Abstract: The ergonomic thermoluminescent dosimeter adapter provides ergonomic design that reduces the risk of repetitive motion injury. The ergonomic thermoluminescent dosimeter adapter includes a form fitting hand trigger and a handle portion mounted on a base. The handle portion has a slot adapted to receive the TLD tool. The TLD tool inserts into the adapter and fastening devices secure the TLD tool to the adapter. In operation, the adapter base is positioned on a flat surface such as a table and adjusted to a comfortable working height until the hand trigger is in a comfortable gripping position. The adapter is held with one hand and the hand trigger is squeezed with the other hand until the targeted TLD holder opens.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH256Z and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant comprise crossing maize variety PH256Z with another maize plant are provided. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH256Z through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby are provided. Hybrid maize seed, plants or plant parts are produced by crossing the variety PH256Z or a locus conversion of PH256Z with another maize variety.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element.

Abstract: A strike barrier for use in an LED retrofit lamp is provided. The present invention provides the strike barrier with two silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) whose input is connected to a bridge rectifier and output is connected to a string of LED through a Zener diode. The strike barrier is compatible with UL ANSI requirement for a normal mode and an abnormal mode.

Abstract: Using identifiers on user payment instruments to identify user loyalty accounts comprises a method to store a loyalty account list associated with a user, the loyalty account list comprising one or more user loyalty accounts; associate an identifier with the loyalty account list; receive information identifying a user loyalty account associated with a merchant, the information comprising an account number for the user loyalty account and an identity of the merchant; associate the user loyalty account with the loyalty account list; receive a request for information identifying a user loyalty account associated with a merchant, the request comprising the identifier received by the merchant from a user payment instrument and an identity of the merchant; determine the user loyalty account associated with the merchant; and provide the information identifying a user loyalty account associated with a merchant.

Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X13H974 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X13H974 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13H974 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13H974, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13H974. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13H974.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element. The PCB may be thermally coupled to a heat exchange component such that heat from the light element is transferred from the PCB to the steering wheel grip.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a steering apparatus for a vehicle having a including a light element providing indication and warning light signals to the user of the vehicle. The light element can be associated with a PCB mounted to the steering wheel grip for controlling the operation of the light element.

Abstract: A composition of matter is generally provided, in one embodiment, a titanium alloy comprising about 5 wt % to about 8 wt % aluminum; about 2.5 wt % to about 5.5 wt % vanadium; about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of iron and molybdenum; about 0.01 wt % to about 0.2 wt % carbon; up to about 0.3 wt % oxygen; silicon and copper; and titanium. A turbine component is also generally provided, in one embodiment, that comprises an article made from a titanium alloy. Additionally, methods are also generally provided for making an alloy component having a beta transus temperature and a titanium silicide solvus temperature.

Abstract: A device for cleaning, comprising two elongated members affixed to each other by a pivoting point and capable of switching between an open and closed position. When in a closed position, shaped jaws at the ends of the members may grasp a cleaning implement in a fixed, non-rotating position, allowing a user to scrub a surface with the device while holding the handles at the opposite end of the members. When cleaning has concluded, the jaws may be opened to release and dispense with the cleaning implement.

Abstract: A data logging device tracks the operation of a vehicle or driver actions. The device includes a storage device, which may be removable or portable, having a first memory portion that may be read from and may be written to in a vehicle and a second memory portion that may be read from and may be written to in the vehicle. The second memory portion may retain data attributes associated with the data stored in the first removable storage device. A processor reads data from an automotive bus that transfers data from vehicle sensors to other automotive components. The processor writes data to the first memory portion and the second memory portion that reflect a level of risk or safety. A communication device links the storage device to a network of computers. The communication device may be accessible through software that allows a user to access files.

Abstract: Selecting payment instruments for proxy card transactions comprises associating a plurality of financial accounts with a user proxy account; establishing a model for the user account based on configuration data received from a user, the model comprising identification of a particular financial account to use as a backing instrument for a transaction; receiving data associated with a pending transaction regarding the pending transaction; identifying a financial account to use as a backing instrument for the pending transaction based on a comparison of the model with the pending transaction data; receiving a selection of an alternate financial account to use instead of the identified financial account as the backing instrument; modifying the model account based on the selection of the alternate financial account and the data associated with the pending transaction; and utilizing the modified model in a subsequent selection of a financial account for a subsequent transaction.

Abstract: A storage apparatus and method to infuse coffee beans with an aroma emanating from an aromatic substance is provided. The apparatus flavors the coffee beans with the aroma by storing the beans in proximity to the aromatic substance. The apparatus includes a container and a lid detachably coupled thereto to create an inner compartment to store the aromatic substance, a pedestal coupled to the bottom wall of the container, and an internal container disposed on the pedestal and having a plurality of openings, the internal container designed to store the coffee beans above the aromatic substance. The aroma emanating from the aromatic substance passes through the plurality of openings in the internal container and contacts the stored coffee beans, thereby infusing the coffee beans with the aroma.

Abstract: A method includes determining that a mobile computing device is within an enterprise geographic location. The method further includes, when the mobile computing device is within the enterprise geographic location, determining that a user of the mobile computing device is eligible for an enterprise sponsored mobile data service. The method further includes, when the user of the mobile computing device is eligible, determining use parameters for the enterprise sponsored mobile data service. The method further includes registering the mobile computing device for the enterprise sponsored mobile data service with an enterprise server and/or a mobile data service provider. The method further includes the mobile computing device receiving the enterprise sponsored mobile data services in accordance with the use parameters. The method further includes adjusting, by the mobile data service provider, billing rate of the mobile computing device while receiving the enterprise sponsored mobile data service.

Abstract: Described is a substantially spherical biomass pellet, comprising compressed particulate biomass including one or more of ligno-cellulosic material, recycling waste, and dewatered municipal solid waste, useful as a fuel. Also described are methods for producing such pellets using one or more of untorrefied biomass and torrefied biomass, and apparatus for producing such biomass pellets.

Abstract: Selecting payment instruments for proxy card transactions comprises associating a plurality of financial accounts with a user proxy account; establishing a model for the user account based on configuration data received from a user, the model comprising identification of a particular financial account to use as a backing instrument for a transaction; receiving data associated with a pending transaction regarding the pending transaction; identifying a financial account to use as a backing instrument for the pending transaction based on a comparison of the model with the pending transaction data; receiving a selection of an alternate financial account to use instead of the identified financial account as the backing instrument; modifying the model account based on the selection of the alternate financial account and the data associated with the pending transaction; and utilizing the modified model in a subsequent selection of a financial account for a subsequent transaction.

Abstract: Various implementations of a horn system include one or more force sensors disposed on a first portion of a driver air bag module and one or more actuators disposed on a second portion of the driver air bag module. For example, the force sensors may be disposed adjacent a perimeter of a base plate of the driver air bag module, and the actuators may extend inwardly toward the force sensors from an inner surface of a cover of the driver air bag module, or vice versa. To actuate the horn, the cover is moved axially toward the base plate, causing the actuators to apply force to the force sensors. Force signals received from the force sensors are used by one or more processors to determine characteristics of the force received and/or select a control message for communicating to the horn system based on the force signal characteristics.

Abstract: A fiber gain medium provided by a rare-earth doped fiber (10) is contained in a first resonant cavity by end reflectors (12, 18). The reflector (12) is wavelength selective to limit the frequency band of the first resonant cavity. The first resonant cavity also contains a second resonant enhancement cavity (16) with multiple transmission bands lying within the first resonant cavity's frequency band. Multiple standing wave modes of the first resonant cavity lie within both the frequency band of the first resonant cavity and the transmission bands of the second resonant cavity, and it is these standing wave modes that support laser action when the rare-earth doped fiber is suitably pumped by pump lasers (40).