Abstract: An apparatus for saddle hunting includes a user-supporting platform having a main body with an upper support surface and a recess extending into the main body below the upper support surface. A central post has a lower end hingedly coupled to the platform and a standoff fixed to an upper region of the post and immovable relative thereto. The post is selectively movable between a deployed position, in which the post projects generally upwardly from the platform to support the apparatus against a tree, and a stowed position, in which the post and the standoff are received at least partly into the recess below the level of the upper support surface to form a compact, low-profile configuration for transport and storage.

Abstract: A foldable tree platform assembly includes a longitudinal post for placement along the trunk of the tree. A foot-engaging platform is supported by the post and moveable between a forwardly projecting use position in which the platform extends transversely of the post and defines an upper surface of the platform for supporting the foot or feet of a user and a stowed position in which the platform extends along the post. A standoff is supported by the post and is moveable relative to the post between a rearwardly projecting use position for engaging the trunk of the tree to support the post offset from the tree and a stowed position in which the standoff is folded at least partly into the plane of the post.

Abstract: A tree climbing stick includes a tubular post having upper and lower end portions. Upper and lower standoff-step components include mounting collars which are disposed about the upper and lower end portions. Retaining plugs are disposed into the upper and lower end portions opposite the mounting collars and support the end portions and cooperate to prevent the end portions from moving inward or outward to maintain a tight fit of the joint in use when subjecting to bending loads.

Abstract: A saddle or harness is worn by a user when tethered to a tree or pole to suspend the user. A knee sling is releasably attachable to the saddle or harness to extend forwardly along the user's thighs and to wrap about the user's knees such that when the user leans the wrapped knee sling into the tree or pole with knees spaced the knee sling flexes to receive the tree or pole into the space between the knees and the sling further conforms to form convex knee pockets on laterally opposite sides of the tree or pole for supporting the user's knees in straddled relation to the tree or pole. The knee sling is adjustable in length to adjust for different size trees or poles.

Abstract: A foldable tree platform assembly includes a longitudinal post for placement along the trunk of the tree. A foot-engaging platform is supported by the post and moveable between a forwardly projecting use position in which the platform extends transversely of the post and defines an upper surface of the platform for supporting the foot or feet of a user and a stowed position in which the platform extends along the post. A standoff is supported by the post and is moveable relative to the post between a rearwardly projecting use position for engaging the trunk of the tree to support the post offset from the tree and a stowed position in which the standoff is folded at least partly into the plane of the post.

Abstract: A tree climbing stick assembly includes a post supporting at least one step and having at least two sections which telescope relative to one another for longitudinal movement between an extended position and a collapsed position. The assembly is mountable to a tree to be climbed such as by a rope. A releasable lock secures the post sections releasably in the extended position for use when climbing. The lock can be released and the sections telescopically collapsed when not in use for ease of transport in a compact state. A tether is secured to each of the sections and prevents longitudinal separation of the sections independent of the releasable lock, such that if the sections were to somehow extend past the extended and locked position, the tether secures holds the sections in telescopic engagement and keeps them from completely separating as a secondary retention system.

Abstract: A tree climbing aider assembly includes at least one flexible support having portions spaced laterally from one another for suspended attachment to a tree climbing stick. At least one rigid or semi-rigid step member is provided having a width extending between laterally opposite side edges of the at least one step member and a depth extending laterally between opposite fore and aft edges of the at least one step member. The at least one step member is supported by and spans the lateral space between the flexible support portions.

Abstract: A hunting saddle assembly includes a saddle made of a sling of flexible saddle fabric having a main body portion forming a seat for supporting the backside of a hunter and having side portions extending in opposite lateral directions from the main body portion for wrapping about the hips of the hunter. At least one coupling is provided which is connectible to a tether line for suspending the saddle and hunter in a tree. The assembly includes at least one pocket formed as an integral part of the saddle and having an opening positioned along at least one of the side portions and accessible to the hunter while suspended in the tree.

Abstract: A method includes generating, by a control system, a plurality of sleep scores for a user, wherein the plurality of sleep scores for the user are associated with a plurality of days. The method also includes receiving, by the control system from an external device, a plurality of activity indicators, wherein the plurality of activity indicators are associated with the plurality of days. The method also includes determining, by the control system based on the plurality of sleep scores and the plurality of activity indicators, correlations between the sleep scores and the plurality of activity indicators. The method also includes generating, by the control system, a visual presentation, wherein the visual presentation indicates the correlations between the plurality of sleep scores and the plurality of activity indicators. The method also includes causing presentation, by the control system via a display device of a user device, the visual presentation.

Abstract: A tree climbing stick includes a tubular post having upper and lower end portions. Upper and lower standoff-step components include mounting collars which are disposed about the upper and lower end portions. Retaining plugs are disposed into the upper and lower end portions opposite the mounting collars and support the end portions and cooperate to prevent the end portions from moving inward or outward to maintain a tight fit of the joint in use when subjecting to bending loads.

Abstract: Provided herein are a sorghum genomic region, alleles, and genotypes that are shown to be associated with a cold-stress tolerance phenotype. Also provided are genetically edited plastocyanin genes that result in a cold-stress tolerance phenotype. Also provided are cold-tolerant plants comprising an introgressed genomic region associated with cold-stress tolerance.

Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods for receiving, curating, and distributing audio, video, and image assets and other files. The systems automatically receive and simultaneously process the assets for distribution and consumption in many formats. In one example, the invention distributes prepared and curated media assets (media clips) via social media outlets for subsequent consumption. The invention includes compression and other formatting techniques to manage different sized video segments and image files. The system creates a pipeline for the creation of video clips, conversion of video clips to multiple usable formats, delivery of the video clips to social media account managers, and notification to the social media managers of the availability of the clips. The system distributes usable content (video clips) via social media outlets and functions as a branding asset, traffic attractor, and a revenue generator through advertising and other sources.

Abstract: A device including a logic unit configured to execute multiple instructions, and a schedule buffer that lists the instructions to be executed by the logic unit is provided. The device includes a fetch engine to retrieve data from an external memory, a cache including lines to hold the data associated with one of the instructions, including a spec-bit. The device includes a management unit to set the spec-bit to a speculative state when the data is retrieved for an instruction that has not been committed for execution by the logic unit, and to reset the spec-bit from a speculative state to a trusted state for a valid instruction. The management unit prevents the data from remaining in the cache when the spec-bit is in a speculative state. A computer system including the above device and a method of using the device are also provided.

Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods for receiving, curating, and distributing audio, video, and image assets and other files. The systems automatically receive and simultaneously process the assets for distribution and consumption in many formats. In one example, the invention distributes prepared and curated media assets (media clips) via social media outlets for subsequent consumption. The invention includes compression and other formatting techniques to manage different sized video segments and image files. The system creates a pipeline for the creation of video clips, conversion of video clips to multiple usable formats, delivery of the video clips to social media account managers, and notification to the social media managers of the availability of the clips. The system distributes usable content (video clips) via social media outlets and functions as a branding asset, traffic attractor, and a revenue generator through advertising and other sources.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for creating test directories and files in a logical storage in a data storage system. The directories include a root directory subdirectories in the root directory. Each directory has a directory key name that has a prefix value; a subdirectory value, the subdirectory value defining a number of immediate subdirectories in the directory; a subdirectory prefix value, the subdirectory prefix value defining a prefix value of each directory key name of each immediate subdirectory in the directory; and a file value, the file value defining a number of files stored in the directory. The contents of any directory can be checked against the directory key name to determine if a data storage error has occurred during testing.

Abstract: A tree stand includes a frame and a strap for attaching the frame to a tree. The strap includes engagement features and a latch is pivotably coupled to the frame for selectively engaging the engagement features. The latch is pivotable between a locked position for engaging the engagement feature of the strap and an unlocked position for being disengaged with the engagement feature of the strap. The latch includes a finger extending from the body receiving the engagement feature when the latch is in the locked position.