Abstract: A Ziegler-Natta catalyst composition is disclosed. The catalyst composition includes an internal electron donor with improved polymerization kinetics, a long lifetime, improved stereoselectivity and/or improved hydrogen response.

Abstract: There is provided an energy transaction platform to facilitate a wholesale?distribution?DER owner marketplace for DER-based energy products, including contracting, delivery, and settlement, for example, based on blockchain technology. The platform provides components to enrol and verify DER owners having a DER device. Platform components define and communicate contracts for energy services for bidding by DER owners to facilitate e.g. EV charging, GHG reduction, or demand response goals. Contracts are cleared in response to bidding, for example, by DER owners. The platform triggers contract delivery, which delivery is monitored and confirmed. Settlement is made between contract parties according to confirmed participation. Participation rewards and/or credit tokens are transferrable to DER owners, which can be further transferred. DER owner credibility measures can encourage participation and assist with clearing contracts.

Abstract: A portable ground thawing system for excavating Shovel Test Pits (STPs) includes a cylindrical heat chamber having an open bottom and a closed top. A charging inlet is disposed on one side and a flue is on the other. An adjustable baffle is stationed in the flue. A salamander style heater is positioned to emit a stream of hot gas through the charging inlet, creating a swirling internal current of hot gas that loops through an internal heat loft. The heat loft provides both radiant heat properties as well as supports convection via the gas current that sweep across the frozen ground before exiting the flue. Electricity to power the heater is supplied by a generator. The method of use includes orienting the heat chamber so that its charging inlet is leeward and its flue is windward relative to the prevailing wind direction.

Abstract: A brachytherapy balloon system, including a brachytherapy applicator and a brachytherapy balloon, is described. The brachytherapy balloon is shaped and sized to fit a vagina, a rectum or an esophagus and is made of elastomeric polymer and has a cylindrical inner surface defining an interior hollow of diameter D with at least one open end into which a brachytherapy applicator of diameter x<D can fit, and an outer surface. The inner and outer surfaces of the brachytherapy balloon together define an inflatable elongated toroidal shape having a distal and a proximal end. The distal end has a diameter less than x, a valve for inflating the balloon, and a retention ring that prevents the brachytherapy applicator from protruding beyond the retention ring and reproducibly positioning the applicator on every use.

Abstract: A home asset management account system is provided that includes a first mortgage account and an equity line of credit (LOC), a periodic sweep feature between the first mortgage and equity LOC, a periodic property value review feature of the first mortgage, and a statement feature that provides a customer valuable information on the subject property estimated value and the relationship between the first mortgage and the equity LOC. The first mortgage and equity LOC, results from a proprietary automated decisioning/pricing system, the periodic sweep feature, the periodic property value review feature, and a unique statement feature are bundled into a financial package available for customers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for indicating the presence of pressure within a collection chamber of a device such as a chest drainage device. The apparatus includes a bladder configured to be positioned within the collection chamber or within another chamber in fluid flow communication with the collection chamber. The bladder has a concavity formed therein and configured to contract or expand in response to pressure in the collection chamber. The apparatus also includes surfaces associated with the bladder that are configured to move with respect to one another upon contraction or expansion of the concavity of the bladder, thereby indicating pressure within the collection chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a home asset management account system is provided that combines a first mortgage account and an equity line of credit (LOC) and offers a periodic sweep feature between the first mortgage and equity LOC, a periodic property value review feature of the first mortgage, and a statement feature that provides a customer valuable information on the subject property estimated value and the relationship between the first mortgage and the equity LOC. The first mortgage and equity LOC results from a proprietary automated decisioning/pricing system, the periodic sweep feature, the periodic property value review feature, and a unique statement feature are bundled into a financial package available for customers.

Abstract: A technique for the design of 3-D RF welding electrodes by first modeling the surface of the welded part perimeter as a spline in a 3-D CAD program, and then dividing the spline up into multiple, small straight segments. The straight segments are offset simultaneously in opposite directions from the spline, to form two sets of straight segments, each set being equidistant from the spline, with the gap between the two sets equal to the target thickness of the welded package. New die faces are constructed from each of the sets using smoothing techniques, and 3-D models of the die faces are manufactured to check accuracy of the design, making sure that all the corresponding points of the pair of electrodes are equidistant, thereby creating a strong weld with good cosmetic results all along the parts being joined.

Abstract: A practical method to increase the fusion of radio-frequency welds between two structures made of dissimilar materials by introduction of a bonding layer between the two structures. The bonding layer must be an RF-weldable material that welds or bonds well to both of the materials from which the respective structures are made. The bonding layer may be introduced by coating one of the structures with the bonding material or by forming the bonding material into a sleeve which is placed over one of the structures.

Abstract: An inflatable air cell pressure transducer. The air cell has a concavity formed therein. The concavity has two edges, wherein increased pressure within the air cell causes contraction of the concavity moving the two edges closer.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for real time transcription or translation services. In one aspect of the system and method, a user requests transcription/translation service with certain service parameters. It is determined what resources can be used for such service, and, if all the service parameters can be met, the service is performed. Resources include live stenographers or translators, and computer processing power. If all the service parameters can not be met, it is determined whether to perform the service by meeting only some of the service parameters. These determinations may be programmed into the system beforehand. In another aspect of the system and method, a user makes a request for transcription/translation service, and the request is displayed so that stenographers or translators may make bids to perform the transcription/translation service. In some embodiments, the request is only displayed to those stenographers or translators who are determined to be able to perform the service.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is an inflatable support member having at least one tension point to establish a bend in the inflatable support member. The inflatable support member includes a first sheet and a second sheet sealed around their respective edges. A tension point is formed by enlarging the seam area where a bend in the inflatable support member is desired. Alternate embodiments of the invention include structures including the inflatable support member. An alternate inflatable support member includes a first sheet and second sheet, the second sheet having an elasticity less than that of the first sheet by using different materials, additional materials or stretching the second sheet.

Abstract: Methods of joining two structures made from dissimilar polymeric materials involve applying a coating containing a polymeric resin, such as a polyurethane-based polymer, to at least a portion of the first structure and welding the second structure to the coated portion of the first structure.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for indicating the presence of pressure within a collection chamber of a device such as a chest drainage device. The apparatus includes a bladder configured to be positioned within the collection chamber or within another chamber in fluid flow communication with the collection chamber. The bladder has a concavity formed therein and configured to contract or expand in response to pressure in the collection chamber. The apparatus also includes surfaces associated with the bladder that are configured to move with respect to one another upon contraction or expansion of the concavity of the bladder, thereby indicating pressure within the collection chamber.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for real time teleconferencing, where one of the participants is deaf or hearing-impaired. In one aspect of the system and method, each participant has an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system and a chat service system, such as AOL Instant Messenger™. Each participant may have a different type of ASR system, as well as a different type of chat service system. It is not necessary that the deaf or hearing-impaired participant have an ASR system. For each participant, the participant's ASR system transcribes the speech of the participant and provides it to the participant's chat service system, which translates the transcribed text into the chat service message in the format of the participant's chat service system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a home asset management account system is provided that comprises a first mortgage account and an equity line of credit (LOC), a periodic sweep feature between the first mortgage and equity LOC, a periodic property value review feature of the first mortgage, and a statement feature that provides a customer valuable information on the subject property estimated value and the relationship between the first mortgage and the equity LOC. The first mortgage and equity LOC, results from a proprietary automated decisioning/pricing system, the periodic sweep feature, the periodic property value review feature, and a unique statement feature are bundled into a financial package available for customers. The equity LOC in one preferred embodiment is a renewable home equity line of credit providing a combined loan to value (CLTV) from 0.01% to 100% at time of loan closing. The periodic sweep feature preferably performs a quarterly principal sweep from the first mortgage to the equity LOC.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for real time teleconferencing, where one of the participants is deaf or hearing-impaired. In one aspect of the system and method, each participant has an Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) system and a chat service system, such as AOL Instant Messenger™. Each participant may have a different type of ASR system, as well as a different type of chat service system. It is not necessary that the deaf or hearing-impaired participant have an ASR system. For each participant, the participant's ASR system transcribes the speech of the participant and provides it to the participant's chat service system, which translates the transcribed text into the chat service message in the format of the participant's chat service system.

Abstract: A deployable cushion mechanism for a vehicle that provides a cushion deployed in case of vehicle tipping. The cushion is inflated from a folded condition through rapid release of stored energy. Air is allowed to enter the cushion by way of valves or other orifices. Ground contact of the tipped vehicle occurs with the inflated cushion so as to prevent injury to the passenger.

Abstract: A system and method for recognizing spoken liaisoned words. The method and system identify each word in the vocabulary as a liaison generator and/or liaison receptor. If the word is a liaison receptor, and if the word is preceded by a liaison generator, the most probable recognition result for the word will be the liaison generated by the preceding word plus the word. Liaisons are identified on an immediately preceding word in accordance with rules in a language. A word that ends with an unpronounced consonant phoneme, when followed by a word beginning with a consonant phoneme, and ends with a pronounced phoneme, when followed by a word with a vowel-like phoneme, causes a match list for the current word to be amended with words having liaisons added at their beginnings.

Abstract: A method and system of recognizing speech. The method and system perform a fast match on a word in the string of speech to be recognized which generates a fast match list representing words in a system vocabulary that most likely match a current word to be recognized. Next, the method and system perform a detailed match on the words in the fast match list and generate a detailed match list representing words that most likely match the current word to be recognized. Then for each word in the detailed match list that can accept a liaison phoneme from a preceding word, where each word is a liaison receptor, adding to the detailed match list a form of the liaison receptor, where the form represents an addition of a liaison phoneme to the liaison receptor, creating a modified detailed match list which is inclusive of the forms of the liaison receptors added to the detailed match list.