Abstract: Various embodiments of a swab device, system, and method are provided for measuring and assessing saliva flow in the mouth of a person. In one embodiment, a system includes a swab device and a measuring device. The swab device includes a handle portion and a swab portion, the handle portion being elongated to extend between a proximal end and a distal end. The swab portion is coupled to a distal portion of the handle portion and is sized and configured to collect saliva from the mouth. The measuring device is sized and configured to measure an amount of the saliva collected with the swab portion, the measuring device including a nesting portion integrated therewith. Such nesting portion of the measuring device is sized and configured to receive the proximal end of the handle portion of the swab device to measure the saliva collected therewith.

Abstract: A system for securing a powertrain component to a body structure of a vehicle may include first and second mounts each having a base and a first elastomeric barrier secured to and extending from the base defining an air filled chamber, and a connector coupling the air filled chambers, the connector sized to provide an associated air volume that reduces stiffness of the first elastomeric barrier at an excitation frequency corresponding to a target engine speed. The air filled chambers may be hermetically sealed and pressurized above atmospheric pressure. The system may include a fluid-filled switchable mount having a decoupler air pocket selectively coupled to a vacuum source or atmosphere with an expander integrated with the mount or as a separate component coupled between the decoupler air pocket and the vacuum source. The expander may be implemented as a Helmholtz resonator or may include an in-line expansion chamber.

Abstract: A system for securing a powertrain component to a body structure of a vehicle may include first and second mounts each having a base and a first elastomeric barrier secured to and extending from the base defining an air filled chamber, and a connector coupling the air filled chambers, the connector sized to provide an associated air volume that reduces stiffness of the first elastomeric barrier at an excitation frequency corresponding to a target engine speed. The air filled chambers may be hermetically sealed and pressurized above atmospheric pressure. The system may include a fluid-filled switchable mount having a decoupler air pocket selectively coupled to a vacuum source or atmosphere with an expander integrated with the mount or as a separate component coupled between the decoupler air pocket and the vacuum source. The expander may be implemented as a Helmholtz resonator or may include an in-line expansion chamber.

Abstract: A system for securing a powertrain component to a body structure of a vehicle may include first and second mounts each having a base and a first elastomeric barrier secured to and extending from the base defining an air filled chamber, and a connector coupling the air filled chambers, the connector sized to provide an associated air volume that reduces stiffness of the first elastomeric barrier at an excitation frequency corresponding to a target engine speed. The air filled chambers may be hermetically sealed and pressurized above atmospheric pressure. The system may include a fluid-filled switchable mount having a decoupler air pocket selectively coupled to a vacuum source or atmosphere with an expander integrated with the mount or as a separate component coupled between the decoupler air pocket and the vacuum source. The expander may be implemented as a Helmholtz resonator or may include an in-line expansion chamber.

Abstract: A system for securing a powertrain component to a body structure of a vehicle may include first and second mounts each having a base and a first elastomeric barrier secured to and extending from the base defining an air filled chamber, and a connector coupling the air filled chambers, the connector sized to provide an associated air volume that reduces stiffness of the first elastomeric barrier at an excitation frequency corresponding to a target engine speed. The air filled chambers may be hermetically sealed and pressurized above atmospheric pressure. The system may include a fluid-filled switchable mount having a decoupler air pocket selectively coupled to a vacuum source or atmosphere with an expander integrated with the mount or as a separate component coupled between the decoupler air pocket and the vacuum source. The expander may be implemented as a Helmholtz resonator or may include an in-line expansion chamber.

Abstract: Tire theft prevention device and methods. At least some of example embodiments include a tire removal prevention device comprising: an elongate member having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends defining an elongate axis; a collar member coupled to the elongate member, the collar defining an interior cavity, a first aperture, and a second aperture opposite the first aperture, the second aperture having an area smaller than the first aperture; and a riser member coupled to the elongate member, the riser defining a third aperture having an area larger than the second aperture.

Abstract: A computer-based system for characterizing in real time the nutritional components of one of more ingredients for a ruminant feed ration, including dry matter, NDF, NDFd, lignified NDF ratio, peNDF, percent starch, IVSD, and particle size for a forage material; and IVSD and particle size for a grain material. The system utilizes proprietary NIRS equations based upon prior samplings of a variety of crop species like dual-purpose corn silage, leafy corn silage, brown midrib (“BMR”) corn silage, grass (silage/dry), alfalfa (silage/dry), BMR forage sorghum, normal dent starch grain, floury endosperm starch grain, vitreous endosperm grain, and steam-flaked corn grain, and applies those equations to current samplings of a corresponding crop to predict in real time the characteristics of such forage or grain material.

Abstract: A method that accounts for environmental factors by measuring the starch and fiber degradation characteristics of a variety of genetically different crop plants and grain from crop plants in real time to determine how the crop plants should be conserved, processed and blended into a feed formulation that results in optimum productivity of the ruminant animal. A method further including determining starch digestibility characteristics of a set of crop plant samples comprising grain of said crop plant; developing a prediction equation based on said starch digestibility characteristics, obtaining a grain sample from a crop plant, determining in real time starch digestibility characteristics by NIRS of said sample by inputting data from said NIRS into said equation, storing and/or milling said grain on an identity preserved basis, and determining the amount of said crop plant to incorporate into a feed formulation based on the starch digestibility characteristics.

Abstract: A feed delivery system for a dairy farm wherein a third-party supplier of the system can provide the dairy farm with lists of approved hybrids for the feed components, necessary information inputs for practicing the feed method, and all or a portion of its component needs for the feed ration corresponding to a feed ration that contains: at least one primary forge source selected from the group consisting of brown midrib corn silage, dual-purpose corn silage, leafy corn silage, and grass silage; a secondary forage source selected from the group consisting of dual-purpose corn silage, alfalfa haylage, alfalfa dry hay, grass silage, and alfalfa/grass mix; a corn grain of floury and/or vitreous endosperm starch grain into which normal dent corn or mutt corn may be blended in order to achieve a predetermined level of in vitro starch digestibility; such grain component being further processed to produce a specific particle size of the blended starch.

Abstract: A method for feeding a ruminant animal a feed ration for enhancing its milk production stability across a multiple-stage lactation cycle is provided according to the invention. The feed ration should contain: at least one primary forge source selected from the group consisting of brown midrib corn silage, dual-purpose corn silage, leafy corn silage, and grass silage; a secondary forage source selected from the group consisting of dual-purpose corn silage, alfalfa haylage, alfalfa dry hay, grass silage, and alfalfa/grass mix; a corn grain blend of opaque/floury and vitreous/hard endosperm starch grain into which normal dent corn or mutt corn may be blended in order to achieve a predetermined level of in vitro starch digestibility; such blended grain component being further processed to produce a specific particle size of the blended starch.

Abstract: A method that accounts for environmental factors by measuring the starch and fiber degradation characteristics of a variety of genetically different crop plants and grain from crop plants in real time to determine how the crop plants should be conserved, processed and blended into a feed formulation that results in optimum productivity of the ruminant animal. A method further including determining starch digestibility characteristics of a set of crop plant samples comprising grain of said crop plant; developing a prediction equation based on said starch digestibility characteristics, obtaining a grain sample from a crop plant, determining in real time starch digestibility characteristics by NIRS of said sample by inputting data from said NIRS into said equation, storing and/or milling said grain on an identity preserved basis, and determining the amount of said crop plant to incorporate into a feed formulation based on the starch digestibility characteristics.

Abstract: An inbred corn line designated AR5253bm3 is disclosed. AR5253bm3 is useful for producing F.sub.1 hybrid corn seed and plants therefrom. Such corn plants exhibit the brown midrib phenotype and yield a silage that, when fed to dairy cattle, increases milk production.

Abstract: An inbred corn line designated AR5651bm3 is disclosed. AR5651bm3 is useful for priducing F.sub.1 hybrid corn seed and plants therefrom. Such corn plants exhibit the brown midrib phenotype and yield a silage that, when fed to dairy cattle, increases milk production.

Abstract: An inbred corn line designated AR5153bm3 is disclosed. AR5153bm3 is useful for producing F.sub.1 hybrid corn seed and plants therefrom. Such corn plants exhibit the brown midrib phenotype and yield a silage that, when fed to dairy cattle, increases milk production.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing farmers/producers with crop characteristic predictions for standing crops located in fields includes a central database for storing field and crop information for the crops. A weather data processor receives raw weather data from either or both of (1) a weather data service with collected weather data from a plurality of weather stations; and (2) one or more site-specific weather stations associated with a particular field whose information is in the database. The raw weather data are processed to obtain field weather parameters for entry into a crop characteristic prediction equation, and the parameters are stored in the central database. With a user interface, a crop whose information is stored in the central database is selected.

Abstract: An inbred corn line designated AR5252bm3 is disclosed. AR5252bm3 is useful for producing F.sub.1 hybrid corn seed and plants therefrom. Such corn plants exhibit the brown midrib phenotype and yield a silage that, when fed to dairy cattle, increases milk production.

Abstract: A method for enhancing milk production in dairy cows is disclosed herein. The method comprises feeding dairy cows a feed ration comprising silage made from corn plants that are homozygous for at least one bm gene and, coextensively in time, administering biologically active somatotropin to the cows.