Abstract: A method may include: providing a browser extension to user devices that is configured to: monitor data associated with website pages visited by the user devices; and in response to detecting that data associated with a website page is indicative of a presence of a platform, transmit a notification to an entity system, the notification including an identification of the website page and an identification of the platform; and in response to receiving the notification: generating and/or updating a database indicative of operation of the platform on one or more website pages based on the identification of the website page and the identification of the platform; quantifying a number of website pages on which the platform is operated based on the database; and determining a level of traffic to the website page.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to method for facilitating a transaction between a service provider and a customer using an online payment platform. The method includes receiving a request from a customer's device to enter into a transaction with a service provider and receiving a request from a service provider's device to process a cardless payment transaction for the transaction. The method further includes determining a tipping process to be applied to the transaction whereby an automatically determined tip amount or a manually determined tip amount is added to the transaction. The processing of the transaction is delayed until the automatically determined or the manual tip amount is added to the transaction. The cardless payment including the tip amount is then processed and a confirmation thereof is communicated to the respective devices of the customer and the service provider.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle includes a housing, a propulsion system supported within the housing, and an inlet assembly supported by an outer surface of the housing. The inlet assembly includes: at least one fluid channel in fluid communication with the propulsion system; and a first scoop coupled to the housing and movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The first scoop is aligned with the housing in the stowed position to prevent air from entering the propulsion system, and the first scoop projects from the outer surface of the housing in the deployed position to direct air through the at least one fluid channel and into the propulsion system to generate thrust. The inlet assembly includes a flap disposed upstream of the first scoop. The flap is moveable between a flap stowed position and a flap deployed position.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for facilitating a merchant transaction comprises providing a list of one or more merchants that are in geographic proximity to a geolocation of a payer, and receiving a request from the payer to conduct a transaction with a merchant among the one or more merchants. The request can be received by a computer system programmed to facilitate the transaction. The transaction can then be processed with the aid of the computer system. A tip selection, which can include a tip amount, can be applied to the transaction. In some cases the tip selection is received from the payer as a selectable option. In other cases, the tip selection is automatically applied to the transaction without involvement from the payer during or upon the termination of the transaction.

Abstract: A method of performing an injection cycle having a duration comprising: beginning the injection cycle with the valve pins associated with two or more nozzles in a gate closed position, selecting a first one of the two or more nozzles and controllably driving its associated valve pin from the gate closed position to a selected first axial upstream position, upon downstream flow of the injection fluid through a cavity the preselected distance, controllably driving the valve pin associated with the other of the two or more nozzles to a selected second axial position upstream, holding or controllably driving the valve pin associated with the first one of the two or more nozzles in or to one or more reduced flow axial upstream positions that are partially closed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes automating, via an application running on a computing device, consent for cardless payment transactions upon a determination that a received signal strength indication satisfies a threshold; monitoring, while the application is running in a background on the computing device, received signal strength indications of other computing devices that are proximate to the computing device; determining, based on the monitoring and by the application, that a received signal strength indication associated with another computing device satisfies the threshold using an automatically enabled short-range wireless communication protocol; and causing, by the application and based on the received signal strength indication satisfying the threshold, the payment service to process a cardless payment transaction between another user associated with the other computing device and the user, wherein the consent for the cardless payment transaction is automatically provided based on the received signa

Abstract: A solid fuel propulsion system includes a housing, an air inlet configured to enable air to flow into the housing, an air duct, a rotation detonation chamber, and a nozzle assembly. The air duct is disposed in the housing and is in fluid communication with the air inlet. The air duct is configured to supply air for combustion of a solid fuel configured to sublimate into a gaseous fuel mixture. The rotation detonation chamber is disposed in the housing aft of the air duct and is configured to combust the gaseous fuel mixture and air to generate a rotating detonation wave. The nozzle assembly is configured to expand and exhaust the flow prompted by the rotating detonation wave to generate thrust.

Abstract: A method of performing an injection cycle having a duration comprising: beginning the injection cycle with the valve pins associated with two or more nozzles in a gate closed position, selecting a first one of the two or more nozzles and controllably driving its associated valve pin from the gate closed position to a selected first axial upstream position, upon downstream flow of the injection fluid through a cavity the preselected distance, controllably driving the valve pin associated with the other of the two or more nozzles to a selected second axial position upstream, holding or controllably driving the valve pin associated with the first one of the two or more nozzles in or to one or more reduced flow axial upstream positions that are partially closed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for inhibiting corrosion of metal surfaces in aggressive fluids, including fluids with high total dissolved solids content. The treatment composition can include a stannous corrosion inhibitor and optionally an additive that enhances the corrosion inhibition properties of the stannous component. The additive may include organic compounds having at least one heteroatom.

Abstract: An oral care implement including a handle and an oral care refill head. The handle has a gripping portion, an engagement component coupled to a distal end of the gripping portion, and a stem. The engagement component includes a plate portion and a first engagement feature. The stem extends through an opening in the engagement component and protrudes from the plate portion. The oral care refill head includes an oral care treatment portion and a sleeve portion. The sleeve portion has an inner surface that defines a sleeve cavity having a cavity axis and a second engagement feature. When the oral care refill head is detachably coupled to the handle, the first and second engagement features mate with one another to at least one of: (1) position the oral care refill head and the handle in an operational alignment; and (2) lock the oral care refill head to the handle.

Abstract: A method for processing a cardless payment includes receiving, by a first mobile device, a signal from a second mobile device using a short-range wireless transmission protocol. A value for the received signal strength indication of the signal between the first mobile device and the second mobile device can be determined. The process can include determining that the first mobile device and the second mobile device are in proximity based on the received signal strength indication. Consent to enter into a payment transaction can be established upon a determination that the devices are in proximity to one another.

Abstract: A method for applying a chemical treatment to a process stream in an ethanol production/corn oil extraction system. The method includes applying the chemical treatment to the process stream before or during fermentation of an emulsified oil precursor product in the process stream to demulsify the emulsified oil precursor product, and extracting the demulsified oil from the emulsified oil precursor product.

Abstract: A content processing system for modifying the brightness of one or more image frames of content, the system comprising a content analysis unit operable to identify brightness information for each of two or more image frames within the content, a variation detection unit operable to detect a variation in the brightness of at least two image frames within the content, and a brightness modification unit operable to modify the brightness of one or more image frames in dependence upon the detected brightness variation so as to reduce the variation in brightness between frames of the content.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for evaluating the level of organic contaminants in water, and in particular water that is used as boiler feedwater in food processing facilities such as sugar factories. The method includes measuring at least one parameter of the water including pH, conductivity, and/or total organic carbon, and, based on the measured values, determining whether corrective action needs to be taken to reduce the levels of organic contaminants.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing payment account information in a user account by receiving payment card information by a card reader at a point of sale. An account can be created when the payment card information is read by the card reader. Optionally, a gift card can be scanned prior to the creation of the account, and the gift card information can be combined with the payment card information. The gift card can be an electronic gift card which can be personalized with textual, visual, video, and/or audio portions.

Abstract: A method of treating water to remove selenium and/or mercury that is dissolved in the water. The method includes adding an acid to the water to reduce the pH, adding a metal reagent to the water that is effective to reduce the selenium and/or mercury to a lower oxidation state, and then removing the reduced selenium and/or mercury from the water.

Abstract: A method of processing a transaction between a customer and a merchant includes receiving from a mobile device of the customer or from another device of the customer an indication of consent to perform a cardless payment transaction with the merchant, receiving from the mobile device an indication that the customer is within a predetermined distance of the merchant, after receiving both the indication of consent and the indication that the customer is within the predetermined distance, sending to a computer system of the merchant an indication of the presence of the customer and personal identifying information for the customer, receiving data indicating a transaction between the customer and the merchant, and submitting the transaction to a financial service for authorization.