Abstract: An integrative computational soil mapping system and process that reduces the required number of soil property measurements without jeopardizing the statistical precision of the resulting digital soil maps. The integrative computational soil mapping system and process saves monetary resources and time by reducing the number of soil property measurements required to produce digital soil maps and by offering soil sample locations which capture the maximum amount of representativeness of the soil characteristics in a determined area. In addition, the inventive system and process are integrative computational soil mapping that utilize algorithms based on state-of-the-art computational statistics and machine learning methods for the production of digital soil property maps and also provides soil sampling locations to collect new soil property measurements.

Abstract: An integrative computational soil mapping system and process that reduces the required number of soil property measurements without jeopardizing the statistical precision of the resulting digital soil maps. The integrative computational soil mapping system and process saves monetary resources and time by reducing the number of soil property measurements required to produce digital soil maps and by offering soil sample locations which capture the maximum amount of representativeness of the soil characteristics in a determined area. In addition, the inventive system and process are integrative computational soil mapping that utilize algorithms based on state-of-the-art computational statistics and machine learning methods for the production of digital soil property maps and also provides soil sampling locations to collect new soil property measurements.

Abstract: A golf club stand of unitary construction having a snap on open collar and two supporting legs that downwardly and outwardly extend away from the open collar in a mirrored configuration. Each supporting leg ends in feet that rest on a supporting surface, such as anyplace along a golf course, so that when a shaft of a golf club is snapped into the open collar, the golf club stands in a upright orientation with the support of the feet, making the golf club highly visible.

Abstract: A golf club stand of unitary construction having a snap on open collar and two supporting legs that downwardly and outwardly extend away from the open collar in a mirrored configuration. Each supporting leg ends in feet that rest on a supporting surface, such as anyplace along a golf course, so that when a shaft of a golf club is snapped into the open collar, the golf club stands in a upright orientation with the support of the feet, making the golf club highly visible.

Abstract: A functionalized fiber. The functionalized fiber includes a fiber strand and silica nanoparticles at least partially encapsulating the fiber strand. The silica nanoparticles are synthesized by hydrolyzing a tetramethyl orthosilicate in hydrochloric acid to form silicic acid monomers. The silicic acid monomers are diluted in acetone and irradiated for a time that is less than 90 seconds with an energy source configured to generate microwave frequency energy to polymerize the silicic acid monomers into the silica nanoparticles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to system and methods for generating functional soil maps. The systems and methods are configured to determine soil information for an area of interest; determine an elevation model for the area of interest; determine terrain attributes for the area of interest based on the elevation model; determine a relationship between the soil information and the terrain attributes for the area of interest; and generate a functional soil map based at least in part on the relationship between the soil information and the terrain attributes for the area of interest. In an embodiment, the systems and methods can be used to improve management strategies for crops and other land management regions.

Abstract: Rose Bengal for detecting a presence of chemical warfare agents. A method of detecting presence of a chemical warfare agent and includes applying a quinoid form of Rose Bengal to a substrate. When the substrate is exposed to the chemical warfare agent, a lactone form of Rose Bengal is spectrally observed because presence of the chemical warfare agent converts the quinoid form to the lactone form of Rose Bengal.

Abstract: A method of using select Schiff base compounds for chemical agent detoxification. The method including applying a compound to the contaminated substrate. The compound includes an imine having at least one Schiff base nitrogen and an alkyl substituent or an aryl substituent having an electron acceptor. The at least one Schiff base nitrogen is spaced away from the electron acceptor by a distance ranging from about 200 pm to about 1000 pm. The substrate and the compound are dried. The at least one Schiff base nitrogen of the compound promotes a nucleophilic attack on an electrophilic site of the toxic chemical agent.

Abstract: A Schiff base compound configured to detoxify a toxic chemical agent. The toxic chemical agent includes at least one leaving group and the Schiff base compound includes an imine having at least one Lewis base and an alkyl substituent or an aryl substituent having an electron acceptor. The at least one Schiff base nitrogen is spaced way from the electron acceptor by a distance that ranges from about 200 pm to about 1000 pm.

Abstract: An alignment belt has a main strap and a removable handle for positioning the strap about a person's pelvic region to more readily stretch specific areas of the body to remove stress from muscle, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue. In addition, methods of using and manufacturing the alignment belt are also disclosed.

Abstract: A functionalized fiber. The functionalized fiber includes a fiber strand and silica nanoparticles at least partially encapsulating the fiber strand. The silica nanoparticles are synthesized by hydrolyzing a tetramethyl orthosilicate in hydrochloric acid to form silicic acid monomers. The silicic acid monomers are diluted in acetone and irradiated for a time that is less than 90 seconds with an energy source configured to generate microwave frequency energy to polymerize the silicic acid monomers into the silica nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of using select Schiff base compounds for chemical agent detoxification. The method including applying a compound to the contaminated substrate. The compound includes an imine having at least one Schiff base nitrogen and an alkyl substituent or an aryl substituent having an electron acceptor. The at least one Schiff base nitrogen is spaced away from the electron acceptor by a distance ranging from about 200 pm to about 1000 pm. The substrate and the compound are dried. The at least one Schiff base nitrogen of the compound promotes a nucleophilic attack on an electrophilic site of the toxic chemical agent.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing silica nanoparticles. The method includes hydrolyzing a silica precursor to form a plurality of monomers, each monomer of the plurality comprising a microwave reactive silicon species. The plurality of monomers is irradiated by an energy source configured to generate microwave frequency energy. Irradiation cases the plurality of monomers polymerize into a silica nanoparticle.

Abstract: Rose Bengal for detecting a presence of and decomposing contaminants. A method of detecting the presence of a contaminant includes treating a substrate with Rose Bengal and exposing the substrate to a light having a wavelength within the visible spectrum. A response of the Rose Bengal is monitored during the light exposure. When a contaminant is present and is exposed to the light, a conversion of the Rose Bengal between a quinoid form and a lactone form is induced.

Abstract: Rose Bengal for detecting a presence of chemical warfare agents. A method of detecting presence of a chemical warfare agent and includes applying a quinoid form of Rose Bengal to a substrate. When the substrate is exposed to the chemical warfare agent, a lactone form of Rose Bengal is spectrally observed because presence of the chemical warfare agent converts the quinoid form to the lactone form of Rose Bengal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to system and methods for generating functional soil maps. The systems and methods are configured to determine soil information for an area of interest; determine an elevation model for the area of interest; determine terrain attributes for the area of interest based on the elevation model; determine a relationship between the soil information and the terrain attributes for the area of interest; and generate a functional soil map based at least in part on the relationship between the soil information and the terrain attributes for the area of interest. In an embodiment, the systems and methods can be used to improve management strategies for crops and other land management regions.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided having a variety of forms and features. The gas turbine engine can include a compressor having movable vanes. In one form of operation the compressor can close down the vanes to a relatively low flow capacity position and the compressor can be operated at a higher speed, whereupon the vanes can be repositioned and the gas turbine engine operated at a different condition. The gas turbine engine can include a turbine having movable vanes. In one form of operation the turbine can change the vane positions to a relatively low torque position and the engine operated at a higher fuel flow condition, whereupon the vanes can be repositioned and the gas turbine engine operated at a different condition. The gas turbine engine can have a heater that adds heat to a flow stream, a motor that provides energy to a shaft, and an external load.

Abstract: Rose Bengal for detecting a presence of and decomposing contaminants. A method of detecting the presence of a contaminant includes treating a substrate with Rose Bengal and exposing the substrate to a light having a wavelength within the visible spectrum. A response of the Rose Bengal is monitored during the light exposure. When a contaminant is present and is exposed to the light, a conversion of the Rose Bengal between a quinoid form and a lactone form is induced.

Abstract: Rose Bengal for detecting a presence of and decomposing contaminants. A method of detecting the presence of a contaminant includes treating a substrate with Rose Bengal and exposing the substrate to a light having a wavelength within the visible spectrum. A response of the Rose Bengal is monitored during the light exposure. When a contaminant is present and is exposed to the light, a conversion of the Rose Bengal between a quinoid form and a lactone form is induced.

Abstract: A Schiff base compound configured to detoxify a toxic chemical agent. The toxic chemical agent includes at least one leaving group and the Schiff base compound includes an imine having at least one Lewis base and an alkyl substituent or an aryl substituent having an electron acceptor. The at least one Schiff base nitrogen is spaced way from the electron acceptor by a distance that ranges from about 200 pm to about 1000 pm.