Abstract: Described is a novel process for disaggregating biomass pyrolysis oil quantitatively into energy dense hydrophobic aromatic fraction (HAF), fermentable pyrolytic sugars and phenolics based products in a highly economical and energy efficient manner. Phase separation of the esterified pyrolysis oil after an oxidative pre-treatment and the quantitative recovery of the separate fractions is described. Phase separation uses batch as well as continuous reactor systems. The resulting HAF is an energy dense, thermally stable, water free, non-corrosive to carbon steel, and is a free flowing liquid suitable for combustion and for upgrading to transportation fuels. Pyrolytic sugars which are mainly anhydrosugars can be further converted by fermentation to ethanol or other products. Monomeric phenols are useful industrial intermediates and the organic acids in the original pyrolysis oil are mainly recovered as esters of the separation solvents.

Abstract: A sealing connector cover for a tendon in an encapsulated post-tensioning reinforcement system includes a plurality of circumferential cover segments each comprising a circumferential part of a female connector housing at one longitudinal end, and a male connector housing at another longitudinal end. Each segment has a locking element to engage a corresponding locking element on a longitudinally corresponding segment. Each circumferential segment comprises a circumferential part of a locking element in the female connector housing configured to engage the male connector housing of a longitudinally adjacent sealing connector cover or a connector on an encapsulated anchor.

Abstract: In a wireless communication network, a Domain Name System (DNS) receives an Access Point Identifier (AP ID) for an access point that serves a User Equipment (UE). The DNS converts the AP ID into an Access Gateway Identifier (AGW ID) that comprises a location identifier. The DNS selects an External Gateway Identifier (EGW ID) that comprises the location identifier. The access gateway receives control signals having the AGW ID and exchanges user data between the access point and the external gateway to serve the UE. The co-located external gateway receives additional control signals having the EGW ID and exchanges the user data between the access gateway and an external system to serve the UE.

Abstract: Providing cache updates in a multi-node system through a service component between a lower level component and a next higher level component by maintaining a ledger storing an incrementing number indicating a present state of the datasets in a cache of the lower level component. The service component receives a data request to the lower level component from the higher level component including an appended last entry number accessed by the higher level component. It determines if the appended last entry number matches a current entry number in the ledger for any requested dataset. No match indicates that some data in the higher level component cache is stale. It then sends updated information for the stale data to the higher level component. The higher level component invalidates its cache entries and updates the appended last entry number to match a current entry number in the ledger.

Abstract: Furniture entertainment hubs are disclosed that are integrated in a piece of furniture to conveniently control the piece of furniture, while at the same time providing a convenient means of communicating with and charging a remote smart device such as a smart phone or tablet. The entertainment hubs can be in many different locations in the piece of furniture, with some embodiments embedded in an armrest with the hub having a touch screen accessible at the top surface of the armrest. The entertainment hub provides a sleek, aesthetic and easy to mechanism for controlling the chair/sofa and interfacing with remote devices. One embodiment of an entertainment hub for a seating apparatus comprising a body with a plurality of planar surfaces, wherein one of said plurality of surfaces comprises a substantially flat control panel. The control panel comprises a plurality of visual touch buttons, a remote device wireless charging pad, and a speaker.

Abstract: A system and method for secure storage and management of transitory data using a blockchain, comprising at least a callback manager, a context analysis engine, a vault manager, and a blockchain manager, which allows a user to create a data container to store data preferences, which encrypts the data stored within a data container, and which stores the encrypted data container in a blockchain. For each block, block reference data may is generated comprising the location of the block and its associated decryption key, and the block reference data is then encrypted with a second encryption key and stored off the blockchain in a separate database. The second key is distributed to involved parties to permit access to and reading of the block reference data. The block reference data is deleted based on self-destruct event triggers or when the involved parties are finished accessing the block reference data.

Abstract: A treatment device includes a housing having a longitudinal axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end, a striking element disposed within the housing and moveable along the longitudinal axis, a tip disposed adjacent the distal end, and a nose cone disposed about at least a portion of the tip, the tip being moveable within the nose cone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a permanent shaping composition for the permanent deformation of hair comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable carrier, at least one reducing agent comprising a mercapto functional group, at least one alkalizing agent, and a malodor suppressant system comprising at least a first malodor suppressant, herein the first malodor suppressant has a molecular weight of from 100 to 400 g/mol, and wherein the malodor suppressant system has a distribution coefficient log P (octanol/water) of 2 or more.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a cushioned component having a lattice matrix. An air bladder assembly is covered by the lattice matrix. The air bladder assembly includes a plurality of air bladders supported on a platform assembly. Each air bladder includes a body portion operable between deflated and inflated conditions. Each air bladder includes a connection stem. A support plate includes a plurality of access apertures disposed therethrough. The air bladder assembly is operably coupled to the support plate. Each air bladder is aligned with at least one access aperture of the plurality of access apertures. A carrier assembly includes a plurality of mounting apertures disposed through an outer surface thereof. The carrier assembly receives the connection stem of each air bladder through at least one mounting aperture of the plurality of mounting apertures. Each air bladder may include a release valve for releasing air therethrough.

Abstract: A glucose sensor comprising an optical energy source having an emitter with an emission pattern; a first polarizer intersecting the emission pattern; a second polarizer spaced a distance from the first polarizer and intersecting the emission pattern, the second polarizer rotated relative to the first polarizer by a first rotational amount ?; a first optical detector intersecting the emission pattern; a second optical detector positioned proximal to the second polarizer, the first polarizer and the second polarizer being positioned between the optical energy source and the second optical detector, the second optical detector intersecting the emission pattern; a compensating circuit coupled to the second optical detector; and a subtractor circuit coupled to the compensating circuit and the first optical detector.

Abstract: A retrieving component connects to a server to download a cue stack for the interactive event with the cue stack having a series of cues for a plurality of effects, including at least one of a screen color effect, a screen image effect, and a flashing effect, arranged in a predetermined order. A receiving component receives at least one cue trigger from a localized trigger generator. A rendering component matches the cue trigger to a cue within the cue stack. The rendering component can activate the screen to display a color in response to a cue for a screen color effect, can activate the screen to display an image in response to a cue for a screen image effect, and can activate the flashing device in response to a cue for a flashing effect.

Abstract: Wireless devices may perform modified carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) techniques in order to increase reliability while maintaining a reasonable latency for communications. The wireless devices may perform listen-before-talk (LBT) techniques using an adaptive transmission threshold (e.g., an adaptive CSMA threshold). The transmission threshold may be compared to a measured signal strength magnitude to determine whether the frequency channel is quiet enough for transmission of a packet. The transmission threshold may be initially set to equal a minimum value. The wireless device may increase the transmission threshold after each instance of LBT failure to allow the wireless device to get progressively more likely to transmit the packet each time LBT fails.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, devices, systems, and procedures in a computing system for capturing a configuration state of an operating system executing on a central processing unit (CPU), and offloading resource-related tasks, based on the configuration state, to a resource management unit such as a system-on-chip (SoC). The resource management unit identifies a status of each resource based on the captured configuration state of the operating system. The resource management unit then processes tasks associated with the status of the resources, such as modifying a clock rate of a clocked component in the computing system. This can alleviate the CPU from processing those tasks thereby improving overall computing system performance and dynamics.

Abstract: A mounting flange for a monopole includes a generally annular main panel surrounding a central hole. The main panel includes a plurality of first mounting holes that are substantially circumferentially equidistant from each other and at a first radial distance from a center of the central hole. The main panel also includes a plurality of second mounting holes that are substantially circumferentially equidistant from each other and at a second radial distance from a center of the central hole, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

Abstract: A wireless access node serves wireless User Equipment (UEs) based on wireless network slices that are used by the UEs. In the wireless access node, node circuitry generates initial schedules for the UEs. Radio circuitry in the wireless access node wirelessly communicates with the UEs based on the initial schedules. The node circuitry detects a scheduling contention for the UEs and responsively determines scheduling priority based on the wireless network slices used by the UEs. The node circuitry generates priority schedules for the UEs based on the scheduling priority. The radio circuitry wirelessly communicates with the UEs based on the priority schedules. The node circuitry may use normal scheduling again when the contention subsides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are intestine pleating attachable structures for use with endoscopes and methods for using said structures. The intestine pleating attachable structures may act in conjunction with a gastrointestinal endoscope and, optionally, a balloon to improve visualization during endoscopic procedures. The intestine pleating attachable structures are coupled to the endoscope shaft, and include at least one flexible appendage to enhance contact between the structure and the intestinal wall. When the endoscope is retracted, the flexible appendage assists in moving the intestinal wall relative to the imaging system. This movement causes the intestine to pleat. Pleating reduces looping, improves efficiency, and results in a less painful endoscopic procedure for the patient. The attachable structures may be used in conjunction with a dome-shaped balloon that is inflated at the distal, imaging end of the endoscope.

Abstract: Inorganic infrared attenuation agent blends have been developed to improve the thermal insulation properties of polymeric foams such as polystyrene low density foams. The inorganic infrared attenuation agent blends can include two or more metal oxides such as silicon dioxide, manganese (IV) oxide, iron (III) oxide, magnesium oxide, bismuth (III) oxide, cobalt oxide, zirconium (IV) oxide, molybdenum (III) oxide, titanium oxide, and calcium oxide. In some preferred embodiments, the inorganic infrared attenuation agent blends can include four or more of these metal oxides.

Abstract: A fixed hybrid dental attachment assembly is provided. The fixed hybrid dental attachment assembly includes an abutment member, a male member, and a cap. The abutment member has an outer locating surface portion projecting downwardly from an upper end. The male member for attachment to the abutment member has an upper end for engagement within a cap in a recess in a dental appliance, and a continuous, unbroken skirt projecting from the upper end of the male member for engagement over the outer locating surface of the abutment member. The skirt may have a rounded, convex outer surface, and the male member may be constructed from a PEEK material.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for ground plane filtering of video events are disclosed. A method includes obtaining a first set of images of a scene from a camera; determining a ground plane from the first set of images of the scene; obtaining a second set of images of the scene after the first set of images of the scene is obtained; determining that movement shown by a group of pixels in the second set of images of the scene satisfies motion criteria; determining that the ground plane corresponds with at least a portion of the group of pixels; and in response to determining that movement shown by the group of pixels in the second set of images of the scene satisfies motion criteria, and that the ground plane corresponds with at least a portion of the group of pixels, classifying the group of pixels as showing ground plane based motion.

Abstract: A networked computer system for displaying images associated with non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) is described herein. The networked computer system includes a computer server coupled to a plurality of EGMs located within a casino property. The computer server includes a processor programmed to execute an algorithm to display an animated sequence of computer-generated images on a display device of a corresponding EGM including the steps of querying a blockchain system to identify a casino charm NFT owned by a casino patron, querying a charms content database to retrieve image data associated with the identified casino charm NFT, and rendering an image of the identified casino charm NFT on a game screen displayed on the corresponding EGM.