Abstract: A method performed by a viewing device includes receiving a request for an operation to be performed by the viewing device. The request includes trigger criteria for performing the operation. The viewing device receives content from a content provider including content related metadata. A detection is made of a condition that the trigger criteria for the operation to be performed has been met. As a result, the viewing device performs the requested operation. The detection made be accomplished by the viewing device or by a service provider.

Abstract: In a capacitive deionization water desalination apparatus, the waterways of the cell are physically switchable between treatment-phase and purge-phase. In treatment-phase, the waterways conduct the flow of water thickness-wise, in-series, through the whole stack of electrodes and spacers. In purge-phase, the waterways conduct the flow of purge-water into the edges of the spacers, and along the spacers parallel to the plane of the spacers.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus comprising a stack of circular electrodes with a central through hole, the electrodes are supplied with electricity so as to form anodes and cathodes in alternating intercalation. The anodes and cathodes so arranged to lie in such close-spaced parallel face to face relationship as to form a capacitive deionization cell. Water to be treated is passed from the outside of the stack, radially inward through between the electrodes into the central through hole and then axially out of the stack.

Abstract: In a capacitive deionization water desalination apparatus, the waterways of the cell are physically switchable between treatment-phase and purge-phase. In treatment-phase, the waterways conduct the flow of water thickness-wise, in-series, through the whole stack of electrodes and spacers. In purge-phase, the waterways conduct the flow of purge-water into the edges of the spacers, and along the spacers parallel to the plane of the spacers.

Abstract: The softener is based on a capacitive-deionization (CDI) cell, in which the hardness ions are extracted, and disposed of still intact, in concentrated form. The softener is combined with a chelate to inhibit precipitation, in the appliance, from the concentrated effluent. The chelate being citric acid, the acidity is effective to keep the hardness ions in solution. The purify and regenerate modes of operation of the softener can be timed to coincide with the washing and rinsing cycles of the appliance, whereby the presence of the softener does not affect the speed and performance of the appliance.

Abstract: Ammonium is removed from wastewater and transferred into a secondary water circuit. There, the ammonia is oxidized to nitrogen gas in an electrolytic cell. Disclosed is a process-control procedure for minimizing the electricity supplied to the cell, and for ensuring destruction of ammonia down to desired levels. The procedure involves taking pH-readings of the secondary water, and using those pH-readings to determine ammonia levels, and to determine the need for electricity usage to be stepped up or down, and to establish relationships between pH and the progress of the ammonium disposal treatment. The procedure can be used with diverse ways of transferring the ammonia from the wastewater to the secondary water, and with continuous or batch treatment. Instruments for measuring ammonia-concentration directly are expensive, whereas pH-sensors are simple, reliable, and responsive.

Abstract: The capacitive electrodes of the CDI cell are arranged to form a tube. Water to be treated flows through the tube-walls. The CDI electrodes are permeable, and form the tube-walls, whereby the flow passes through the thicknesses of the electrodes and of the spacers. The electrodes may be in the form of concentric tubes, or may be wrapped spirally.

Abstract: Nickel entrained in the sulphide mineral pyrrhotite is engineered to dissolve in leaching acid in a two step procedure. First, a slurry of the mineral and the acid is activated by oxidation. This is done in a time T1 by electrolysis; or alternatively chemically, by adding e.g an oxidizing acid to the mineral. After activation, the slurry is then kept under anoxic conditions for a time T2. During T2, the sulphide starts to dissolve much more rapidly, and the rapid breakdown of the sulphide enables the nickel to dissolve and thus to be leached out of the mineral. The dissolved nickel is extracted from the leaching acid e.g by electro-winning.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying whether a pregnant subject has an increased risk of preterm labour comprising measuring the progesterone concentration in a sample obtained from the subject, wherein a reduced progesterone concentration is indicative of an increased risk of preterm labour and delivery.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus comprising a stack of circular electrodes with a central through hole, the electrodes are supplied with electricity so as to form anodes and cathodes in alternating intercalation. The anodes and cathodes so arranged to lie in such close-spaced parallel face to face relationship as to form a capacitive deionization cell. Water to be treated is passed from the outside of the stack, radially inward through between the electrodes into the central through hole and then axially out of the stack.

Abstract: The electrodes of the described CDI cell are porous and permeable. The liquid to be deionized (e.g. salt water to be desalinated) flows through the electrodes. The electrodes are arranged in a stack, alternating anode/cathode, and water being treated passes through every electrode in the whole stack. For regeneration, the cells are connected (short-circuited) together, and the ions are dislodged mainly by flushing action. The through-flow arrangement can be realized in a number of different configurations.

Abstract: Nickel entrained in the sulphide mineral pyrrhotite is engineered to dissolve in leaching acid in a two step procedure. First, a slurry of the mineral and the acid is activated by oxidation. This is done in a time T1 by electrolysis; or alternatively chemically, by adding e.g an oxidizing acid to the mineral. After activation, the slurry is then kept under anoxic conditions for a time T2. During T2, the sulphide starts to dissolve much more rapidly, and the rapid breakdown of the sulphide enables the nickel to dissolve and thus to be leached out of the mineral. The dissolved nickel is extracted from the leaching acid e.g by electro-winning.

Abstract: A new system is disclosed for extracting ammonia from a wastewater stream, and for transferring the ammonia into the secondary water circuit, where the dissolved ammonium is electrolysed and transformed into gaseous nitrogen. The new system makes use of a membrane of gas-permeable hydrophobic material. The wastewater is raised to pH of 11, and 50° C., to make the transfer of ammonia through the membrane more efficient. Also disclosed is a process-control system for the ammonium disposal system, in which pH sensors are used to control operation. Instruments for measuring ammonia-concentration directly are expensive, whereas pH-sensors are simple, reliable, and responsive. Disclosed are procedures for establishing the relationships between pH and the progress of the ammonium disposal treatment.

Abstract: In a sewage treatment plant, dissolved ammonium is extracted from the waste-water stream, and is transferred to a body of secondary water. The secondary water is passed through an electrolysis station, where the ammonium is transformed to nitrogen gas. The capture and transfer can be done by ion-exchange, the electrolysis then being done on the regenerant water. Or the capture and transfer can be done by first transforming the dissolved ammonium to ammonia gas by raising the pH of the waste-water, then passing the ammonia gas through acidic secondary-water, in which the ammonia dissolves, the electrolysis then being done on the acid-water. The electrolysed, ammonium-diminished, secondary-water can be re-used in further capture/transfer episodes. The secondary-water does not mix with the waste-water stream.

Abstract: In a sewage treatment plant, dissolved ammonium is extracted from the waste-water stream, and is transferred to a body of secondary water. The secondary water is passed through an electrolysis station, where the ammonium is transformed to nitrogen gas. The capture and transfer can be done by ion-exchange, the electrolysis then being done on the regenerant water. Or the capture and transfer can be done by first transforming the dissolved ammonium to ammonia gas by raising the pH of the waste-water, then passing the ammonia gas through acidic secondary-water, in which the ammonia dissolves, the electrolysis then being done on the acid-water. The electrolysed, ammonium-diminished, secondary-water can be re-used in further capture/transfer episodes. The secondary-water does not mix with the waste-water stream.

Abstract: A system is provided for securing an accessory or a bracket to a video display terminal. The system includes a partial or complete peripheral grooved channel, in the side edges and the top edges of a rectangular framework which is of substantially the same dimensions as the front face dimension of the video display terminal and which is adapted to be secured to the front face of the video display terminal. The accessory or a bracket to which the accessory may be attached, is provided with specifically-recited securing structure for cooperation with the grooved channel. The accessory is thus secured to the video display terminal, by specifically-recited structural cooperation between the accessory or the bracket and the rectangular framework.