Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a method of operating a compression ignition engine. The method of operating the compression ignition engine includes opening an intake valve to draw a volume of air into a combustion chamber, closing an intake valve, and moving a piston from a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position to a top-dead-center (TDC) position in the combustion chamber at a compression ratio of at least about 15:1. The method further includes injecting a volume of fuel into the combustion chamber at an engine crank angle between about 330 degrees and about 365 degrees during a first time period. The fuel has a cetane number less than about 40. The method further includes combusting substantially all of the volume of fuel. In some embodiments, a delay between injecting the volume of fuel into the combustion chamber and initiation of combustion is less than about 2 ms.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a method of operating a compression ignition engine. The method of operating the compression ignition engine includes opening an intake valve to draw a volume of air into a combustion chamber, closing an intake valve, and moving a piston from a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position to a top-dead-center (TDC) position in the combustion chamber at a compression ratio of at least about 15:1. The method further includes injecting a volume of fuel into the combustion chamber at an engine crank angle between about 330 degrees and about 365 degrees during a first time period. The fuel has a cetane number less than about 40. The method further includes combusting substantially all of the volume of fuel. In some embodiments, a delay between injecting the volume of fuel into the combustion chamber and initiation of combustion is less than about 2 ms.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a method of operating a compression ignition engine. The method of operating the compression ignition engine includes opening an intake valve to draw a volume of air into a combustion chamber, closing an intake valve, and moving a piston from a bottom-dead-center (BDC) position to a top-dead-center (TDC) position in the combustion chamber at a compression ratio of at least about 15:1. The method further includes injecting a volume of fuel into the combustion chamber at an engine crank angle between about 330 degrees and about 365 degrees during a first time period. The fuel has a cetane number less than about 40. The method further includes combusting substantially all of the volume of fuel. In some embodiments, a delay between injecting the volume of fuel into the combustion chamber and initiation of combustion is less than about 2 ms.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods of cylinder deactivation in compression-ignition engines. An engine described herein can include N cylinders, with N being an integer of at least 2, with each cylinder including an inner surface, a piston disposed and configured to move in each cylinder of the N cylinders, an intake port, an exhaust port, and a fuel injector. The piston and the inner surface define a combustion chamber. A method of operating the compression ignition engine includes injecting a fuel into each of the combustion chambers, combusting substantially all of the fuel in the compression ignition engine, monitoring engine load of the compression ignition engine, and deactivating a cylinder of the N cylinders upon a decrease in load to less than (N?1)/N×FL, wherein FL is a full load at a given engine speed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multipurpose decorative artificial tree configured to be used in different holiday seasons for decoration. The artificial tree has detachable components and is easy to store. More specifically, the tree has a pole and a top branch having a portion therebetween which is devoid of artificial tree branches. A scene or a snow-globe like decoration is configured to be positioned between the pole and the top branch such that the tree having the scene represents a holiday season. In all embodiments, the scene is detachable and can be replaced with another scene representing another holiday season. In some exemplary embodiments, a motor powers the snow-globe like decoration for rotating the decoration and for providing power to a fan included in the snow-globe like decoration.

Abstract: A luminaire selection and architectural design platform can provide improved access and interaction with luminaire information in the industrial lighting and architectural industry. The luminaire platform, which manages and generates dynamic data including multi-attribute information related to a variety of luminaires, can receive a request comprising luminaire information and user type; and determine one or more luminaires satisfying one or more criterion with respect to the luminaire information. The luminaire platform can determine a set of attributes based on user type (e.g., attributes a user can access based on user type). The luminaire platform can obtain attributes of the set of attributes for each of the one or more luminaires; and provide the one or more luminaires and the associated set of attributes for display.

Abstract: A restraint device is for an animal. The restraint device may include a base attached to a ground, a shaft supported in the base, and a rotatable attachment point on the shaft for a leash for the animal. The shaft is flexible so that it is able to absorb force from the leash. The restraint device may include a platform configured to wrap around the base to provide stability for the base.

Abstract: A restraint device is for an animal. The restraint device may include a base attached to a ground, a shaft supported in the base, and a rotatable attachment point on the shaft for a leash for the animal. The shaft is flexible so that it is able to absorb force from the leash. The restraint device may include a platform configured to wrap around the base to provide stability for the base.

Abstract: A livestock feeding device is provided. The feeding device has a body member including a base portion, side walls and a top portion. The device also includes an inner volume defined between the side walls, the base portion and the top portion, wherein the inner volume receives hay for feeding livestock. The feeding device includes an aperture extending through the top portion to provide feeding access to the inner volume. The feeding device also comprises an consumption restriction plate for metering the amount of hay eaten by livestock, wherein the consumption restriction plate is adjustable up and down within the inner volume in response to the amount of hay within the inner volume.

Abstract: A livestock feeding device is provided. The feeding device has a body member including a base portion, side walls and a top portion. The device also includes an inner volume defined between the side walls, the base portion and the top portion, wherein the inner volume receives hay for feeding livestock. The feeding device includes an aperture extending through the top portion to provide feeding access to the inner volume. The feeding device also comprises an consumption restriction plate for metering the amount of hay eaten by livestock, wherein the consumption restriction plate is adjustable up and down within the inner volume in response to the amount of hay within the inner volume.

Abstract: The present invention is a feeder for feeding animals such as horses. The feeder generally comprises a feeding container adapted to receive animal feed such as hay. A restriction grate rests on top of feed. The grate comprises a plurality of openings through which the animal can access and eat the feed. The grate floats on top of the feed so that as the animals remove feed from the feeder through the openings in the grate, the grate moves downward in the feeder with the diminishing level of feed.

Abstract: A method and system for processing of physiological signals is provided. The system processes information signals in subband-domain associated with the physiological signals in time-domain. The information signals are obtained by one or more over-sampled filterbanks. The method and system possibly synthesizes the subband signals obtained by subband processing. The method and system may implement the analysis, subband processing, and synthesis algorithms on over-sampled filterbanks, which are implemented on ultra low-power, small size, and low-cost platform in real-time. The method and system may use over-sampled, Weighted-Overlap Add (WOLA) filterbanks.

Abstract: A portable tissue dispenser having a clip which provides a convenient means for users to have a supply of tissues readily available on their person, or attached to other nearby locations like purses, backpacks, desks, wheelchairs, and the like. The clip may be rotatable into a desired orientation, and the dispenser may include a means for preventing “fallback” of tissues into the dispenser when few tissues remain to be dispensed. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Cord organizers including a first shell, a second shell, and a spindle connecting the first shell and the second shell. The inside face of the first shell is held proximate the inside face of the second shell with a gap there between. The cord organizer is configured to allow the user to manually wind the cord around the spindle. The cord organizer may comprise containment surfaces extending from the inside face of the first shell and/or the inside face of the second shell as well as opposing elastomeric grips connected to the inside faces of the shells, so that the elastomeric grips encircle the spindle to receive and clamp the connection end and the listening end of the cord between the first elastomeric grip and the second elastomeric grip. A cord restraint is used to hold the cord close to the spindle and the inside face of one of the shells.

Abstract: Cord organizers including a first shell, a second shell, and a spindle connecting the first shell and the second shell. The inside face of the first shell is held proximate the inside face of the second shell with a gap there between. The cord organizer is configured to allow the user to manually wind the cord around the spindle. The cord organizer may comprise containment surfaces extending from the inside face of the first shell and/or the inside face of the second shell as well as opposing elastomeric grips connected to the inside faces of the shells, so that the elastomeric grips encircle the spindle to receive and clamp the connection end and the listening end of the cord between the first elastomeric grip and the second elastomeric grip. A cord restraint is used to hold the cord close to the spindle and the inside face of one of the shells.

Abstract: The invention generally provides compositions and methods of using a subject's genetic information for the selection of prophylactic or therapeutic agents and treatment regimens, and related methods for assaying the risk of an adverse cardiovascular event in the patient.

Abstract: A garment including a panel comprising a first and a second layer of fabric. The panel has a front and a back, a first outermost corner disposed at a junction between a first upper side seam and a first lower side seem, and a second outermost corner disposed at a junction between a second upper side seam and a second lower side seam. An article of clothing comprising a fabric panel having a top, a bottom, a left side, a right side, a front and a back. The article has six seams. There are six corners, each of the corners being disposed at a junction between two of the six seams, and a plurality of attachment devices disposed on the back of the garment. A garment consisting of a front layer of fabric, a back layer, six seams, six corners and six attachment devices disposed on the back side.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and assays for screening cells, such as stem cells, for chromosomal aberrations. In particular, the present invention provides a rapid, sensitive assay platform for detecting high and low levels of chromosomal aberrations present in a cell population. This includes, but is not limited to, detection of extra chromosomes (trisomies) as well as insertions of small segments that are undetectable using standard cytogenetic studies, wherein the abnormal cells comprise a low percentage of the total cell population.

Abstract: Polymorphisms in the beta-1 adrenergic receptor that (1) affect tolerability to beta-blocker treatment or (2) influence responsiveness to beta-blocker treatment are disclosed. Additionally, methods of predicting that an individual would obtain clinical improvement in left ventricular function as a result of ?-blocker therapy or identifying at least one individual that would obtain a clinical improvement in left ventricular function as a result of ?-blocker therapy are provided. Methods of treating patients characterized by such polymorphisms are also illustrated.

Abstract: A flexible human bathing cushion adapted for use in or near a bathing facility, wherein the cushion is flexible and easily rolled; the cushion not substantially buoyant; and the cushion has a plurality of passages spread across the cushion between an upper and lower planar surface thereof to facilitate placement and removal from a wet surface. The cushion of the present invention is a portable, comfortable cushion that can be easily stowed in a beach bag or suitcase. The cushion is relatively thin, yet thick enough to support a person and provide an adequate barrier between the bathing suit of the person and a potentially rough surface. The cushion is preferably made of a material which has some resilience to water, can dry off quickly, and be very flexible. Though the material may be buoyant, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is not particularly buoyant to facilitate its use under water, i.e., on a submerged seat in a spa, bath tub or hot tub.