Abstract: The disclosure includes systems and methods for identifying, using one or more processors, a plurality of properties, including the first set of properties that experienced hail damage and the second set of properties that did not experience hail damage; determining, using the one or more processors, a location and the first set of features for each property in the plurality of properties; training, using the one or more processors, a first damage frequency model; and validating, using the one or more processors, the first damage frequency model.

Abstract: The disclosure includes systems and methods for receiving a location; determine a hail size associated with the location using a first hail model; determine a hail frequency associated with the location using a first hail frequency model; obtain first feature data associated with the location, the first feature data including the hail size associated with the location, the hail frequency associated with the location, and data describing a first set of features at the location; determine a damage frequency associated with the location by applying a first damage frequency model to the first feature data; obtain second feature data associated with the location, the second feature data including data describing a second set of features at the location; and determine a damage severity associated with the location by applying a first damage severity model to the second feature data.

Abstract: The disclosure includes systems and methods for identifying, using one or more processors, a set of properties that experienced hail damage; determining, using the one or more processors, a first set of features associated with each property in the set of properties, the first set of features including one or more hail features at a location of the property, one or more property features describing an associated property, and one or more damage values; training, using the one or more processors, a first damage severity model; and validating, using the one or more processors, the first damage severity model.

Abstract: A spinal plating system for vertebral fixation includes a plate, a compression screw, multiple fixation members and polyaxially adjustable locking rings. The plate is shaped to conform to the curvature of the spine and the surfaces of the vertebral bodies. The compression screw fits through an insert, and together they are guided by the plate as the screw is driven into one of the vertebrae, producing compression between the adjacent vertebrae. A retaining lip on the plate prevents backout of the compression screw. The polyaxial locking rings can be polyaxially pivoted to attain a desired orientation, and are lockable to the plate to maintain the orientation. The fixation members fit through openings in the polyaxial locking rings and the plate to fix the plate to the vertebrae. Locking the polyaxial locking rings fixes the position of the fixation members relative to the plate, and prevents backout of the fixation members.

Abstract: A spinal plating system for vertebral fixation includes a plate, a compression screw, multiple fixation members and polyaxially adjustable locking rings. The plate is shaped to conform to the curvature of the spine and the surfaces of the vertebral bodies. The compression screw fits through an insert, and together they are guided by the plate as the screw is driven into one of the vertebrae, producing compression between the adjacent vertebrae. A retaining lip on the plate prevents backout of the compression screw. The polyaxial locking rings can be polyaxially pivoted to attain a desired orientation, and are lockable to the plate to maintain the orientation. The fixation members fit through openings in the polyaxial locking rings and the plate to fix the plate to the vertebrae. Locking the polyaxial locking rings fixes the position of the fixation members relative to the plate, and prevents backout of the fixation members.

Abstract: An anterior lumbar plate for attachment with bone screws to selected vertebrae of a person's spine is combined: (a) with separate L5 and S1 drill guides separately and removably attachable to the lumbar plate, and (b) with lock plates removably attachable to the lumbar plate to prevent unscrewing of installed bone screws. This invention further provides a method for implanting and locking in place the L5 and S1 bone screws. This invention is adaptable for L4-L5, L4-L5-S1, and L5-S1 lumbar plates.

Abstract: A spinal plating system for vertebral fixation includes a plate, a compression screw, multiple fixation members and polyaxially adjustable locking rings. The plate is shaped to conform to the curvature of the spine and the surfaces of the vertebral bodies. The compression screw fits through an insert, and together they are guided by the plate as the screw is driven into one of the vertebrae, producing compression between the adjacent vertebrae. A retaining lip on the plate prevents backout of the compression screw. The polyaxial locking rings can be polyaxially pivoted to attain a desired orientation, and are lockable to the plate to maintain the orientation. The fixation members fit through openings in the polyaxial locking rings and the plate to fix the plate to the vertebrae. Locking the polyaxial locking rings fixes the position of the fixation members relative to the plate, and prevents backout of the fixation members.

Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of the product is provided, the tobacco product including a water-permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation including a tobacco material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material, the plurality of microcapsules including an outer shell encapsulating an internal payload. The internal payload may include an additive such as water, flavorants, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, buffering agents, fillers, disintegration aids, humectants, antioxidants, oral care ingredients, preservatives, additives derived from herbal or botanical sources, and mixtures thereof. Microencapsulated flavorants include tobacco-containing flavorants, such as tobacco extracts or a particulate tobacco material, sweeteners (e.g., sweeteners containing neotame), and vanillin (optionally in a complexed form).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing plants with a desired phenotypic trait which comprises subjecting plants to mutagenesis, screening chimeric progeny for plants having the desired phenotypic trait, and propagating the survivors. In an embodiment, the phenotypic trait comprises an altered amino acid content. Preferably, the technique is used to generate Nicotiana tobacum plant lines having an increase in at least one amino acid. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides improved Nicotiana tobacum plant lines producing at least 1.35 nmole of threonine per milligram of dry plant weight. These plants are useful for improving the flavor and aroma of the tobacco.

Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses at least one breakable capsule in its filter element. The filter element can possess a central cavity extending from the cigarette tobacco rod towards the middle of the filter element. The central cavity may be defined by an inner filter portion. The inner filter portion can be surrounded by an outer filter portion comprised of filter tow material that is generally permeable to the smoke generated by the cigarette. At least one breakable capsule is disposed in the central cavity of the filter element. The breakable capsules are spherical in shape, and are composed of a gelatin outer shell that encloses a payload of triglycerides and flavoring agents. The breakable capsules are adapted to rupture in response to pressure applied by the smoker to the outside region of the filter element.

Abstract: An anterior lumbar plate for attachment with bone screws to selected vertebrae of a person's spine is combined: (a) with separate L5 and S1 drill guides separately and removably attachable to the lumbar plate, and (b) with lock plates removably attachable to the lumbar plate to prevent unscrewing of installed bone screws. This invention further provides a method for implanting and locking in place the L5 and S1 bone screws. This invention is adaptable for L4-L5, L4-L5-S1, and L5-S1 lumbar plates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing plants with a desired phenotypic trait which comprises subjecting plants to mutagenesis, screening chimeric progeny for plants having the desired phenotypic trait, and propagating the survivors. In an embodiment, the phenotypic trait comprises an altered amino acid content. Preferably, the technique is used to generate Nicotiana tobacum plant lines having an increase in at least one amino acid. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides improved Nicotiana tobacum plant lines producing at least 1.35 nmole of threonine per milligram of dry plant weight. These plants are useful for improving the flavor and aroma of the tobacco.

Abstract: A sensor for a hydro resistance anemometer is designed for immersion in a flowing fluid to provide flow velocity information. The sensor is of a cylindrical configuration with a hemispherical nose. A driving electrode extends axially along the sensor and is exposed to the flowing fluid only at the center of the hemispherical surface of the sensor nose. A reference electrode of annular cylindrical configuration is disposed coaxially about the driving electrode and separated therefrom by a dielectric insulating material. The power dissipated through the sensor is typically on the order of only ten milliwatts.