Abstract: Embodiments include methods and systems for using, creating and maintaining goal-oriented, dialog systems (i.e., transactional bots) that provide interfaces to application functionality. The methods and systems of the embodiments provide a bot that may learn in supervised learning and reinforcement learning from conversational examples provided by domain experts and from interaction with users. Conversational bots may be created to interact using both text and/or application programming interface (API) calls. A developer may configure a bot that interfaces with an application back-end where behavior of the bot may be controlled by use of masking actions. A specification for the bot may be flexibly designed to specify how developer code may be organized, for example, as masking operations on the possible actions the bot may execute. Additionally, the methods and systems may automatically infer the best state representation during a dialog so a state variable need not be predefined.

Abstract: A water heater system includes a controller configured to integrate control of both recovery and recirculation operations of a recovery pump and a recirculation pump. As such, a separate device, installation location, and power source (e.g., available outlet) is not needed with the controller. Because a single controller is configured to control both recovery and recirculation operations, additional control functions are available. The controller may be in communication with an internal controller of the water heater and configured to receive an error notification upon abnormal operation of the water heater. The controller can stop recovery and recirculation operations in response to an error notification, unlike with traditional water heating systems which may otherwise continue to function. The recovery and recirculation operations are based on a setpoint temperature of the water heater such that changes made to the setpoint temperature will automatically adjust in the recovery and recirculation operations.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving catalyst temperature control while reducing oxygen saturation. Secondary air is injected at a location downstream of the catalyst during selected conditions. A mixing valve position is coordinated with the air injection to improve local turbulence and thereby enhance air and fuel mixing in the exhaust passage, in at least one example.

Abstract: An apparatus for improved rendering includes a number of processing channels to receive multiple input content sources and to process that input content. A compositor can composite processed input content to generate a composite output signal. An output adaptation block can adapt the composite output signal along with dynamic metadata for display by a display device. Each processing channel includes a statistics generator and an input adaptation block.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a cooling system for a surgical ablation device, the device having a cooling circuit comprising a device coolant supply line having a supply coupling; a coolant return line having a return coupling; coolant passageways within the device to circulate coolant within the device, the supply line and the return line being in fluid communication via the device coolant passageway(s); a coolant manifold configured to fluidly connect a cooling fluid source to at least one manifold fluid outlet port, such as to place the cooling fluid source in fluid communication with the one or more device coolant passageways, wherein the supply coupling is configured for connection to a manifold outlet port of the manifold.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method and method for controlling interoperation between a resonant scanner and a movable stage. The movable stage being employed to position a specimen for optical scanning by the resonant scanner. The invention providing high resolution scanning of specimen tissue at a rate of ten times or more faster than other known methods of optically scanning a specimen.

Abstract: A system and method for removing a bone from a primal or sub primal meat cut that includes a conveyance system having a continuous conveyor extending along a path of conveyance from an upstream point at the loading end to a downstream point at the discharge. The system includes a pair of opposing support surfaces projecting vertically upward from a first position of the continuous conveyor along the path of conveyance whereby each of the opposing support surfaces of the pair inwardly extend one toward the other, from an upper level downward vertically to a lower level. Each opposing support surface of the pair has a downward slope and each opposing surface of the pair converges at a recessed valley at the lower level.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus for transporting fluids including a chassis having wheels and a hitch, the hitch arranged at a first end and the wheels arranged at a second end. The apparatus also includes a high pressure trunk line extending along a length of the chassis, the high pressure trunk line having high pressure inlets for coupling one or more lines directing high pressure fluids into the high pressure trunk line. The apparatus includes one or more low pressure lines, the one or more low pressure lines arranged proximate the high pressure trunk line and having suction outlets along the length of the chassis. The apparatus includes an inlet manifold positioned at the second end of the chassis, the inlet manifold being coupled to the one or more low pressure lines to supply a low pressure fluid to the one or more low pressure lines.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a user profile representing evolving user profile data of a first user, the user profile accessible by a first organization and a second organization without communication between the first organization and the second organization. The method includes creating the user profile by a remote computer based on feedbacks from a corresponding users of the first organization communicating with the remote computer via an application programming interface operating on the remote computer. The user profile data of the user profile is stored on a data source operated only by the third organization. The application programming interface and the remote computer enable connection, over a second network, between a second computer operated by the second organization and the data source having the user profile data. The method further includes thereafter granting access to the user profile to the second computer via the application programming interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for improved rendering includes a number of processing channels to receive multiple input content sources and to process that input content. A compositor can composite processed input content to generate a composite output signal. An output adaptation block can adapt the composite output signal along with dynamic metadata for display by a display device. Each processing channel includes a statistics generator and an input adaptation block.

Abstract: A method for operating a milling machine is disclosed. The method includes receiving an input identifying a leg of a plurality of legs of the milling machine. Further, the method includes determining a height of the leg based on the receiving of the input identifying the leg. The height of the leg being determined based on position data of the leg. The position data being obtained by a first sensor. Further, the method includes determining, by the controller and based on the determining the height of the leg, that a height of other legs of the plurality of legs is to be adjusted. Thereafter, the method includes adjusting the height of the other legs of the plurality of legs to the height of the leg. The height of the other legs being adjusted based on the determined height of the leg.

Abstract: In some examples, an aircraft comprises a motorized module. The motorized module comprises a motor and a first coil. The motor is to operate equipment onboard the aircraft and generates vibrations during operation. The first coil is operable to wirelessly transmit power to a separate module onboard the aircraft based on electromagnetic induction between the first coil and a second coil in a separate module, and wirelessly transfer data with the separate module via the second coil based on the electromagnetic induction, the data being associated with the motor. A gap separates the motorized module and the separate module. The gap isolates the separate module from the vibrations.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition of albumin microbubbles to which are bound one or more moieties that exhibit a binding preference for the albumin microbubbles relative to free, native HSA. Production of the albumin microbubble composition and use of the albumin microbubble composition in ultrasound mediated delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic agents is also discussed.

Abstract: A pipe-repair tool is disclosed. The pipe-repair tool includes a first chamber to hold a first pressurized sealant and a valve to selectively allow the sealant to flow from the chamber into the interior of a pipe to be repaired. The tool may include a second chamber to hold a second pressurized sealant when using a two-part sealant, in which case the first sealant and the second sealant flow through a mixing chamber when flowing from the first and second chambers to the interior of the pipe. The valve may be a mechanical valve that is opened by moving the tool relative to the pipe to be repaired. The valve may be an electrically controlled valve that is opened with an electrical signal.

Abstract: A standalone DJ console includes onboard audio data, user interface, processing engine and mixing module that enable multiple virtual audio players operating under the control of the processor to be mixed by virtual mixing processes into two different audio signal streams routable to different outputs of the console to provide two different audio streams to two separate spaces. The user interface is designed with a virtual display and parallel sets of controls which enable virtual representations of audio waveforms to be scrolled relative to an axis of time above the respective set of controllers used to manipulate the audio signal stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition of albumin microbubbles to which are bound one or more moieties that exhibit a binding preference for the albumin microbubbles relative to free, native HSA. Production of the albumin microbubble composition and use of the albumin microbubble composition in ultrasound mediated delivery of therapeutic or diagnostic agents is also discussed.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for predicting the excursion of a transducer. The method comprises determining whether an input signal to the transducer is a periodic signal; and responsive to determining that the input signal is a periodic signal, calculating the predicted excursion based on a direct current (“DC”) offset associated with the transducer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a process for separating at least a first gas component and a second gas component by contacting a gas stream comprising the first and second gas components with a carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membrane under aggressive gas separation conditions in which the partial pressure of the selectively sorbed gas component in the gas stream is high. Despite the high partial pressure of the sorbed gas component, the selectivity of the carbon molecular sieve membrane is not substantially reduced by plasticization or saturation. In some embodiments, the aggressive gas separation process may include contacting a gas stream at supercritical conditions with a CMS membrane to separate at least first and second gas components. The process may be useful for, among other things, the separation of CO2 from a natural gas stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for thermally de-manufacturing tires and other materials. The apparatus is a retort chamber with various zones in which tires are combusted to provide energy for the thermal depolymerization reaction, depolymerization takes place, and products leave the retort chamber. In one embodiment, the process reacts water with iron present in steel-belted tires to produce hydrogen, which helps to break sulfur-sulfur bonds in vulcanized materials. The water also helps control the temperature of the reaction, which allows for control over the types and relative amounts of the various depolymerization products.

Abstract: Provided herein is a personal care composition that can exhibit an increased vapor release while maintaining physical stability and texture. The personal care composition can contain from about 35% to about 90% petrolatum, from about 20% to about 50% of an olfactory composition, and a gelling agent mixture. The gelling agent mixture can contain dibutyl lauroyl glutamide, dibutyl ethylhexanoyl glutamide, and a solvent selected from the group consisting of pentylene glycol, propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol, 3-methyl-1,2-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, and combinations thereof. The personal care composition can exhibit a vapor release of from about 35 mg to about 300 mg at 8 hours and can have an Instability Index of less than about 0.8.