Abstract: Systems and methods for digital reflex quantization and signature analysis. Movement of a stimulating device invoking a reflex response in an organism is captured as stimuli data. Electromyographic (EMG) of the reflex response is captured as EMG data. Movement resulting from the reflex response of a limb/appendage of the organism is captured as motion data. One or more of the stimuli data, the EMG data, and the motion data are analyzed to determine one or both of a motion signature and an EMG signature defining quantitative evaluation of the reflex response.

Abstract: An ASG system for polygeneration with CC includes a devolatilizer that pyrolyzes solid fuel to produce char and gases. A burner adds exothermic heat by high-pressure sub-stoichiometric combustion, a mixing pot causes turbulent flow of the gases to heat received solid fuel, and a riser micronizes resulting friable char. A devolatilizer cyclone separates the micronized char by weight providing micronized char, steam and gases to a gasifier feed and oversized char to the mixing pot. An indirect fluid bed gasifier combustion loop includes a gasifier coupled to the gasifier feed, a steam input to provide oxygen for gasification and to facilitate sand-char separation, and an output for providing syngas. A burner provides POC to a mixing pot which provides hot sand with POC to a POC cyclone via a riser, where the POC cyclone separates sand and POC by weight and provides POC and sand for steam-carbon reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, including client devices and servers, and methods for creating a collaborative virtual session between client devices, wherein each of the client devices is associable with a coupler agent for interfacing with a communicating entity (such as a person). A client device includes a processor and memory operable to: generate a locally instantiated virtual room; instantiate a virtual representation of a first entity associated with the client device in the locally instantiated virtual room; transmit metadata representative of the first entity to a second client device; receive metadata representative of a second entity associated with the second client device; and, instantiate a virtual representation of the second entity as a function of the received metadata, from a perspective of the first entity, in the locally instantiated virtual room. A server can be utilized to join the client devices in the collaborative virtual session and exchange the metadata.

Abstract: An ASG system for polygeneration with CC includes a devolatilizer that pyrolyzes solid fuel to produce char and gases. A burner adds exothermic heat by high-pressure sub-stoichiometric combustion, a mixing pot causes turbulent flow of the gases to heat received solid fuel, and a riser micronizes resulting friable char. A devolatilizer cyclone separates the micronized char by weight providing micronized char, steam and gases to a gasifier feed and oversized char to the mixing pot. An indirect fluid bed gasifier combustion loop includes a gasifier coupled to the gasifier feed, a steam input to provide oxygen for gasification and to facilitate sand-char separation, and an output for providing syngas. A burner provides POC to a mixing pot which provides hot sand with POC to a POC cyclone via a riser, where the POC cyclone separates sand and POC by weight and provides POC and sand for steam-carbon reaction.

Abstract: An improved geometry for flights used in rotary drums of aggregate dryers in the manufacture of asphalt causes the aggregate to shower in an even veil across the full width of the drum under all loading conditions. An opening in the flight having a narrow bottom and wider top allows more aggregate to shower early, especially when flights are lightly loaded, on the uplift side of the drum to complete the aggregate veil and prevent hot gases from bypassing. The opening is oriented with its narrow bottom nearest the inner surface of the drum and its wider top farthest therefrom. The opening does not extend through the full height of the flight, which would form an undesired gap allowing an excessive volume of aggregate to flood out of fully loaded flights on the uplift side of rotation. Such flooding discharge causes a similar imbalance of drying to that caused by too little discharge from light loaded flights.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes writing, using a magnetic head, a set of parallel shingled tracks onto a magnetic recording tape using specified drive parameters, changing one of the specified drive parameters, reading a set of selected data tracks on the magnetic recording tape using the changed drive parameter, changing a lateral head position while reading the set of selected data tracks using the changed drive parameter, comparing track error rates observed during reading at the different lateral head positions, selecting a reader offset value based on the comparing, and performing a further action using the selected reader offset value.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, including client devices and servers, and methods for creating a collaborative virtual session between two or more client devices, wherein each of the client devices is associable with a coupler agent for interfacing with a communicating entity (such as a person).

Abstract: A method for a contactless experience, comprising: via server, registering guest information, initiating the experience prior to arrival of a party of guests, wherein said initiating comprises communicating by the server with a smart device corresponding to each of the guests to pre-order items from a menu and specify initial coursing instructions, and adding the pre-order items to an electronic ticket; detecting arrival of the party and communicating arrival to the server; continuing said communicating to enable each of the guests to order additional items and to specify additional coursing instructions, adding the additional items to the electronic ticket, preparing the pre-order and additional items, transmitting notifications to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal of a server assigned to the guest to deliver prepared items to the guest in accordance with the initial and additional coursing instructions; and delivering the prepared items to the party.

Abstract: A method for a contactless experience, comprising: via server, registering guest information, initiating the experience prior to arrival of a guest, wherein said initiating comprises communicating by the server with a smart device corresponding to the guest to pre-order items from a menu and specify initial coursing instructions, and adding the pre-order items to an electronic ticket; detecting arrival of the guest and communicating arrival to the server; continuing said communicating to enable the guest to order additional items and to specify additional coursing instructions, adding the additional items to the electronic ticket, preparing the pre-order and additional items, transmitting notifications to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal of a server assigned to the guest to deliver prepared items to the guest in accordance with the initial and additional coursing instructions; and delivering the prepared items to the guest.

Abstract: A method for a contactless experience, comprising: via server, registering guest information, initiating the experience prior to arrival of a guest, wherein said initiating comprises communicating by the server with a smart device corresponding to the guest to pre-order items from a menu and specify initial coursing instructions, and adding the pre-order items to an electronic ticket; detecting arrival of the guest and communicating arrival to the server; preparing the items, transmitting notifications to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal of a server assigned to the guest to deliver prepared items; delivering the prepared items to the guest; receiving a notification that the guest is ready to close out the electronic order ticket, transmitting a request for payment, receiving payment authorization, processing a transaction for payment, closing the electronic order ticket, and transmitting a notification to the smart device and the POS terminal that the electronic order ticket has been closed.

Abstract: A method for a contactless experience, comprising: via server, registering guest information, initiating the experience prior to arrival of a guest, wherein said initiating comprises communicating by the server with a smart device corresponding to the guest to pre-order items from a menu and specify initial coursing instructions, and adding the pre-order items to an electronic ticket; detecting arrival of the guest and communicating arrival to the server; preparing the items, transmitting notifications to a point-of-sale (POS) terminal of a server assigned to the guest to deliver prepared items; delivering the prepared items to the guest; receiving a notification that the guest is ready to close out the electronic order ticket, transmitting a request for payment, receiving payment authorization, processing a transaction for payment, closing the electronic order ticket, and transmitting a notification to the smart device and the POS terminal that the electronic order ticket has been closed.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, including client devices and servers, and methods for creating a collaborative virtual session between two or more client devices, wherein each of the client devices is associable with a coupler agent for interfacing with a communicating entity (such as a person).

Abstract: Systems and methods for digital reflex quantization and signature analysis. Movement of a stimulating device invoking a reflex response in an organism is captured as stimuli data. Electromyographic (EMG) of the reflex response is captured as EMG data. Movement resulting from the reflex response of a limb/appendage of the organism is captured as motion data. One or more of the stimuli data, the EMG data, and the motion data are analyzed to determine one or both of a motion signature and an EMG signature defining quantitative evaluation of the reflex response.

Abstract: An ASG system for polygeneration with CC includes a devolatilizer that pyrolyzes solid fuel to produce char and gases. A burner adds exothermic heat by high-pressure sub-stoichiometric combustion, a mixing pot causes turbulent flow of the gases to heat received solid fuel, and a riser micronizes resulting friable char. A devolatilizer cyclone separates the micronized char by weight providing micronized char, steam and gases to a gasifier feed and oversized char to the mixing pot. An indirect fluid bed gasifier combustion loop includes a gasifier coupled to the gasifier feed, a steam input to provide oxygen for gasification and to facilitate sand-char separation, and an output for providing syngas. A burner provides POC to a mixing pot which provides hot sand with POC to a POC cyclone via a riser, where the POC cyclone separates sand and POC by weight and provides POC and sand for steam-carbon reaction.

Abstract: A communication system, and method for creating a collaborative virtual session, including a first coupler agent connected to a first entity, a second coupler agent connected to a second entity, and a first client, coupled to the first coupler agent and a server. The first client is configured to initiate a virtual session with the server, receive metadata representing a second virtual representation of the second entity, and instantiate the second virtual representation in a first collaborative virtual room. The communication system includes a second client, coupled to the second coupler agent and the server, configured to join the virtual session with the server, receive metadata representing a first virtual representation of the first entity, and instantiate the first virtual representation in a second collaborative virtual room.

Abstract: A storage silo apparatus having a storage silo including a shell wall, a secondary wall spaced radially outwards from the shell wall, and a space having a first width formed between an outer surface of the shell wall and an inner surface of the secondary wall. An insulation layer located in the space is narrower than the space such that an air gap is formed within the space. The air gap is formed radially adjacent the insulation layer and is configured to resist heat transfer between the shell wall and the secondary wall.

Abstract: A composition for use in treating skin disorders and especially acne without the side effects of steroids, antibiotics, anti-fungal, and other treatments (e.g. UV radiation, light therapy, etc.). The orally-administered composition is a compound of sphingolipid and an ingestible sulfur (including any sulfur compound, sulfur-containing moiety, or sulfur salt). In a preferred embodiment the present composition also includes an adjuvant, preferably zinc and/or a proanthocyanidin, preferably from grape seed extract, and other excipients for taste, consistency and/or coloring. The above-described composition is orally administered in tablet form pursuant to a prescribed protocol of therapeutic doses to a subject.

Abstract: A storage silo apparatus having a storage silo including a shell wall, a secondary wall spaced radially outwards from the shell wall, and a space having a first width formed between an outer surface of the shell wall and an inner surface of the secondary wall. An insulation layer located in the space is narrower than the space such that an air gap is formed within the space. The air gap is formed radially adjacent the insulation layer and is configured to resist heat transfer between the shell wall and the secondary wall.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes writing, using a magnetic head, a set of parallel shingled tracks onto a magnetic recording tape using specified drive parameters, changing one of the specified drive parameters, reading a set of selected data tracks on the magnetic recording tape using the changed drive parameter, changing a lateral head position while reading the set of selected data tracks using the changed drive parameter, comparing track error rates observed during reading at the different lateral head positions, selecting a reader offset value based on the comparing, and performing a further action using the selected reader offset value.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a method includes calculating a differential position value based on readback signals from at least two servo readers of a magnetic head reading servo tracks of a magnetic recording tape. The differential position value is compared to a previously-calculated differential position value. An action is performed in response to determining that the difference between the differential position value and the previously-calculated differential position value is in a predefined range. In another general embodiment, an apparatus includes a magnetic head having at least two servo readers, and a controller in communication with the servo readers. The controller is configured to detect a sudden change in a width of a magnetic recording tape based on a differential position value derived from relatively more current servo readback data and a second differential position value derived from relatively older servo readback data.