Abstract: A filtration membrane coating comprising a hydrophilic polymer, a surfactant, and one or more charged compounds, each containing one or more sulfonate functionalities and one or more linkable functionalities selected from the group consisting of amine, monochlorotriazine, and dichlorotriazine. The hydrophilic polymer and surfactant form a thin primer layer which is also superhydrophilic. The primer layer improves flux, and enables improved adhesion of the one or more charged compounds, which form a charged dye layer on top of the primer layer when enhances rejection of charged divalent ions. The coating can be applied while the membrane is packaged in its final form, such as in a spiral wound or other configuration.

Abstract: A system of reducing transmissions of packetized data in a voice activated data packet based computer network environment is provided. A natural language processor component can parse an input audio signal to identify a request and a trigger keyword. Based on the input audio signal, a direct action application programming interface can generate a first action data structure, and a content selector component can select a content item. An interface management component can identify candidate interfaces and determine if prior instances of the packetized data was transmitted to the candidate interfaces. The interface management component can prevent the transmission of the packetized data if determined to be redundant, such as having previously received the data, and instead transmit it to a separate client device of a different device type.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a fluorescein component and benoxinate component and the corresponding uses of these compositions are described herein. These compositions have improved storage life and the fluorescein component and/or benoxinate component minimally degrade after 12 to 18 months of storage.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for reducing the production of a Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil from Distressed Fuel Oil Materials (DFOM) involving a pre-treatment process that transforms the DFOM into Feedstock HMFO which is subsequently sent to a Core Process for removing the Environmental Contaminates. The Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil complies with ISO 8217 for residual marine fuel oils and has a sulfur level has a maximum sulfur content (ISO 14596 or ISO 8754) between the range of 0.05 mass % to 1.0 mass. A process plant for conducting the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect and/or recover from failures in valve control devices. An apparatus includes an input signal generator to provide a digital input signal to a first converter. The first converter corresponds to one of a supply converter or an exhaust converter. The supply converter controls actuation of a supply relay to deliver pressurized fluid to an actuator operatively coupled to a valve in a process control system. The exhaust converter to control actuation of an exhaust relay to exhaust the pressurized fluid from the actuator. The digital input signal triggers application of a current to the first converter to open the first converter. The apparatus further including a failure detector to: determine a difference in at least one of a pressure in the actuator or a position of a flow control member in the valve; and detect a failure when the difference satisfies a failure threshold.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a bow comprises a first limb supporting a first rotatable member. The first rotatable member comprises a first bowstring track and a first terminal post. A second limb supports a second rotatable member. The second rotatable member comprising a second bowstring track and a second terminal post. A bowstring comprises a first end attached to the first terminal post and a second end attached to the second terminal post. The first bowstring track and the second bowstring track are oriented in a bowstring plane, and the first terminal post is laterally offset from the bowstring plane.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to detect a density and/or a concentration of a brine solution or any other solution flowing in a conduit. A diverted portion of the brine solution may be received from the conduit at a vertical pipe. The vertical pipe has a top and a bottom, where the diverted portion of the brine solution is received at the bottom of the vertical pipe and the top of the vertical pipe is at atmospheric pressure. A pressure sensor may detect a pressure of the brine solution in the vertical pipe. A processor may determine the density and/or the concentration of the brine solution based on the detected pressure of the brine solution and a property of a reference solution.

Abstract: A cartoner infeed bucket includes a bottom wall, a first end wall extending upward from the bottom wall and a second end wall extending upward from the bottom wall and spaced apart from the first end wall to define an item carrying space, the second end wall running substantially parallel to the first end wall. The second end wall is mounted for adjustable movement along the bottom wall so as to vary a spacing between the first end wall and the second end wall and/or the first end wall is mounted for pivotable movement relative to the bottom wall.

Abstract: A technique allows a smart meter to receive a mask. The smart meter may receive the mask from a utility company or an escrow service. The smart meter may apply the mask to original metered data on a continuous schedule, on a periodic schedule, or on a determined schedule, or on a randomized schedule to conceal the original metered data. The smart meter may apply different masks at different times. The smart meter transmits the concealed metered data as augmented metered data remotely to an electric utility via a communication network.

Abstract: A language module is joint trained with a knowledge module for natural language understanding by aligning a first knowledge graph with a second knowledge graph. The knowledge module is trained on the aligned knowledge graphs. Then, the knowledge module is integrated with the language module to generate an integrated knowledge-language module.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for computer aided phenotyping of fibrosis-related conditions. A digital image indicates presence of collagens in a biological tissue sample. The image is processed to quantify parameters, each parameter describing a feature of the collagens that is expected to be different for different phenotypes of fibrosis. At least some features are tissue level features that describe macroscopic characteristics of the collagens, morphometric level features that describe morphometric characteristics of the collagens, and texture level features that describe an organization of the collagens. At least some of the plurality of parameters are statistics associated with histograms corresponding to distributions of the associated parameters across at least some of the digital image. At least some of the plurality of parameters are combined to obtain one or more composite scores that quantify a phenotype of fibrosis for the biological tissue sample.

Abstract: An access control device generally includes an electromechanical actuator operable to transition the access control device between a locked state and an unlocked state, an energy storage device operable to store electrical power from a power supply, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to direct a first electrical power from the energy storage device to the electromechanical actuator in response to one or more first criteria. In a fail secure mode, the first electrical power is configured to cause the electromechanical actuator to transition the access control device to the locked state. In a fail safe mode, the first electrical power is configured to cause the electromechanical actuator to transition the access control device to the unlocked state. Certain embodiments further include a user-adjustable switch operable to transition the control circuitry between the fail secure mode and the fail safe mode.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and computer systems for an electronic transaction platform that enables the buying and/or selling of securities by users. The methods and systems relate to the identification and selection of one or more financial instruments to trade during an electronic communication session for trading a financial instrument between an initiating user and one or more invitee users with the assistance of a dealer user or other intermediate entity. The selected financial instrument is identified based on a degree of match between trading intentions of the initiating user and trading data associated with the selected financial instrument.

Abstract: A trailer for towing by a power vehicle is provided and generally includes a frame and a tandem wheel assembly. The frame forms an undercarriage chassis which the tandem wheel assembly is positioned there under. The undercarriage chassis includes a rear wheel assembly, a front wheel assembly, and an extension assembly moving the front wheel assembly between trailing position and a self-propelled position. At least one of the wheel assemblies is powered by a selectively engageable drive assembly including a motor, transmission, driveshaft, selectively engageable clutch and hub, to drive the rotation of at least one of the wheels.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for determining characteristics of roads are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: receiving, at a first time point, first camera information from a camera associated with a vehicle; identifying a first position of a feature of an object in front of the vehicle based on the first camera information; receiving, at an additional time point, additional camera information from the camera; identifying an updated position of the feature of the object in front of the vehicle based on the additional camera information; determining a relative motion of the feature of the object in front of the vehicle based on the first position and the updated position; and determining a characteristic of a road the vehicle is on based on the relative motion of the feature of the object in front of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for applying a unifying visual effect, such as posterization, to all or most of the visual elements in a film. In one implementation, a posterization standard includes a line work standard, a color palette, a plurality of color blocks characterized by one or more hard edges, and a gradient transition associated with each of the hard edges. The visual elements, including live actors and set pieces, are prepared in accordance with the posterization standard. The actors are filmed performing live among the set pieces. The live-action segments can be composited with digital elements. The result is a combination of both real and stylized elements, captured simultaneously, to produce an enhanced hybrid of live action and animation.