This disclosure describes a simple, low cost method to produce a modular dry mix that can easily be modified and customized to produce a wide range of easy to aerate, no ice cream machine needed, ice cream and frozen dairy and non-dairy desserts and products made by this process. The method relies on successive simultaneous particle size reduction and blending steps without the use of traditional mix drying operations. The formulations produced by this process are modular and allow quick and simple ingredient substitutions to create distinct finished products. The process yields mixes that produce stronger, more stable foams that don't leave an oily mouth feel. The disclosure also includes a formulation and process used to make ice cream, and related frozen dairy and non-dairy desserts at room temperature in one step where the ingredients do not need to be aged, or homogenized, and aeration occurs without the need for simultaneous cooling or freezing. The process allows the end-user to control and vary the texture, freezing rate, melting point and eating qualities of the product without the use of traditional, home or industrial ice cream machines and a product made by this process. A product produced from this mix consists of a (protein-concentrate and emulsifier)—stabilized, protein-based foam created by combining a powder mix with one or a combination of a large range of above freezing temp liquids then immediately whisking the mixture at room temp to a target overrun without pre-aging, and then freezing that product statically till desired hardness is achieved. The main execution of this process involves the use of dry powders that are transported and sold dry and then reconstituted by the end user before they are combined without pre-treatment, freezing homogenization or aging. The manufacturing process offers significant advantages over current dry mix production methods which require significant upfront investment and produce hard to customize mixes. The formulation and finished product making portions of the invention offer significant improvement over existing manufacturing methods for frozen desserts and dessert mixes that require simultaneous freezing and aeration in terms of cost, convenience, customizability, shelf-stability and environmental impact.

A method for manufacturing a strap ring (1), made from a material woven with warp threads (3) and at least one weft thread (4) extending between the warp threads (3). The woven material is a tubular fabric (11) whose warp threads (3) extend parallel to the axis of extension of the tubular fabric (11), the strap ring (1) being made from an axial section (16) of the tubular fabric (11) which is axially cut up by cutting the warp threads (3).

A method for detaching a semiconductor chip from a foil uses a die ejector comprising plates having a straight supporting edge and an L-shaped supporting edge comprises: lifting of the plates to a height H1 above the surface of a cover plate;lowering of a first pair of plates with L-shaped supporting edge;optionally, lowering of a second pair of plates with L-shaped supporting edge;lifting of the plates that have not yet been lowered to a height H2>H1;staggered lowering of plates that have not yet been lowered, with at least one or several plates not being lowered;optionally, lowering of the plates that have not yet been lowered to a height H3

A chemical extractant selected from solutions of K2SO4 and/or Na2SO4 can be used by contacting with untreated broiler litter to selectively and efficiently remove phosphorous from the broiler litter. The broiler litter and extractant solution mixture, after a suitable time, can be separated, such as by filtration. The resulting treated broiler litter is thus significantly lower in P content without being lower by an undesirable amount in more preferred minerals. The treated litter so obtained is suitable for crop soil augmentation. Further, phosphorous can be thereafter precipitated in the form of phytic acid. Since the precipitate is high in mineral content, it can be used for other purposes (e.g., plant food, etc.).

The present invention relates to a method for removing sulfur from a gaseous or liquid mixture. This method involves contacting the gaseous or liquid mixture with an iron-enriched matrix under conditions effective to remove sulfur from the mixture through adsorption of the sulfur to the matrix. The iron-enriched matrix used in this method is a lignocellulosic material that is enriched with iron. The present invention also relates to a system, composition, and plant fertilizer that contain the iron-enriched matrix. Methods of making the composition and preparing a plant fertilizer are also disclosed.

A method and a system for control of a torque Tqdemand requested from an engine in a vehicle, wherein the engine provides a dynamic torque Tqfw in response to the torque Tqdemand. Control of the requested torque Tqdemand is performed such that the control provides a desired value Tqfw_req for the dynamic torque and/or a desired derivative Tqfw_req for the dynamic torque. This is achieved by basing the control on at least one current value Tqfw_pres for the dynamic torque, on one or several of the desired value Tqfw_req and the desired derivative Tqfq_req for the dynamic torque, and on a total delay time tdelay_total elapsing from determination of at least one parameter value, to when a change of the dynamic torque Tqfw based on the determined at least one parameter value, has been effected.

Cutting device, method and use are for cutting of a line extending from a floating vessel. The cutting device is structured for placement on the vessel. The cutting device comprises: at least one guide structured for directional steering of the line past a cutting area for the line; and at least one of the following cutting-promoting devices: at least one induction coil device directed inwards toward the cutting area and structured for heating, hence weakening, of the line within the cutting area; and at least one moveable cutting knife with an opposite contact surface directed inwards toward the cutting area and also structured for cutting of the line within the cutting area.

A method of thermo-mechanically processing a preform composed of tool steel and a tool to modify a workpiece. The preform has a region containing austenite. The method comprises establishing the region at a process temperature between a martensitic start temperature and a stable austenitic temperature. While at the process temperature, the region is deformed to change an outer dimension and to modify the microstructure to a depth of 1 millimeter or more. The tool comprises a member composed of tool steel. The member includes a first region that extends from the outer surface to a depth of greater than 1 millimeter and a second region. The first region includes a plurality of grains having an average misorientation angle greater than about 34°, an average grain size that is at least 10% smaller than the second region, and has a different grain orientation than the second region.

A method for configuring and operating one or more fitness studios each comprising a plurality of exercise stations at which users perform associated exercise routines, each station having an associated display, the method comprising, for each fitness studio, periodically retrieving, by a server from a database, fitness information for the studio in question for a specified period, from a multi-period fitness library; communicating, by the server to a studio computer, the retrieved fitness information over a communications network; periodically receiving, by the studio computer, the retrieved fitness information; configuring the exercise stations dependent upon the received fitness information; and communicating, by the studio computer to the exercise station displays, dependent upon the received fitness information, station directions to users exercising at the stations for performing an exercise.

A wrinkle removing apparatus for fabric articles is provided. The apparatus includes a casing defining a volume therein and a reservoir received in the casing and containing a liquid for providing treatment to the fabric article. A platen is carried by the casing and defines a plurality of openings for allowing flow-through of liquid. A heater may be proximal the platen for heating the platen to a treatment temperature. A transducer extends into the reservoir and is configured for atomizing the liquid into a vapor.

Methods and apparatus for forming non-woven fiber mats from polymers and monomers that are traditionally difficult to use for fiber formation are shown and described. Applicable techniques include electrospinning and other traditional fiber formation methods. Suitable polymers and monomers include those having low molecular weight, a low melting point, and/or a low glass transition temperature.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite yarn of paper, e.g., traditional Korean paper, and a composite yarn manufactured thereby, a method for manufacturing a fabric using the same and an automotive interior material manufactured thereby. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite yarn of traditional Korean paper by using a traditional Korean paper yarn and a synthetic yarn, in which the composite yarn can be used in weaving and knitting, and a method for manufacturing a fabric as an automotive interior material using the same. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite yarn of paper, comprising twisting a tape-type paper yarn, and covering the twisted paper yarn as a ground yarn at least two strands of synthetic yarn as an effect yarn to manufacture a composite yarn of paper of 160˜700 denier.

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.

A defrost unit can include a throat insert configured to be attached to a snow blower, and an exhaust piping assembly interconnected between the throat insert and an engine exhaust outlet of the snow blower, wherein exhaust gasses from the engine exhaust outlet are directed to the throat insert.

The invention relates to methods of nicotine extraction from tobacco, caporal and tobacco crumb. The proposed method for extraction of nicotine from tobacco, caporal and tobacco crumb implies continuous extraction from raw material with low-boiling solvents at vapor phase followed by solvent stripper and recurrence for further reuse in the process.

A method for producing triacetin from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana is provided. The triacetin can be derived inter alia from Nicotiana species biomass or from seed. In certain embodiments, the triacetin is produced by condensation of glycerin, generated by hydrolysis of acylglycerol-containing starting material derived from tobacco biomass or seed, and acetic acid, also derived from tobacco biomass or seed. The invention also provides articles and compositions including tobacco articles and tobacco compositions that include triacetin produced from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana.

A protective device and method for preventing supply voltage of microcontroller from sag in electronic cigarette is provided, comprising a microcontroller, a power supply module, a field effect transistor, an energy storage circuit, wherein, the energy storage circuit is connected between the microcontroller and the power supply module, the energy storage circuit supplies electric power to the microcontroller when an over current or short circuit occurs, and maintains the supply voltage of the microcontroller not being less than its minimal operating voltage in a certain period of time; the microcontroller processes the over current or short circuit signal and turns off the MOSFET to cut off the current flow in a load circuit. The unstable or uncontrollable phenomena of the microcontroller in the existing technology are resolved. The circuit of the present invention is simple and low cost.

In some embodiments, apparatus useful for assisting in controlling the discharge of material onto a conveyor from a material dispenser includes a carrier, first and second side restrictors extending downwardly from the carrier and at least one wiper extending downwardly from the carrier and transverse to the side restrictors. The side restrictors are configured to assist in preventing at least some material from overflowing off the sides of the conveyor, while the wiper is configured to level the top of at least some of the material dispensed on the conveyor.

A method of making a basket-like or other decorative article from pine needles comprising the steps of twisting and arranging pine needles, stitching the pine needles with a sewing needle and thread, so as to form a surface or wall, forming a basket-like object, the outer and inner surfaces of which are sealed with a protective coating, such as varnish.

In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.

The present invention relates to a method for the continuous production of laid staple fiber fabrics with aligned fiber orientation, in which method the laid fabrics are produced by continuous plaiting down of carded fiber web at defined laying angles onto a synchronized transport belt (1), wherein the carding machine (2) and plaiting means (3) arranged downstream of it are arranged at an acute angle with respect to the advancing direction of the transport belt. Said laid staple fiber fabrics are used for producing high-strength fiber-reinforced plastic composites, as are used in wind power plants, aircraft construction and the automotive industry. In particular in the loading direction, said composites have high composite strengths and rigidities, to which end a defined fiber orientation is required. In addition to a defined orientation of the finite fibers, the laid fabrics also have a defined mass per unit area.

The invention described relates to a polyolefin blend composition suitable for spunbond fiber or filament compositions, and to fabric compositions and composite constructions therefrom, said blend comprising a) from 60-98 wt % of at least one random propylene copolymer having a comonomer content of from 8 to 25 wt % and a crystalline melting point (Tm) as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of from about 40° C. to about 110° C.; and b) from 2-40 wt % of at least one substantially isotactic polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer comprising one or more C2 and/or C4-C8 comonomer, having a crystalline melting point (Tm) as determined by DSC greater than or equal to 120° C. The blends of the present invention typically have a melt flow rate (MFR) of from 100 g/10 min to about 500 g/10 min.

A data readout device (114) for reading out data from at least one data carrier (112) having data modules (116) located at least two different depths within the at least one data carrier (112) is disclosed. The data readout device (114) comprises: —at least one illumination source (122) for directing at least one light beam (124) onto the data carrier (112); -at least one detector (130) adapted for detecting at least one modified light beam modified by at least one of the data modules (116), the detector (130) having at least one optical sensor (132), wherein the optical sensor (132)has at least one sensor region (134), wherein the optical sensor (132)is designed to generate at least one sensor signal in a manner dependent on an illumination of the sensor region (134)by the modified light beam, wherein the sensor signal, given the same total power of the illumination,is dependent on a beam cross-section of the modified light beam in the sensor region (134); and -at least one evaluation device (136) adapted for evaluating the at least one sensor signal and for deriving data stored in the at least one data carrier (112) from the sensor signal. Further, a data storage system (110), a method for reading out data from at least one data carrier (112) and a use of an optical sensor (132) for reading out data are disclosed.

A method of preparing an electrochemical electrode which is partially or totally covered with a film that is obtained by spreading an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble binder over the electrode and subsequently drying same. The production cost of the electrodes thus obtained is reduced and the surface porosity thereof is associated with desirable resistance values.

The LED light has Track to install LED-units anywhere along the length. The LED-unit has pair of resilient or pop-out & fall-down movable contactor so can fit-within or add-on LED-units to track and connect with metal bus-strip(s) which has electric current or-and magnetic force to adhesive the pop-out & fall-down contactor on back of the LED-unit. LED light device including LED light source, or mini size LED fluorescent tube, or mini LED light bar, or mini LED Bulb, or mini LED lamp, mini LED Lamp as light source has housing to fit-in or add-on or magnetic adhesive on track to form a finish light device and get power from built-in or outside AC-to-DC transformer, circuit, power source and can control by switch, remote controller, motion/moving detector(s) sensor, all kind of sensor, APP software while incorporate with Wifi or wireless network to make the on-off, color changing, color mix, dimmer adjustment, moving light, all other light show for LED track light has fit-in LED-units by resilient contractors or LED track light has add-on LED-units by pop-out & fall-down movable contactor built on back of LED-unit and adhesive by magnetic force bus-strips.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for determining a similar document set to a target document from a plurality of documents. Each of the multiple documents and the target document may include a plurality of words, and each of words corresponds to a different integer. The method comprises: for each document among the plurality of documents and the target document, obtaining a set of integers associated with a document based on a set of words associated with the document, converting the set of integers associated with the document into a vector with a same dimension based on a predefined conversion rule; and determining the similar document set based on differences between the corresponding vectors for the multiple documents and the vector for the target document.

The invention relates to a computer implemented method of storing/recovering in/from a storage data structure a multitude of sequences that have been aligned with a reference data structure. The information of the sequences is stored in different sections. Each section comprises data streams comprising specific data of the sequences having a reference position in the reference position range associated with the data stream. In a first section, the length of the sequences is stored. In a second section, the mutations of a sequence with respect to the reference sequence are stored. In a third section, consensus based quality values are linked with positions in the reference sequence. In a fourth section, the sequence identifiers are stored. The storage data structure has a format which is optimized for viewer, re-alignment, variant calling and other post-processing tools.

A method for separating carbon dioxide from a gas stream, in particular from a flue gas stream, wherein, a gas stream is brought into contact with a washing medium in an absorber of a separation device and the carbon dioxide contained in the gas stream is separated; the charged washing medium is supplied to a desorber of the separation device to release the carbon dioxide; a vapor stream is removed from the desorber and is supplied to a cooling unit to form a condensate; degradation products, in particular nitrosamines, contained in at least a partial stream of the condensate are photolytically decomposed to decomposition products; at least the decomposition products, in particular nitrites and amines, are removed; and at least a partial stream of the condensate is returned to the desorber. A corresponding separation device separates carbon dioxide from a gas stream.

A device for separating carbon dioxide from a gas stream, in particular from a flue gas stream, includes an absorber for separating the carbon dioxide from the gas stream by means of a washing medium, a desorber which is fludically connected to the absorber to release the absorbed carbon dioxide from the washing medium, a gas cooler which is fludically connected upstream of the absorber to cool the gas stream, and a processing unit which is connected downstream of the gas cooler and which is equipped and designed to clean water from the gas cooler. A method separates carbon dioxide from a gas stream.

A system and method for removing gas bubbles from fluid. An active filter apparatus forces the bubbles to the center of the filter, while a pump supplies fluid to the filter.

A sorbent for CO2 reduction from indoor air from an enclosed space. In some embodiments, the sorbent comprises a solid support and an amine-based compound being supported by the support. The sorbent captures at least a portion of the CO2 within the indoor air. The sorbent may be regenerated by streaming outdoor air through the sorbent to release at least a portion of the captured CO2. The sorbent is structured to allow indoor air to flow therein with relatively low flow resistance and relatively rapid reaction kinetics. Regeneration may be performed at relatively low outdoor air temperatures, thereby minimizing the thermal energy required for regenerating the sorbent.

A method for treating a synthesis gas from a gasification step. The synthesis gas is cooled to condense heavy organic impurities and water. At the end of the cooling step, light organic impurities and inorganic impurities are adsorped by at least one adsorption bed. The water and heavy tars are separated by decantation from the step of cooling the synthesis gas. At least one adsorption bed is regenerated by temperature-modulated or pressure-modulated desorption.

An apparatus and method for separating a natural gas production stream from hydrocarbon well operations into a gas component and a sand and liquid component is described. More specifically, a sand separator comprising a cylindrical body, a production stream inlet port, a gas outlet port and a solid and liquid drain port is described. The cylindrical body has an inner cavity with an inner cone having one-way gas vents and a stationary auger wrapped around the inner cone. The production stream inlet port includes a pipe having a curved tip that directs the production stream into the body and around the inner cone and stationary auger, causing the production stream to slow down and the components to separate.

Provided is an apparatus for capturing a target component from a gas including a rotating packed bed and a packed bed. The rotating packed bed has a first absorbent inlet, a first absorbent outlet, a first gas inlet and a first gas outlet. The packed bed has a second absorbent inlet, a second absorbent outlet, a second gas inlet and a second gas outlet. The first absorbent outlet is in connection with the second absorbent inlet to form an absorbent flow path that sequentially passes through the rotating packed bed and the packed bed. The second gas outlet is in connection with the first gas inlet to form a gas flow path that sequentially passes through the packed bed and the rotating packed bed.

The present invention corresponds to a device for extracting water from the environment by means of a liquid desiccant. The device comprises a means for capturing water from the environment using a liquid desiccant, an extraction chamber, a first duct through which liquid desiccant with water flows from the capture means to the extraction chamber, a second duct through which liquid desiccant flows from the extraction chamber to the capture means, a reservoir for depositing water extracted from the liquid desiccant in the extraction chamber, a third duct through which water flows from the extraction chamber to the reservoir, a means to create a vacuum within the extraction chamber, and a control device that controls the heating element. The extraction chamber comprises a container located at the bottom of the extraction chamber, in which the water captured by the liquid desiccant is extracted and a heating element located within the container

A bale turning apparatus for attachment to a baler to generally align the cylindrical of the bales in each row as the bales are released from the baler. Using the disclosed invention, the bales are essentially turned ninety degrees from the orientation of bales from the position that they are typically released from a round baler. By accomplishing this general alignment of the cylindrical axis of each bale in each row, when baling corn stover or other row crops, the bale loading operation can later be done more efficiently by driving down the rows in the same direction as the combine and baler have traveled.

A coffin in an environmentally friendly material with a special shape and fittings at the places where the coffin is to be lifted, which is new in that the coffin itself has vertical recesses directed inwards, which cover both the coffin box and the lid, and wherein at each side of the coffin box bottom, a transverse lever or pipe has been placed, and wherein said pipe or lever is through-going to each and across each recess.

Provided are an apparatus and a method for rapidly producing a synthetic gas from a bio-diesel byproduct using microwave plasma, in which, while a plasma flame is generated by a plasma generator and waste glycerin, a bio-diesel byproduct, as fuel, is gasified by being supplied to the generated plasma flame of high temperature, the fuel is supplied in various types to increase the contact time or the contact area with the plasma flame and thus promote gasification thereof and the contents of steam and oxygen supplied and the plasma power are controlled to increase the collection amount of combustible gas and thus allow rapid production of the synthetic gas.

Processes for the catalytic conversion of a carbonaceous composition into a gas stream comprising methane are provided. In addition, the processes provide for the generation of a hydrogen-enriched gas stream and, optionally, a carbon monoxide-enriched gas stream, which can be mixed or used separately as an energy source for subsequent catalytic gasification processes.

A method for producing synthetic gas from biomass by: a) grinding the biomass, feeding the biomass into a pyrolysis furnace while spraying a first superheated water vapor into the pyrolysis furnace, controlling the temperature of the pyrolysis furnace at 500-800° C., contacting the biomass with the first superheated water vapor for a pyrolysis reaction to yield crude synthetic gas and ash including coke; b) cooling the ash, and separating the coke from the ash; c) transporting the crude synthetic gas and the coke into a gasifier, spraying a second superheated water vapor into the gasifier, controlling the gasifier at an operating temperature of 1200-1600° C., contacting the biomass with the second superheated water vapor for a gasification reaction to yield primary synthetic gas; and d) cooling, removing dust, deacidifying, and desiccating the primary synthetic gas to obtain clean synthetic gas.

A method and apparatus for upgrading coal and other carbonaceous fuels includes subjecting the carbonaceous fuel to a pyrolyzing process, thereby forming upgraded carbonaceous fuel and a flow of lean fuel gases. Auxiliary fuel is combusted in an auxiliary fuel combustor to produce auxiliary fuel combustion gases, and the lean fuel gases are heated with the auxiliary fuel combustion gases. The heated lean fuel gases are combusted in a lean fuel combustor, thereby producing a gas stream of products of combustion, and at least a portion of the gas stream of products of combustion are directed to the pyrolyzer.

A method for production of hydrogen from organic matter, includes: pyrolysis of a feed of organic matter by passing a gaseous treatment stream essentially having carbon dioxide through the organic matter, the pyrolysis producing, on the one hand, a pyrolysis gas stream having the gaseous treatment stream, steam and volatile organic compounds originating from the organic matter, and on the other hand pyrolysis chars having carbon components; oxycombustion of at least a proportion of the volatile organic compounds present in the pyrolysis gas stream, by injection of oxygen, upstream of a layer of redox filtering matter comprising high-temperature carbon components; and after the oxycombustion, passing the oxidized pyrolysis gas stream through the redox layer, the passage producing a synthesis gas stream comprising hydrogen obtained by deoxidation of steam by the high-temperature carbon components.

This invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of pure hydrogen by steam reforming. The process integrates the steam reforming and shift reaction to produce pure hydrogen with minimal production of CO and virtually no CO in the hydrogen stream, provides for CO2 capture for sequestration, employs a steam reforming membrane reactor, and is powered by heat from the convection section of a heater.

Trace levels of mercury in a natural gas are reduced by scrubbing the natural gas in an absorber with an aqueous solution comprising a water-soluble sulfur compound. The water-soluble sulfur compound reacts with a least a portion of the mercury in the natural gas to produce a treated natural gas with a reduced concentration of mercury, and a mercury containing sulfur-depleted solution which can be disposed by injection into a (depleted) underground formation. The produced water extracted with the natural gas from the underground formation can be recycled for use as the scrubbing solution. In one embodiment, a fresh source of water-soluble sulfur compound as feed to the absorber can be generated on-site by reacting an elemental sulfur source with a sulfur reagent in produced water.

A process for recovering sulfur from a hydrogen sulfide-bearing gas utilizes an aqueous reaction medium, a temperature of about 110-150° C., and a high enough pressure to maintain the aqueous reaction medium in a liquid state. The process reduces material and equipment costs and addresses the environmental disadvantages associated with known processes that rely on high boiling point organic solvents.

The present invention discloses a cleaning cloth, an abrasive cloth, a cleaning buff and an abrasive buff which are each formed by knitting/weaving bamboo fibers having excellent cleaning, abrasive capacity and excellent ignition resistance.

A seed sampling system is provided having an automated seed loading assembly including a seed bin and being operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds within the seed bin. The system also includes an automated seed sampling assembly operable to remove tissue samples from the singulated seeds, and an automated seed transport assembly operable to transfer the singulated seeds from the seed loading assembly to the seed sampling assembly. The seed transport assembly includes multiple retention members. Each of the retention members is movable relative to the seed loading assembly and to the seed sampling assembly. The seed transport assembly is operable to position one of the multiple retention members adjacent to the seed loading assembly for engaging one of the singulated seeds, while positioning another of the retention members adjacent to the seed sampling assembly for presenting another of the singulated seeds to the seed sampling assembly.

A rover includes a base having wheels and a propulsion system coupled to the wheels to propel the rover around a field. A tower is coupled to the base and extends over the base. Sensors are set on the tower and the base and are configured to sense environmental conditions around the rover at different elevations. A computing system includes a processor and memory. The memory is configured to receive measured data from the sensors and determine an amount and manner of water to be dispensed on plant life in the field.

A rover includes a base having wheels and a propulsion system coupled to the wheels to propel the rover around a field. A tower is coupled to the base and extends over the base. Sensors are set on the tower and the base and are configured to sense environmental conditions around the rover at different elevations. A computing system includes a processor and memory. The memory is configured to receive measured data from the sensors and determine an amount and manner of water to be dispensed on plant life in the field.

The Sunset Canyoneers are releasing their first album. It just happens to sound like a greatest-hits package. The poster the Sunset Canyoneers created for their album release party in Oakland is an eye-catching throwback to the covers of pulp westerns from the 1930s and 1940s. A snarling, sun-tanned cowboy in full regalia — chaps, six guns, bandana and ten-gallon hat — stands guard over a gray-haired fiddle player fumbling for his bow.…