Abstract: A spreader for spreading particulate material has a plurality of outlets transversely spaced-apart in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the spreader. The outlets are configured to receive the material from a metering device and to dispense an amount of the material to mid-rows between crop rows on a field such that the plurality of outlets dispenses half the amount of material to an outermost mid-row compared to the amount of material dispensed to the other mid-rows. Also, the metering device may have two metering elements, which may be controlled to meter the material to only one side of the spreader. A centrally located outlet situated on a driving line of the spreader may receive material from both metering elements so that the centrally located nozzle can dispense the material whenever one or the other side of the spreader is not dispensing material.

Abstract: Instrumental analysis systems are provided that can include: an analytical attachment axially aligned with a sample upon a sample stage; structure supporting both the attachment and the sample stage; and at least one band affixed to the analytical attachment and aligned symmetrically about the axis of the attachment. Methods for analyzing samples are provided. The methods can include: providing at least one band supported by a structure; firmly affixing an analytical attachment to the band, and axially aligning the attachment with a sample; and providing a temperature gradient between the band and the sample while maintaining axial alignment of the objective and the sample.

Abstract: Cryocooler assemblies are provided that can include: a coldhead operatively engaged with a chamber configured to retain cryofluid; and a first thermally conductive mass thermally engaged with the cryofluid. Methods for providing one or more cold sources from a cryocooler are also provided. The methods can include operatively engaging at least the cryofluid of the cryocooler with one or more thermally conductive masses.

Abstract: Cryocooler assemblies are provided that can include: a first mass configured to generate mechanical responses; a second mass operably engaged with the first mass; and an assembly between the first and second mass, the assembly configured to allow movement of the first mass in relation to the second mass. Methods for isolating mechanical responses within a cryocooler assembly are provided. The methods can include: generating a mechanical response about a first mass within a cryocooler assembly; suspending the first mass in relation to a second mass of the assembly; and operatively engaging the second mass as a cold source for the cryocooler assembly.

Abstract: A spreader for spreading particulate material has a plurality of outlets transversely spaced-apart in a direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the spreader. The outlets are configured to receive the material from a metering device and to dispense an amount of the material to mid-rows between crop rows on a field such that the plurality of outlets dispenses half the amount of material to an outermost mid-row compared to the amount of material dispensed to the other mid-rows. Also, the metering device may have two metering elements, which may be controlled to meter the material to only one side of the spreader. A centrally located outlet situated on a driving line of the spreader may receive material from both metering elements so that the centrally located nozzle can dispense the material whenever one or the other side of the spreader is not dispensing material.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: at least one heat or cold source configured to generate a temperature; and discrete instrument portions individually thermally coupled to the at least one source. Methods for maintaining temperatures within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include providing a plurality of thermal coupling between a plurality of discrete heat or cold sources to a plurality of discrete portions of the instrument.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instrument components are provided that can include: a conduit configured to extend between two chambers having different pressures; and a first mass about a section of the conduit, wherein the first mass is maintained at a first temperature. Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a sample chamber configured to be operably coupled to a heat or cold source via one or more conduits; an interface component configured to engage the one or more conduits with the sample chamber, the interface comprising a conduit configured to extend between two chambers having different pressures; and a first mass about a section of the conduit, wherein the first mass is maintained at a first temperature. Methods for maintaining temperatures within a variable temperature analytical instrument are also provided.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a mobile component comprising a cold source; a substantially fixed analysis component; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a mobile analysis component; a substantially fixed component comprising a cold source; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a cold source in thermal communication with an analysis component; and at least one pressure barrier defining a plurality of discrete masses maintained at different temperatures between the cold source and the analysis component.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instruments and components are provided that can include: first and second conduits both configured to receive fluid from a cryofluid source and provide same to an analysis component; and a housing about the conduits wherein the housing is configured to maintain a vacuum about the conduits. Methods for maintaining temperatures within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include dynamically providing fluid from a cryofluid source through at least one of two conduits housed within a vacuum, to an analysis component.

Abstract: Variable temperature analytical instrument heat exchanger components are provided that can include a conduit in thermal communication with at least one thermally discrete mass, the discrete mass being configured as a cold source to be coupled to a member to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy. Variable temperature analytical instrument components are also provided that can include: a first mass to be maintained at a first temperature; a first conduit in fluid communication with the first mass; and a second mass thermally connected to the first conduit, the second mass having a different temperature than the first mass. Methods for varying the temperature within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include thermally coupling at least a portion of an exhaust fluid conduit with a first mass and using the first mass as a cold source.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing particulate material has a plurality of independently weighed hoppers from which particulate materials are metered into a common collector and distributed to the environment with a common venture air system. Metering devices associated with at least two of the hoppers may be oriented in a face-to-face configuration.

Abstract: A tine harrow has a plurality of harrow tines mounted on and downwardly depending from a harrow frame. The tines are configured to be movable between a lowered position and a raised position, and at least one tine lowerable or raiseable to a different relative position in relation to a surface of a field than others of the tines. The ability to lower and raise individual tines or rows of tines to different positions in relation to a surface of a field provides more effective response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions. The positions to which individual tines or rows of tines are lowered or raised may be selectively set to further enhance effectiveness of the response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions.

Abstract: A trailer has a frame having frame-members configured to support a container, at least a pair of traction devices rotatably mounted on the frame, and a tongue configured to be mounted on a transportation device or an implement being towed by a transportation device. The frame-members may have a three-point mount configured to support a container. The container may be configured to be interchangeable with another container. The container may be an element of a seeding apparatus, the seeding apparatus mountable on the frame-members of the frame. The trailer may have a steering mechanism for the traction devices, and may be convertible between steerable and non-steerable modes. The steering mechanism may be guidance controlled. A transverse distance between the traction devices may be adjustable and/or height of the frame in relation to the ground may be adjustable. The trailer provides greater flexibility of operation under a greater variety of conditions.

Abstract: A tine harrow has a plurality of harrow tines mounted on and downwardly depending from a harrow frame. The tines are configured to be moveable between a lowered position and a raised position, and at least one tine lowerable or raiseable to a different relative position in relation to a surface of a field than others of the tines. The ability to lower and raise individual tines or rows of tines to different positions in relation to a surface of a field provides more effective response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions. The positions to which individual tines or rows of tines are lowered or raised may be selectively set to further enhance effectiveness of the response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions.

Abstract: A tine harrow has a plurality of harrow tines mounted on and downwardly depending from a harrow frame. The tines are configured to be movable between a lowered position and a raised position, and at least one tine lowerable or raiseable to a different relative position in relation to a surface of a field than others of the tines. The ability to lower and raise individual tines or rows of tines to different positions in relation to a surface of a field provides more effective response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions. The positions to which individual tines or rows of tines are lowered or raised may be selectively set to further enhance effectiveness of the response of the tine harrow to changing land conditions.

Abstract: A treatment system for cooling subcutaneous lipid-rich cells in a human subject includes an applicator and a control unit. The treatment system has a cooling mode for cooling tissue and a heating mode for warming tissue. The control unit includes a circulation circuit in fluid communication with the applicator, a chiller apparatus configured to chill fluid from the applicator circulation circuit, and a heater apparatus to warmed fluid from the applicator circulation circuit. The control unit mixes the chilled fluid and/or the warmed with fluid in the applicator circulation circuit control the temperature of the fluid circulated in the applicator.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for removing heat from subcutaneously disposed lipid-rich cells are disclosed. In selected embodiments, suction and/or heat removal sources are coupled to an applicator. The applicator includes a flexible portion and a rigid portion. The rigid portion includes a thermally conductive plate and a frame coupling the thermally conductive plate and the flexible portion. An interior cavity of the applicator is in fluid communication with the suction source, and the frame maintains contiguous engagement between the heat removal source and the thermally conductive plate.

Abstract: A trailer has a frame having frame-members configured to support a container, at least a pair of traction devices rotatably mounted on the frame, and a tongue configured to be mounted on a transportation device or an implement being towed by a transportation device. The frame-members may have a three-point mount configured to support a container. The container may be configured to be interchangeable with another container. The container may be an element of a seeding apparatus, the seeding apparatus mountable on the frame-members of the frame. The trailer may have a steering mechanism for the traction devices, and may be convertible between steerable and non-steerable modes. The steering mechanism may be guidance controlled. A transverse distance between the traction devices may be adjustable and/or height of the frame in relation to the ground may be adjustable. The trailer provides greater flexibility of operation under a greater variety of conditions.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for removing heat from subcutaneously disposed lipid-rich cells are disclosed. In selected embodiments, suction and/or heat removal sources are coupled to an applicator. The applicator includes a flexible portion and a rigid portion. The rigid portion includes a thermally conductive plate and a frame coupling the thermally conductive plate and the flexible portion. An interior cavity of the applicator is in fluid communication with the suction source, and the frame maintains contiguous engagement between the heat removal source and the thermally conductive plate.

Abstract: A treatment system for cooling subcutaneous lipid-rich cells in a human subject includes an applicator and a control unit. The treatment system has a cooling mode for cooling tissue and a heating mode for warming tissue. The control unit includes a circulation circuit in fluid communication with the applicator, a chiller apparatus configured to chill fluid from the applicator circulation circuit, and a heater apparatus to warmed fluid from the applicator circulation circuit. The control unit mixes the chilled fluid and/or the warmed with fluid in the applicator circulation circuit control the temperature of the fluid circulated in the applicator.