Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a framework for automatically establishing recording parameters according to specified recording restrictions and generating analytics corresponding to communications recorded subject to the recording restrictions. During a communications session between a user and an agent, a system can identify any recording restrictions corresponding to user communications exchanged during the communications session. The system automatically processes, in real-time, communications exchanged during the communications session as these communications are exchanged to identify the user communications and agent communications. The system generates a transcript that includes the agent communications but selectively records and transcribes the user communications according to the recording restrictions.

Abstract: Communication devices, such as headsets, point of sale terminals, and personal badges, are disclosed that include a microphone that receives and transmits audio content to a third party. The devices further include an automated speech recognition module, which is configured to receive the audio content and transcribe the audio content into text. In addition, the communication devices include a correlation module, which is configured to derive correlations between the audio content and a plurality of outputs—and transmit such correlations and outputs to the user of the communication device. The devices further include a user interface that displays a dynamic script checklist screen that is configured to communicate information in real-time to the person wearing or using the device, regarding a conversation that such person is having with a third party.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a framework for automatically establishing recording parameters according to specified recording restrictions and generating analytics corresponding to communications recorded subject to the recording restrictions. During a communications session between a user and an agent, a system can identify any recording restrictions corresponding to user communications exchanged during the communications session. The system automatically processes, in real-time, communications exchanged during the communications session as these communications are exchanged to identify the user communications and agent communications. The system generates a transcript that includes the agent communications but selectively records and transcribes the user communications according to the recording restrictions.

Abstract: A method and computer system for submitting and receiving data relating to a first digital content element. A search query comprising at least a portion of a first digital content element is derived at a first entity, the search query being based on a first number of possible search results in a set of search results. The search query is transmitted to a second entity which comprises a content database, the content database comprising a plurality of digital content elements. A set of search results is obtained based on the search query, the set of search results comprising any digital content elements of the content database matching the search query. The search results may be transmitted to the first entity and Matched with the first digital content element or it may be transmitted to a third entity which may be a law enforcement organisation.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a framework for automatically establishing recording parameters according to specified recording restrictions and generating analytics corresponding to communications recorded subject to the recording restrictions. During a communications session between a user and an agent, a system can identify any recording restrictions corresponding to user communications exchanged during the communications session. The system automatically processes, in real-time, communications exchanged during the communications session as these communications are exchanged to identify the user communications and agent communications. The system generates a transcript that includes the agent communications but selectively records and transcribes the user communications according to the recording restrictions.

Abstract: A method of producing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymers comprising both short-chain-length (scl) and medium-chain-length (mcl) subunits, wherein some of the mcl subunits bear reactive vinyl groups, is provided. The method comprises providing cells comprising (i) a PHA synthase (phaC) gene encoding a particular class I poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) polymerase, and (ii) a phaJ gene encoding a particular (R)-specific enoyl-CoA hydratase, and cultivating said cells in a growth medium comprising an alkenoic acid. In one example, cells grown in the presence of a mixture of decanoic acid and undecen-10-enoic acid yielded a copolymer comprising units of 3-hydroxybutyrate (94.73 mol %), 3-hydroxyhexanoate (1.51 mol %), 3-hydroxyoctanoate (2.33 mol %), 3-hydroxydecanoate (0.69 mol %) and 3-hydroxyhept-6-enoate (0.73 mol %). The presence of acrylic acid as a 13-oxidation inhibitor in the growth medium led to an increase in both the mcl-PHA subunit content and vinyl subunit content.

Abstract: Many areas of investigation require searching through data that may be of interest. In a first method step, a digital content element is provided. The digital content element may have any suitable format or data structure of interest to a searching entity. The digital content element may be a particular data file that is of interest to a searching entity. In a second step, the digital content element is compared with a first set of data provided by a combination of a second set of data and a third set of data. The first set of data is a collection of known digital content elements that are of interest to a searching entity, for example contraband digital content elements or digital content elements owned by or represented by the searching entity. In a third method step, the digital content element is identified as known if the digital content element is detected within the first set of data.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a framework for generating machine-readable labels for augmenting existing communications sessions between users and automated bot agents. During a communications session facilitated between a user and an automated bot through a point-of-sale terminal, the automated bot may automatically, and in real-time, process any communications as these communications are exchanged to determine whether to facilitate an alternative communications channel. If so, the automated bot generates a machine-readable label that can be presented through the point-of-sale terminal. When the machine-readable label is scanned using a computing device, the automated bot facilitates an alternative communications session between the user and the automated bot through the computing device while the original communications session is ongoing.

Abstract: Systems for analyzing and categorizing audio content that has been transcribed into text are provided. The systems include at least one machine that has a central processing unit, random access memory, a correlation module, a feature abstraction module, and at least one database. The correlation module is configured to receive written transcripts (each of which has been generated from audio content) and derive a correlation between each written transcript and one or more attributes. The feature abstraction module is configured to receive instructions that identify specific words within the written transcripts; replace the specific words with surrogate words; and associate correlative meanings with each of the surrogate words. The database is configured to receive, record, and make accessible to the feature abstraction module a table of specific words, each of which is associated with corresponding surrogate words and correlative meanings associated with each of the surrogate words.

Abstract: Many areas of investigation require searching through data that may be of interest. In a first method step, a digital content element is provided. The digital content element may have any suitable format or data structure of interest to a searching entity. The digital content element may be a particular data file that is of interest to a searching entity. In a second step, the digital content element is compared with a first set of data provided by a combination of a second set of data and a third set of data. The first set of data is a collection of known digital content elements that are of interest to a searching entity, for example contraband digital content elements or digital content elements owned by or represented by the searching entity. In a third method step, the digital content element is identified as known if the digital content element is detected within the first set of data.

Abstract: A management request is received by a system for carrying out one or more data management operations (including, but not limited to, adding data, merging data or searching for data). The management request is received from a requesting entity. The system comprises a representation database, which comprises at least one secure element. The at least one secure element is a representation of at least one dataset containing confidential data elements stored in at least one database owned or operated by a third party entity. The management request is processed by performing at least one operation, for example by a processing component in the system, on the representation database. In a third step, a processing result is provided, which comprises any suitable information or data content. The processing result is dependent on the contents of the management request.

Abstract: Many areas of investigation require searching through data that may be of interest. In a first method step, a digital content element is provided. The digital content element may have any suitable format or data structure of interest to a searching entity. The digital content element may be a particular data file that is of interest to a searching entity. In a second step, the digital content element is compared with a first set of data provided by a combination of a second set of data and a third set of data. The first set of data is a collection of known digital content elements that are of interest to a searching entity, for example contraband digital content elements or digital content elements owned by or represented by the searching entity. In a third method step, the digital content element is identified as known if the digital content element is detected within the first set of data.

Abstract: Systems for transcribing, redacting, and scoring audio content are disclosed. The systems include at least one machine that has a central processing unit, random access memory, a transcription module, a redaction module, and at least one database in communication with the machine. The transcription module is configured to receive a plurality of audio files generated by a plurality of different sources, execute speech-to-text transcriptions based on such audio content, and generate written transcripts of such transcriptions. The redaction module is configured to identify personally identifiable information included in the written transcripts and anonymize such personally identifiable information to create anonymized written transcripts. The database is configured to receive, record, and make accessible for searching and review the anonymized written transcripts generated by the redaction module.

Abstract: A management request is received by a system for carrying out one or more data management operations (including, but not limited to, adding data, merging data or searching for data). The management request is received from a requesting entity. The system comprises a representation database, which comprises at least one secure element. The at least one secure element is a representation of at least one dataset containing confidential data elements stored in at least one database owned or operated by a third party entity. The management request is processed by performing at least one operation, for example by a processing component in the system, on the representation database. In a third step, a processing result is provided, which comprises any suitable information or data content. The processing result is dependent on the contents of the management request.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing medium chain length poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (MCL-PHA) with a selected ratio of monomers. A method of controlling the ratio of monomers in MCL-PHA is also provided which includes fermenting naturally occurring microorganisms with a fatty acid substrate, a food source and an additive. The methods provided do not sacrifice cell growth and maintenance and provide high yields of MCL-PHAs. MCL-PHAs are provided that are copolymers of Cn and Cn?2 monomers, where (n is 6-18).

Abstract: A method is provided for producing medium chain length poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (MCL-PHA) with a selected ratio of monomers. A method of controlling the ratio of monomers in MCL-PHA is also provided which includes fermenting naturally occurring microorganisms with a fatty acid substrate, a food source and an additive. The methods provided do not sacrifice cell growth and maintenance and provide high yields of MCL-PHAs. MCL-PHAs are provided that are copolymers of Cn and Cn-2 monomers, where (n is 6-18).

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing a thermoplastic starch and synthetic polymer blend, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a starch suspension comprising starch, water and a plasticizer, preferably glycerol; (b) obtaining a thermoplastic starch from the starch suspension by causing gelatinization and plasticization of said starch suspension by exerting heat and pressure on said starch suspension in a first extrusion unit; (c) evaporating and venting off residual water from said thermoplastic starch to obtain a substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch; (d) obtaining a melt of a synthetic polymer or polymer blend in a second extrusion unit; and (e) combining the melt obtained from step (d) with the substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch. Also provided are compositions of matter comprising immiscible blends of thermoplastic starches, polymers, and compatibilizers.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing a thermoplastic starch and synthetic polymer blend, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a starch suspension comprising starch, water and a plasticizer, preferably glycerol; (b) obtaining a thermoplastic starch from the starch suspension by causing gelatinization and plasticization of said starch suspension by exerting heat and pressure on said starch suspension in a first extrusion unit; (c) evaporating and venting off residual water from said thermoplastic starch to obtain a substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch; (d) obtaining a melt of a synthetic polymer or polymer blend in a second extrusion unit; and (e) combining the melt obtained from step (d) with the substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch. Also provided are compositions of matter comprising immiscible blends of thermoplastic starches, polymers, and compatibilizers.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing a thermoplastic starch and synthetic polymer blend, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a starch suspension comprising starch, water and a plasticizer, preferably glycerol; (b) obtaining a thermoplastic starch from the starch suspension by causing gelatinization and plasticization of said starch suspension by exerting heat and pressure on said starch suspension in a first extrusion unit; (c) evaporating and venting off residual water from said thermoplastic starch to obtain a substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch; (d) obtaining a melt of a synthetic polymer or polymer blend in a second extrusion unit; and (e) combining the melt obtained from step (d) with the substantially moisture-free thermoplastic starch. Also provided are compositions of matter comprising immiscible blends of thermoplastic starches, polymers, and compatibilizers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the treatment of contaminated water by biodegradation is provided. In particular, the apparatus and method are suited for the biodegradation of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) such as trichloroethylene and related compounds or benzene and related compounds. The process employs an immobilized soil bioreactor (ISBR) having a headspace re-circulation system.