Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting, and/or producing drought tolerant maize plants or germplasm. Maize plants or germplasm that have been identified, selected, and/or produced by any of the methods of the presently disclosed subject matter are also provided.

Abstract: A repair apparatus is configured to repair a hole in a curved wall portion of a material guide. The repair apparatus includes a patch body that can conform to the shape of the curved wall portion and a retainer that non-destructively holds the patch body in place on the wall portion over the hole. In certain embodiments, the retainers are magnets or straps. The patch body can be flexible so that it can be adjusted to conform to the shape of curved wall portions of various sizes and curvatures. The patch body can include a wear-resistant inner surface. In some embodiments, the patch body includes an outer shell and a wear-resistant inner liner connected to the shell. The liner can have one side that is unattached to the shell.

Abstract: An improved system and method for reducing the ambient noise experienced by a user listening to an earpiece without the use of a microphone is disclosed. An “ambient noise signal” created by the sound pressure wave of the ambient noise acting on the earpiece transducer is obtained. In some embodiments, the ambient noise signal is inverted and fed back, and the inverted signal is added to the intended audio signal being sent to the earpiece so that the ambient noise is cancelled. In other embodiments, a processor receives the ambient noise signal and predicts the modification to the intended audio signal needed to counteract the ambient noise. The ambient noise signal may be obtained by comparing the actual signal across the earpiece transducer to the intended audio signal, or by detecting variations in the current across the transducer from the current generated to drive the transducer.

Abstract: An improved system and method for recognizing an audio signal due to physical activity and taking a predetermined action in response is disclosed. A “reverse noise signal” created by the sound pressure wave of the physical activity acting on the earpiece transducer is obtained. In some embodiments, an ambient noise signal is inverted and fed back, and the inverted signal is added to the intended audio signal being sent to the earpiece so that the ambient noise is cancelled. In other embodiments, a processor receives the ambient noise signal and predicts the modification to the intended audio signal needed to counteract the ambient noise. In other embodiments, the reverse noise signal may represent a motor or biological activity of a user; the system may take different actions in response to different physical activities, such as a heart beat of the user, or a tap, footfall, or swallowing by the user.

Abstract: A repair apparatus is configured to repair a hole in a curved wall portion of a material guide. The repair apparatus includes a patch body that can conform to the shape of the curved wall portion and a retainer that non-destructively holds the patch body in place on the wall portion over the hole. In certain embodiments, the retainers are magnets or straps. The patch body can be flexible so that it can be adjusted to conform to the shape of curved wall portions of various sizes and curvatures. The patch body can include a wear-resistant inner surface. In some embodiments, the patch body includes an outer shell and a wear-resistant inner liner connected to the shell. The liner can have one side that is unattached to the shell.

Abstract: An improved system and method for reducing the ambient noise experienced by a user listening to an earpiece without the use of a microphone is disclosed. An “ambient noise signal” created by the sound pressure wave of the ambient noise acting on the earpiece transducer is obtained. In some embodiments, the ambient noise signal is inverted and fed back, and the inverted signal is added to the intended audio signal being sent to the earpiece so that the ambient noise is cancelled. In other embodiments, a processor receives the ambient noise signal and predicts the modification to the intended audio signal needed to counteract the ambient noise. The ambient noise signal may be obtained by comparing the actual signal across the earpiece transducer to the intended audio signal, or by detecting variations in the current across the transducer from the current generated to drive the transducer.

Abstract: An improved system and method for reducing the ambient noise experienced by a user listening to an earpiece without the use of a microphone is disclosed. An “ambient noise signal” created by the sound pressure wave of the ambient noise acting on the earpiece transducer is obtained. In some embodiments, the ambient noise signal is inverted and fed back, and the inverted signal is added to the intended audio signal being sent to the earpiece so that the ambient noise is cancelled. In other embodiments, a processor receives the ambient noise signal and predicts the modification to the intended audio signal needed to counteract the ambient noise. The ambient noise signal may be obtained by comparing the actual signal across the earpiece transducer to the intended audio signal, or by detecting variations in the current across the transducer from the current generated to drive the transducer.

Abstract: A repair apparatus is configured to repair a hole in a curved wall portion of a material guide. The repair apparatus includes a patch body that can conform to the shape of the curved wall portion and a retainer that non-destructively holds the patch body in place on the wall portion over the hole. In certain embodiments, the retainers are magnets or straps. The patch body can be flexible so that it can be adjusted to conform to the shape of curved wall portions of various sizes and curvatures. The patch body can include a wear-resistant inner surface. In some embodiments, the patch body includes an outer shell and a wear-resistant inner liner connected to the shell. The liner can have one side that is unattached to the shell.

Abstract: A valve signature diagnosis and leak testing device includes a spool valve operatively connected to a pilot valve, the pilot valve being configured to position the spool valve to one of an open position and a closed position. A blocker valve is fluidly connected to a control fluid outlet of the spool valve. An electrical module is operatively connected to the pilot valve, a supply of control fluid, and the blocker valve, the electrical module being capable of sending pulsed electrical signals to the pilot valve and the blocker valve to selectively position the spool valve and the blocker valve to an open or closed position.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting, and/or producing drought tolerant maize plants or germplasm. Maize plants or germplasm that have been identified, selected, and/or produced by any of the methods of the presently disclosed subject matter are also provided.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting, and/or producing drought tolerant maize plants or germplasm. Maize plants or germplasm that have been identified, selected, and/or produced by any of the methods of the presently disclosed subject matter are also provided.

Abstract: A cognitive computing system for producing chemical formulations, in some embodiments, comprises: neurosynaptic processing logic; and one or more information repositories accessible to the neurosynaptic processing logic, said one or more repositories storing resources, wherein the neurosynaptic processing logic determines a first chemical formulation to achieve a target and to satisfy one or more constraints, produces and tests said first chemical formulation, and analyzes the results of the test using said resources to determine a second chemical formulation, wherein the second chemical formulation more closely achieves the target and satisfies the one or more constraints than the first chemical formulation.

Abstract: A cognitive computing system for enhancing drilling operations, in some embodiments, comprises: neurosynaptic processing logic; and one or more information repositories accessible s to the neurosynaptic processing logic, wherein the neurosynaptic processing logic performs a probabilistic analysis of one or more real-time drilling operations measurements, one or more resources obtained from said one or more information repositories, and one or more drilling operations simulations that account for said one or more real-time drilling operations measurements, wherein the neurosynaptic processing logic controls a drilling operation based at least in part on said probabilistic analysis.

Abstract: A system usable in a wellbore can include a processing device and a memory device in which instructions executable by the processing device are stored for causing the processing device to: generate multiple predicted values of a first parameter associated with a well environment or a wellbore operation; determine a first trend indicated by the multiple predicted values; receive, from a sensor, multiple measured values of a second parameter associated with the well environment or the wellbore operation; determine a second trend indicated by the multiple measured values; determine a difference between the first trend and the second trend or a rate of change of the difference; and in response to the difference exceeding a threshold or the rate of change exceeding another threshold, determine a source of the difference including at least one of an erroneous user input, an equipment failure, a wellbore event, or a model error.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting, and/or producing drought tolerant maize plants or germplasm. Maize plants or germplasm that have been identified, selected, and/or produced by any of the methods of the presently disclosed subject matter are also provided.

Abstract: A system for use in a wellbore can include a computing device that includes a processing device and a memory device that stores instructions executable by the processing device. The instructions can cause the processing device to generate a predicted value of a parameter associated with a well environment or with a wellbore operation. The instructions can also cause the processing device to receive sensor data that includes a measured value of the parameter; compare the predicted value to the measured value to determine a difference; and generate an interface for display that includes a data point associated with the difference plotted on a probability-mass distribution graph. The system can also include a sensor in electrical communication with the computing device and positionable proximate to the wellbore for generating the measured value of the parameter and transmitting the measured value of the parameter to the computing device.

Abstract: A system for use in a wellbore can include a computing device including a processing device and a memory device that stores instructions executable by the processing device. The instructions can cause the processing device to generate a predicted value of a parameter associated with a well environment or a wellbore operation. The instructions can also cause the processing device to determine a tuning factor for adjusting the predicted value based on historical data. The instructions can also cause the processing device to apply the tuning factor to the predicted value to generate a tuned predicted value. The instructions can further cause the processing device to generate an interface for display that includes a data point associated with the tuned predicted value plotted on a graph.

Abstract: A plurality of mapping systems are maintained for mapping logical addresses for data stored in a Data Storage Device (DSD) to physical addresses for locations in at least one memory of the DSD that store the data. Data is received from a host for storage in the at least one memory, and the received data is stored in a location in the at least one memory. A mapping system is selected from the plurality of mapping systems for mapping the received data based on information provided by the host for the received data or based on information determined by the controller for the received data.

Abstract: A method of non-rotatably securing a target to a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis within an enclosed proximity switch assembly is described. The target support at least one target magnet and a hub having a body portion extending along the longitudinal axis. The body portion includes an outer surface and a shaft aperture extending along the longitudinal axis, and further includes at least one threaded body aperture extending from the outer surface to the shaft aperture. The shaft is inserted into the shaft aperture, and a set screw is inserted into one of the body apertures. A torque is applied to the set screw to threadably engage the set screw with the one of the body apertures such that a distal end of the set screw contacts an outer surface of the shaft. The set screw is sealed within the body aperture with a high-temperature potting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing output signal swings that are greater than the supply voltage in a class-D amplifier. The amplifier circuit boosts the voltage across the amplifier load, such as a loudspeaker, by using capacitors to “charge pump” the voltage across the load and thus increase the voltage temporarily. This is done by using two or more output bridges rather than one, and connecting the bridges through the capacitors. For signals of less than the supply voltage, only an inner bridge, similar to a full bridge of the prior art, operates. For signals above the supply voltage, an outer bridge charges capacitors, which are then used to ‘boost’ the voltage on the bridge output for the short period of the Class-D switching period. Thus, only relatively small value boosting capacitors are needed, as they do not need to supply charge for very long.