Abstract: There is disclosed a thermal energy storage and supply method that includes providing subcooled water to a pressure vessel; heating liquid water within the pressure vessel using an electrically-powered heater so that the vessel contains saturated liquid water and steam at a variable storage pressure; controlling the heater to raise the storage pressure to a peak storage pressure of at least 2 MPa; and selectively discharging steam from an outlet of the pressure vessel to a thermal load, in response to a thermal energy demand, such that during a depletion period the storage pressure reduces by at least 1 MPa from the peak storage pressure.

Abstract: A composition and a method for preparing a polymer composite article. The composition comprises (A) a filler in an amount of from 10 to 90 wt. The composition also comprises (B) a polymer in an amount of from 10 to 90 wt. %. wherein the (B) polymer is selected from polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, or combinations thereof. Further, the composition comprises (C) an organopolysiloxane in an amount of from greater than 0 to 10 wt. %; the (C) organopolysiloxane having at least one silicon-bonded hydroxyl group and a viscosity of from 1,000 to 60,000 mPa·s at 25° C. The ranges for components (A)-(C) arc based on the total weight of components (A), (B) and (C) in the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface-mountable retractable trailer stand assembly for supporting a trailer parked at a loading dock. In an embodiment, the assembly comprises a base for mounting to a surface, one or more moveable support members attached to the base. The one or more moveable support members are moveable between a first lowered stored position wherein the one or more moveable support members are retracted towards the surface, and a second raised operable position wherein the one or more moveable support members are extended away from the surface and are capable of supporting a trailer.

Abstract: An online behavior, survey, and social research system is provided. In some embodiments, the system comprises a hardware processor; and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions executable by the hardware processor to perform a method comprising: collecting data from a user device of a user, the data representing actions performed by the user on one or more network sites; receiving an event match configuration specifying one or more patterns of interest; generating event matches based on the collected data and the event match configuration, wherein each of the event matches represents a portion of the collected data matching with one or more of the patterns of interest; receiving a project configuration specifying a time period of interest; generating a user journey report comprising the event matches occurring during the time period of interest; and providing the user journey report to a client device.

Abstract: A system for additive manufacturing includes an extrusion apparatus configured to receive a raw material and to output an extrudate, a print head configured to receive the extrudate and to output a bead to form an object, and a quality control system having at least one measurement device for measuring at least one of a bead width, a bead height and/or a bead temperature of the bead.

Abstract: An article of manufacture for providing a portable bunk bed travel curtain is disclosed. The travel curtain attached to an upper bunk of a bunk bed for covering an open side of lower bunk of bunk bed. The travel curtain includes: a curtain fabric for covering an open side of the lower bunk of the bunk bed, a set of attachment straps for coupling the travel curtain to physical elements of the upper bunk, each attachment strap within the set of attachment straps couples to itself after wrapping around one of the physical elements of the upper bunk, a plurality of attachment tabs coupled to at least one side of the curtain fabric, each of the attachment loops may be used to secure items to the travel curtain, and one or more carabiners attached to corresponding attachment loops coupled to the curtain fabric.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and processor-readable storage media for risk analysis and access activity categorization across data structures for use in network security mechanisms are provided herein.

Abstract: An online behavior, survey, and social research system is provided. In some embodiments, the system comprises a hardware processor; and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium encoded with instructions executable by the hardware processor to perform a method comprising: collecting data from a user device of a user, the data representing actions performed by the user on one or more network sites; receiving an event match configuration specifying one or more patterns of interest; generating event matches based on the collected data and the event match configuration, wherein each of the event matches represents a portion of the collected data matching with one or more of the patterns of interest; receiving a project configuration specifying a time period of interest; generating a user journey report comprising the event matches occurring during the time period of interest; and providing the user journey report to a client device.

Abstract: A container with a magnetic self-aligning sleeve includes a container that defines an interior receiving cavity with an opening at one end adapted to receive liquid or solid, and a base at an opposing end. The container additionally includes a sleeve defining a container receiving interior cavity with an opening at one end receiving the container, and a base at an opposing end. Of note, the container receiving cavity has an inside diameter that exceeds an outside diameter of the container. Finally, the container includes a first pair of magnetic arrays. A first one of the first pair of magnetic arrays has a primary polarity and is included with the base of the container. A second one of the first pair of magnetic arrays has a secondary polarity opposite the primary polarity and is included with the base of the sleeve.

Abstract: Described herein are a system and techniques directed toward identifying personalized recommendations for a user for products which are non-uniform and/or which are not easily equated across retailers. In some embodiments, this may involve using one or more clustering techniques to identify a cluster into which the user belongs. The system may ascertain, based on cluster data, an effect that the product is likely to have on the user. The user's preferences (e.g., lifestyle and consumption method) may then be used to identify a likelihood that a product's likely effect on a user is one desired by the user. Products may then be ranked based on those likelihoods and products with the highest likelihood may be presented to the user.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and processor-readable storage media for risk analysis and access activity categorization across data structures for use in network security mechanisms are provided herein.

Abstract: A textile spreader apparatus, comprising: a first spread carriage and a second spread carriage, each configured to respectively receive opposing corners of a leading edge of a textile and to respectively convey the opposing corners in substantially opposing directions toward an extended position, such that the leading edge of the textile travels along a predetermined path; a catch arranged in the predetermined path of the leading edge, such that the catch intercepts the leading edge; and a sensor configured to detect when the catch intercepts the leading edge, wherein the catch is configured to retract from the path of the leading edge upon the sensor detecting a pressure applied to the leading edge, exceeding a threshold, wherein the threshold is reduced as the first spread carriage and the second spread carriage convey the opposing corners toward the extended position.

Abstract: Luminal devices are described. In one embodiment, a luminal device includes an esophageal stent and an anchoring membrane coupled to the esophageal stent. The anchoring membrane may be configured to be coupled to an esophageal wall with a tissue anchor placed through the anchoring membrane. The anchoring membrane may be configured to be pierced to allow the tissue anchor to be placed through the anchoring membrane. Methods for attaching a luminal device to the esophageal wall are described. In one embodiment, a method may include forming a bulge in an anchoring membrane of the luminal device and the esophageal wall, piercing the bulge from a first side of the anchoring membrane and a first side of the esophageal wall, placing a second retention element of a tissue anchor on a second side of the esophageal wall; and placing a tension element of the tissue anchor through the anchoring membrane and the esophageal wall. The tension element may be coupled to the second retention element.

Abstract: A textile spreader apparatus, comprising: a first spread carriage and a second spread carriage, each configured to respectively receive opposing corners of a leading edge of a textile and to respectively convey the opposing corners in substantially opposing directions toward an extended position, such that the leading edge of the textile travels along a predetermined path; a catch arranged in the predetermined path of the leading edge, such that the catch intercepts the leading edge; and a sensor configured to detect when the catch intercepts the leading edge, wherein the catch is configured to retract from the path of the leading edge upon the sensor detecting a pressure applied to the leading edge, exceeding a threshold, wherein the threshold is reduced as the first spread carriage and the second spread carriage convey the opposing corners toward the extended position.

Abstract: Gastrointestinal bypass devices are described. In one embodiment, a gastrointestinal bypass device may include an anchoring membrane configured to be attached to a wall of an esophagus with a tissue anchor placed through the anchoring membrane. The anchoring membrane may be configured to be pierced to allow the tissue anchor to be placed through the anchoring membrane. Methods for attaching a device to a tissue wall are described. In one embodiment, a method may include forming a bulge in an anchoring membrane of the device and the tissue wall, piercing the bulge from a first side of the anchoring membrane and a first side of the tissue wall, placing a second retention element of a tissue anchor on a second side of the tissue wall, and, placing a tension element of the tissue anchor through the anchoring membrane and the tissue wall. The tension element may be coupled to the second retention element. The method may further include placing a first retention element on the first side of the anchoring membrane.

Abstract: Delivery devices are described. In one embodiment, a delivery device includes a catheter and a sealing pad coupled to an outer surface of the catheter. The delivery device may further include a recess formed in an outer surface of the catheter. The sealing pad may be coupled in the recess. Methods for delivering a tubular device are described. In one embodiment, a method may include inserting a distal end of a catheter into a lumen of a tubular device. The catheter may include a sealing pad coupled to an outer surface of the catheter. The method also includes positioning the sealing pad inside a drawstring coupled circumferentially to the tubular device, and cinching the drawstring around the catheter at the sealing pad to couple the tubular device to the catheter.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing a casino game playable at a plurality of gaming devices is provided. The method includes receiving, by a server having at least one processor, an indication of a wager from at least one of the plurality of gaming devices, determining, by the server, a schedule for at least one jackpot of the casino game based at least in part on the received indication of the wager, and sending, by the server, the schedule for the at least one jackpot of the casino game to at least a first gaming device and a second gaming device, the sending including sending the schedule to the first gaming device through wired communication channels, and sending the schedule to the second gaming device through at least one wireless communication channel.