Abstract: A coupling assembly is provided for coupling an implement to a vehicle having a pickup hitch. The pickup hitch has a drawbar which is slidable in a pivotal drawbar housing. A coupler frame is attached to the implement, and has a socket which receives a ball mounted to the drawbar. Side members are attached to the coupler frame. Recesses are formed on the sides of the drawbar. In a coupled position, the side members are received by the recesses and are held between the drawbar housing and the drawbar.

Abstract: An exercise attachment apparatus including a pair of spaced vertically disposed hollow base supports having a plurality of spaced first apertures. A horizontally disposed cross support has a plurality of spaced second apertures and is attached to the pair of base supports with a pair of screws slidably securable through one of the plurality of first apertures and one of the plurality of second apertures. One of a pair of tubular sleeves is continuously disposed through one of a pair of openings disposed through the pair of base supports. One of a pair of tubular rods is slidably engageable through one of the pair of sleeves. One of a pair of hooks is attached to a front side of one of the pair of base supports, and one of a pair of padded supports is slidably moveable along one of the pair of rods.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a water storage material from a biomass input material using supercritical or subcritical fluid processing, the water storage material capable of absorbing a liquid and releasing the liquid. The apparatus utilizes supercritical fluid processing, subcritical fluid processing, charring, or a combination thereof. The apparatus includes a controller configured to control the apparatus. The apparatus further including a processing station configured to hold the biomass input material, and to use the biomass input material for processing into the water storage material.

Abstract: Embodiments include a gain system and method. The system includes a gain medium with a plurality of plasmonic apparatus. Each plasmonic apparatus includes a substrate having a first plasmonic surface, a plasmonic nanoparticle having a second plasmonic surface, and a dielectric-filled gap between the first plasmonic surface and the second plasmonic surface. A plasmonic cavity is created by an assembly of the first plasmonic surface, the second plasmonic surface, and the dielectric-filled gap, and has a first fundamental wavelength ?1 and second fundamental wavelength ?2. Fluorescent particles are located in the dielectric-filled gap. Each fluorescent particle has an absorption spectrum at the first fundamental wavelength ?1 and an emission spectrum at the second fundamental wavelength ?2. An excitation applied to the gain medium at the first fundamental wavelength ?1 produces an amplified electromagnetic wave emission at the second resonant wavelength ?2.

Abstract: An optoelectronic component device includes a plurality of optoelectronic components that provide and/or absorb electromagnetic radiation; a reflector arranged in a beam path of the electromagnetic radiation of the plurality of optoelectronic components and which has a surface that is at least partly reflective with respect to the provided electromagnetic radiation; wherein the plurality of optoelectronic components at least partly surround the reflector or are at least partly surrounded by the reflector; and the reflector reflects a provided electromagnetic radiation such that a predefined field distribution of the reflected electromagnetic radiation is formed in the image plane of the optoelectronic component device.

Abstract: A system and a method for increasing a rate of transfer of data between a radio frequency (RF) generator and a host computer system is described. The rate of transfer of data is increased by implementing dedicated physical layers associated with the RF generator and the host computer system and a dedicated physical communication medium between the RF generator and the host computer system. Moreover, a dual push operation is used between the RF generator and the host computer system. There is no request for data sent from the RF generator to the host computer system or from the host computer system to the RF generator.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating embeddable widgets capable of accessing contents in a cloud-based platform. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a request identifying a target content in the cloud-based platform. The method further comprises automatically generating a plurality of software codes which correspond to a software widget that enables access to the target content. According to some embodiments, the software widget is to be embedded in a software product so as to enable a user of the software product to access the target content without navigating away from the software product. Among other advantages, embodiments disclosed herein provide easy integration of centralized contents to users and third-party web-service vendors, and reduce the effort necessary for system administrators in controlling data security and tracking different activities performed to the centralized content, thereby enabling more intuitive user experience without sacrificing data security.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fastening a container and a closure in a closed configuration is disclosed. The apparatus includes an insertion portion configured for insertion through an aperture of the container and an aperture of the closure when the container and the closure are in the closed configuration; and a restraining portion configured to prevent passage of the restraining portion through the apertures. The insertion portion includes a hanging slot, and a mechanism configured to impede removal of the insertion portion from the apertures once the insertion portion has been inserted through the aperture such that the container and the closure are fastened between the mechanism and the restraining portion.

Abstract: A system comprising an aerial vehicle or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured to control pitch, roll, and/or yaw via airfoils having resiliently mounted trailing edges opposed by fuselage-house deflecting actuator horns. Embodiments include one or more rudder elements which may be rotatably attached and actuated by an effector member disposed within the fuselage housing and extendible in part to engage the one or more rudder elements.

Abstract: An automatic frozen food product vending machine includes a frozen food product dispensing station for dispensing at least one frozen food product, a container dispenser for storing multiple frozen food product containers and configured to automatically dispense one frozen food product container at a time, a first movable platform for supporting a dispensed frozen food product container, a topping dispensing station for dispensing at least one topping, a second movable platform for supporting the dispensed frozen food product container, a user input device configured to receive a user selection of a desired frozen food product, a user selection of a desired amount of frozen food product, and a user selection of a desired topping, and processing electronics configured to automate operation of the vending machine after the user selections are made.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the stabilization of thermoplastic polyolefins during melt processing operations. The stabilizer package of this invention is “phenol free” and comprises at least two selected phosphite stabilizers. In some embodiments, the process is suitable for the manufacture of polyethylene film.

Abstract: Reference imagery of dermatological conditions is compiled in a crowd-sourced database (contributed by clinicians and/or the lay public), together with associated diagnosis information. A user later submits a query image to the system (e.g., captured with a smartphone). Image-based derivatives for the query image are determined (e.g., color histograms, FFT-based metrics, etc.), and are compared against similar derivatives computed from the reference imagery. This comparison identifies diseases that are not consistent with the query image, and such information is reported to the user. Depending on the size of the database, and the specificity of the data, 90% or more of candidate conditions may be effectively ruled-out, possibly sparing the user from expensive and painful biopsy procedures, and granting some peace of mind (e.g., knowledge that an emerging pattern of small lesions on a forearm is probably not caused by shingles, bedbugs, malaria or AIDS).

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for assessing microbiota of skin are described, including: a skin-covering material including an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface substantially conforming to a topography of a skin surface of an individual and including a plurality of signal-generating complexes, one or more of the plurality of signal-generating complexes configured to emit one or more signals in response to at least one type of microbe; an image capture device to capture an image of the inner surface of the skin-covering material, the image including one or more signals emitted from the plurality of signal-generating complexes, and to transform the image into a digital output; and a computing device including circuitry configured to receive the digital output, compare the properties of the imaged one or more signals with a database of reference signal-generating complexes, and generate a digital spatial profile of microbes on the skin-covering material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are adapted for treating the carotid artery. The systems include interventional catheters and blood vessel access devices that are adapted for transcervical insertion into the carotid artery. Embodiments of the systems and methods can be used in combination with embolic protection systems including blood flow reversal mechanisms, arterial filters, and arterial occlusion devices.

Abstract: Building panels, especially floor panels, which are provided with a locking system including several separate strip parts connected to the panel edge. A strip part, configured to lock panels horizontally and to be fixed to a panel edge, including a strip body with an inner part configured to be fixed under the panel edge and an outer part configured to extend outside the panel edge, wherein the inner part comprises a fixing element configured to lock the strip part to the panel edge in a horizontal direction, wherein the outer part including a locking protrusion, located above the strip body and configured to lock the strip part to the panel edge vertically and a locking element configured to lock the panels in a horizontal direction, and wherein the inner part includes a cavity formed in the strip body and located between the fixing element and the locking protrusion.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus which provides for modified roulette games, and various wagering options, in which one or more roulette balls are propelled onto a spinning roulette wheel, among other things, including a roulette wheel overlay apparatus and system and associated table layouts.

Abstract: A skew detection system for a high lift system for an aircraft, wherein pairs of sensors 4a, 4b with onboard data processing capabilities provide an onboard determination of relative skew between the sensors of each pair as an indication of skew of a flap of the high lift system.

Abstract: Graphene grids are configured for applications in vacuum electronic devices. A multilayer graphene grid is configured as a filter for electrons in a specific energy range, in a field emission device or other vacuum electronic device. A graphene grid can be deformable responsive to an input to vary electric fields proximate to the grid. A mesh can be configured to support a graphene grid.

Abstract: Marketing program data associated with a social group-based marketing program offered by a merchant is obtained. Access to social group identification data identifying two or more socially connected consumers and their respective financial data is obtained and analyzed to identify two or more spending and socially connected consumers. Two or more marketing program eligible spending and socially connected consumers who meet defined marketing program eligibility criteria are then identified and registered with the marketing program. Spending data associated with the registered spending and socially connected consumers is then monitored and when the spending data associated with the registered spending and socially connected consumers indicates the marketing program requirements of the social group-based marketing program have been met, the registered spending and socially connected consumers are provided the benefits of the social group-based marketing program.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from its distal end. Each jaw member is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. A knife channel is configured to reciprocate a cutting mechanism therealong. An actuator selectively advances the cutting mechanism. A switch is disposed on the first shaft and is configured to be depressed between a first position and at least one subsequent position upon biasing engagement with a mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft. The first position of the switch relays information to the user corresponding to a desired pressure on tissue and the at least one subsequent position is configured to activate the source of electrosurgical energy to supply electrosurgical energy to the jaw members.