Abstract: An appliance for the cultivation of indoor plants and vegetation. The appliance may include a planting column with multiple receptacles for receiving seed cartridges. The appliance may provide nutrients, fluids, and light based on specific characteristics of each individual plant being cultivated. In various implementations, the appliance may be under-the-counter, counter-top, and/or ceiling height configurations.

Abstract: A cloud based management system for indoor growing appliances. The managed system may be configured to monitor multiple appliances output, yields, and food quality and to adjust individual appliance growth conditions to improve the output, yields, and food quality.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a reparability of a vehicle are provided. In some embodiments, vehicle data is obtained, and a list of variables is generated from the obtained data. A machine learning algorithm may then be trained to generate a reparability metric by: (i) generating correlation metrics between the variables and costs to repair the vehicle, (ii) removing variables with correlation metrics below a threshold, and (iii) training the machine learning algorithm based upon unremoved variables.

Abstract: The disclosed system may include a processor configured to encode, using an encoding scheme that reduces a number of bits needed to represent one or more instructions from a set of instructions in an instruction buffer represented by a dependency matrix, a dependency indicating that a child instruction represented in the dependency matrix depends on a parent instruction represented in the dependency matrix. The processor may also be configured to store the encoded dependency in the dependency matrix and dispatch instructions in the instruction buffer based at least on decoding one or more dependencies stored in the dependency matrix for the instructions. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus includes a microfluidic chip for MicroOrganoSpheres (MOS) generation. A first channel is defined in a surface of the microfluidic chip and includes: a droplet generation portion including an inlet portion, a junction between the inlet portion and an emulsifying fluid channel, and a chamber downstream of the junction. A cross-sectional area of the chamber is larger than that of the inlet portion. The first channel includes a polymerization portion downstream of the droplet generation portion, the polymerization portion having a serpentine configuration. The apparatus includes a cartridge for MOS demulsification, including: a collection container; a substrate disposed on the collection container, and a membrane disposed between the collection container and the surface of the substrate. A second channel is defined in the surface of the substrate that faces the collection container and is fluidically connected to an output of the polymerization portion of the first channel.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a resistance unit having a connecting gear. It further includes a cable. It further includes an arm that routes the cable to an actuator. The arm is rotatable relative to the resistance unit about the connecting gear, the arm having a central axis. The arm includes a control that mechanically disengages a locking mechanism from the connecting gear. The control is activated by an activation force substantially directed either toward the central axis of the arm, along a length of the arm, or about the central axis. The activation force is mechanically converted into linear force along the arm that disengages the locking mechanism from the connecting gear.

Abstract: A method includes flowing a first fluid through a first channel of a microfluidic apparatus and flowing a second fluid through a second channel of the microfluidic apparatus. The first fluid comprises biological material and a matrix material and is immiscible with the second fluid. The first and second fluids are combined at a junction to form droplets of the first fluid dispersed in the second fluid in a third channel. Multiple exposures of a droplet in the third channel are captured in a single image, comprising: illuminating a region of the third channel with multiple successive illumination pulses during a single frame of the imaging device; identifying the droplet and determining a velocity or a size of the droplet based on an analysis of the captured exposures; and controlling the flow of the first fluid or second fluid to obtain droplets of a target size or velocity.

Abstract: Methods and systems of monitoring at least one feature associated with a patron in a gaming establishment. Such methods and systems may include detecting at least one physical feature associated with the patron and/or motions of one or more players participating in a game.

Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting an elongated product includes a platform having a rail, a product holder assembly having product grippers for holding the elongated product, and a vision system for inspecting the product. The vision system includes a carrier coupled to the rail and movable along the rail, a camera support coupled to the carrier and holding cameras configured to image the elongated product from different angles. The cameras move along an entire length of the elongated product to image the entire elongated product between a first end and a second end of the elongated product.

Abstract: A system includes a device configured to facilitate an interaction between a first fluid flow and a second fluid flow within a flow path of the device; an optical sensor configured to obtain one or more images representing the flow path; an image analysis module configured to: process the images to identify at least one droplet generated in a flow path of the device by the interaction between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow, and estimate a size of the at least one droplet; and a control system configured to: determine that the size of the at least one droplet satisfies a threshold condition, and responsive to determining that the size of the at least one droplet satisfies the threshold condition, generate a signal that causes an adjustment to a flow rate of at least one of the first fluid flow or the second fluid flow.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving vehicular safety by notifying vehicle operators of location-based risks are provided. According to embodiments, a processing server may receive an initial location of a vehicle. Based on location data associated with the initial location, the processing server can determine the risk of an incident. The processing server can generate a notification to communicate to the vehicle operator, and the vehicle operator can assess the risk and take action to mitigate the risk, for example by relocating the vehicle. The processing server can receive updated location data for the vehicle and can determine, based on the updated location data, that the risk has been mitigated.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle comprises a controller comprising a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions. The system comprises first, second, and third inputs configured to be manipulated by an operator. The system comprises first, second, and third displays adjacent the first, second, and third inputs, respectively. The first, second and third displays are configured to show first, second, and third indicia, respectively. Manipulation of the first input by the operator transmits a selection input signal to the controller. The controller receives the selection input signal. The processor compares the selection input signal to the instructions in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, transmits a selection output signal to the second and third displays, removes the second and third indicia from the second and third displays, and shows a first sub-selection indicium on the second display and a second sub-selection indicium on the third display.

Abstract: Polyphosphate compositions are produced by a process that includes the steps of continuously introducing a phosphate compound into a polymerization vessel, polymerizing the phosphate compound at a temperature of 250-450° C. for a time period sufficient to form the polyphosphate composition, and continuously discharging the polyphosphate composition from the polymerization vessel. The phosphate compound can be fed to the polymerization vessel in the form of an aqueous slurry containing 5-50 wt. % of the phosphate compound. Resulting polyphosphate compositions often contain at least 8 wt. % of a polyphosphate and less than 35 wt. % of the phosphate compound.

Abstract: Systems and methods for decontaminating a surgical drain and its reservoir are provided. An apparatus is provided in the form of a container having an interior chamber and an expansible opening to the interior chamber for insertion of a surgical drain therethrough. Ultraviolet light emitters are disposed within the interior chamber to emit beams of ultraviolet radiation at the surgical drain and/or its reservoir, thereby killing or neutralizing bacteria and fungus on the drain. Walls forming the expansible opening are collapsible to abut a portion of the inserted drain when inserted into the apparatus, and a fluid tight seal is formed between the drain and the apparatus.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a resistance unit having a connecting gear. It further includes a cable. It further includes an arm that routes the cable to an actuator. The arm is rotatable relative to the resistance unit about the connecting gear, the arm having a central axis. The arm includes a control that mechanically disengages a locking mechanism from the connecting gear. The control is activated by an activation force substantially directed either toward the central axis of the arm, along a length of the arm, or about the central axis. The activation force is mechanically converted into linear force along the arm that disengages the locking mechanism from the connecting gear.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for determining a primary movement window from a vehicle trip is presented. A client computing device may be placed in a vehicle, be free to move with respect to movement of the vehicle, and include an accelerometer. A computer network may receive a plurality of telematics data originating from the client computing device. One or more processors may select one or more data points from the telematics data, and determine that a total spectral power of the selected data points meets a threshold value. The one or more processors may identify a primary movement window including the selected data points if the total spectral power of the selected data points does not meet the threshold value.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus includes a microfluidic chip for MicroOrganoSpheres (MOS) generation. A first channel is defined in a surface of the microfluidic chip and includes: a droplet generation portion including an inlet portion, a junction between the inlet portion and an emulsifying fluid channel, and a chamber downstream of the junction. A cross-sectional area of the chamber is larger than that of the inlet portion. The first channel includes a polymerization portion downstream of the droplet generation portion, the polymerization portion having a serpentine configuration. The apparatus includes a cartridge for MOS demulsification, including: a collection container; a substrate disposed on the collection container, and a membrane disposed between the collection container and the surface of the substrate. A second channel is defined in the surface of the substrate that faces the collection container and is fluidically connected to an output of the polymerization portion of the first channel.

Abstract: A method for digesting lignocellulosic material includes combining a lignocellulosic material comprising lignocellulosic biomass, a polymerized naphthalene sulfonate, a sodium xylene sulfonate, and a white liquor comprising sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide to form a mixture. Further, the method includes heating the mixture to digest at least a portion of the lignocellulosic material.