Abstract: A sorter processes trading cards in an affordable, accurate, and easy-to-use manner. The sorter includes an input and output bin. A transport path moves cards between the bins and has two scan bars, one above and one below the path. The scan bars capture an image of a top and bottom surface of ones of the cards. A controller coordinates movement of the cards along the path and receives the image for processing. Users interact with the controller by way of an interface to influence the processing. The sorter also includes a coil to detect metal foil on the cards. Other embodiments are envisioned.

Abstract: Synergistic drug combinations with the small molecule PAC-1 against uveal or cutaneous melanoma. There are no current targeted drug treatments for the mutations associated with uveal melanoma. Despite primary radiation or surgical therapy, up to 50% of patients eventually develop metastatic disease, for which there is no standard therapy nor treatment shown to improve overall survival. Drug combinations with PAC-1 allow the use of lower dosages of this compound that result in cancer cell death in uveal melanoma. Drug combinations of PAC-1 with the kinase inhibitor entrectinib have shown a synergistic effect against uveal melanoma cell lines. Specifically, PAC-1 and entrectinib are synergistic against wild-type and mutant uveal melanoma cell lines (e.g., GNAQ and GNA11).

Abstract: A process and method for producing a crystallized metal sulfate. The crystallized metal sulfate may be battery-grade. The method may comprise receiving a metal ion-containing stream and crystalizing a metal sulfate from the stream. The process may comprise receiving a stream from a metal processing plant, and crystalizing a metal sulfate from the stream. The process may be a metal electrowinning process comprising crystalizing a metal ion-containing stream to form a crystallized metal sulfate in a mother liquor. The process or method may comprise returning the mother liquor upstream or to the metal electrowinning process.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided of controlling a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system having a heat pump and an auxiliary heater to heat an inside zone, the method comprising: setting values for an economic balance point and a temperature set point; setting a capacity balance point to be equal to the economic balance point; measuring an initial inside temperature in the inside zone and an outside temperature outside of a structure containing the inside zone; determining that the initial inside temperature is lower than the temperature set point; determining that the outside temperature is greater than the capacity balance point; activating the heat pump to heat the inside zone; waiting a heating interval while the heat pump is active; determining that the heat pump is not effective in heating the inside zone; and setting the capacity balance point to be equal to the outside temperature.

Abstract: Synergistic drug combinations with the small molecule PAC-1 against uveal or cutaneous melanoma. There are no current targeted drug treatments for the mutations associated with uveal melanoma. Despite primary radiation or surgical therapy, up to 50% of patients eventually develop metastatic disease, for which there is no standard therapy nor treatment shown to improve overall survival. Drug combinations with PAC-1 allow the use of lower dosages of this compound that result in cancer cell death in uveal melanoma. Drug combinations of PAC-1 with the kinase inhibitor entrectinib have shown a synergistic effect against uveal melanoma cell lines. Specifically, PAC-1 and entrectinib are synergistic against wild-type and mutant uveal melanoma cell lines (e.g., GNAQ and GNA11).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided of controlling a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system having a heat pump and an auxiliary heater to heat an inside zone, the method comprising: setting values for an economic balance point and a temperature set point; setting a capacity balance point to be equal to the economic balance point; measuring an initial inside temperature in the inside zone and an outside temperature outside of a structure containing the inside zone; determining that the initial inside temperature is lower than the temperature set point; determining that the outside temperature is greater than the capacity balance point; activating the heat pump to heat the inside zone; waiting a heating interval while the heat pump is active; determining that the heat pump is not effective in heating the inside zone; and setting the capacity balance point to be equal to the outside temperature.

Abstract: A system for measuring smoke absorption into food products includes a surrogate that reacts to a presence of smoke in air ambient to the surrogate and the food products; and the surrogate is configured to change a state after an exposure to the smoke for a time sufficient to effect a predetermined amount of smoke absorption by a selected food product. A method of making the system for measuring smoke absorption into food products includes placing the surrogate in air ambient to the surrogate in a smokehouse where the food products are to be smoked, configuring the surrogate to change a state after an exposure to the smoke for a time sufficient to effect a predetermined amount of smoke absorption by the food products; and measuring the change of state of the surrogate.

Abstract: Processes and system for producing biofuels and coproducts are described herein. The system includes a heterogeneous acid catalyst and reactors for reacting a) an alcohol and b) a mixture of a fatty acid glyceride and a fatty acid. The system may further include a pretreatment system and a purification system.

Abstract: A system for measuring smoke absorption into food products includes a surrogate that reacts to a presence of smoke in air ambient to the surrogate and the food products; and the surrogate is configured to change a state after an exposure to the smoke for a time sufficient to effect a predetermined amount of smoke absorption by a selected food product. A method of making the system for measuring smoke absorption into food products includes placing the surrogate in air ambient to the surrogate in a smokehouse where the food products are to be smoked, configuring the surrogate to change a state after an exposure to the smoke for a time sufficient to effect a predetermined amount of smoke absorption by the food products; and measuring the change of state of the surrogate.

Abstract: A system for measuring smoke absorption into food products includes a surrogate that reacts to a presence of smoke in air ambient to the surrogate and the food products; and the surrogate is configured to change a state to a preselected degree after an exposure to the smoke for a time sufficient to effect a predetermined amount of smoke absorption by a selected food product. A method of making the system for measuring smoke absorption into food products includes placing the surrogate in air ambient to the surrogate in a smokehouse where the food products are to be smoked, configuring the surrogate to change a state after an exposure to the smoke for a time sufficient to effect a predetermined amount of smoke absorption by the food products; and measuring the change of state of the surrogate.

Abstract: Processes and system for producing biofuels and coproducts are described herein. The system includes a heterogeneous acid catalyst and reactors for reacting a) an alcohol and b) a mixture of a fatty acid glyceride and a fatty acid. The system may further include a pretreatment system and a purification system.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally regards a chainsaw guard mountable on a chainsaw having a motor powerhead housing, a drive motor contained in the housing, a saw chain guide bar mounted on the housing, and a saw cutter chain driven by the drive motor and carried on the saw chain guide bar, the chainsaw guard forming a physical barrier that limits access to the saw cutter chain when the chainsaw guard is mounted on the powerhead housing. The chainsaw guard includes a bracket member mountable to a chainsaw motor powerhead housing, and a retractable member movably engaged with the bracket member and designed and configured to sheathe the saw chain guide bar and saw cutter chain of the chainsaw when the chainsaw guard is mounted on a chainsaw.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally regards a chainsaw guard mountable on a chainsaw having a motor powerhead housing, a drive motor contained in the housing, a saw chain guide bar mounted on the housing, and a saw cutter chain driven by the drive motor and carried on the saw chain guide bar, the chainsaw guard forming a physical barrier that limits access to the saw cutter chain when the chainsaw guard is mounted on the powerhead housing. The chainsaw guard includes a bracket member mountable to a chainsaw motor powerhead housing, and a retractable member movably engaged with the bracket member and designed and configured to sheathe the saw chain guide bar and saw cutter chain of the chainsaw when the chainsaw guard is mounted on a chainsaw.

Abstract: A hex shank nut driver with onboard slidable sockets is disclosed. The aforementioned invention being comprised of a hex-shaped shank made of a rigid metal such as stainless steel, titanium and the like and having one end configured to be received by a conventional nut driver handle and another end configured to be received by sockets thereon. Said invention providing a means for storing said often-used sockets on the shank. The shank having raised portions preventing stored sockets from contacting each other as well as a retainer ring to selectively hold a socket for driving. The sockets being different sizes allowing them to be engaged with one another and also being color coded to allow for quick selection in the field. An object of the invention is to provide a means for easy access and storage to commonly-used nut drivers for mechanics in the field.

Abstract: Processes and system for producing biofuels and coproducts are described herein. The processes include pretreating a feedstock comprising fatty acid glycerides and free fatty acids to remove contaminants, contacting the feedstock with alcohols and a solid acidic catalyst to produce a biofuel comprising fatty acid alkyl esters, and purifying the biofuel and coproducts from the resulting reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an HVAC unit, including: receiving input signals from a thermostat; setting a mode of the HVAC unit to a heating mode when a heating signal is enabled, or to a cooling mode when a cooling signal is enabled; setting a capacity of the HVAC unit to a set capacity based on the input signals; calculating a heating/cooling change rate based on temperature data received from the HVAC unit; comparing the heating/cooling change rate with a threshold; maintaining the HVAC unit at the set capacity percentage if the heating/cooling change rate is equal to the threshold; lowering the current capacity by a first cooling increment, to a minimum of 0%, if the heating/cooling change rate is above the threshold; and raising the current capacity by a second cooling increment, to a maximum of 100%, if the heating/cooling change rate is below the threshold.

Abstract: A leash pack has first and second storage compartment panels that includes storage compartments for holding pet walking articles. First and second connector straps connect top edges of the first and second storage compartment panels for hanging the leash pack on a leash. Connectors are disposed on inner surfaces for removably joining the first and second storage compartment panels.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an HVAC unit, including: receiving input signals from a thermostat; setting a mode of the HVAC unit to a heating mode when a heating signal is enabled, or to a cooling mode when a cooling signal is enabled; setting a capacity of the HVAC unit to a set capacity based on the input signals; calculating a heating/cooling change rate based on temperature data received from the HVAC unit; comparing the heating/cooling change rate with a threshold; maintaining the HVAC unit at the set capacity percentage if the heating/cooling change rate is equal to the threshold; lowering the current capacity by a first cooling increment, to a minimum of 0%, if the heating/cooling change rate is above the threshold; and raising the current capacity by a second cooling increment, to a maximum of 100%, if the heating/cooling change rate is below the threshold.

Abstract: Processes and system for producing biofuels and coproducts are described herein. The processes include pretreating a feedstock comprising fatty acid glycerides and free fatty acids to remove contaminants, contacting the feedstock with alcohols and a solid acidic catalyst to produce a biofuel comprising fatty acid alkyl esters, and purifying the biofuel and coproducts from the resulting reaction mixture.