Abstract: Narrow band dwell occurs when air bearings corresponding to a set of read and/or write heads within a hard disc drive remain within a fixed narrow band of one or more storage platters for an extended period of time. The air bearings displace lubricant on the storage platters and may redeposit the lubricant as droplets on the platters. The presently disclosure technology is directed to monitoring a hard disc drive for narrow band dwell, and in some implementations, implementing operations to mitigate narrow band dwell. More specifically, the presently disclosure technology may detect an overflying air-bearing slider position, apply a lubrication film displacement formula to a narrow band of the storage platter, apply a lubrication film reflow formula to one or more other narrow bands of the storage platter, and track lubrication film thickness over time in each of the narrow bands of the storage platter.

Abstract: Narrow band dwell occurs when air bearings corresponding to a set of read and/or write heads within a hard disc drive remain within a fixed narrow band of one or more storage platters for an extended period of time. The air bearings displace lubricant on the storage platters and may redeposit the lubricant as droplets on the platters. The presently disclosure technology is directed to monitoring a hard disc drive for narrow band dwell, and in some implementations, implementing operations to mitigate narrow band dwell. More specifically, the presently disclosure technology may detect an overflying air-bearing slider position, apply a lubrication film displacement formula to a narrow band of the storage platter, apply a lubrication film reflow formula to one or more other narrow bands of the storage platter, and track lubrication film thickness over time in each of the narrow bands of the storage platter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flameless heating apparatus for food products. In particular, it relates to an improved potentially exothermic mixture/blend for such heaters and to meal packages including foods and heating apparatus. An embodiment of the invention comprises a composite material consisting of a potentially exothermic metallic alloy powder dispersed throughout a porous polyethylene matrix, which releases hydrogen in an exothermic reaction. The present invention seeks to reduce the production of such gas per unit mass, and further seeks to improve the efficiency of the reaction.

Abstract: Provided are isolated polynucleotides which comprise a nucleic acid sequence at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3487, or 7; isolated polypeptides which comprise an amino acid sequence at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 246, and and methods of using same for increasing a yield, biomass, growth rate, vigor, and/or oil content, of a plant.

Abstract: A planar dipole antenna is described. The antenna may include a ground element, a feed point, a matching element, and first and second radiating elements disposed on a substrate, and a feed point. The ground element may have a substantially rectangular shape and the feed point may be arranged adjacent to the ground element. The matching element may be connected to the feed point and may include a central bar connected to a first and second arm. The first and second arms may be substantially symmetrically disposed on the substrate in respect to the central bar. The first and second radiating elements may have substantially trapezoidal shapes and may be extend from the first and second arms of the matching element, respectively. The first and second radiating elements may be substantially symmetrically disposed on the substrate in respect to the central bar of the matching element.

Abstract: A method and device for transforming ambient audio are provided. Example embodiments may include monitoring ambient audio proximate to a sound processing device located in an environment. The device may receive a selection from a user interface. The selection may comprise one of a number of available first selections, each available first selection identifying one of multiple transformation modes. The device may access memory to obtain transformation audio and process the transformation audio, based on the ambient audio and the selection. The device may also use the transformation audio to provide modified output audio for propagation into the environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flameless heating apparatus for food products. In particular, it relates to an improved potentially exothermic mixture/blend for such heaters and to meal packages including foods and heating apparatus. An embodiment of the invention comprises a composite material consisting of a potentially exothermic metallic alloy powder dispersed throughout a porous polyethylene matrix, which releases hydrogen in an exothermic reaction. The present invention seeks to reduce the production of such gas per unit mass, and further seeks to improve the efficiency of the reaction.

Abstract: A bin tunnel having collapsible sides is used with a truck box of a truck to load content into the truck box from a bin that is sized to fit within the bin tunnel when the bin tunnel is in an open position. When the bin tunnel is in a closed position a footprint of the bin tunnel is very small compared to the open position because the sides are retracted. The footprints can be less when the bin tunnel is in the closed position from thirty (30) percent of the footprint of the bin tunnel in the open position. When the bin tunnel is closed, the contents of the truck box are secure as the space inside of the closed bin tunnel is too small to allow access to the interior.

Abstract: Provided are isolated polynucleotides which comprise a nucleic acid sequence at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NO: 3487, 1-239, 467-1973, 3481-3486, 3488-3674, 3738 or 3739; isolated polypeptides which comprise an amino acid sequence at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 246, 240-245, 247-465, 1974-3480, 3675-3736 or 3737, and methods of using same for increasing a yield, biomass, growth rate, vigor, oil content, fiber yield, fiber quality, abiotic stress tolerance, and/or nitrogen use efficiency of a plant.

Abstract: A planar dipole antenna is described. The antenna may include a ground element, a feed point, a matching element, and first and second radiating elements disposed on a substrate, and a feed point. The ground element may have a substantially rectangular shape and the feed point may be arranged adjacent to the ground element. The matching element may be connected to the feed point and may include a central bar connected to a first and second arm. The first and second arms may be substantially symmetrically disposed on the substrate in respect to the central bar. The first and second radiating elements may have substantially trapezoidal shapes and may be extend from the first and second arms of the matching element, respectively. The first and second radiating elements may be substantially symmetrically disposed on the substrate in respect to the central bar of the matching element.

Abstract: A method and device for transforming ambient audio are provided. Example embodiments may include monitoring ambient audio proximate to a sound processing device located in an environment. The device may receive a selection from a user interface. The selection may comprise one of a number of available first selections, each available first selection identifying one of multiple transformation modes. The device may access memory to obtain transformation audio and process the transformation audio, based on the ambient audio and the selection. The device may also use the transformation audio to provide modified output audio for propagation into the environment.

Abstract: A processor is configured to perform a method (110) including a step of deriving lateral offset indicators (1062) from a longitudinal position measurement (130). Improved seek cost indicators (1063) are generated, some or all based on a respective lateral offset indicator (140). Then a target destination is selected using at least one of the improved seek cost indicators (150,160).

Abstract: A truck box of a tuck has a bin tunnel with collapsible sides to load content into the truck box from a bin that is sized to fit within the bin tunnel when the bin tunnel is in an open position. When the bin tunnel is in a closed position, a footprint of the bin tunnel is very small compared to a footprint of the bin tunnel in the open position because the sides are retracted.

Abstract: A bin tunnel having collapsible sides is used with a truck box of a truck to load content into the truck box from a bin that is sized to fit within the bin tunnel when the bin tunnel is in an open position. When the bin tunnel is in a closed position a footprint of the bin tunnel is very small compared to the open position because the sides are retracted. The footprints can be less when the bin tunnel is in the closed position from thirty (30) percent of the footprint of the bin tunnel in the open position. When the bin tunnel is closed, the contents of the truck box are secure as the space inside of the closed bin tunnel is too small to allow access to the interior.

Abstract: A tool and a method of using the tool for organizing a vertically stacked pile of thin items. The method involves the steps of (i) obtaining a plurality of separator plates, each having at least one edge tab bearing indicia descriptive of a defined class of thin items, (ii) placing a thin item belonging to one of the defined classes of items either (a) atop that separator plate bearing indicia descriptive of the class to which the thin item belongs and underneath any other separator plates positioned above that separator plate, or (b) underneath that separator plate bearing indicia descriptive of the class to which the thin item belongs and atop any other separator plate positioned below that separator plate, and then (iii) repeating step (b), with a consistent selection of subpart (a) or (b) of step (ii), for a plurality of thin items.

Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods for providing insurance information from an insurance provider to a plurality of insurance agents disposed at respective insurance agent interface portions, the insurance agents working with respective clients. The system may include an insurance entity that is in the business of providing insurance, the insurance entity including an insurance tool; a first insurance agent interface portion, the insurance agent interface portion associated with a respective first insurance agent; a second insurance agent interface portion, the insurance agent interface portion associated with a respective second insurance agent; and a communication system that provides communication between the insurance tool and the insurance agent interface portion.

Abstract: A disc drive comprises a drive motor mechanically coupled to a disc and a voice coil motor mechanically coupled to a read/write head on the disc. A power integrated circuit is electrically coupled to the drive motor and the voice coil motor. The power integrated circuit includes an integrated temperature sensor that provides a temperature output. A control circuit receives the temperature output and provides a voice coil motor control output to the power integrated circuit as a function of the temperature output.

Abstract: A processor is configured to perform a method (110) including a step of deriving lateral offset indicators (1062) from a longitudinal position measurement (130). Improved seek cost indicators (1063) are generated, some or all based on a respective lateral offset indicator (140). Then a target destination is selected using at least one of the improved seek cost indicators (150,160).

Abstract: A ladder safety crosspiece for inhibiting the diagonal movement of opposite (diagonal) legs of opposing rails of a stepladder. The crosspiece has a pair of crossing pliable stabilizers which extend between these diagonal legs, are taut as the side spacers of the ladder are locked, and which fold out of the way when the side spacers of the ladder are not locked and the ladder is folded.