Abstract: A satellite system can include one or more satellites that orbit the Earth. The one or more satellites may have satellite buses that support antenna arrays. The antenna arrays may include space fed arrays. Each space fed array may have an antenna feed array and an inner array that is coupled to a direct radiating array. The direct radiating array may operate in the same satellite band as the space fed array, or upconversion and downconversion circuitry may be used to communicatively couple a direct radiating array that operates in a different satellite band to the space fed array. The satellites may have peripheral walls with corner fittings that can be selected to provide the satellite bus with particular leg strengths. This can reduce overall mass of the satellites in a payload fairing while accommodating different types of antenna arrays.

Abstract: A humidification system can include a heater base, a humidification chamber, and a breathing circuit. A cartridge can be removably coupled to the heater base. The cartridge can include various sensors, probes, sensor wire connectors, heater wire connectors, and/or other features. The cartridge can include features configured to mate with corresponding features on the humidification chamber and the heater base. The cartridge includes a memory, such as an EEPROM, or other suitable storage device. When the cartridge is installed on the heater base, the memory is electrically connected to a processor and/or memory of the heater base. Various models of cartridges can be produced for use with different humidification chambers, breathing circuits, and/or therapies. A connector can be configured to couple an inspiratory conduit to an outlet port of the humidification chamber. The connector can provide a pneumatic connection to the outlet port and an electrical connection to the cartridge.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and software are provided for detecting gene fusions in a subject with a cancer condition through mRNA boundary analysis of next generation sequencing of a transcriptome or relevant part thereof. Methods, systems, and software are provided for detecting splice variants in a subject with a cancer condition through mRNA boundary analysis of next generation sequencing of a transcriptome or relevant part thereof. Methods, systems, and software are provided for evaluating the complexity of an RNA-seq sequencing reaction through mRNA boundary analysis. Generally, the methods described herein include obtaining sequences of mRNA molecules for a plurality of genes in a sample of a subject. For each gene, an RNA boundary distribution including relative abundance value for each respective RNA boundary sub-sequence of the gene is determined from the plurality of sequences. These abundance values are evaluated using one or more models to provide the analyses described herein.

Abstract: A database operation is performed in a file system residing on a plurality of processing modules. The file system includes a first relation having a plurality of first-relation entries. Each of the plurality of first-relation entries has a first-relation attribute that is of interest in the database operation. A value of a distribution attribute in each of the first-relation entries is set to a unique value selected from among a domain of unique values. The first-relation entries of the first relation are redistributed among the plurality of processing modules based on the first-relation attribute and the distribution attribute. The computational operation is performed to produce a result.

Abstract: A funnel assembly for a beverage brewer comprises: a central body with an upper opening for receiving a brewed beverage from the beverage brewer and a lower opening for directing the brewed beverage into a selected one of two or more shuttles; and an upper clip portion configured to snap onto and engage a shaft extending from the beverage brewer, such that the funnel assembly is pivotable about an axis defined by the shaft between a first position in which it directs the brewed beverage into a first of the two or more shuttles and a second position in which it directs the brewed beverage into a second of the two or more shuttles.

Abstract: On-the-go fingerprint scanners and methods of capturing fingerprints on-the-go are disclosed. In some aspects, the on-the-go fingerprint scanner can include a scanning area and a beam break sensor disposed coincident to the scanning area such that the beam break sensor detects when an object passes through the scanning area. The scanner can also include at least one hand camera configured to capture a video image of the scanning area such that when the beam break sensor detects that an object has passed through the scanning area, the hand camera detects whether the object is a human hand and the location of any fingers on said hand, and at least one fingerprint camera configured to receive the location of any fingers within the scanning area from the hand camera and capture a high-resolution image of at least a portion of any of said fingers passing through the scanning area.

Abstract: On-the-go fingerprint scanners and methods of capturing fingerprints on-the-go are disclosed. In some aspects, the on-the-go fingerprint scanner can include a scanning area and a beam break sensor disposed coincident to the scanning area such that the beam break sensor detects when an object passes through the scanning area. The scanner can also include at least one hand camera configured to capture a video image of the scanning area such that when the beam break sensor detects that an object has passed through the scanning area, the hand camera detects whether the object is a human hand and the location of any fingers on said hand, and at least one fingerprint camera configured to receive the location of any fingers within the scanning area from the hand camera and capture a high-resolution image of at least a portion of any of said fingers passing through the scanning area.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for partially frozen beverages includes at least one bowl for storing a beverage product, with a freezing cylinder positioned in the bowl. The beverage dispenser further includes a cooling system for supplying a cooling medium to the freezing cylinder to cool the beverage product when stored in the bowl, along with a dispenser assembly for dispensing the beverage product from the bowl. The beverage dispenser includes an auger which rotates about the freezing cylinder. A driven hub is positioned on and rotates with respect to the freezing cylinder, and the driven hub engages a rear end portion of the auger. A driver hub is positioned inside of the freezing cylinder and is magnetically coupled to the driven hub, such that rotation of the driver hub causes a corresponding rotation of the driven hub, and thus, rotation of the auger.

Abstract: A contactless fingerprint acquisition and processing method, includes detecting and acquiring an object image, converting the object image into a fingerprint image and at least one of identifying and verifying the fingerprint image.

Abstract: A contactless fingerprint acquisition and processing method, includes detecting and acquiring an object image, converting the object image into a fingerprint image and at least one of identifying and verifying the fingerprint image.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for partially frozen beverages includes at least one bowl for storing a beverage product, with a freezing cylinder positioned in the bowl. The beverage dispenser further includes a cooling system for supplying a cooling medium to the freezing cylinder to cool the beverage product when stored in the bowl, along with a dispenser assembly for dispensing the beverage product from the bowl. The beverage dispenser includes an auger which rotates about the freezing cylinder. A driven hub is positioned on and rotates with respect to the freezing cylinder, and the driven hub engages a rear end portion of the auger. A driver hub is positioned inside of the freezing cylinder and is magnetically coupled to the driven hub, such that rotation of the driver hub causes a corresponding rotation of the driven hub, and thus, rotation of the auger.

Abstract: On-the-go fingerprint scanners and methods of capturing fingerprints on-the-go are disclosed. In some aspects, the on-the-go fingerprint scanner can include a scanning area and a beam break sensor disposed coincident to the scanning area such that the beam break sensor detects when an object passes through the scanning area. The scanner can also include at least one hand camera configured to capture a video image of the scanning area such that when the beam break sensor detects that an object has passed through the scanning area, the hand camera detects whether the object is a human hand and the location of any fingers on said hand, and at least one fingerprint camera configured to receive the location of any fingers within the scanning area from the hand camera and capture a high-resolution image of at least a portion of any of said fingers passing through the scanning area.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for partially frozen beverages includes at least one bowl for storing a beverage product, with a freezing cylinder positioned in the bowl. The beverage dispenser further includes a cooling system for supplying a cooling medium to the freezing cylinder to cool the beverage product when stored in the bowl, along with a dispenser assembly for dispensing the beverage product from the bowl. The beverage dispenser includes an auger which rotates about the freezing cylinder. A driven hub is positioned on and rotates with respect to the freezing cylinder, and the driven hub engages a rear end portion of the auger. A driver hub is positioned inside of the freezing cylinder and is magnetically coupled to the driven hub, such that rotation of the driver hub causes a corresponding rotation of the driven hub, and thus, rotation of the auger.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for partially frozen beverages includes at least one bowl for storing a beverage product, with a freezing cylinder positioned in the bowl and housing an evaporator. The beverage dispenser further includes a cooling system for supplying a cooling medium to the evaporator to cool the beverage product when stored in the bowl. The beverage dispenser further includes a dispenser assembly for dispensing the beverage product from the bowl. Finally, the beverage dispenser includes an auger which rotates about the freezing cylinder, the auger including a first end positioned near a front of the beverage dispenser and a second end positioned near a rear of the beverage dispenser. The auger has a ring gear positioned at its second end, and a drive system that rotates the auger by driving the ring gear.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include an agile non-contact biometric sensor apparatus, having a sensor that monitors a field of view for a user, an imaging system that captures one or more pieces of biometric information from the user, and a pan-tilt device that orients the imaging system to a location of the user in the field of view detected by the sensor.

Abstract: The following disclosure relates to an improved system and method for harvester harvesting sod using a guide. Specifically, the sod harvester can comprise a front guide, a middle guide, and a back guide. The front guide can be capable of receiving a harvested portion of a grass strip. The middle guide can be connected to the front guide, and can be curved inward such that at least a portion of the guide is positionable under a conveyor frame. The back guide can be connected to the middle guide, and the back guide can be configured to horizontally displace the grass strip by moving the grass strip through the guides.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved system and method for harvesting sod. Specifically, the sod harvester can comprise a blade set and a cutter frame. The blade set can comprise an inner blade, a middle blade, and an outer blade. The middle blade can harvest a first grass strip from a second grass strip. The cutter frame can lift the first grass strip and the second grass strip from the ground, as the cutter frame can be in direct line with the blades.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser for partially frozen beverages includes at least one bowl for storing a beverage product, with a freezing cylinder positioned in the bowl. The beverage dispenser further includes a cooling system for supplying a cooling medium to the freezing cylinder to cool the beverage product when stored in the bowl, along with a dispenser assembly for dispensing the beverage product from the bowl. The beverage dispenser includes an auger which rotates about the freezing cylinder. A driven hub is positioned on and rotates with respect to the freezing cylinder, and the driven hub engages a rear end portion of the auger. A driver hub is positioned inside of the freezing cylinder and is magnetically coupled to the driven hub, such that rotation of the driver hub causes a corresponding rotation of the driven hub, and thus, rotation of the auger.

Abstract: This invention is a departure from typical shoe design by reducing the sole thickness from the leading edge of the sole to the vicinity of the last joint of the toes. This design transfers a large part of walking type forces from the toes to the main pad of the foot. Since the change in footwear was made to hard soles the toes have taken on an increased load. This causes a great amount of trauma to the toes in many cases. This design will remedy that if used properly. The healing ability of this design has been proven on toes that had been bleeding for decades, the change healed the toes completely. The present treatment for toe problems is to make them immobile with casts or other disabling system and possible surgery. The toe healing corrective shoe allows normal walking activities while healing.

Abstract: An assembly for reducing ice damming along a roof using solar energy is provided including at least one tabular solar collection panel having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface shaped in a rectangular shape. Each panel includes a plurality of holes extending entirely through the panel. A plurality of pads is attached to the opposing surface of said tabular panel for spacing the entire tabular panel from a substrate such as a roof surface. Each panel further includes a “U” shaped offset member attached to an interconnecting member which in turn is attached to the assembly.