Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring soiling of one or more photovoltaic (PV) modules. A sensor is provided that includes a measure chamber and a clean chamber. Cells in the measure chamber allow a measurement to be taken that accounts for soiling. Reference cells in the clean chamber can be exposed to incident light outside of the clean chamber. Measurements taken when the reference cells are outside of the clean chamber allow a clean output to be determined that is not subject to soiling. Comparing the output of the reference cell and the cells in the measure chamber allows a soiling loss to be determined.

Abstract: A hybrid switched capacitor power converter for high-power applications is provided. The converter has a transistor-switched input-stage boost converter followed by a capacitor-and-diode ladder circuit. The converter is adapted to produce an output voltage of at least 5 kV at a power level of at least 0.5 kW. The ladder circuit includes one or more multi-stage rails.

Abstract: In a method of ranking or filtering new content items for presentation to members of a group of users of a social-networking service, content items that are candidates for presentation to the members are received. A user of the social-networking service is enabled to serve as a curator of the candidates, with the enabling including enabling the user to scroll through subsets of the candidates in a carousel user interface to indicate an opinion of the user with respect to an importance to the group of each of one or more candidates. One or more of the candidates are presented to the members of the group based on the opinion of the user with respect to the candidates.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium, and computer-implemented method for assigning a task based on content presented in a data feed are presented. A data feed that includes a set of content items is presented. Each of the content items included in the data feed may include a graphical user interface element capable of invoking task assignment functionality with respect to each content item. A task based on a content item presented in the data feed may be created and assigned to a selected user in response to receiving a selection of the graphical user interface element. The method may further include generating an individual status report for the user that includes every task assigned to the user.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium, and computer-implemented method for assigning a task based on content presented in a data feed are presented. A data feed that includes a set of content items is presented. Each of the content items included in the data feed may include a graphical user interface element capable of invoking task assignment functionality with respect to each content item. A task based on a content item presented in the data feed may be created and assigned to a selected user in response to receiving a selection of the graphical user interface element. The method may further include generating an individual status report for the user that includes every task assigned to the user.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium, and computer-implemented method for assigning a task based on content presented in a data feed are presented. A data feed that includes a set of content items is presented. Each of the content items included in the data feed may include a graphical user interface element capable of invoking task assignment functionality with respect to each content item. A task based on a content item presented in the data feed may be created and assigned to a selected user in response to receiving a selection of the graphical user interface element. The method may further include generating an individual status report for the user that includes every task assigned to the user.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium, and computer-implemented method for maintaining an accurate organization chart, are presented. The method may include accessing organization chart data defining a hierarchy of an organization comprising a group of users. At least one user of the group of users may be prompted to provide verification information pertaining to the accuracy of a portion of the organization chart data. Upon receiving the verification information from the at least one user, the method may include updating the organization chart data in accordance with the verification information.

Abstract: In a method of ranking or filtering new content items for presentation to members of a group of users of a social-networking service, content items that are candidates for presentation to the members are received. A user of the social-networking service is enabled to serve as a curator of the candidates, with the enabling including enabling the user to scroll through subsets of the candidates in a carousel user interface to indicate an opinion of the user with respect to an importance to the group of each of one or more candidates. One or more of the candidates are presented to the members of the group based on the opinion of the user with respect to the candidates.

Abstract: Novel enzymes, processes and antigenic structures useful in producing vaccines and compounds useful in combating gram-negative bacteria are described. Enzymes were isolated from the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum and used to specifically degrade lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Enzymatic degradation permits residues of the LPS molecule, including immunogenic epitopes of the core oligosaccharide portion of the LPS, to remain unmodified during this enzymatic removal of fatty acids from the lipid A region of the LPS molecule.

Abstract: A multifunctional device is disclosed for facilitating plant growth by shining a solar-powered light over plants, and can provide other functions. The multifunctional device comprises a center post, a ground stake, and solar panels. The center post telescopically expands and retracts. The ground stake tapers to a point on one end and can be secured in the ground. Further, the solar panels fold down against the center post for storage, unfold perpendicular to the center post, and are locked in place when in use via a locking collar. The solar panels comprise an underside and a topside, with solar cells secured to the topside and lights secured to the underside. The solar cells absorb sunlight, and turn the sunlight into electrical energy which is used to charge the solar batteries housed in the center post. The solar batteries power the lights located on the solar panels.

Abstract: In a method of ranking or filtering new content items for presentation to members of a group of users of a social-networking service, content items that are candidates for presentation to the members are received. A user of the social-networking service is enabled to serve as a curator of the candidates, with the enabling including enabling the user to scroll through subsets of the candidates in a carousel user interface to indicate an opinion of the user with respect to an importance to the group of each of one or more candidates. One or more of the candidates are presented to the members of the group based on the opinion of the user with respect to the candidates.

Abstract: A multifunctional device is disclosed for facilitating plant growth by shining a solar-powered light over plants, and can provide other functions. The multifunctional device comprises a center post, a ground stake, and solar panels. The center post telescopically expands and retracts. The ground stake tapers to a point on one end and can be secured in the ground. Further, the solar panels fold down against the center post for storage, unfold perpendicular to the center post, and are locked in place when in use via a locking collar. The solar panels comprise an underside and a topside, with solar cells secured to the topside and lights secured to the underside. The solar cells absorb sunlight, and turn the sunlight into electrical energy which is used to charge the solar batteries housed in the center post. The solar batteries power the lights located on the solar panels.

Abstract: The present invention provides combinations of dietary supplements and methods of using of these combinations to improve the health and production performance of animals. In particular, the combinations of the invention comprise antioxidants, trace minerals, organic acids, essential amino acids, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: In a method of ranking or filtering new content items for presentation to members of a group of users of a social-networking service, content items that are candidates for presentation to the members are received. A user of the social-networking service is enabled to serve as a curator of the candidates, with the enabling including enabling the user to scroll through subsets of the candidates in a carousel user interface to indicate an opinion of the user with respect to an importance to the group of each of one or more candidates. One or more of the candidates are presented to the members of the group based on the opinion of the user with respect to the candidates.

Abstract: The present invention provides combinations of dietary supplements and methods of using of these combinations to improve the health and production performance of animals. In particular, the combinations of the invention comprise antioxidants, trace minerals, organic acids, essential amino acids, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A valve assembly to dispense fluid from fluid containers including a member that is rotatably slideable in a tube between open and closed positions. The valve assembly utilizes sealing beads to provide seals so that fluid cannot be dispensed from the assembly when the assembly is in the closed position. The valve assembly also includes a tamper evident indicator to show a user whether or not the valve assembly has been previously actuated. The tamper evident indicator may include a tab that is broken when the valve assembly is first actuated. The tamper evident indicator may also include a skirt that either detaches from a knob or fractures when the valve assembly is first actuated.

Abstract: Time is transferred from an ultra wideband (UWB) transmitter to UWB receiver by transmitting a signal structure having an associated timing reference point together with a time value for the timing reference point. The UWB receiver receives the timing signal structure by synchronizing a receiver time base to the signal structure, demodulating the time value information, and using the demodulated time value information to set a receiver clock value. Propagation delay information is used to adjust the receiver clock value by advancing the receiver clock value to account for the propagation delay. In one embodiment, propagation delay is determined from a known distance between the transmitter and receiver. In another embodiment, the transmitter and receiver are part of a two-way link wherein propagation delay is measured by round trip timing measurements.

Abstract: An ultra wideband system employing a threshold to detect signal quality during acquisition wherein the threshold is adjusted based on signal characteristics such as packet traffic rate, packet loss rate, and packet loss fraction. In one embodiment, the threshold is adjusted by adjusting the gain of a variable gain stage ahead of the threshold. In another embodiment, gain and threshold are adjusted in a coordinated manner wherein gain is adjusted for low signal levels and threshold is adjusted for high signal levels. In one embodiment, packet traffic rate is evaluated over an interval based on maximum packet length, number of monitor packets, and inter-packet delay. In a further embodiment, multiple ramp builders are operated in parallel at multiple code offset values to generate signal statistics to compare with the threshold. Embodiments are disclosed wherein the thresholds are adaptively adjusted based on signal performance characteristics or the multipath environment.

Abstract: A light-emitting funneling apparatus comprises a conduit with a pouring end and a discharge end, wherein the pouring end is wider than the discharge end. The light-emitting funneling apparatus also comprises one or more light sources positioned adjacent to a portion of the conduit and configured to illuminate in a direction of a flow of material through the conduit. In some embodiments, the one or more light sources are external to the conduit. Alternatively, the one or more light sources are internal to the conduit. The light-emitting funneling apparatus further comprises a means for selectively activating the light source. In some embodiments, the funnel comprises a battery for powering the one or more light sources.

Abstract: Novel enzymes, processes and antigenic structures useful in producing vaccines and compounds useful in combating gram-negative bacteria are described. Enzymes were isolated from the slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum and used to specifically degrade lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Enzymatic degradation permits residues of the LPS molecule, including immunogenic epitopes of the core oligosaccharide portion of the LPS, to remain unmodified during this enzymatic removal of fatty acids from the lipid A region of the LPS molecule.