Abstract: Cured cements, cement slurries, and methods of making cured cement and methods of using cement slurries are provided. The cured cement comprises cement, carbon nanotube sponges disposed within the cement, and conductive fibers disposed within the cement, in which the conductive fibers interconnect the carbon nanotube sponges and form a conductive web within the cured cement.

Abstract: In one example, a liquid mixture nozzle for flowing a liquid mixture therethrough includes a body having a flow inlet and a flow outlet. The flow inlet is configured to couple to a first piece of piping and the flow outlet is configured to couple to a second piece of piping. The liquid mixture nozzle also includes a converging section having a decreasing diameter positioned adjacent the flow inlet, an orifice positioned at a narrow end of the converging section, an intermediate section having a constant diameter positioned adjacent the orifice, a diverging section having an increasing diameter positioned adjacent the intermediate section and the flow outlet.

Abstract: A method of performing matrix computations includes receiving a compression-encoded matrix including a plurality of rows. Each row of the compression-encoded matrix has a plurality of defined element values and, for each such defined element value, a schedule tag indicating a schedule for using the defined element value in a scheduled matrix computation. The method further includes loading the plurality of rows of the compression-encoded matrix into a corresponding plurality of work memory banks, and providing decoded input data to a matrix computation module configured for performing the scheduled matrix computation. For each work memory bank, a next defined element value and a corresponding schedule tag are read. If the schedule tag meets a scheduling condition, the next defined element value is provided to the matrix computation module. Otherwise, a default element value is provided to the matrix computation module.

Abstract: A viscous food product dispensing system having a transport section for receiving a particulate food product from a bin, an auger for processing and conveying the received particulate food product from the transport section into an outlet adapter via one or more flutes, a milling device housed in the outlet adapter, and a discharge nozzle in the outlet adapter that pinches off the viscous food product created by the milling device. The auger has a unique design that allows it to engage and break whole nuts.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptide modulators of complement activity, including cyclic polypeptide modulators. Also provided are methods of utilizing such modulators as therapeutics.

Abstract: A network device may identify an application signature associated with a web application, and may determine, based on an application-based policy associated with the web application, an access method to be used to transmit traffic associated with the web application. The network device may generate a proxy auto configuration (PAC) file using the application signature associated with the web application, and the access method to be used to transmit the traffic associated with the web application. The network device may provide the PAC file to a client device to permit the client device to transmit the traffic associated with the web application based on the PAC file.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant surface cap adapted for securement to an interface region of the prosthetic defined by articulating prosthetic implants. 3D printing or additive manufacturing is employed to form the surface cap adapted for securement to an identified interface region, in which the interface region is defined by engaging contact with adjacent skeletal structures in response to patient movement. The surface cap is disposed on the implant surface to contact the adjacent skeletal structures during articulated movement, and is adhered to the interface region of the prosthetic implant for absorbing and distributing the contact and frictional forces of the articulating skeletal members.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to computer methods and systems that build and deploy a pattern model to detect an operating event in an online plant process. To build the pattern model, the methods and systems define a signature of the operating event, such that the defined signature contains a time series pattern for a KPI associated with the operating event. The methods and systems deploy the pattern model to automatically monitor, during online execution of the plant process, trends in movement of the KPI as a time series. The methods and systems determine, in real-time, a distance score between a range of the monitored time series and the time series pattern contained in the defined signature. The methods and systems automatically detect the operating event in the online industrial process based on the determined distance score, and alter parameters of the process (e.g., valves, actuators, etc.) to prevent the operating event.

Abstract: An alternative and improved process for the preparation of Apremilast (Formula I) and Apremilast form B or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided. The novel process includes hydrogenation in acetone, Cyclization and acetylation followed by condensation in methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) and acetic acid mixture in specific volume ratios.

Abstract: Data replication groups may be used to store data in a distributed computing environment. The data replication groups may include a set of nodes executing a consensus protocol to maintain data durably. The nodes may be executed by one or more host computer systems. In order to avoid failure of the data replication groups as safe deployment strategy is provided. The one or more host computer systems may be assigned to deployment groups where the number of hosts assigned to the deployment groups host less than a quorum of the nodes of a particular data replication group.

Abstract: A surgical implant for a proximal carpal row replacement surgery employs a scanned image of each of the scaphoid, lunate and triquetrum bones for generating a unitary, homogeneous model defining a fused shape for implantation as the proximal carpal row. The implant utilizes a contralateral image of healthy bones of the patient for generating the replacement model, and employs shrink-wrap and smoothing processing to generate the unitary replacement. The resulting implant replaces the intercalary bone structures of the scaphoid, lunate and triquetrum with a single appliance, and is slideably engaged with the distal carpal row via a surgical tunnel and tethered by a resectioned tendon, ligament, or other connective member. The implant facilitates wrist function since the unitary implant replaces skeletal structures that are encapsulated by adjacent bones and frequently move as a unit, while eliminating gaps, voids and ligaments between the intercalary structure.

Abstract: A system for facilitating virtual-to-physical secure remote payment to a physical location is described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for minimizing line edge/width roughness in lines formed by photolithography are provided. A method of processing a substrate is provided. The method includes applying a photoresist layer that includes a photoacid generator to a multi-layer disposed on the substrate. The multi-layer includes an underlayer. Further, the method includes exposing a first portion of the photoresist layer unprotected by a photomask to a radiation light in a lithographic exposure process. A thermal energy is provided to the photoresist layer and the multi-layer in a post-exposure baking process. The multi-layer is disposed beneath the photoresist layer. An electric field or a magnetic field is applied to photoresist layer and the multi-layer while performing the post-exposure baking process. An additive within the underlayer is driven in a vertical direction into the photoresist layer. The additive assist in distribution of a photoacid throughout the photoresist layer during the post-exposure baking process.

Abstract: An oral methylphenidate extended release tablet is described, which can be scored and still retain its extended release profile. The tablet contains a combination of an uncoated methylphenidate-ion exchange resin complex, a barrier coated methylphenidate-ion exchange resin complex-matrix, and an uncomplexed methylphenidate active component. Following administration of a single dose of the extended release methylphenidate chewable tablet, a therapeutically effective amount of methylphenidate is reached in less than about 20 minutes and the composition provides a twelve-hour extended release profile.

Abstract: A method and system for providing transitioning a station (STA) to an uplink multi-user (UL MU) disable mode and to a UL MU enable mode is provided. According to one embodiment, a method includes entering, with the STA, a UL MU enable mode, and determining whether to transition the STA to a UL MU disable mode based on a predetermined interrupt condition or actively monitoring conditions of the STA.

Abstract: A process for synthetically producing (S)-nicotine ([(S)-3-(1-methylpyrrolidin-2-yl) pyridine]) is provided.

Abstract: Contents of a plurality of backups that share a common characteristic are profiled. A portion of the plurality of backups is selected as a base backup reference data to be distributed. A first copy of the base backup reference data is stored at a storage of a backup server. A second copy of the base backup reference data is provided for storage at a storage of a client that shares the common characteristic. The client is located remotely from the backup server.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for generating summaries of unconsumed portions of an ordered series of media assets, customized for multiple users. A media guidance application may determine that a given media asset of an ordered series is to be collectively consumed by a first user and a second user. A first portion of an ordered series, that both the first user and the second user have not yet consumed, is identified together with a second portion of the ordered series that the first user has consumed but the second user has not yet consumed. A custom summary including a detailed summary of the first portion (e.g., a two minute summary) and less detailed summary of the second portion (e.g., a one minute summary) is generated.

Abstract: A multi-stage sodium heat engine is provided to convert thermal energy to electrical energy, the multi-stage sodium heat engine including at least a first stage, a second stage, and an electrical circuit operatively connecting the first stage and the second stage with an electrical load. One or more methods of powering an electrical load using a multi-stage sodium heat engine are also described.

Abstract: A robotic imaging apparatus is disclosed. A robotic imaging apparatus includes a robotic arm, a stereoscopic camera, and a sensor positioned between the robotic arm and the stereoscopic camera. The sensor transmits output data that is indicative of translational and rotational force imparted on the stereoscopic camera by an operator. The robotic imaging apparatus also includes a processor that is configured to determine a movement sequence for the robotic arm based on a current position of the robotic arm and the output data from the sensor and to cause at least one of the joints of the robotic arm to rotate based on the determined movement sequence via one or more motor control signals provided to the at least one joint. The rotation of the at least one joint provides power-assisted movement of the robotic arm based on the detected translational and rotational forces imparted by the operator.