Abstract: In some embodiments, a computer system applies a time of day setting to a virtual environment. In some embodiments, the time of day setting is updated based on an event. In some embodiments, a computer system displays content in an expanded display mode. In some embodiments, computer systems join a communication session while maintaining display of respective environments. In some embodiments, a computer system moves a portal based on user movement. In some embodiments, computer systems share a virtual environment. Computer systems can display media with simulated lighting. Computer systems can share an environment. In some embodiments, a computer system selects a position relative to content. A computer system can present representations of communication session participants based on content. A computer system can present user interfaces to control visual appearances of an environment including media. Computer systems can change an appearance of an environment based on environmental modes.

Abstract: A drill bit includes a shank defining a longitudinal axis and a cutting edge extending radially outward relative to the longitudinal axis. The cutting edge is configured to remove material from a workpiece along a cutting path during a cutting operation. The drill bit further includes a plurality of scoring elements positioned within the cutting path and configured to contact the workpiece before the cutting edge during the cutting operation.

Abstract: A method of removing nitrogen-bound nitrate from at least one of groundwater, surface water, or waste water is disclosed. The method includes providing contaminant-containing water from groundwater, surface water, and/or waste water sources. The method further includes adding the contaminant-containing water to an algal photobioreactor system. The method further includes adding an alga culture to the alga photobioreactor system. The method further includes adjusting temperature, CO2 concentration, pH, light wavelength, and/or light intensity in the algal photobioreactor system to optimize the growth of the algae. The method further includes separating the algae from the water and harvesting algal biomass.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the concentration of nitrogen-bound nitrate from at least one of groundwater, surface water, or waste water is disclosed. The system includes an algal photobioreactor system. The photobioreactor includes a transparent tubular structure, a medium disposed inside the transparent tubular structure, and alga configured to adhere to the medium. The photobioreactor further includes a pump, and a light source. The method includes providing contaminant-containing water, adding the water to the algal photobioreactor system, adjusting at least one of temperature, ion concentration, CO2 concentration, pH, light wavelength, ion concentration or light intensity in the algal photobioreactor system to enhance growth of algae, removing water from the algal photobioreactor system, and harvesting the algal biomass. A system and method are also disclosed for reducing the concentration of organophosphates from water via an organophosphate-removing alga.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the concentration of nitrogen-bound nitrate from at least one of groundwater, surface water, or waste water is disclosed. The system includes an algal photobioreactor system. The photobioreactor includes a transparent tubular structure, a medium disposed inside the transparent tubular structure, and alga configured to adhere to the medium. The photobioreactor further includes a pump, and a light source. The method includes providing contaminant-containing water, adding the water to the algal photobioreactor system, adjusting at least one of temperature, ion concentration, CO2 concentration, pH, light wavelength, ion concentration or light intensity in the algal photobioreactor system to enhance growth of algae, removing water from the algal photobioreactor system, and harvesting the algal biomass. A system and method are also disclosed for reducing the concentration of organophosphates from water via an organophosphate-removing alga.

Abstract: A method of removing nitrogen-bound nitrate from at least one of groundwater, surface water, or waste water is disclosed. The method includes providing contaminant-containing water from groundwater, surface water, and/or waste water sources. The method further includes adding the contaminant-containing water to an algal photobioreactor system. The method further includes adding an alga culture to the alga photobioreactor system. The method further includes adjusting temperature, CO2 concentration, pH, light wavelength, and/or light intensity in the algal photobioreactor system to optimize the growth of the algae. The method further includes separating the algae from the water and harvesting algal biomass.

Abstract: A grate assembly includes a cook top defining a support surface, and a grate that includes a projection extending from a peripheral portion. The projection is configured to support a cooking vessel on the grate. The peripheral portion is configured to support the grate on the support surface. A hole is formed in one of the peripheral portion of the grate or the support surface of the cook top. An insert is disposed within the hole and between the support surface of the cook top and the peripheral portion of the grate.

Abstract: An interfacing logic is implemented in one or more processors and a memory controller in a multiprocessor system. The interfacing logic enables all processors to receive snoops and snoop responses substantially at the same time by delaying data transmitted over faster busses before the data is provided to a local logic at a receiving end of the faster busses. The interfacing logic comprises two or more paths of a multiplexer component connected to a storage component. The storage components are connected to another multiplexer component for selecting one of the two or more paths. Preferably, a bus control logic in the receiving end determines how much delay is performed to compensate for delay differences between data busses.

Abstract: An interfacing logic is implemented in one or more processors and a memory controller in a multiprocessor system. The interfacing logic enables all processors to receive snoops and snoop responses substantially at the same time by delaying data transmitted over faster busses before the data is provided to a local logic at a receiving end of the faster busses. The interfacing logic comprises two or more paths of a multiplexer component connected to a storage component. The storage components are connected to another multiplexer component for selecting one of the two or more paths. Preferably, a bus control logic in the receiving end determines how much delay is performed to compensate for delay differences between data busses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing livelocks in a switched system with a switch, a distributed bus arbiter, a plurality of microprocessors, busses and associated bus request logic, comprising said system. The method comprises generating a plurality of requests, defining times between the requests, generating retries of the switches, and varying within the bus request logic, time as a function of the switch retries.

Abstract: A continuous flow magnetic separator is disclosed for classifying magnetic and paramagnetic particles as concentrate from their mixture with ambient tailings. The separator includes a helical classifying path interior of a non-magnetic, non-conductive conduit, with the conduit wound along a path having an "uphill-downhill" slope with respect to the ambient gravitational bias. A magnetic field (preferably generated by an AC or DC energized coil) is aligned substantially coincident to the axis of generation of the helical path. This magnetic field is confined interior of a high permeability (preferably laminated) magnetic field conducting core having two elements. The first element, to which the coil is attached, is an outer cylindrical conductor (preferably closed at the bottom) defining interiorly thereof a cylindrically shaped inner volume. The second element is a cylindrical rotor having serrated edges and mounted for rotation about the axis of the helical path.

Abstract: A continuous flow magnetic particle separator and accompanying classification method is disclosed for ferromagnetic and paramagnetic particles. A magnetic field is generated, preferably by a coil or solenoid mounted interiorly of a cylindrically configured ferromagnetic conductor. The classification volume is located in a typically toroidal volume interior of the magnetic field. The field is typically confined by a ferromagnetic conductor where it passes externally of the classification or toroidal volume. The toroidal volume is positioned so that lines of magnetic intensity from the field extend transversely to toroidal volume at the flow from input to collectors. The classification volume has a large gap in the vicinity of the input and tapers to a smaller gap in the vicinity of the concentrate (or magnetic particle) and tailings (or non-magnetic particle) collectors. The concentrate collectors are immediately adjacent to both walls of the toroidal classification volume.

Abstract: An audio-tachometer system including an electronic tachometer having a first pointer for indicating engine speed, and a second pointer that is manually settable to a desired engine speed for shifting gears, wherein the engine speed corresponds to the speed at which the second pointer is set, an electrically conductive edge of the first pointer will bridgeably interconnect a pair of contacts mounted upon the second pointer to close an electrical circuit and thereby supply power to energize a signal means, e.g., audio tone generator.