Abstract: A process for removing heavy metals from process fluids includes passing a heavy-metal-containing process fluid, including a reductant selected from hydrogen and carbon monoxide, at an inlet temperature ?125° C. over a sorbent including (i) 4-75% by weight of one or more sulphided copper compounds selected from sulphided basic copper carbonate, sulphided copper hydroxide, sulphided copper oxide or mixtures of these, (ii) optionally a support material, and (iii) a binder and the binder content of the sorbent is in the range 5-30% by weight, wherein essentially all of the sulphided copper is in the form of CuS and the total metal sulphide content of the sorbent, other than copper sulphide, is ?5% wt.

Abstract: A delivery device (12, 140) includes a source (16) of pressurized fluid and a nozzle (24) which defines an outlet (22). A fluid pathway (20) fluidly connects the source of pressurized fluid with the nozzle outlet (22) for delivery of a spray of fluid from the nozzle outlet. A delivery mechanism (14) releases a dose (48) of particles (28) into the fluid pathway from an associated cartridge (32), such that the dose of the particles is carried by the pressurized fluid through the nozzle outlet in the spray. The particles include a dental care agent.

Abstract: A background noise inserter server is described that includes a communication interface for communicating with a network, memory for storing background audio, and a processor coupled to the communication interface and the memory. The processor controls the server to connect to a phone call session in response to a session initiation protocol (SIP) invite from a calling device indicating that the calling device is requesting the background audio in the phone call session with a called device. The processor also controls the server to insert the background audio into the phone call session so that the inserted background audio is mixed with audio from the phone call session transmitted to both the calling device and the called device.

Abstract: A system may be configured to receive an indication that a call has been placed (e.g., to a call center), and may provide a customized visual interface. The customized visual interface may include information that is potentially relevant to a user who has placed the call, and may be based on, for example, a user profile or history information, a purchase history of goods or services offered by an entity associated with the called party. The customized visual interface may allow the user to more quickly satisfy the purposes of his or her call than through traditional audio or touchtone menus.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multiplex fluid processing cartridge includes a sample well, a deformable fluid chamber, a mixing well with a mixer disposed therein, a lysis chamber including a lysis mixer, an electrowetting grid for microdroplet manipulation, and electrosensor arrays configured to detect analytes of interest. An instrument for processing the cartridge is configured to receive the cartridge and to selectively apply thermal energy, magnetic force, and electrical connections to one or more discrete locations on the cartridge and is further configured to compress the deformable chamber(s) in a specified sequence.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multiplex fluid processing cartridge includes a sample well, a deformable fluid chamber, a mixing well with a mixer disposed therein, a lysis chamber including a lysis mixer, an electrowetting grid for microdroplet manipulation, and electrosensor arrays configured to detect analytes of interest. An instrument for processing the cartridge is configured to receive the cartridge and to selectively apply thermal energy, magnetic force, and electrical connections to one or more discrete locations on the cartridge and is further configured to compress the deformable chamber(s) in a specified sequence.

Abstract: The appliance includes a brushhead having conductive fiber bristles by which a potential is applied to electrochemically activate a teeth whitening substance, such as peroxide, in the vicinity of the teeth. An impedance appliance system (62) or an optical appliance system (27) provides information concerning whether the conductive fiber bristles are adjacent a tooth surface or gum region. The impedance system uses an electrical signal through the fiber to determine the impedance of a circuit which includes the tooth or gum surface, the impedance being different, depending on whether a tooth or gum surface is in the circuit. The optical system generates a light beam which is directed to the mouth surface through a conductive fiber, the color of the returning light indicating whether the surface is a tooth or gum region. If a tooth is determined, the teeth whitening substance is activated at that bristle, while if gum tissue is determined, the teeth whitening substance is not activated at that bristle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multiplex fluid processing cartridge includes a sample well, a deformable fluid chamber, a mixing well with a mixer disposed therein, a lysis chamber including a lysis mixer, an electrowetting grid for microdroplet manipulation, and electrosensor arrays configured to detect analytes of interest. An instrument for processing the cartridge is configured to receive the cartridge and to selectively apply thermal energy, magnetic force, and electrical connections to one or more discrete locations on the cartridge and is further configured to compress the deformable chamber(s) in a specified sequence.

Abstract: A note data message is associated with a first user equipment (UE) device and is sent to a second UE device when the second UE device communicates with the first UE device. The note data message is received and stored in a network server. A request is received from the second UE device to establish a communication session with the first UE device. If the first UE device has authorized the sending of the message to the second device, the note data message is sent to the second UE device independent of any communication session established between the first and second UE devices.

Abstract: A system, or device, may be configured to receive a request to place a voice call; forgo placing the requested voice call; and present a visual interface, associated with an intended callee of the requested voice call, in lieu of placing the requested voice call. The system or device may determine to place the voice call to the original number, or to a different number, based on an input, which is based on the visual interface, from a user who may have, or may not have, made the request.

Abstract: A note data message is associated with a first user equipment (UE) device and is sent to a second UE device when the second UE device communicates with the first UE device. The note data message is received and stored in a network server. A request is received from the second UE device to establish a communication session with the first UE device. If the first UE device has authorized the sending of the message to the second device, the note data message is sent to the second UE device independent of any communication session established between the first and second UE devices.

Abstract: A background noise inserter server is described that includes a communication interface for communicating with a network, memory for storing background audio, and a processor coupled to the communication interface and the memory. The processor controls the server to connect to a phone call session in response to a session initiation protocol (SIP) invite from a calling device indicating that the calling device is requesting the background audio in the phone call session with a called device. The processor also controls the server to insert the background audio into the phone call session so that the inserted background audio is mixed with audio from the phone call session transmitted to both the calling device and the called device.

Abstract: A user device may provide a graphical user interface which presents content navigation objects, where each content navigation object may be associated with a content item and is presented within a portion of the graphical user interface. The user device may detect an action that corresponds to a content navigation object, and determine whether the detected action is a command to display content options that may be contextually related to the content item associated with the content navigation object. The user device may display the content options by altering the appearance of the content navigation object, receive an action selecting the content option from the displayed content options, and conceal the content options after the action for selecting the content option has been received.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sorbent composition includes the steps of: applying, from a solution or a slurry, a layer of a copper compound on the surface of a support material, and drying the coated support material, wherein the thickness of the copper compound layer on the dried support is in the range 1-200 ?m. The precursor may be converted to a sorbent suitable for removing heavy metals from liquids or gases by applying one or more sulphur compounds to sulphide the copper compound and form CuS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and detector for monitoring a plurality of discrete fluorescence signals, in particular for DNA sequencing by use of fluorescently labeled nucleotides. The particular detector (118) is proposed comprising a plurality of pixels (130) for individually detecting said fluorescence signals from the plurality of fluorescent signal sources (104), wherein each pixel (130) comprises a predetermined number of at least two detection elements (D1, Dn) for detecting a received fluorescent signal and for generating detection signals. Further, a signal conversion circuit (140) is provide for receiving said detection signals from said at least two detection elements (D1, Dn) and for generating a pixel output signal indicating which of said at least two detection elements (D1, Dn) generated the strongest detection signal.

Abstract: A method for preparing a sorbent composition includes the steps of: (i) applying, from a solution or a slurry, a layer of a copper compound on the surface of a support material, and (ii) drying the coated support material, wherein the thickness of the copper compound layer on the dried support is in the range 1-200 ?m. The precursor may be converted to a sorbent suitable for removing heavy metals from liquids or gases by applying one or more sulphur compounds to sulphide the copper compound and form CuS.

Abstract: A system, or device, may be configured to receive a request to place a voice call; forgo placing the requested voice call; and present a visual interface, associated with an intended callee of the requested voice call, in lieu of placing the requested voice call. The system or device may determine to place the voice call to the original number, or to a different number, based on an input, which is based on the visual interface, from a user who may have, or may not have, made the request.

Abstract: A system may be configured to receive an indication that a call has been placed (e.g., to a call center), and may provide a customized visual interface. The customized visual interface may include information that is potentially relevant to a user who has placed the call, and may be based on, for example, a user profile or history information, a purchase history of goods or services offered by an entity associated with the called party. The customized visual interface may allow the user to more quickly satisfy the purposes of his or her call than through traditional audio or touchtone menus.

Abstract: An approach for providing a service over a communication session based on an authentication from a voice session is described. A voice session enhancement platform may determine that a voice session is established among a plurality of devices. The voice session enhancement platform may further retrieve one or more authentication parameters associated with the voice session for the plurality of devices. The voice session enhancement platform may also initiate a service among the plurality of devices, wherein the service is separate from the voice session. Additionally, the voice session enhancement platform may authenticate the plurality of devices for the service based on the one or more authentication parameters.

Abstract: A sorbent is described, suitable for removing heavy metals, particularly mercury, from fluid streams including 20-75% by weight of copper (expressed as copper (II) oxide) in the form of one or more copper sulphides, the sorbent having a sulphur to copper atomic ratio in the range 0.7 to 0.95:1.