Abstract: A payment card benefit assessment system and method includes a computing device accepting payment card benefit catalog information from a payment card issuer and payment card transaction data from a payment card processing network. The payment card transaction data is analyzed to group cardholders into one demographic clusters and to determine an estimated benefit value for each of the demographic clusters. Individualized payment card benefit options are presented to an individual cardholder based on the individual cardholder's payment card transactions and the determined estimated benefit value for a corresponding one of the plurality of demographic clusters.

Abstract: There is a method of treating or preventing pulmonary arterial hypertension or associated pulmonary arterial hypertension in a patient. The method has the step of systemically administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds: (S)-ethyl 8-(2-amino-6-((R)-1-(5-chloro-[1,1?-biphenyl]-2-yl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyrimidin-4-yl)-2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decane-3-carboxylate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or (S)-8-(2-amino-6-((R)-1-(5-chloro-[1,1?-biphenyl]-2-yl)-2,2,2-trifluoroeth-oxy)pyrimidin-4-yl)-2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decane-3-carboxylic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a combination of the foregoing. There is also a method of treating or preventing pulmonary arterial hypertension or associated pulmonary arterial hypertension in a patient by systemically administering a therapeutically effective amount of a THP1 inhibitor from about 1 mg/kg/day to about 50 mg/kg/day.

Abstract: A cordless compressor has an air storage tank, a pump, a motor for driving the pump, and a controller circuit electrically connected to the motor. A pressure switch assembly is connected to the controller circuit. The pressure switch assembly has first and second pressure switches for sensing pressure within the air storage tank. The controller circuit controls de-activation of the motor depending upon status of the first and second pressure switches.

Abstract: A cordless compressor has an air storage tank, a pump, a motor for driving the pump, and a controller circuit electrically connected to the motor. A pressure switch assembly is connected to the controller circuit. The pressure switch assembly has first and second pressure switches for sensing pressure within the air storage tank. The controller circuit controls de-activation of the motor depending upon status of the first and second pressure switches.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for cannabis stem harvesting configured to specifically separate the leaves and buds from the stem. The system includes a frame member, die member, first rotating cylindrical member, second rotating cylindrical member, and a rotation system. The die member is coupled to the frame member and includes a plurality of orifices disposed within a plate. The first and second rotating cylindrical members are coupled to the frame member in a vertical configuration and oriented substantially adjacent to the die member. The vertical configuration of the first and second rotating cylindrical members defines a pinch region therebetween as a region across which a first and second circumferential surface of the first and second rotating cylindrical members are closest in proximity. The rotation system is coupled to the frame member and at least one of the first and second rotating members.

Abstract: A cordless compressor has an air storage tank, a pump, a motor for driving the pump, and a controller circuit electrically connected to the motor. A pressure switch assembly is connected to the controller circuit. The pressure switch assembly has first and second pressure switches for sensing pressure within the air storage tank. The controller circuit controls de-activation of the motor depending upon status of the first and second pressure switches.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and instructions for travel document validation, including receiving data for one or more travel documents, generating a set of features for artificial intelligence model training, validating, and testing, upon receiving data for a plurality of travel documents, data from a first subset of travel documents is used to train an artificial intelligence model, a second subset of travel documents is used to validate the artificial intelligence model, and a third subset of travel documents is used to test the artificial intelligence model.

Abstract: A method and system for remediating the induced effects on the earth's wobble by the extensive relocation of mass on the earth's surface by the redistribution of mass on the earth's surface to offset induced earth axis wobble. Specifically relocating water to areas of the earth to correct or otherwise change the wobble of the earth's rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing plant material from a plant body generally comprising a conveyor-stripper assembly having a pair of parallel driven endless belts, with a gap between the belts sized to allow the passage of the plant body but not the plant material growing thereon. A method for harvesting plant material from a plant body comprising pulling the plant body through a gap between two moving endless belts to strip the plant material from the plant body and convey the plant material to a collection point.

Abstract: Within a vehicle, and at a border crossing, a verification device enables unsupervised or automatic biometric authentication of subjects (i.e., persons or travelers) moving between secured areas (e.g., across a border or into a secured facility, for example). Verification device is configured to store reference biometric information for one or more vehicle occupants. Upon approaching a verification station at a border crossing, user(s) supply one or more biometrics (e.g., fingerprint, facial recognition, voice recognition) for validation against the reference biometric information. Upon validation, verification device transmits a validated signal to the verification station to enable the vehicle to pass the border crossing without stopping at the immigration booth. For example, the receipt of a validated signal may trigger the opening of a gate at a border crossing.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to imaging catheters. A method is provided that includes: receiving, from a plurality of transducers disposed on a catheter probe, a corresponding plurality of analog signals; selectively sampling the plurality of analog signals; multiplexing to produce a sequence of samples; and transmitting the sequence of samples to a receiver circuit. The receiver circuit includes a clock; an analog to digital converter (ADC) in communication with the clock; and a sampling phase correction circuit in communication with the clock and the ADC. The method further includes: determining optimum sampling times based on measured signal delays associated with the system; adjusting a phase of the clock based on the measured signal delays; and communicating the phase-adjusted clock to the transmitter circuit for the selective sampling of the analog signals. Certain embodiments of the disclosed technology may further be utilized in conjunction with beamforming.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing plant material from a plant body generally comprising a conveyor-stripper assembly having a pair of parallel driven endless belts, with a gap between the belts sized to allow the passage of the plant body but not the plant material growing thereon. A method for harvesting plant material from a plant body comprising pulling the plant body through a gap between two moving endless belts to strip the plant material from the plant body and convey the plant material to a collection point. The apparatus and method are well suited to harvesting hops.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bi-directional drilling using a bi-rotational bottom hole assembly. In preferred embodiments, the bottom hole assembly combines electric and mud motors. A central combination retrieval and electrical power cable supplies power to the motor and provides for retrieval of the bottom hole assembly to the surface. The pipe string is bi-rotational combination drill and casing pipe and connections.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for utilizing a downhole electric motor or motors for drilling in a well casing using a combination retrieval/electric conduit cable capable of reliability supplying sufficient electric power to drive the electric motor(s) and other components or a separate retrieval cable and electric conduit where the electrical conduit in attached to or disposed in the casing pipe wall. The electric motors may be combined with mud motors. The casing may be a combination drill pipe/casing in which the combination drill/casing pipes is rotated to rotate the drill bits, preferable in combination with downhole drive motors.

Abstract: A technique includes receiving, for a traveler, traveler information via a plurality of different information collection modes, determining a reliability score for each of the plurality of information collection modes, determining a cumulative score for the traveler based on the reliability score for each of the plurality of information collection modes, determining whether the cumulative score is greater than or equal to a threshold, performing traveler processing based on the received traveler information if the cumulative score is greater than or equal to the threshold, and otherwise, receiving for the traveler, traveler information via an additional different information collection mode if the cumulative score is less than the threshold.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to imaging catheters. A method is provided that includes: receiving, from a plurality of transducers disposed on a catheter probe, a corresponding plurality of analog signals; selectively sampling the plurality of analog signals; multiplexing to produce a sequence of samples; and transmitting the sequence of samples to a receiver circuit. The receiver circuit includes a clock; an analog to digital converter (ADC) in communication with the clock; and a sampling phase correction circuit in communication with the clock and the ADC. The method further includes: determining optimum sampling times based on measured signal delays associated with the system; adjusting a phase of the clock based on the measured signal delays; and communicating the phase-adjusted clock to the transmitter circuit for the selective sampling of the analog signals. Certain embodiments of the disclosed technology may further be utilized in conjunction with beamforming.

Abstract: A system for connecting drill pipe to facilitate bi-rotational drilling and methods of bi-rotational drilling using the system are described. The system includes a rotatable sleeve disposed on the end of one pipe joint and a guide on the other pipe joint in which both sleeve and guide have mating threads to pull the joint together and pipe end structures to prevent rotation when the joints are pulled together.

Abstract: A therapeutic stretching device includes a strap; a fulcrum member centrally located on the strap and arranged to be placed behind the back of a user's neck and operable as a fulcrum for cervical spinal extension; first and second shoulder pads attached to the strap on either side of the fulcrum member, the shoulder pads arranged to assist the strap in pulling shoulder joints of the user backwards and to create bilateral glenohumeral external rotation; and at least one pair of loops disposed on the strap, wherein shoulder pads are disposed between the fulcrum member and the pair of loops, the loops being disposed and sized for right and left hand or wrist placement during use.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing plant material from a vine. The apparatus generally comprises a support frame, a pair of counter-rotating wheels, and a vine stripping component. In an embodiment, the vine stripping component includes interchangeable stripping dies. In an additional embodiment, the apparatus is incorporated in a mobile harvesting unit. The invention further includes a method for removing plant material from vines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting and lowering of pipe continuously, during the drilling, repair or maintenance of wells, without interruption to connect or disconnect pipe.