Abstract: A biasing circuit for an acoustic transducer is provided with: a voltage-booster stage, which supplies, on a biasing terminal, a boosted voltage for biasing a first terminal of the acoustic transducer; and filtering elements, set between the biasing terminal and the acoustic transducer, for filtering disturbances on the boosted voltage. The biasing circuit is further provided with switches, which can be actuated so as to connect the first terminal to the biasing terminal of the voltage-booster stage, directly during a start-up step of the biasing circuit, and through the filtering elements at the end of the start-up step.

Abstract: Discolored organic compounds (DOC) may be extracted from a medium using a sorbent composition derived by sulfidation of red mud, which contains hydrated ferric oxides derived from the Bayer processing of bauxitic ores. In some aspects, the sorbent composition is slurried with the medium. In other aspects, the sorbent composition is formed into pellets or the like, which are contacted with the medium. The red mud (along with adsorbed contaminants) is then separated from the water using any suitable technique, such as filtration, sedimentation, or centrifugation.

Abstract: A method of using hop acids for increasing food and energy uptake from feed by livestock is described which includes delivering the hop acids for oral ingestion to the animals by mixing the acids with livestock feed. The acids are mixed with the feed in an amount to inhibit certain types of undesirable bacteria in the livestock's digestive system, thereby increasing the production of propionate and lactate and decreasing the production of methane gas.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and structures for reducing surface dislocations of a semiconductor layer, and can be employed during the epitaxial growth of semiconductor structures and layers comprising III-nitride materials. Embodiments involve the formation of a plurality of dislocation pit plugs to prevent propagation of dislocations from an underlying layer of material into a following semiconductor layer of material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrically conductive polymer compositions, and their use in electronic devices. The compositions are an aqueous dispersion including: (i) at least one electrically conductive polymer doped with a non-fluorinated polymeric acid; (ii) at least one highly-fluorinated acid polymer; (iii) at least one high-boiling polar organic solvent, and (iv) nanoparticles of at least one semiconductive metal oxide. The composition may further include an additive which can be one or more of fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for recommending multimedia content includes collecting consumption information for a plurality of users. The consumption information, along with real-time contextual information, may be used to generate collections of recommended multimedia content, including obtainable multimedia assets. The collections may be offered to a user for purchase. The user may be provided access to the multimedia assets. A unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal, may be used to offer and provide access to the multimedia assets.

Abstract: A method includes accessing an electronic program guide (EPG). The method includes identifying recommended media content items using the EPG and selecting one or more addresses of recipients. The method further includes sending information identifying recommended media content items to the selected addresses.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes receiving, at a media server, a request from a first viewer to create a media content server including select segments of media content for display at a display device. The computer implemented method includes accessing a media content analyzer generated based on viewer annotation data associated with media content. The viewer annotation data is received from viewers other than the first viewer. The computer implemented method includes identifying segments of the media content using the media content analyzer. The computer implemented method includes selecting at least one segment of the identified segments of the media content for inclusion in a media content summary. The computer implemented method includes sending the media content summary including the at least one selected segment of the media content to the display device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for managing claims to repair an article of a customer. The present invention is particularly directed to a process for managing claims to repair an article of a customer when the article is covered by an insurance policy. This invention is further directed to a process for managing claims to repair an automobile vehicle of a customer covered by an insurance policy having a predetermined deductable.

Abstract: Peptide-based reagents comprising at least one tooth surface-binding peptide for delivery of at least one polymer-coated white colorant to the surface of teeth are provided. The peptide-based reagent may comprise at least one tooth-binding peptide coupled to, either directly or through one or more spacers, a polymer-binding peptide capable of binding to the polymeric coating on a polymer-coated white colorant. Methods of delivering a polymer-coated white colorant to a tooth surface are also provided as well as oral care compositions comprising the present peptide-based reagents. The peptide-based reagents may be used in conjunction with at least one polymer-coated white colorant to improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and systems comprising peptide-based reagents for delivery of cosmetic benefit agents to human hair, human skin, or human nail.

Abstract: System(s) and method(s) that, periodically or when dynamically triggered, adapt data rates associated with user equipment (UE) in a network are presented. When the UE uses an application or a service, data traffic associated with the UE is inspected to obtain information relating to the application or service, which is used to determine an application/service margin. Current and historical information relating to communication conditions associated with the UE and an associated user is obtained to facilitate determining expected values of Quality-of-Service factors and communication condition metrics associated with the UE and thereby a volatility margin. For each adaptation time interval, the data rate can be adapted by determining a preliminary data rate and adjusting the preliminary data rate using the application/service margin and volatility margin to obtain the adapted data rate to be used for data communications between a node and the UE in the network.

Abstract: Polyamide compositions containing semi-crystalline polyamide, amorphous polyamide, non-halogenated flame retardant, zinc borate and fillers that have a high stiffness and hardness, a low warpage, and external appearance, such as gloss and reduced corrosion effects on melt processing equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dewatering drilling fluid including a feeder, an aging tank, a polyductor configured between the feeder and the aging tank and a flocculant solution pump fluidly connected to the aging tank. Further, the system includes a portable skid to house the feeder, the aging tank, the polyductor, and the flocculant solution pump. In certain embodiments, the polyductor is configured to mix a liquid with a dry flocculant from the feeder, and disperse a resultant flocculant solution in the aging tank, the aging tank is configured to receive the flocculant solution, and the flocculant solution pump is configured to remove the flocculant solution from the aging tank.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an intermediary engine having a controller, and a storage medium for storing instructions to be executed by the controller. The instructions, when executed by the controller, can cause the controller to receive a measure of a mood of an individual, invoke an intermediary according to the measure of the mood of the individual, and present the intermediary to an entity requesting to interact with the individual. The measure of the mood can be synthesized from collected information associated with a behavior of the individual, and can have a plurality of dimensions. The mood can also indicate an availability of the individual and a receptiveness of the individual to accept a request to interact with an entity. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and processes of using perfluoropolyether to maintain or improve the oil return, lubrication, cooling capacity, or energy efficiency of a refrigeration, air conditioning or heat transfer system.

Abstract: Systems and methods to validate restriction event control streams sent to a video distribution system are provided. A particular method includes receiving a control stream from a content provider via a content proxy device. The control stream is associated with a restriction event and directs a media service delivery platform to associate a substitute service with a virtual network for at least one geographical region. The method also includes evaluating validity of the control stream based on content proxy information associated with the content proxy device.

Abstract: Oral care compositions, oral care systems, oral surface-binding peptides, and a method for applying particles to an oral surface are provided. The oral care system comprises at least one peptidic component comprising a first binding element having affinity for an oral surface and a second binding element having affinity for a ligand property of a particle.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a self cleaning thermoplastic substrate surface, comprising: a thermoplastic substrate surface having secured thereto a composite comprising a thermoplastic resin powder and hydrophobically treated particle, whereby the hydrophobically treated particle is adhered to the thermoplastic resin powder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a compound of Formula 1 wherein R1 is CHX2, CX3, CX2CHX2 or CX2CX3; each X is independently Cl or F; Z is optionally substituted phenyl; and Q is phenyl or 1-naphthalenyl, each optionally substituted as defined in the disclosure; comprising contacting a compound of Formula 2 with hydroxylamine in the presence of a base. The present invention also relates to novel compounds of Formula 2, useful as starting materials for the aforedescribed method.