Abstract: In some embodiments, a grain drying apparatus may include a drum with a grain auger including a flighting with air holes. The drum may be surrounded by an outer drum, the inner drum including a plurality of drum air holes. A volume of dehydrated air may pass around a helical air diverter, located in an annulus between the inner drum and the outer drum, and through the grain, thereby drying the grain.

Abstract: Optical cable assemblies having filler optical fibers and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical cable assembly includes an optical cable, a plurality of filler optical fibers, and a ferrule. The optical cable includes an outer jacket and a plurality of active optical fibers disposed within the outer jacket, wherein the plurality of active optical fibers extend beyond an end of the outer jacket. Each filler optical fiber includes a first end and second end. The first end is secured to an outer surface of the outer jacket by a securing member for improving mechanical performance of the assembly. The ferrule includes an array of openings. Ends of the plurality of active optical fibers are disposed within a first subset of openings of the array of openings and the second ends of the plurality of filler optical fibers are disposed within a second subset of openings of the array of openings and are suitable for transmitting optical signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rapid method for estimating the dry matter content of a fruit or vegetable. The method comprises drying a sample of the fruit or vegetable on a support and measuring the dry matter content, wherein the whole method can be carried out in less than 2 hours. This compares to the industry standard method for assessing dry matter in horticultural products which typically takes 6-48 hours.

Abstract: A system for selection of a medical provider (MP) by a requesting patient based on preferences for the MP includes a first model modeling the preferences of a plurality of patients for select MPs and trained on a first training data set. A second model is provided for modeling the preferences of a plurality of MPs for select patients and trained on a second training data set. A controller controls the first and second models to select at least a portion of available MPs in an available MP data set for input of the associated representative information to the first and second model MP inputs. A patient rank calculator accumulates the output patient determined preferences for MPs associated with the selected at least a portion of the available MPs and generates a MP ranking for each of the selected at least a portion of the available MPs.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a combination hair styling apparatus capable of selectively switching between a straightener mode and a curling wand mode. The hair styling apparatus includes a first and second arms that may be pivotably coupled to each other to selectively configure the hair styling apparatus between an opened position and a closed position. The hair styling apparatus further includes a first and second pair of heating plates and a pair of heating plate covers positioned to cover the second pair of heating plates. The pair of heating plate covers are movable between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A packaging assembly for packaging and maintaining an article within a container can include a retention member configured to engage the sidewalls of the container so as to releaseably retain the retention member in the open interior space of the container. The retention member can include a releasable latching mechanism for securing the retention member in the container. The latching mechanism can be formed with foldable panels that are biased towards an extended position.

Abstract: Optical cable assemblies having filler optical fibers and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical cable assembly includes an optical cable, a plurality of filler optical fibers, and a ferrule. The optical cable includes an outer jacket and a plurality of active optical fibers disposed within the outer jacket, wherein the plurality of active optical fibers extend beyond an end of the outer jacket. Each filler optical fiber includes a first end and second end. The first end is secured to an outer surface of the outer jacket by a securing member for improving mechanical performance of the assembly. The ferrule includes an array of openings. Ends of the plurality of active optical fibers are disposed within a first subset of openings of the array of openings and the second ends of the plurality of filler optical fibers are disposed within a second subset of openings of the array of openings and are suitable for transmitting optical signals.

Abstract: A biological imaging analyzer is described comprises a staining module configured to stain cells of a biological sample so as to produce stained cells. The analyzer also comprises a lighting module configured to illuminate the stained cells, the lighting module comprising a plurality of pulsed lights. The analyzer further comprises an imaging module configured to capture images of the stained cells. A method of flow imaging a biological sample comprises flowing the biological sample including the stained cells through an image capture region of a flowcell. The method also comprises utilizing the lighting module to illuminate the stained cells at the image capture region with the plurality of pulsed lights. The method further comprises capturing images of the stained cells at the image capture region with the imaging module.

Abstract: An automated package Pickup and Receiving Station (PRS) (100) with autonomous ground vehicles (AGV) (18) are presented, which may be used to pick up, deliver and securely store packages (28), parcels, mail, prepared food, groceries or other items that may be placed in a tray, which may include an integrated container. A portal (10) facilitates loading of items into, and removal of items from, the PRS (100). Within the PRS (100), items (28) may be transported from source to destination on standardized trays (25), via a two-dimensional gantry (32) and an end of arm tool (22). The gantry (32) may be oriented for movement through a central corridor (21) in the PRS (100), with end of arm tool (22) adapted for pushing trays towards, or pulling trays from, either side of the gantry (32). Items may be stored on a tray (25) in internal shelving (20), or placed directly into an AGV (18), on either side of the PRS (100).

Abstract: A packaging system for packaging an article and maintaining the article therein can comprise a container, an article positioned in the container, a first anchor member positioned between the article and the container, a second anchor member positioned between the article and the container, and a resilient sheet member comprising a first portion fixed to the first anchor member and a second portion fixed to the second anchor member so as to connect the first anchor member to the second anchor member. The first and second anchor members can be captured between the article and the container so as to maintain tension in the resilient sheet member against the article.

Abstract: The present specification discloses headwear configured to permit the user to easily don an item of eyewear, such as prescription glasses, reading glasses, sun glasses, safety glasses, and the like. The present headwear provides a unique pocket design on each side with an eyewear temple aperture located within the pockets. The pockets are created by forming a z-folded configuration out of a fabric panel for each pocket and tacking the three layers of material together, above and below the eyewear temple aperture. Each of the pockets are positioned forward of at least part of the ears, and open towards the user's anterior. The outermost panel of each of the pockets protrudes from the sides of the headwear to provide sufficient clearance for the temples of the eyewear to easily slip into the pockets and through the eyewear temple apertures.

Abstract: A packaging substrate and a method for mounting an integrated circuit and/or a circuit component is presented. The packaging substrate includes an upper surface for mounting the integrated circuit and/or circuit component; a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, wherein the lower surface is for mounting to a printed circuit board (PCB); a non-conductive material; wherein the non-conductive material is a plastic: an inductor structure at least partially embedded in the non-conductive material; first and second conductive materials, and conductive pillars, arranged to form a first coil and a second coil having an inductance; wherein the first coil and second coil are arranged as a toroid transformer wound in a double helix configuration.

Abstract: An electrical and receptacle and fixture system that provides a simple, safe and quick mechanical electrical connection for mounting electrical fixtures to a receptacle box and connecting electrical equipment. The connection system has dedicated fixture and receptacle as well as conversion adapters for existing electrical connections. An LED integral light and switch assembly is adaptable to connect system providing self-contained point of use switchable LED lighting as required.

Abstract: An automated package Pickup and Receiving Station (PRS) (100) with autonomous ground vehicles (AGV) (18) are presented, which may be used to pick up, deliver and securely store packages (28), parcels, mail, prepared food, groceries or other items that may be placed in a tray, which may include an integrated container. A portal (10) facilitates loading of items into, and removal of items from, the PRS (100). Within the PRS (100), items (28) may be transported from source to destination on standardized trays (25), via a two-dimensional gantry (32) and an end of arm tool (22). The gantry (32) may be oriented for movement through a central corridor (21) in the PRS (100), with end of arm tool (22) adapted for pushing trays towards, or pulling trays from, either side of the gantry (32). Items may be stored on a tray (25) in internal shelving (20), or placed directly into an AGV (18), on either side of the PRS (100).

Abstract: Female fiber optic connectors having a connection port opening for receiving a fiber optic plug and cable assemblies comprising the female fiber optic connector along with methods of making the same. The female fiber optic connectors comprise an actuator such as a rocker latch arm used for releasing or securing an external fiber optic plug that may be received in the connection port. A main barrel of the female fiber optic connector comprises a connection port suitable for receiving an external fiber optic plug connector. The female fiber optic connectors disclosed advantageously allow for an quick and easy connection with an external fiber optic plug connector for ruggedized or other desired applications. Methods for terminating the optical fibers of a cable to the female fiber optic connector for forming cable assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Male plug fiber optic connectors having configured for mating with a dissimilar connector are disclosed along with cable assemblies using the same. The fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule, a connector housing, and a nose-piece having a pocket disposed at a front portion. The pocket of the nose-piece is configured for allowing optical mating with a dissimilar connector. In one embodiment, the pocket on the nosepiece of the connector is disposed on a forward portion of the nosepiece. The fiber optic connectors disclosed advantageously allow for optical mating with dissimilar optical connectors with a quick and easy assembly for rugged applications or other optical communication networks.

Abstract: Male plug fiber optic connectors having a conversion adapter for mating with a dissimilar connector are disclosed along with cable assemblies using the same. The fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule, a connector housing, and a nose-piece having a pocket disposed at a front portion. The pocket of the nose-piece is configured for allowing optical mating with a dissimilar connector using the conversion adapter. In one embodiment, the nosepiece of the connector is disposed forward of a keying portion disposed on the nosepiece. The fiber optic connectors disclosed advantageously allow for optical mating with dissimilar optical connectors with a quick and easy assembly for rugged applications or other optical communication networks.

Abstract: Multi-fiber fiber optic connectors and cable assemblies comprising a fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule, a connector housing comprising a longitudinal passageway therethough, and a nose-piece. The nose-piece has a backstop that captures the multi-fiber ferrule and allows limited movement of the ferrule in the unmated state. In one embodiment, the connector housing comprises a keying portion and a locking portion. The fiber optic connectors disclosed advantageously allow for an quick and easy assembly of the multi-fiber connector for rugged or non-rugged applications. Methods for terminating the optical fibers of a cable to the fiber optic connector for forming a cable assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus 10 and method for cleaning, rejuvenating or treating the internal surfaces of a timber barrel 28 with an abrasive, the apparatus 10 comprising a clamping arrangement that includes at least one clamp 21-24 for clamping the barrel 28. The clamp 21-24 being rotatable to rotate the barrel 28 about its axis and the clamping arrangement being operable to tilt the axis of the barrel 28 during rotation through at least about 20°, preferably 25-40%, to either side of horizontal.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds, compositions thereof, and methods of using the same.