Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring, detecting, and/or intervening with respect to cavitation and pulsation events during hydraulic fracturing operations may include a supervisory controller. The supervisory controller may be configured to receive pump signals indicative of one or more of pump discharge pressure, pump suction pressure, pump speed, or pump vibration associated with operation of the hydraulic fracturing pump. The supervisory controller also may be configured to receive blender signals indicative of one or more of blender flow rate or blender discharge pressure. Based on one or more of these signals, the supervisory controller may be configured to detect a cavitation event and/or a pulsation event.

Abstract: Images of an environment, such as an underwater environment, may be depicted over time to allow the environment to be monitored. The images may be real-time images and may be incorporated into a virtual reality environment.

Abstract: A crash cushion includes a number of spaced-apart supports or bulkheads; energy absorbing modules positioned between the supports; overlapping side panels that interconnect the supports and envelop the energy absorbing modules; front and rear fixed anchors; and reinforcing cables extending between the anchors. The cables extend through cable guides formed in the supports so as to stabilize the supports and facilitate controlled collapse of the supports during vehicle impacts.

Abstract: A method for producing an oligomeric PET substrate for use in a rPET manufacturing process comprises reacting recycled bis-hydroxylethyleneterephthalate (rBHET) or a higher molecular weight oligomer derived from rBHET, with PTA to produce an oligomeric PET substrate represented by Formula (I), wherein R1 is a carboxyl end group or a hydroxyl end group, R2 is a carboxyl end group or a hydroxyl end group, and n is a degree of polymerisation.

Abstract: A loyalty switch for examining loyalty messages and routing the loyalty messages to one or more loyalty hosts and examining responses and routing the responses back to stores. Such a switch has configurable number of selector handlers pool, and the switch accepts a connection from stores and reads loyalty host information from master data to establish the connection with a loyalty host and to route messages. Each selector handler in the switch has multiple store objects that contain a routing map and connection information from companies’ sites and the loyalty host.

Abstract: A method for improving L* color of polyethylene terephthalate polymer, the method including bis-hydroxylethyl-eneterephthalate being polycondensed to produce said polyethylene terephthalate polymer in a polyethylene terephthalate manufacturing process, and wherein said process requires an antimony-containing catalyst, the method comprising the steps of: i) adding said antimony-containing catalyst at a temperature in a range of a melting point of said BHET to an upper temperature of 220° C.; and ii) exposing said BHET in a molten state to glycol removal before addition of said antimony-containing catalyst.

Abstract: A method for producing an oligomeric polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate for use in a recycled PET (rPET) manufacturing process, comprising (i) adding recycled bis-hydroxylethylenete rephthalate (rBHET) and an under-esterified purified terephthalic acid (PTA) oligomer to a reaction zone; and ii) reacting the rBHET and the under-esterified PTA oligomer in the reaction zone to produce an oligomeric PET substrate represented by the formula (I), wherein R1 is a carboxyl end group or a hydroxyl end group, R2 is a carboxyl end group or a hydroxyl end group, and n is a degree of polymerisation (Dp).

Abstract: The inventive disclosures pertain to an improved roofing-protection system that features enhanced leak-detection and analytical capabilities. The improved system features RFID-enabled moisture-sensing elements contained in a moisture-sensing membrane, and can measure impedance changes across the moisture-sensing membrane. In some variations, the system is designed to detect and measure moisture leakage and roof loading by way of biplanar capacitance measurements. RFID tags for moisture sensors are read by drones or robots and wirelessly transmitted to the Cloud/Internet for remote data analytics.

Abstract: A saddle includes an arcuate central portion defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first flange portion bent radially inward from the arcuate central portion at the first end; and a second flange portion bend radially inward from the arcuate central portion at the second end.

Abstract: A method comprises transporting a first stream of a carrier gas to a delivery device that contains a liquid precursor compound. The method further comprises transporting a second stream of the carrier gas to a point downstream of the delivery device. The first stream after emanating from the delivery device and the second stream are combined to form a third stream, such that the dew point of the vapor of the liquid precursor compound in the third stream is lower than the temperature of the plumbing that transports the vapor to a CVD reactor or a plurality of CVD reactors. The flow direction of the first stream, the flow direction of the second stream and the flow direction of the third stream are unidirectional and are not opposed to each other.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an analytics tracking system is disclosed that comprises an interface in electronic communication with one or more consumer devices configured to enable a corresponding consumer to access the interface via a mobile application. The system further comprises a consumer data store comprising data regarding at least one consumer, a movement data store comprising data regarding locations and/or movement of the at least one consumer, and an online behavior data (OBD) data store comprising data associated with browsing and/or application data histories of the at least one consumer. The system further comprises a dynamic analysis system configured to analyze data from the consumer data store, the movement data store, and the OBD data store to generate at least one of custom information for the at least one consumer or identify a location for presentation of information to the at least one consumer.

Abstract: A bicycle helmet that fits over a surface of a head of a user generally includes at least one segment of flexible cell structures that form a radial honeycomb matrix movable between a folded condition where each side of the at least one segment is disposed generally parallel and an expanded condition where the radial honeycomb matrix of the at least one segment is configured to be expanded at least partially over the head of the user and arranged radially relative to the surface of the head of the user.

Abstract: A method to reduce bag rupture in a spray dispensed from a nozzle involves detecting one or more bags rupturing from an initial spray pattern of the spray dispensed from the nozzle, the one or more bags comprising a thin membraned semi-spherical protrusion extending from the spray, where the initial spray pattern is a region of the spray initially exiting the nozzle that forms a continuous sheet-like portion. The spray includes an agricultural spray including water, at least one polymer, and at least one perforation-aid type adjuvant. The agricultural spray exhibits fewer fine droplets exhibiting a diameter less than about 150 ?m formed via the bag rupture approach to droplet formation.

Abstract: Drift reduction adjuvant composition and agricultural sprays containing such agricultural compositions contain water, a rheology modifier (e.g., guar gum or polyacrylamide), an emulsifier such as a polyoxyethylene sorbitan emulsifier, and an oil. When the agricultural spray containing the drift reduction adjuvant composition and a pesticide is delivered from an agricultural nozzle, it produces fewer droplets less than 150 ?m in diameter and either reduces, maintains or increases (e.g., by up to 30 percentage points) the number of ultra-coarse droplets above 622 ?m in diameter compared to an agricultural spray of the pesticide without the drift reduction adjuvant composition sprayed under the same conditions.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor system includes a product transfer pan linked to a shaker base via spring arms. Vibration transferred from the shaker base to the spring arms causes the product transfer pan to oscillate and convey products across the product transfer pan. The product transfer pan has apertures defined therein, such that excess coatings on (or fallen from) the conveyed products tend to fall through the apertures. A chute situated beneath the apertures collects the fallen coatings, and preferably diverts it to a side of the conveyor for collection and subsequent reuse or disposal. The chute is preferably linked to the product transfer pan such that the chute and pan oscillate in tandem.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a casing connected to a top cap structure that consists of an adapter flange extending to an adapter barrel that is configured to fit wholly within the casing. The adapter barrel can be separated from the casing by an annulus that is filled to a predetermined annulus pressure while an internal chamber defined by the adapter barrel contains a gas having a small molecular size at a storage pressure that is greater than the predetermined annulus pressure.

Abstract: Plant growth compositions include a mixture of inert compounds and an active component combination of auxin, gibberellin and cytokinin. The plant growth compositions are auxin-dominant, and the ratio of cytokinin to auxin in the active component combination ranges from about 1:10.5 to about 1:4.5. The amount of cytokinin ranges from about 0.1 to 10 wt % by weight of the active component combination in plant growth compositions formulated for in-furrow application to corn plants. Methods of improving plant growth involve in-furrow, seed and/or foliar application of one or more plant types with a plant growth composition. Improvements in plant growth include increases in the average number of bushels produced per acre.

Abstract: An improved draping system with a drape and a lock device. The drape includes an area defined by a predetermined length and a predetermined width, as well as a selectively separable portion. The drape also has a first perforation, as well as a z-shaped fold over the perforation. The lock device may be a poly seal with a second perforation. The draping system is secured to an operating table to maintain sterility about that operating table. When ready for removal, the draping system is simply pulled in opposite directions. When this occurs, the second perforation breaks, which disengages the lock device. Upon further pulling, the z-shaped fold is unfolded. Further pulling still results in the second perforation breaking.