Abstract: An apparatus for deploying a circular device such as a frac ball into a wellbore, and systems and methods for using the same, is provided. In various embodiments, the apparatus can have a magazine that biases the circular device upward, and then an actuator and slidebar move the circular device from the magazine down a chute and into a wellbore. The apparatus can be operated remotely to reduce the risk of harm to a human operator. Other aspects and features of the apparatus are described herein.

Abstract: Multifunctional agricultural adjuvant compositions (“MAACs”) include at least one liquid component and one or more solid agricultural particles dispersed in the liquid component. The liquid component may include at least one methylated seed oil. Examples of the solid agricultural particles include ammonium sulfate, other water conditioners, amino acids, or polymers. The MAAC exhibits one or more desired functions depending on the quantity and composition of the liquid component, the quantity and composition of the solid agricultural particles, and, optionally, adding one or more surfactants and/or one or more additional components (e.g., rheology modifiers) to the MAAC. The desired functions of the MAAC may include at least one of a water conditioner, a surfactant, a high surfactant oil concentrate, a crop oil concentrate, or a drift reduction and a deposition adjuvant.

Abstract: A control system (300) allows recognized standard premise electrical outlets, for example NEMA, CEE and BS, among others to be remotely monitored and/or controlled, for example, to intelligently execute blackouts or brownouts or to otherwise remotely control electrical devices. The system (300) includes a number of smart receptacles (302) that communicate with a local controller (304), e.g., via power lines using the TCP/IP protocol. The local controller (304), in turn, communicates with a remote controller (308) via the internet.

Abstract: A system for providing chat-based customer callbacks, wherein a callback application server transmits prompts and receives requests for customer callbacks, an interaction manager determines agent availability and arranges callback handling, and a session management server initiates callbacks, and methods for providing chat-based customer callbacks using the system of the invention.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a risk score reflecting the risk that a police officer may be involved in an adverse event in the future having a computer system preprocessing data to create residual features; the computer system iteratively running models using the collected data and residual features; the computer system identifying the model that best predicts whether a police officer may be involved in an adverse event in the future; and, the computer system generating a risk score by running the model.

Abstract: A system for integrated consumer interaction via media broadcast, comprising an immediate communication system that communicated with a media provider and a communications system, wherein the consumer submits a request to a content provider for interaction that is then handled by the immediate communication to establish an interaction with a communication system, and a method for providing integrated consumer interaction.

Abstract: A drilling machine for angled drilling has a platform having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis. The drilling machine includes a tower for holding a drill string and a tower interface assembly connected to the platform, so that the tower interface assembly moveably supports the tower. The tower interface assembly is selectively moveable to tilt the tower in either a plane parallel with the longitudinal axis of the platform, or to tilt the tower in a plane parallel with the transverse axis of the platform, so that the tilted drill string can perform angled drilling in either position. Further, the tower interface assembly is selectively moveable to simultaneously tilt the tower in the plane parallel with the longitudinal axis of the platform, and the plane parallel with the transverse axis of the platform.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide breathing air to underwater divers in response to the divers' respiration at pressures less than 25 psi above atmospheric pressure during inspiration while delivering no or minimal air during exhalation, by controlling the actions of a pump during the time course of breathing. Methods and systems that sense a diver's need for breathing air, determine inhalation demand or exhalation state, and control the operation of a pump which delivers breathing gas to the diver via a tube. An integrated system for the same which incorporates at least an energy source, pump, air tube, breathing aperture, sensor, and logic processor is disclosed.

Abstract: An encoder is configured to generate an encoded bitstream that can be decoded by a decoder that is configured to receive a bitstream. The bitstream includes a picture comprising a first contiguous region of a first plurality of coding blocks and a second contiguous region comprising a second plurality of coding blocks. The first plurality of blocks having a common motion model used to decode each of the blocks of the first region and the second plurality of blocks having local motion.

Abstract: An encoder includes circuitry configured to receive an input video, select a current frame identify a first sub-picture of the current frame to be encoded using a lossless encoding protocol, and encode the current frame, wherein encoding the current frame includes encoding the first sub-picture using the lossless encoding protocol.

Abstract: A system for streaming digital content includes a mobile device, a mobile application, and a backend application. The mobile application includes a form of digital content, at least one quiz, a reward subsystem, and a marketplace. The quiz material is related to the digital content. The mobile application is configured for use on the mobile device.

Abstract: Hydrogels are blended with water to produce a hydrogel solution. Viscosity of the hydrogel solution is controlled by adjusting the ratio of hydrogel to water and/or by adjusting the blending conditions. The hydrogel solutions may be used to modify the rheology of agricultural compositions. The hydrogel may include lactose, which may be provided by a milk permeate waste stream from the dairy or food processing industry.

Abstract: A compensating rig elevator is provided to eliminate set-down weight from threaded connectors during make-up of a pipe stand and thereby provide an ability to reduce the risk of thread galling and cross-threading. The elevator may comprise one or more hoist assemblies with bail arms that deflect as the compensating rig elevator is suspended by the bail arms and a tubular is placed in the compensating rig elevator. The bail arms actuate a locking mechanism to secure the compensating rig elevator in a closed position around the tubular. The compensating rig elevator can also have compensating rams and a slip system to positively engage the tubular and bear the weight of multiple tubulars.

Abstract: A fire sprinkler support assembly includes a bracket assembly comprising a first plate defining a first end and a second end, wherein a plate opening is formed through the first plate between the first end and the second end; a second plate defining a first end and a second end, the first end of the second plate extending through the plate opening, the second plate rotatable between a first position and a second position relative to the first plate at the plate opening; and a lever assembly coupling the first plate to the second plate, the lever assembly operable to rotate the second plate relative to the first plate to adjust a distance between the first plate and second plate.

Abstract: Renewably-sourced biodegradable polyolefin packaging, utensils, and containers include a renewably-sourced polyolefin (for example, polyethylene and polypropylene) and a biodegrading agent. The renewably-sourced biodegradable polyolefin packaging is made from plant materials typically by polymerizing olefins that are made from reducing alcohols created by fermenting plant materials. An example of a suitable plant material is sugarcane and its derivatives. The biodegrading agent accelerates the biodegradation of polyolefin packaging even in anaerobic and dark (i.e., absent of ultraviolet light) environments. Such a packaging is particularly useful for packaging frozen food that is to be microwaved in the packaging. The package is also particularly usable as packaging for frozen comestibles, which are often stored at dry-ice temperatures.

Abstract: A riser system is provided to eliminate the consequences associated with damage to the annular system while also maintaining the availability of critical safety systems. The riser system may comprise a customizable control housing and external seal control subs that facilitate reciprocation and rotation of a drillpipe or workstring while eliminating damage to the upper annular blow out preventer and allowing the upper annular blow out preventer to function as intended.

Abstract: A brace assembly can include a structural member including a sidewall; and a bracket including a baseplate defining a slot extending from an open end to a closed end, the baseplate defining at least one baseplate hinge hole at the open end; a clamp including a jaw member and a tightening member, the jaw member and the tightening member engaging the sidewall to couple the structural member to the bracket, the jaw member defining a clamp hinge hole; and a hinge pin engaging the at least one baseplate hinge hole and the clamp hinge hole.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes receiving forecast information from sales people in a computer. The method further includes receiving comments on specific entries of the forecast information from non-sales people in the computer. The method also includes receiving changes of the forecast information from the non-sales people in the computer. The method additionally includes providing a display of the comments and the changes to the sales people in an interface to the computer.

Abstract: Methods for administration of injectable fluids and a vial adapter for use with an injector and a vial containing the fluid. The adapter includes a vial retainer, a spacing disc, and a spacing arm. The vial retainer is sized to receive at least a portion of the vial, the stopper and the stopper retainer of the vial. The spacing disc includes a needle insertion port, and is spaced a predetermined distance from the vial retainer by the spacing arm. A distance an injector needle inserted through the port may extend through the stopper is limited by contact of the injector with the spacing disc.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for automatically limiting video surveillance collection to authorized uses and authorized users. To achieve this control, the authorization system can be configured to manage and secure a plurality of crypto keys associated with encrypting a plurality of corresponding video footages and release a crypto key for a video footage at approved times to limit user access to the video footage. In particular, the surveillance system can generate a video collection including a copy of portions of a received video footage that include one or more approved events from a watchlist of a user. Thereafter, the video footage can be encrypted by a first key managed by the authorization system and prevents the user from accessing video content of the video footage once encrypted. Accordingly, the user may be limited to accessing the video collection and not all the portions in the encrypted video footage.