Abstract: Provided is an interactive gaming system and method The system includes a mobile computing device operating a gaming application and an achievement engine communicatively coupled to the mobile computing device, wherein the achievement engine receives and stores data related to use of the gaming application. An electronic offer redeemable in a physical store is generated by the achievement engine and sent to the mobile computing device in response to a user completing a predetermined event in the gaming application operating. The system includes a tracking system located in a store associated with the interactive gaming system. The tracking system identifies the mobile computing device operating in the store and sends event data to the achievement engine in response to determining the user has performed an in-store trigger event. The mobile computing device receives gaming benefits in response to the achievement engine processing the event data received from the tracking system.

Abstract: Advances in robot performance have been limited by a lack of advances in the mature field of battery technology. The focus of robotic power systems must expand from the use of single energy devices to the inclusion of multiple devices which can be optimized for a robotic platform. The challenge lies in the development of the hardware and control algorithms for a scalable power delivery architecture which satisfies the power and energy requirements of most unmanned ground vehicles. This invention is directed to an architecture which is easily scalable and facilitates the use of a wide variety of energy storage/generation devices, while focusing on the system control algorithm and its stability. The experimental results for an example system are presented demonstrating that the architecture functions properly when faced with real world robotic power demands.

Abstract: A flame-retardant fiber optic cable includes core elements, a film surrounding the core elements, and a jacket surrounding the film. The core elements include one or more optical fibers and at least one tube surrounding the one or more optical fibers. The material composition of the film differs from the jacket and the film is relatively thin.

Abstract: The invention refers to a pile for an offshore monopile type foundation structure comprising an elongate cylindrical steel tube comprising a first length with a first wall thickness, a second length with a second wall thickness, wherein the second length comprises several reinforcement ribs extending longitudinally and equally spaced apart from each other over the entire second length.

Abstract: A tiacumicin compound, a stereo-isomer thereof, a polymorph thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable solvate thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition, containing a tiacumicin compound, a stereo-isomer thereof, a polymorph thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable solvate thereof, are provided for use in the oral treatment of Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) or Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea or disease (CDAD) in a patient in accordance with a dosage regimen selected from the group consisting of: i. Administering 200 mg of the tiacumicin compound BID for 5 days followed by 5 days of rest and then 200 mg once daily for a further 10 days and ii. Administering 200 mg of the tiacumicin compound BID for 5 days followed by a single 200 mg every other day for 20 days.

Abstract: An air/oil separator for a gas turbine engine includes a drive shaft having a central axis extending in an axial direction, a free vortex chamber mounted radially around the drive shaft, a separation chamber coupled with the free vortex chamber in the axial direction opposite to the drive shaft, and a rotatable outlet shaft radially rotatable and having an inlet end coupled with the separation chamber opposite to the free vortex chamber, an outlet end, and a hollow interior chamber therebetween. The hollow interior chamber has an inner circumference extending in the axial direction a cylindrical air guide extending coaxially therein. The cylindrical air guide has a nonporous cylindrical main body, an upstream end fixedly coupled with the inlet end of the rotatable outlet shaft, and a downstream end coaxially disposed within the outlet end of the rotatable outlet shaft.

Abstract: An optical cable is provided. The optical cable includes a tubular, elongate body having an inner surface defining a cavity extending between first and second ends of the elongate body and an optical transmission element located with the cavity. The optical cable includes a coupling or bonding structure non-permanently and non-rigidly joining the outer surface of the optical transmission element to the elongate body at a plurality of periodic contact zones such that relative movement between the optical transmission element and the elongate body is resisted.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and a method for continuously measuring cementitious board during the continuous manufacture thereof can be used in connection with the manufacture of various cementitious products, including gypsum wallboard, for example. Embodiments of a system and a method for continuously measuring cementitious board during its continuous manufacture can be used online in a continuous manufacturing process to effectively determine the degree to which cementitious slurry has set (e.g., expressed as percent hydration) at a predetermined location, such as, near a cutting station, for example. A height measuring system can be used to determine the relative amount the cementitious board sags as it passes over an unsupported span disposed between the forming station and the cutting station and to correlate the measured sag distance with a value of percent hydration of the cementitious slurry of that particular portion of the cementitious board.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a foreline for conveying a waste stream which is drawn from a process chamber to a pumping mechanism. The foreline comprises an isolation valve for selectively isolating the pumping mechanism from the process chamber and a bypass positioned around the isolation valve. The apparatus further comprises a controller for actuating the isolation valve. The controller is configured to cause the isolation valve to be closed when the waste stream is initially drawn from the process chamber, during which time the waste stream is conveyed to the pumping mechanism via the bypass. The bypass includes means for inhibiting propagation of a flame front therethrough. The controller is configured to cause the isolation valve to be opened once a pressure within a region upstream of the isolation valve has been reduced below a value at which propagation of a flame front within the waste stream can be sustained.

Abstract: Access to a resource controlled by a resource server (6, 8) is provided using a validity token issued by a validation server (4). When a resource request from a user (12) is received at the resource server (6, 8), then the resource server (6, 8) determines if the resource request satisfies a policy. If the resource request satisfies the policy, then access to the resource may be permitted without confirming the validity of the validation token with the validation server (4). Conversely, if the resource request does not satisfy the policy, then validation of the validation token with the validation server (4) is performed before the access requested is permitted.

Abstract: A load carriage frame (80) of FIG. 9 includes a shoulder yoke (90) and a belt (120) separated from the yoke by a multi-element connecting brace (96). The brace is telescopic in nature in that a flexible but rigid tongue (130), extending from a first section, is permitted to slide within a guide on a second section (154), thereby allowing the length of the connecting brace to be altered. The multi-element connecting brace is centrally coupled to the yoke and centrally coupled to the belt and configured to act as a force path by transferring weight that, in use, is loaded onto or through the yoke and into the belt thereby effecting selected weight re-distribution onto the pelvic girdle of a wearer about which the belt, in use, is secured. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 20, a quick release mechanism may further alter the length of the connecting brace by allowing the position of a rotational coupling point to be altered relative to a housing of the quick release mechanism.

Abstract: A diffusion chamber for determining different parameters of an aqueous substance includes a vertical central cylinder having a sample chamber for receiving a substance sample and a needle-shaped pH-measuring sensor having a measuring tip which is brought into contact with the substance sample. A spectrophotometer having glass-fiber optics is configured to penetrate the substance sample. A gas supply into the sample chamber is configured to provide a variable gas exposure of the substance sample when determining parameters. A needle of the pH-measuring sensor is inserted into an obliquely extending groove of a slid-in sample slide. A sealing ring on the sample slide is pressed against the central cylinder by means of an inserted spacer ring, the sample chamber is tightly sealed with respect to gases from the surroundings of the diffusion chamber, and a minimum distance is maintained between the lower collimating lens and the substance sample.

Abstract: Methods, systems and storage media are described, each of which may be used to generate an image of an object using ultrasonic plane waves. For example, the generated image may be of a target object positioned on a platen surface. The image may be derived from corrected output signals obtained from a plurality of selected sensor pixels. The corrected output signals may adjust for diffraction of reflected ultrasonic plane waves from a target object positioned on the platen surface. The target object may be a finger or a tip of a stylus.

Abstract: The present system and method for assessment of core educational proficiencies (ACEP) is directed to a system and method for administering, training, developing, grading and reporting the scores of an assessment test for critical thinking, problem solving and effective writing.

Abstract: A system for generating processor hardware supports a language for significant extensions to the processor instruction set, where the designer specifies only the semantics of the new instructions and the system generates other logic. The extension language provides for the addition of processor state, including register files, and instructions that operate on that state. The language also provides for new data types to be added to the compiler to represent the state added. It allows separate specification of reference semantics and instruction implementation, and uses this to automate design verification. In addition, the system generates formatted instruction set documentation from the language specification.

Abstract: Methods and computer programs for providing animation to online roulette game during game play include providing data for enabling an interface on a device used for playing the online roulette game. The interface renders a grid identifying bet entries and a roulette wheel on which a ball is provided to determine outcome of the roulette game. A number on the grid on which a bet has been placed, is identified. A number is randomly generated to determine outcome of the roulette game. The number corresponds with a specific one of the plurality of slots defined in the roulette wheel in which the ball is to land. Graphical animation is provided at the roulette wheel to provide visual indication of the outcome of the roulette game as the ball is caused to move around the roulette wheel toward the specific slot in the roulette wheel corresponding to the generated number.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with displaying a data set within a display area of a display device, where the data set includes a plurality of groups of elements, each of the groups including a higher-level element and one or more lower-level elements. Each element may for example form part of a Document Object Model for an HTML document. Elements are processed to identify and render one or more elements in the display area. An element is identified if the region it occupies corresponds with a selected portion of a layout area of the data set. Groups of elements are processed differently in dependence on whether a higher-level element of a group has a pre-defined spatial relationship with respect to one or more lower-level elements in the group, allowing the invention to efficiently process elements which are members of groups for which the pre-defined spatial relationship has been identified.

Abstract: Oil sump seal pressurization apparatus for a turbine engine are disclosed. An example oil sump seal pressurization apparatus may include an oil sump comprising at least one bearing mounted therein; an oil seal operatively disposed between a non-rotating structural member of the sump and the shaft; a generally radially inwardly oriented passage arranged to supply pressurization air to the outward side of the oil seal; a generally radially outwardly oriented pathway arranged to receive at least some of the pressurization air from the passage, the pathway being at least partially defined by a generally radially outwardly extending arm disposed on the shaft, the arm rotating with the shaft; and/or a windage shield at least partially separating the passage and the pathway, the windage shield being operatively mounted to the non-rotating structural member of the sump.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in an ad hoc network, comprising: a node advertising a theoretical destination it is not currently connected to as part of a theoretical route; allocating to the theoretical destination a special metric value that gives a reduced likelihood of selection as a suitable route compared to conventionally available routes; determining that a message from a further node is to be transmitted via the theoretical route; the node receiving the message from the further node when the node is at a first location and storing the message; the node moving from the first location to a second location thereby transforming the theoretical route into a new real route; and the node transmitting the message to a second further node as part of the new real route.

Abstract: An intelligent current lead device, its design, fabrication, and methods of operation are described in this disclosure. The intelligent current lead device described in this disclosure electrically and thermally connects and disconnects one or more power sources or loads operating at one temperature reservoir with one or more machines or devices operating at either the same or a different temperature reservoir. The intelligent current lead can operate in either an active mode or passive mode. The intelligent current lead device may incorporate the use of multiple types of diagnostic sensors and instrumentation, which can be monitored, interpreted, and analyzed. The program logic of the intelligent current lead may be used to interpret the data obtained from the diagnostic sensors and instrumentation in order to adjust/actuate/switch the current lead so as to optimize its configuration to respond to requirements of an electrical load that changes with time.