Abstract: A space vehicle competition management system includes an orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) and a control unit. The OTV is configured to retain space vehicles (SVs) while the OTV transfers the SVs from an initial altitude of a launch vehicle to a desired altitude, and deploy the plurality of SVs at a series of offset locations and respective times representing starting points of the competition. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to receive signals indicative of waypoint arrival times for one or more of the SVs at one or more waypoints along a course of the competition, and compute one or more metrics indicative of relative performance of the plurality of SVs in the competition.

Abstract: A thruster system for use in a spacecraft combines chemical and electric or electrothermal propulsion. To that end a thruster may comprise a cavity including at least one inlet to receive a first fluid and a second fluid configured to chemically react with the first fluid within the cavity to generate a reaction product. Alternatively, the cavity may be configured to receive a monopropellant configured to chemically decompose within the cavity. The thruster system further comprises an energy source coupled to the cavity and configured to heat or ionize material within the cavity by emitting electromagnetic radiation. Still further, the thruster system comprises a nozzle provided at one end of the cavity and configured to direct heated material out of the cavity to generate thrust.

Abstract: The invention relates to compound of formula (I): A-X1-L-X2-B??(I) and salts, solvates and tautomers thereof, which are useful as medicaments, in particular as anti-proliferative agents and for use as a drug in an antibody-drug conjugate; wherein A is a group selected from: X1 and X2 are independently selected from O, S, NR28, CR28R29, CR28R29O, C(?O), C(?O)NR28, NR28C(?O), C(O)—RA—C(O)—NH, C(O)—RA—NH—C(O), C(O)—NH—RA—C(O), NH—C(O)—RA—C(O), NH—C(O)—RA—C(O)—NH, NH—C(O)—RA—NH—C(O), C(O)—NH—RA—NH—C(O), C(O)—NH—RA—C(O)—NH, O—C(O) and C(O)—O or is absent; L is selected from an amino acid, a peptide chain having from 2 to 12 amino acids, a paraformaldehyde chain —(OCH2)1-24—, a polyethylene glycol chain —(OCH2CH2)1-12— and —(CH2)m—Y6—(CH2)n— wherein Y6 is selected from —(CH2)z— and a group (L1) a group (L1) that is selected from arylene, monocyclic heteroarylene, monocyclic cycloalkylene, monocyclic cycloalkenylene and monocyclic heterocyclylene groups optionally substituted with up to three optional subst

Abstract: A rotary thresher for a combine harvester including at least a first concave and a second concave, which may be rotated around a rotor to move to or from a threshing position or one or more of one or more resting positions. The concaves are mounted in a frame that is configured to rotate around the rotor such that the second concave moves during rotation from a first resting position to the threshing position while the first concave is moved from the threshing position to a second resting position.

Abstract: A two-part coupling for use in joining sections of pipe without additional fasteners is disclosed. The two-part coupling includes integral coupling features molded by additive manufacturing technology. The two-part coupling increases reliability, reduces weight, and provides ease of manufacture. The coupling distributes a fluid load so that the coupling can withstand pressures and leak rates in accordance with stringent standards. The two-part coupling can be coupled and de-coupled using a locking and release mechanism built into the integral parts. Assembly is made easier because the geometry of the coupling is amenable to additive manufacturing. Because the two-part coupling requires a lesser degree of precision, machined parts are not required.

Abstract: An automated zipper manifold with remotely and independently controlled and monitored valves, wherein second pressure transducers are positioned on the zipper manifold and are configured to determine a flow analysis across the valve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hand-held surgical device, operable by a single user, for deploying fasteners to close a wound or incision in tissue. The device includes tissue pinching and folding members operably controlled by the user during actuation of a trigger of the device, which can temporarily secure and expose inner surfaces of two edges of an incision or wound, where one of a plurality of fasteners can be inserted upon further actuation of the trigger, without crushing or causing undue trauma to the tissue.

Abstract: A process of recovering oil, comprising (a) converting a starch-containing material into dextrins with an alpha-amylase; (b) saccharifying the dextrins using a carbohydrate source generating enzyme to form a sugar; (c) fermenting the sugar in a fermentation medium into a fermentation product using a fermenting organism; (d) recovering the fermentation product to form a whole stillage; (e) separating the whole stillage into thin stillage and wet cake; (e?) optionally concentrating the thin stillage into syrup; (f) recovering oil from the thin stillage and/or optionally the syrup, wherein a protease and a phospholipase are present and/or added during steps (a) to (c). Use of a protease and a phospholipase for increasing oil recovery yields from thin stillage and/or syrup in a fermentation product production process.

Abstract: A waffle cone coating assembly is disclosed. The waffle cone coating assembly includes a fountain assembly disposed within a basin. The fountain assembly includes a tube having an upper end spaced from the basin and a nozzle disposed at the upper end of the tube. The nozzle includes a plurality of coating outlets. A flange is disposed below the nozzle and includes a diameter greater than a diameter of the nozzle. A coating material is recirculated from the basin through the plurality of coating outlets and returns to the basin.

Abstract: A picking container liner sleeve in the form of a sheet or tube of resin is placed inside a produce picking container and held in place by releasably engaging cooperative touch fasteners on the rim of the picking container and the upper end of the liner sleeve. The liner sleeve is sized to line the container in use to inhibit contact between picked produce and an interior surface of the produce picking container with the lower end of the produce picking container in a closed position, but to allow picked produce to fall through the lower end of the produce picking container with the lower end of the produce picking container in an open position.

Abstract: Methods of operating a water heater appliance are provided. The water heater appliance includes a tank, a cold water inlet conduit extending into the tank, a heating element within the tank, a hot water conduit extending from the tank to a mixing valve, a mixed water conduit downstream of the mixing valve, and a user interface. The method includes receiving a user input, determining a tank temperature setpoint value based on the received user input, and adjusting a tank temperature setpoint to the determined tank temperature setpoint value.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hand-held surgical device, operable by a single user, for deploying fasteners to close a wound or incision in tissue. The device includes tissue pinching and folding members operably controlled by the user during actuation of a trigger of the device, which can temporarily secure and expose inner surfaces of two edges of an incision or wound, where one of a plurality of fasteners can be inserted upon further actuation of the trigger, without crushing or causing undue trauma to the tissue.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a carbon nanotube product comprising: blending an unaligned carbon nanotube material with solid solvent particles; activating a nanotube solvent by liquefying the solid solvent particles; producing a nanotube dope solution by mixing the nanotube solvent and the unaligned carbon nanotube material; forming a carbon nanotube proto-product by extruding the nanotube dope solution; and forming an aligned carbon nanotube product by solidifying the carbon nanotube proto-product.

Abstract: A lift rail and sill assembly for a window frame assembly includes a lift rail defining a lower rail end and an upper rail end, the lift rail further defining a seal retaining channel, the lift rail movable between an open position and a closed position; a seal received in the seal retaining channel of the lift rail; and a sill defining a lower sill end and an upper sill end, the sill comprising a sill ledge arranged at the lower sill end and a sill flange extending from the sill ledge to the upper sill end; wherein a gap is defined between the sill ledge and the lower rail end of the lift rail in the closed position to allow fluid to flow between the sill ledge and the lower rail end, and wherein the seal engages the sill flange in the closed position.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for using a confidence measure to automatically identify a diagnostic analyzer that applies to a diagnostic artifact. A plurality of diagnostic analyzers are each configured to analyze diagnostic artifacts relating to prior executions of software entities. A confidence measure is calculated for each diagnostic analyzer. Each confidence measure indicates a likelihood that the diagnostic analyzer applies to a particular diagnostic artifact. Calculating each confidence measure comprises applying one or more heuristics specific to the diagnostic analyzer against the particular diagnostic artifact, with an outcome of application of each heuristic contributing to the confidence measure for the respective diagnostic analyzer.