Abstract: According to an aspect, a computer-implemented method for water volume estimation includes detecting water based at least in part on sensor-based data; determining a volume of water based at least in part on the sensor-based data; determining a location at the water for an aircraft to retrieve water via a water retrieving apparatus; and translating the location of the water into pilot inputs to guide the aircraft to the water.

Abstract: A switch is disclosed. In some examples, a switch includes a generally cylindrical housing; one or more sets of contact points enclosed by the housing; an indicator module, such as a multi-color LED illuminator, also enclosed by the housing; and a pushbutton actuator disposed to operate the contact points. The housing includes a display section spanning substantially the entire circumference of the housing such that the indication made by the indicator module is visible from all radial directions. When the pushbutton actuator is pressed, some of the contact points open to cut off power from hazards, while others are reconfigured to change the state of the indicator module to indicate the changed status of the switch. Multiple switches can be interfaced with each other, such as by serial connection, to facilitate multi-switch safety environment. Modular cables can be used to conveniently establish the interface.

Abstract: Described herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for separating components of a sample; as well as methods of using compositions prepared by same. In one aspect, the apparatus can comprise a tubular body for receiving sample, a thixotropic material, and a float. The system comprising the apparatus can be configured to separate the component of the sample using centrifugation. The float can have a specific gravity less than or equal to the specific gravity of the thixotropic material. The thixotropic material can be positioned along a bottom inner surface of the tubular body, and a portion of the float can be embedded in the thixotropic material. The float can be made of a single, integral piece or a plurality of pieces that are configured to be fixed and immobile relative to each other during centrifugation. The float can be solid, nonporous and without any aperture.

Abstract: A break-out assembly includes an enclosure defining a first port at the first end to receive an optical cable and a second port at the second end to receive a plurality of break-out cables. Each port leads to the interior of the enclosure. A cable retention region defined within the enclosure at the second end is configured to enable the break-out cables to each secure to the enclosure at one of a plurality of axial locations. Certain types of break-out assemblies include other cable retention regions to axially and/or rotationally secure the optical cable to the enclosure. A splice retention region is disposed within the enclosure between the first port and the second cable retention region. The splice retention region receives optical splices at which optical fibers of the optical cable are spliced to optical fibers of the break-out cables.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for standardizing the DNA amplification efficiencies of a highly heterogeneous set of oligonucleotide primers as may typically be used to amplify a heterogeneous set of DNA templates that contains rearranged lymphoid cell DNA encoding T cell receptors (TCR) or immunoglobulins (IG). The presently disclosed embodiments are useful to overcome undesirable bias in the utilization of a subset of amplification primers, which leads to imprecision in multiplexed high throughput sequencing of amplification products to quantify unique TCR or Ig encoding genomes in a sample. Provided is a template composition comprising a diverse plurality of template oligonucleotides in substantially equimolar amounts, for use as a calibration standard for amplification primer sets. Also provided are methods for identifying and correcting biased primer efficiency during amplification.

Abstract: The present invention provides structures that maximize the use of minimal ground space or pot soil by providing a height-adjustable, outward-expanding string or net trellis. A compact kit can be assembled into a tall plant support structure which may be at least twice as wide at the top as at the base where the plants begin growing. A multiplicity of elongated flaccid cords secured adjacent the base at one end are inclined generally outward and attached at an opposing end to a suspended top horizontal frame support to help support plants as they grow generally vertically.

Abstract: A switch is disclosed. In some examples, a switch includes a generally cylindrical housing; one or more sets of contact points enclosed by the housing; an indicator module, such as a multi-color LED illuminator, also enclosed by the housing; and a pushbutton actuator disposed to operate the contact points. The housing includes a display section spanning substantially the entire circumference of the housing such that the indication made by the indicator module is visible from all radial directions. When the pushbutton actuator is pressed, some of the contact points open to cut off power from hazards, while others are reconfigured to change the state of the indicator module to indicate the changed status of the switch. Multiple switches can be interfaced with each other, such as by serial connection, to facilitate multi-switch safety environment. Modular cables can be used to conveniently establish the interface.

Abstract: A break-out assembly includes an enclosure defining a first port at the first end to receive an optical cable and a second port at the second end to receive a plurality of break-out cables. Each port leads to the interior of the enclosure. A cable retention region defined within the enclosure at the second end is configured to enable the break-out cables to each secure to the enclosure at one of a plurality of axial locations. Certain types of break-out assemblies include other cable retention regions to axially and/or rotationally secure the optical cable to the enclosure. A splice retention region is disposed within the enclosure between the first port and the second cable retention region. The splice retention region receives optical splices at which optical fibers of the optical cable are spliced to optical fibers of the break-out cables.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of fusion splicing an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of mechanically stripping a coating layer from the optical fiber to form a bare fiber end and inserting the bare fiber end of the optical fiber into a resistive heating element structure to remove residual coating from a cladding layer. The resistive heating element structure shapes a severed end of the coating layer such that the severed end is fully within a cylindrical envelope defined by a non-disturbed portion of the coating layer. The method further includes a step of loading the optical fiber into an alignment groove of a fiber alignment fixture such that the shaped severed end of the optical fiber is in contact with the alignment groove. The method includes a step of fusion splicing the bare fiber end of the optical fiber to a cable fiber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates systems and methods for providing remote irrigation system operation. In any embodiment, the method for a home automation system may include coupling an irrigation control bypass module with a legacy irrigation control panel associated with a legacy irrigation automation system. The method may also include setting the legacy irrigation control panel to an inactive state, and operating the legacy irrigation automation system based at least in part on a first set of one or more instructions received from the irrigation control bypass module. In any embodiment, the irrigation control bypass module may be initiated based at least in part on a second set of one or more instructions received from the home automation system.

Abstract: A switch is disclosed. In some examples, a switch includes a generally cylindrical housing; one or more sets of contact points enclosed by the housing; an indicator module, such as a multi-color LED illuminator, also enclosed by the housing; and a pushbutton actuator disposed to operate the contact points. The housing includes a display section spanning substantially the entire circumference of the housing such that the indication made by the indicator module is visible from all radial directions. When the pushbutton actuator is pressed, some of the contact points open to cut off power from hazards, while others are reconfigured to change the state of the indicator module to indicate the changed status of the switch. Multiple switches can be interfaced with each other, such as by serial connection, to facilitate multi-switch safety environment. Modular cables can be used to conveniently establish the interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for setting up a security and/or automation system. According to at least one embodiment, a method for setting up the security or automation system includes receiving a communication from a mobile device associated with installing a system peripheral device at a control unit and executing an installation task based on the communication.

Abstract: The present invention provides structures that maximize the use of minimal ground space or pot soil by providing generally vertical outward-sloping multiple cords or net trellis such as to offer increasing volume for plant foliage with height, which is adjustable to the user's desire. A compact kit includes at least two elongated leg member, and at least one elongated support, and can be assembled into structures up to approximately twice as wide at the top as at the base where the plants begin growing in soil. Flaccid replaceable cords when installed incline generally outward and upward to top horizontal rods supporting wining plants to grow generally vertically and even horizontally across the top.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring an object using a CMM receives nominal geometry data relating to the object, and produces a set-up path based on the received nominal geometry data. The method also conducts a set-up measurement of the object using a CMM probe. The CMM probe conducts the set-up measurement by following the set-up path, and the set-up measurement of the object produces scan path information. The method generates a scan path using the scan path information, and controls the CMM probe to conduct a fine measurement of the object by causing the CMM probe to move along the generated scan path.

Abstract: A break-out assembly includes an enclosure defining a first port at the first end to receive an optical cable and a second port at the second end to receive a plurality of break-out cables. Each port leads to the interior of the enclosure. A cable retention region defined within the enclosure at the second end is configured to enable the break-out cables to each secure to the enclosure at one of a plurality of axial locations. Certain types of break-out assemblies include other cable retention regions to axially and/or rotationally secure the optical cable to the enclosure. A splice retention region is disposed within the enclosure between the first port and the second cable retention region. The splice retention region receives optical splices at which optical fibers of the optical cable are spliced to optical fibers of the break-out cables.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for standardizing the DNA amplification efficiencies of a highly heterogeneous set of oligonucleotide primers as may typically be used to amplify a heterogeneous set of DNA templates that contains rearranged lymphoid cell DNA encoding T cell receptors (TCR) or immunoglobulins (IG). The presently disclosed embodiments are useful to overcome undesirable bias in the utilization of a subset of amplification primers, which leads to imprecision in multiplexed high throughput sequencing of amplification products to quantify unique TCR or Ig encoding genomes in a sample. Provided is a template composition comprising a diverse plurality of template oligonucleotides in substantially equimolar amounts, for use as a calibration standard for amplification primer sets. Also provided are methods for identifying and correcting biased primer efficiency during amplification.

Abstract: A break-out assembly includes an enclosure defining a first port at the first end to receive an optical cable and a second port at the second end to receive a plurality of break-out cables. Each port leads to the interior of the enclosure. A cable retention region defined within the enclosure at the second end is configured to enable the break-out cables to each secure to the enclosure at one of a plurality of axial locations. Certain types of break-out assemblies include other cable retention regions to axially and/or rotationally secure the optical cable to the enclosure. A splice retention region is disposed within the enclosure between the first port and the second cable retention region. The splice retention region receives optical splices at which optical fibers of the optical cable are spliced to optical fibers of the break-out cables.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described for standardizing the DNA amplification efficiencies of a highly heterogeneous set of oligonucleotide primers as may typically be used to amplify a heterogeneous set of DNA templates that contains rearranged lymphoid cell DNA encoding T cell receptors (TCR) or immunoglobulins (IG). The presently disclosed embodiments are useful to overcome undesirable bias in the utilization of a subset of amplification primers, which leads to imprecision in multiplexed high throughput sequencing of amplification products to quantify unique TCR or Ig encoding genomes in a sample. Provided is a composition comprising a diverse plurality of template oligonucleotides in substantially equimolar amounts, for use as a calibration standard for amplification primer sets. Also provided are methods for identifying and correcting biased primer efficiency during amplification.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for setting up a security and/or automation system. According to at least one embodiment, a method for setting up the security or automation system includes receiving a communication from a mobile device associated with installing a system peripheral device at a control unit and executing an installation task based on the communication.