Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for secure transaction management are provided. An example method may include verifying that a mobile terminal identifier is registered with an account, generating an authorization code, and verifying that the received authorization code matches the authorization code stored in association with the account, and the received customer verification number matches the customer verification number associated with the account. The example method may also include providing for transmission of a verification reply to authorize the transaction.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to consumable products incorporating a matrix of cultured tobacco cells. Any tobacco variety may be utilized for establishing in vitro tobacco cultures, including native tobacco varieties and genetically modified tobacco varieties derived from any tobacco variety. Various embodiments are directed to methods for producing tobacco products incorporating cellular material and/or extracts derived from tobacco cells cultured in vitro.

Abstract: A composition comprising an alcohol ether sulfonate is provided for use in methods of removing a fluid from a subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formation.

Abstract: A power efficient direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System, TPMS, for providing a non-continuous tire pressure monitoring of a tire of a vehicle, such as a automobile vehicle, the TPMS comprising: a processing unit having at least a first operating mode and a second operating mode; a timing unit; an acceleration measuring unit; a comparing unit; a pressure measuring unit; a transmitting unit; and, a power supplying unit for supplying power to the processing unit in the first and second operating modes wherein the latter mode is less power consuming than the former mode, wherein the processing unit is adapted to: enter the second operating mode after an acceleration threshold and an operating clock frequency have been set; and, enter the first operating mode responsive to a first trigger signal. A tire, a vehicle and a method are also claimed.

Abstract: A double shutter shroud (5) and a flexible sheath (11) surrounding a stab (10) of an MCC unit, form a protective tunnel (30) for the stab to connect to a bus 4. A first shroud (6) mounted on the bus, includes a first gate (12). A second shroud (20) mounted on the MCC unit includes a second gate (24). When the MCC unit slides into an MCC section, a unit key (16) opens the first gate. When the stab is advanced toward the bus, a stab key (28) opens the second gate, forming a protective tunnel (30) from the flexible sheath and through the first and second shrouds. The protective tunnel protects the stab and bus from contamination, helps prevent dielectric breakdowns and short circuits between different phase busses, and protects an operator from electrical hazard of touching the bus or stab with tools or fingers.

Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker 10 having a handle assembly 100 formed of two separate pieces, namely a handle section 110 and a link section 150 with a first end 152 and a second end 154. The link section 150 is pivotally connected at the first end 152 to the handle section 110, and at the second end 154 to a movable blade 30 carrying the movable contact 32 of the circuit breaker. The handle section 110 can be formed of a plastic, and the link section 150 can be formed of a metallic material. A metallic link section can be thinner than an equivalent plastic part, and can provide a robust metal-to-metal interface with the blade 30 carrying the movable contact 32. The handle assembly 100 can also have one or more clearance gaps 132 and 134 designed between the handle section 110 and link section 150 to provide for a range of independent motion by the handle section 110 in relation to the link section 150.

Abstract: A system for metering flow of a fluid has a vibratable flowtube for receiving a multiphase fluid flow. A driver is configured to vibrate the flowtube. A pair of sensors is positioned to detect movement of the flowtube at different locations on the flowtube. Pressure and temperature sensors are positioned to measure a pressure of the fluid. One or more processors are configured to use a phase difference between the sensor signals to determine a fluid flow rate through the flowtube. The one or more processors are further configured to determine an amount of dissolved gas in the multiphase fluid using the pressure, the temperature, and the relative amounts the multiple liquids in the multiphase fluid.

Abstract: A package including a fitment for dispensing a liquid from a flexible bag is disclosed. The fitment is secured to the bag and includes a compressible bulb and a piercing member that are coupled together. The fitment is configured such that when the bulb is first actuated, e.g., pressed, it causes the piercing member to pierce through the wall of the bag so that the contents of the bag can be dispensed through an outlet port of the fitment. In one embodiment of the fitment a portion of the piercing member is permanently located within the bag after first use and a valve is provided to open and close the outlet port thereafter. In another and more preferred embodiment the piercing member is extended into and out of the bag to dispense the contents of the bag through the outlet port, without necessitating use of a separate valve to open and close that port.

Abstract: The use of UAV network cells may enable a wireless communication carrier to provide supplemental cellular network communication coverage to geographical areas. Geolocations of multiple user devices in a geographical area that is serviced by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) network cell may be determined. Subsequently, operation condition data for the geographical area that affect at least one of UAV flight or UAV communication signal transmission or reception for the UAV network cell may be received. Accordingly, a flight trajectory that provides network coverage to one or more specific user devices in the geographical area may be generated based on the geolocations of the multiple user devices and the operation condition data. A control command is then sent to the UAV network cell to direct the UAV network cell to travel according to the flight trajectory.

Abstract: A handover procedure can be implemented using a codec-specific threshold as a triggering event for the handover procedure. A mobile device can initiate a communication session with a serving access point (AP). The mobile device can receive a codec established for the communication session, access a set of codec-specific thresholds stored in memory of the mobile device to determine a handover triggering threshold that is specific to the codec used for the communication session. The mobile device can measure a parameter of a radio signal from the serving AP, and when the measured parameter falls below the codec-specific threshold, a handover procedure can be initiated to transition the communication session to a target AP.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining network congestion (e.g., reduced or low average user throughput with telecommunications networks, such as LTE networks, are described. The systems and methods described herein facilitate the identification and/or prediction of congestion at cell sites, which may enable telecommunications networks to prevent and/or remedy current or future occurrences of congestion at cell sites within their networks.

Abstract: A method of operating frequency shift keying (FSK) demodulator for demodulating symbols includes providing current and previous buffered portions of an input signal to correlation circuits of the FSK demodulator, where each buffered portion persists for a symbol duration time period. The correlation circuits output first correlation metrics that indicate a likelihood of whether the buffered portions match a respective target pattern. The first correlation metrics are combined into a set of first correlation results, which are delayed by at least the symbol duration time period. The current and next buffered portions are provided to the correlation circuits, which output second correlation metrics that are combined into a set of second correlation results. The set of second correlation results are combined with the delayed set of first correlation results to produce a demodulation decision that indicates a most likely symbol value encoded in the current buffered portion.

Abstract: TiO2 based scrubbing granules, and methods of making and using such TiO2 based scrubbing granules are described. TiO2-based scrubbing granules include granulated TiO2 and about 0.5% to about 20% dry weight inorganic salt binder. Other TiO2 based scrubbing granules include unsintered granulated TiO2 and about 0.5% to about 20% dry weight inorganic salt binder. Inorganic salt binder include sodium aluminate. Methods of making TiO2 based scrubbing granules include i) combining TiO2 particles with inorganic salt binder to form TiO2-binder mixture comprising from about 0.5% to about 20% dry weight binder; ii) granulating the TiO2-binder mixture; and drying the granulated TiO2-binder mixture to form TiO2-based scrubbing granules.

Abstract: Methods and systems for on-site, continuous generation of peracid chemistry, namely peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions, are disclosed. In particular, an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system is designed for on-site generation of peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions from sugar esters. Methods of using the in situ generated peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The sonotrode and anvil of copending application Ser. No. 12/925,652, for advanced ultrasonic welding of work pieces, are readily incorporated into new form-fill-seal machines, but existing machines with heat-seal stations pose difficult problems for swapping of the sealing packages. Kits enabling heat station replacement, with the further improved sonotrode and anvil disclosed herein, comprise: a housing; a linear rail fixed thereto; anvil and sonotrode support members; and a parallel gripper. Each of the anvil and sonotrode support members is slidably attached to the rail(s) and are also connected to a respective piston of the gripper, permitting actuation of each through cycling of the gripper pistons.

Abstract: Tuning a bias voltage supplied to a series of one or more LEDs in a constant current LED pulsing drive circuit may comprise the steps of: (A) setting the bias voltage to a test value, the test value being at least equal to the sum of the bias voltage second component and the maximum forward voltage rating of each of the one or more LEDs; (B) measuring an intermediate voltage present between the series of one or more LEDs and the constant current source when the LEDs are turned on; (C) determining if the intermediate voltage exceeds the second component of the bias voltage; and (D) upon determining the intermediate voltage exceeds the second component of the bias voltage, reducing the bias voltage applied to the one or more LEDs by an amount necessary to cause the intermediate voltage to equal the second component of the bias voltage.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining optimized amount of radiopharmaceutical to be produced at a production facility, the radiopharmaceutical being for use in nuclear imaging at customer sites, in order to meet aggregate demands of orders placed by the customer sites (e.g. medical imaging centers, hospitals, etc.), wherein the quantity of radiopharmaceutical is sufficient to meet the aggregate demand while minimizing any overproduction of the radiopharmaceutical.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing lifting workers up cell towers are disclosed. The system is useful on “stealth” cellular towers that do not have external ladders or climbing pegs for aesthetic reasons. The system can include a cable, a system of pulleys, and an internal or external winch. The cable can include a counterweight to enable the cable to be paid out from a storage position at the top of the tower down to the ground under its own weight. Workers can attach a harness or a basket to the cable. The winch can then pull the cable, worker, and/or basket to the top of the tower. The winch can be installed on site or can be provided by an on-site service vehicle. The system can also include a fall arrest system to prevent falls in the event of a component failure.

Abstract: A mechanism to adjust variable focus lenses using monitored glucose levels is provided. A glucose sensor provides current blood glucose levels to a controller for the variable focus lenses. The controller determines appropriate adjustment control information for the variable focus lenses based upon the reported glucose levels. This adjustment control information is provided to the lenses, which are adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided by which communication is reduced between a data plane of a network device and a control plane associated with that network device upon introduction of a new flow. A holding table is provided for every active flow table in the data plane. The holding table holds flow contexts for new flows not found in the associated active flow table, while awaiting flow information from the control plane. Each flow context includes a queue of subsequent data packets associated with the flow, which are held from the control plane pending receipt of the flow information from the control plane. A timeout mechanism compensates for packet loss between the network device and control plane. When the data plane receives the flow information from the control plane, the data plane then processes all the queued packets, deletes the flow context, and enters the data into an associated flow table.