow passage extending between the well tool's opposite ends, a sensor, and at least one flow control device which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between the opposite ends via the flow passage, in response to an output of the sensor indicative of movement of the well tool string.

Abstract: A turbine engine component for a gas turbine engine includes an inner disk, an outer shroud, and a plurality of blades. Each blade comprises a blade root and an airfoil body. The blade root is plated at least in part with a noble metal, and is coupled to the inner disk. The airfoil body extends at least partially between the blade root and the outer shroud.

Abstract: A fiber optic adapter panel for connecting optical fibers, and mountable to a housing includes a front face and a rear face. An adapter region includes a plurality of adapters extending between the front face and the rear face. A ventilation region has one or more openings through the adapter panel extending between the front face and the rear face, such that air passes through the one or more openings and into the housing.

Abstract: In a distributed computing environment that includes hosts that execute a VMM, with each VMM supporting execution of one or more VMs, administering VMs may include: assigning, by a VMM manager, the VMMs of the distributed computing environment to a logical tree topology, including assigning one of the VMMs as a root VMM of the tree topology; and executing, amongst the VMMs of the tree topology, a scatter operation, including: pausing, by the root VMM one or more executing VMs; storing, by the root VMM in a buffer, a plurality of VMs to scatter amongst the other VMMs of the tree topology; and sending, by the root VMM, to each of the other VMMs of the tree topology a different one of the VMs stored in the buffer.

Abstract: The present invention is a freestanding and relocatable fireplace assembly having a unitary body including: a base, and a firebox, and a flue, wherein the fireplace can be assembled from a kit of parts, and once constructed, the fireplace is able to free stand upon its base on any suitable substantially level outdoor surface. A void is created between the bottom of the firebox and the base, which helps to insulate the region of the surface that the fireplace is placed upon, from the heat generated by a fire in the firebox. The bottom of the firebox includes a sloping floor that slopes towards the front of the fireplace, and at least the sidewalls of the firebox slope inwardly. When the fireplace needs to be relocated, it may be moved either as a whole, or in pieces, or is fully disassembled for easier storage and transportation. The fireplace assembly includes attachment means for a variety of accessories that can be used for cooking, heating or drying purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is a physiological measurement and stimulation device that can autonomously adapt its actuation output behavior based on acquired data in the form of biofeedback sensory measurements. When operating the invention, the user can place the device on the body at the intended area of operation, at which time the physiological measurements sensors can initiate data collection. Either prior to or following this time, the actuator can be activated and controlled manually and/or autonomously per a command signal generated by the control system. The operation of the present invention can be continued until the invention detects that a predetermined threshold has been reached. When the invention is used as a sexual stimulation device, the predetermined threshold can be physiological data corresponding to various stages of arousal or orgasm.

Abstract: In one aspect, an arteriovenous access valve system may generally include a first valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an end of an arteriovenous graft and a second valve configured to be positioned at or adjacent to an opposite end of the arteriovenous graft. In addition, the system may include an actuator assembly in fluid communication with the first and second valves. The actuator assembly may include a housing, a driver assembly positioned within the housing and a drive magnet positioned within the housing. The drive magnet may be rotatably coupled to the driver assembly such that, when the drive magnet is rotated, the driver assembly is configured to be rotatably driven so as to supply fluid to the first and second valves or to draw fluid out of the first and second valves depending on a rotational direction of the driver assembly.

Abstract: Functional amine release agents displaying improved wetting as compared to standard silicone oils comprise a polydimethylsiloxane oil and a functional amine selected from the group consisting of pendant propylamines and pendant N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl, in which the concentration of functional amine to polydimethylsiloxane oil is approximately less than 0.0006 meq/g and the release agents have a viscosity of 20 cSt and 10 cSt. In an in-line tandem print system, the 20 cSt release agent is used in the upstream print engine while the 10 cSt release agent is used in the downstream print engine.

Abstract: Optical connectors for connecting optical fiber to a light source are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connector includes a housing with a first end having an open aperture and a second end having a blind aperture. A chamber is disposed in the housing such that the optical axis of the housing passes through the chamber. The chamber includes a first material. A light collecting region formed from a second material is disposed in the housing between the second end of the housing and the chamber. A blind aperture is positioned in the light collecting region such that a termination of the blind aperture is spaced apart from the chamber by at least a portion of the second material. A refracting surface is disposed in the housing between the open aperture and the light collecting region such that the optical axis of the housing passes through the refracting surface.

Abstract: Wireless power receiving apparatus 150 is retrofitted to a portable electrical device 100 to enable the device to receive power wirelessly. The apparatus comprises a power-receiving element 200 adapted to be attached to the device, e.g. by adhesive 201, and also being adapted to receive power wirelessly from a transmitter of power when the element and transmitter are in proximity with one another. One or more power connectors 203 are connected electrically to the power-receiving element and are adapted to be connected, when the apparatus is in use, to one or more corresponding power connectors 101 of the portable electrical device to deliver power received by the element to the device. The power-receiving element may be in the form of a sticker or may be carried by or incorporated in a replacement cover portion for the portable electrical device.

Abstract: A method for creating space in a joint, the method comprising: applying force to a body part so as to distract the joint and create an intrajoint space; inserting an expandable member into the intrajoint space while the expandable member is in a contracted condition; expanding the expandable member within the intrajoint space; and reducing the force applied to the body part so that the joint is supported on the expandable member.

Abstract: A boroscope has a first end and a second end and the first end of the boroscope has an optical fibre, a light source, a lens, a beam expander and a transmissive diffractive optical element. The optical fibre extends from the first end of the boroscope to the second end of the boroscope. A laser optical fibre extends from the lens at the first end of the boroscope to the second end of the boroscope and a laser source is arranged to direct a laser beam into the laser optical fibre. The beam expander is provided between the laser optical fibre and the lens and the lens is provided between the beam expander and the transmissive diffractive optical element. The transmissive diffractive optical element is arranged to produce a laser beam with a predetermined shape and a focal length probe extends from the first end of the boroscope.

Abstract: In a distributed computing environment that includes which each execute a VMM, where each VMM supports execution of one or more VMs, administering the VMs may include: assigning, by a VMM manager, the VMMs of the distributed computing environment to a logical tree topology, including assigning one of the VMMs as a root VMM of the tree topology; and executing, amongst the VMMs of the tree topology, a gather operation, including: sending, by the root VMM, to other VMMs in the tree topology, a request to retrieve one or more VMs supported by the other VMMs; pausing, by the other VMMs, each VM requested to be retrieved; and providing, by the other VMMs to the root VMM, the VMs requested to be retrieved.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester includes a plurality of row units, a plurality of feed/snapping units, and a plurality of chopping units. Each feed/snapping unit is associated with a respective said row unit and operable at a first operating speed. Each chopping unit is associated with at least one respective feed/snapping unit and operable at a constant second operating speed, independent of the first operating speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for translation and validation of representations of data for use in retail transactions. The systems and methods may be implemented by a device including at least one circuit. In some implementations a device may comprise a scanning component and a display component. The scanning component may be operable to capture data corresponding to a first representation of the data. The screen may be operable to display a second representation of the data. The data may correspond to coupon data associated with the sale of a product.

Abstract: An airbag system includes an airbag. The airbag includes a face portion configured such that when the airbag is inflated; the face portion forms a corrugated section. The corrugated section has a plurality of corrugations. The plurality of corrugations is configured to impede movement of an occupant's head from a center of the airbag toward a side of the airbag during impact. The plurality of corrugations is formed using a plurality of tethers attached to the face portion.