Abstract: Vegetation such as a weed (45) may be controlled by generating a foam comprising air and an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant; dispensing the foam so as to coat at least a base part of the weed that is to be controlled; and then injecting hot water into the foam (46) so as to contact the weed (45) below or within the coating of foam (46) The hot water causes the weed (45) to wilt and die, while the foam (46) suppresses heat loss from the hot water. The method may be carried out using a portable tool (10) which includes an air blower (14), a container (20) of a concentrate for the aqueous solution, a foam-generating tube (24) ending in an open-topped chute (26). The hot water may be provided through a flexible hose (22) from an external boiler (23), and after being used to produce the foam (46), the hot water be sprayed onto the top end of the chute (26).

Abstract: A connector 10 for connecting to an ostomy appliance 1 including: a conduit 12 having an entrance and an exit connected by an internal passage 16 through which waste from an ostomy appliance 1 is permitted to flow.

Abstract: A valve for a urostomy appliance including: a body for connection to the urostomy appliance, an inlet and an outlet, connected by a flow path, and a closure arrangement which is moveable between a closed position, in which the closure arrangement blocks the outlet, such that liquid cannot flow through the outlet, and an open position in which the outlet is open, such that liquid is permitted to flow out of the outlet, wherein the closure arrangement is detachably connectable to the body.

Abstract: A valve (100) for an ostomy appliance (10) including: a body (110) for connection to the ostomy appliance (10), an inlet and an outlet (104), connected by a flow path, a closure arrangement (120) which is moveable between a closed position, in which the closure arrangement blocks the outlet (104), such that liquid cannot flow through the outlet (104), and an open position in which the outlet (104) is open, such that liquid is permitted to flow out of the outlet (104), and wherein the valve (100) includes a flow control formation (300) which is configured to default to an open condition and has a closed condition in which the flow of liquid from the outlet (104) is prevented or at least inhibited.

Abstract: A connector 10 for connecting to an ostomy appliance 1 and an ostomy collection system including: a conduit 12 having an entrance and an exit connected by an internal passage 16 through which waste is permitted to flow, and wherein a structural member 14 extends along the passage 16.

Abstract: A valve for a urostomy appliance including: a body for connection to the urostomy appliance, an inlet and an outlet, connected by a flow path, and a closure arrangement which is moveable between a closed position, in which the closure arrangement blocks the outlet, such that liquid cannot flow through the outlet, and an open position in which the outlet is open, such that liquid is permitted to flow out of the outlet, wherein the closure arrangement is connectable/connected to the body in two locations.

Abstract: A rapid synthesis method for a biomass-based amine, including: using formamide as an amine source, formic acid as a hydrogen source, and biomass aldehyde or ketone as a raw material, conduct rapid heating promoting direct addition of formamide and aldehyde or ketone compound through microwave-assisted heating and without a solvent and catalyst, and carrying out formic acid reduction preparing and obtaining a corresponding formamide derivative; selectively converting the formamide derivative under the action of a base into a corresponding primary amine through alcoholysis.

Abstract: A medical system may include: a medical device including an elongate shaft configured to access a treatment site within a patient and a handle coupled to a proximal end of the elongate shaft; a laser device including an elongate tubular member configured for insertion through a working lumen of the medical device, the elongate tubular member including a cooling channel and a laser fiber extending distally within the cooling channel; and a fluid management system including an inflow pump configured to pump fluid from a first fluid supply source through the elongate shaft to the treatment site, a cooling pump configured to pump fluid from a second fluid supply source through the cooling channel, and a controller configured to control the inflow pump and the cooling pump.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a variable soil sampling device which may be customized with respect to sampling rate and sorbent material used. Multiple variable sampling devices may be attached to each other to simultaneously sample different components or contaminants in the same time period.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to plant cells and plants modified to increase resistance to necrotrophs or drought and methods of selecting and using the same. More specifically, the invention relates in part to plant cells and/or plants modified to eliminate or reduce as compared to control plants cell the NADPH oxidase activity or expression of certain respiratory burst oxidase homolog (RBOH) proteins and methods of selecting for and using the same.

Abstract: A tubing assembly is provided that can comprise a plurality of tubes or lumens that can be disposed within a head of a peristaltic pump. The tubing assembly can provide a flow rate or volume capacity that is generally equal to or greater than that achieved with a comparable prior art tube while operating at higher pressures than that possible using the prior art tube. Further, in accordance with some embodiments, the tubing assembly can achieve a longer working life than a comparable prior art tube, and the load on the pump motor can be reduced such that the pump life is increased and/or a larger pump motor is not required to achieve such advantageous results.

Abstract: Techniques for determining and displaying error messages including a cause of an error generated because two types are not members of the same nest are disclosed. The system detects, at runtime, an instruction in a first type that attempts to access a private member of a second type. The system evaluates one or more nestmate criteria to determine whether the first type and the second type are within a same nest. A nest host corresponding to the nest specifies each nest member of the nest, and each nest member specifies an association with the nest. Responsive to determining that a particular nestmate criterion is not met, the system determines that the first type and the second type are not within the same nest and records or displays data identifying the particular nestmate criterion that has not been met, and throws an access error.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a power supply operable to output power to a load along with at least one other power supply, a sensing component for identifying a load level, and a control component for switching the power supply from a full power mode to a power saving mode based on the identified load level. The power supply shares current with the other power supply at a lower current and generally the same voltage as the other power supply while in the power saving mode.

Abstract: A towable tool includes a frame extending over a width in an X-axis direction, a length in a Y-axis direction, and a height in a z-axis direction. A plurality of ground-contacting support wheels are rotatably coupled with the frame. A plurality of ground-working discs each rotatably coupled with a respective rigid shank. Each rigid shank is received and selectably retained in a respective receptacle of the frame.

Abstract: A method for operating a space monitoring apparatus networked with a first camera positioned to capture position data and image data suitable for individuation of a subject and a second camera positioned to capture position data of a subject, the cameras sharing a portion of a field of view. The method includes extracting individuating data and position data of a subject from an image captured by the first camera, extracting second position data of a subject from an image captured by the second camera and matching the first and second position data. Responsive to a match indicating that the first and second subject are an identical entity, creating a tracking reference tagged with the individuating data, storing the tagged reference in a data store for reuse, and signalling the reference to a tracking logic component to coordinate continuity of tracking of the identical entity with the cameras.

Abstract: Techniques for cooperative document generation include methods, one of the methods includes receiving, from a mobile device, a request to start an insurance claim, the mobile device including an application configured to guide the user through the claim process. The method includes establishing a session between a computer and the mobile device. The method includes displaying images of the user interface of the mobile device. The method includes receiving information concerning the insurance claim from the mobile device, the information provided by the user in response to prompts provided on the mobile device. The method includes displaying the information on the computer. The method includes enabling the customer service representative to alter the information or request additional information be provided. The method includes adding the information to a data record regarding the insurance claim in response to an indication that the customer service representative has verified the information.

Abstract: An insulated self-supporting water hydrant operating apparatus includes a molded exterior configured to provide stability and rigidity for standalone and alternative applications, a frost-free water valve, internal water conduit linked to an external water source, and expanding foam insulation to fill in all spaces inside the molded exterior shell and protect the plumbing and insulation from extreme weather conditions.

Abstract: A chip brush assembly includes a main body defining longitudinal and transverse axes defining a plane. The body has a central portion extending in the plane and at least two slots extend therein. At least one central shaft passageway extends therethrough parallel to the transverse axis. The body has a first end portion extending in the plane and away from the central portion parallel to the transverse axis and has at least one first end shaft passageway extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. The body has a second end portion extending away from the central portion askew to the plane and has at least one second end shaft passageway extending askew to the plane. At least two magnetic feet assemblies are retained in the at least two slots respectively. At least one brush shaft with a chip brush is disposed in at least one of the shaft passageways.

Abstract: A medical system may include: a medical device including an elongate shaft configured to access a treatment site within a patient and a handle coupled to a proximal end of the elongate shaft; a laser device including an elongate tubular member configured for insertion through a working lumen of the medical device, the elongate tubular member including a cooling channel and a laser fiber extending distally within the cooling channel; and a fluid management system including an inflow pump configured to pump fluid from a first fluid supply source through the elongate shaft to the treatment site, a cooling pump configured to pump fluid from a second fluid supply source through the cooling channel, and a controller configured to control the inflow pump and the cooling pump.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-implemented method of managing user identities for data control is disclosed. The computer-implemented method is executed in a data processing system comprising a processing device and a memory comprising instructions which are executed by the processing device. The method includes creating a user identity graph, the user identity graph containing entries associated with user identities on a device, with the user identities relating to a user of the device. The method includes detecting an installation of an application on the device. The method includes generating an entry in a user identity graph relating to the application. The method includes receiving a consent instruction from the user relating to the application. The method includes updating the user identity graph based on the consent instruction.