Abstract: Methods for the manufacture of sorbent compositions, sorbent compositions and methods for using the sorbent compositions. The methods include the utilization of an acidic halogen solution as a source of a halogen species that is dispersed on a solid sorbent. The use of the acidic halogen solution results in a highly active halogen species that demonstrates improved efficacy for the removal of heavy metal(s) from a flue gas. The sorbent composition includes a substantially amorphous halogen species associated with a solid sorbent such as powdered activated carbon (PAC).

Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying primary fuel and secondary fuel to an internal combustion engine may include supplying a first amount of the primary fuel and a second amount of the secondary fuel to the internal combustion engine. The system may include a first manifold to provide primary fuel to the internal combustion engine, and a primary valve associated with the first manifold to provide fluid flow between a primary fuel source and the internal combustion engine. A second manifold may provide secondary fuel to the internal combustion engine, and a fuel pump and/or a secondary valve may provide fluid flow between a secondary fuel source and the internal combustion engine. A controller may determine a total power load, the first amount of primary fuel, and the second amount of secondary fuel to supply to the internal combustion engine to meet the total power load.

Abstract: A solution for evaluating a medium using electrical signals is described. A plurality of electrical signals having different frequencies are transmitted through the medium and signal data corresponding to the electrical signals after having traveled through the medium is acquired. A complex impedance and a complex permittivity and/or complex conductivity can be calculated for the medium. A set of characteristics of the medium can be computed using mixing models and/or known information of the medium. A level of one or more attributes of the medium can be determined from the characteristics using nonparametric Bayesian inference. One particular application is directed to determining a nitrate level of soil.

Abstract: A flexible hose adapter configured for engagement with a coupling can comprise an end piece, the end piece defining an inner end and an outer end, the end piece defining an axis, the end piece defining a sealing surface and a raised lip, the raised lip defined between the inner end and the sealing surface; a flexible hose attached to the outer end of the end piece; and a socket end piece attached to the flexible hose opposite from the end piece.

Abstract: A variety of systems, methods, and compositions are disclosed, including in one method, a security arm barrier system, the system comprising: a drive stanchion mounted to a first substructure; an arm barrier coupled to the drive stanchion, wherein the arm barrier further comprises: a first member, wherein a proximal end of the first member is coupled to the drive stanchion; a second member, wherein a proximal end of the second member coupled to a distal end of the first member; and an articulating joint that couples the first member and the second member, and an energy absorbing material disposed within the first member and the second member; and a receiver stanchion mounted to a second substructure capable of receiving a distal end of the second member.

Abstract: A precast concrete panel and method for forming the panel are disclosed. A method of forming the panel to be used as a floor, wall, or roof structure includes positioning one or more forming members within a casting bed having a plurality of upright surfaces defining a generally rectangular interior area, the one or more forming members comprising an insulating material extending along a length dimension of the one or more forming members to define a plurality of rectangular-shaped channels in a parallel and spaced-apart relationship, placing uncured concrete within the casting bed and allowing the concrete to cover the one or more forming members and substantially fill the channels, and allowing the concrete to cure.

Abstract: An aid for dispensing eye drops to improve adherence. The aid, which may be integrated into an eye drop bottle (10) or be separately attached, aligns the eye drop container to better dispense eye drops, while resting the engagement surface (55) of an alignment structure (50) upon the bridge of a user's nose (80), supporting the eye drop container and not intruding upon the temporal half of the field of view of the user's eye.

Abstract: A system providing self-service access to locked merchandise comprising: (a) providing a fixture that restricts access to the locked merchandise, wherein the fixture can automatically lock or unlock, allowing or restricting access to the locked merchandise; (b) providing a means of uniquely identifying an individual attempting to access the merchandise; (c) measuring a set of behaviors of the individual during any time the fixture is an open mode; (d) assessing whether the set of behaviors of the individual are suspicious or not relative to a set of suspicious event thresholds; (e) storing the individual and their set of behaviors as accessible records in at least one database; and (f) providing an algorithm which determines future access privileges of the individual to the enclosure based on a set of variables.

Abstract: Retractor assemblies and methods of using them to retract tissue. A retractor assembly as described herein may include first and second arms pivotally coupled and each arm formed of a plurality of stacked and separated plates, spaced to define a gap therebeween, providing strength while affording a reduction in weight of the retractor assembly. The retractor assembly may also include a ratcheting locking mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a status of components of hydraulic fracturing units including a prime mover and a hydraulic fracturing pump to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead via a manifold may include a diagnostic control assembly. The diagnostic control assembly may include sensors associated with the hydraulic fracturing units or the manifold, and a supervisory control unit to determine whether the sensors are generating signals outside a calibration range, determine whether a fluid parameter associated with an auxiliary system of the hydraulic fracturing units is indicative of a fluid-related problem, determine whether lubrication associated with the prime mover, the hydraulic fracturing pump, or a transmission of the hydraulic fracturing units has a lubrication fluid temperature greater than a maximum lubrication temperature, or determine an extent to which a heat exchanger assembly associated with the hydraulic fracturing units is cooling fluid passing through the heat exchanger assembly.

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: A pump system may include a pump, a driveshaft, driving equipment, and a vibration dampening assembly configured to reduce pump-imposed high frequency/low amplitude and low frequency/high amplitude torsional vibrations. The pump may have an input shaft connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may include an output shaft having an output flange connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may be configured to rotate the driveshaft to rotate the input shaft of the pump therewith. The vibration dampening assembly may include one or more flywheels operably connected to the input shaft and configured to rotate therewith.

Abstract: A road barrier transfer machine includes an improved capstan control system that reduces unwanted migration of road barrier spans without requiring inaccurate visual observations and reliance on outdated scripts. The barrier transfer machine includes a moveable chassis, an entry snout, an exit snout, a conveyor system, a capstan system, and the capstan control system. The capstan control system automatically operates the capstan system or provides instructions to an operator of the machine to maintain the tension and compression of a road barrier span within desired ranges to reduce unwanted migration of the span.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a status of components of hydraulic fracturing units including a prime mover and a hydraulic fracturing pump to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead via a manifold may include a diagnostic control assembly. The diagnostic control assembly may include sensors associated with the hydraulic fracturing units or the manifold, and a supervisory control unit to determine whether the sensors are generating signals outside a calibration range, determine whether a fluid parameter associated with an auxiliary system of the hydraulic fracturing units is indicative of a fluid-related problem, determine whether lubrication associated with the prime mover, the hydraulic fracturing pump, or a transmission of the hydraulic fracturing units has a lubrication fluid temperature greater than a maximum lubrication temperature, or determine an extent to which a heat exchanger assembly associated with the hydraulic fracturing units is cooling fluid passing through the heat exchanger assembly.

Abstract: Described is a hybrid permanent magnet and wire wound starter generator system. The system includes a polyphase stator that converts a rotating magnetic field to electrical energy. The system also includes a rotor including a plurality of permanent magnets and a wound rotor section. The plurality of permanent magnets and the wound rotor section each generate a portion of the rotating magnetic field. Further, the system includes a controller that controls a polarity of the wound rotor section by transitioning the wound rotor section between a magnetic flux enhancement mode and a magnetic flux weakening mode.

Abstract: A dielectric assembly solid dielectric elements within a liquid or solid matrix material. The dielectric assembly may be manufactured by pressing a dielectric powder to form pressed dielectric elements, sintering the pressed dielectric elements to form the solid dielectric elements, and assembling the solid dielectric elements within the matrix material to form the dielectric assembly. The solid dielectric elements can be specifically oriented (e.g., in one or more tiled layers) or randomly oriented, and the dielectric assemblies can be molded and/or machined into desired 3D geometries. The dielectric assemblies can be relatively large (e.g., >1 mm3) while having bulk dielectric constants higher than conventional slurries and composites formed of dielectric powder in a liquid or solid matrix.

Abstract: A fishing device includes a net disposed in a body of water containing fishes. A plurality of posts, wherein each post further includes a stem, a bottom cross disposed at a lower portion of the stem; a cross bar disposed at a top end of the stem; and a cord. The stem is an upright elongated protrusion extending from under a bottom to above a surface of the body of water. The cord is slidably secured to the cross bar. A first end of the cord is secured to a weight. A second end of the cord is secured to the net. The fishing device includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism grabs a portion of the cord to hold the weight in a first position adjacent to the cross bar. A bait system is disposed at or adjacent to a center of the net.

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: A virtual environment may be provided to facilitate education and knowledge gathering by users. The users may include children, youth, and/or other users. The users may be enabled to form connections between themselves and/or experts, and to communicate between themselves and/or with experts. Users may be provided with a different interface than experts.

Abstract: A cap configured for engagement with a coupling can comprise an annular ring extending circumferentially around an outer portion of the cap, the cap defining an inner end and an outer end disposed opposite from the inner end, the annular ring defining a sealing surface between the inner end and the outer end, the annular ring defining a raised lip at the inner end, the raised lip extending radially outward from the sealing surface; and a web, the web enclosing the annular ring.