Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically obtaining cost-efficient access to a media content collection are provided. A user selection of a media content collection, which consists of a number of media assets, is received. A first price is determined for receiving access to the entire media content collection using a single transaction. For each media asset of the media content collection a set of providers of the media asset are identified, and the lowest price for receiving access to each media asset is determined. The lowest price for receiving access to each media asset of the media content collection is accumulated to determine a second price for receiving access to the media content collection using multiple transactions. The first and the second price are compared, and access to the media content collection is received based on this comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a media asset segment based on verbal input are provided. Verbal input is received from a user while a media asset is being presented to the user. The verbal input is processed to extract an instruction and comment information included in the verbal input. The instruction is cross-referenced with a command database to determine whether the instruction corresponds to a segment generation command. In response to determining the instruction corresponds to the segment generation command, a segment that includes a portion of the media asset that was presented to the user when the verbal input was received is generated. The comment information is associated with the generated segment. A message that includes the generated segment and the associated comment information is transmitted to a remote server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving multiple user messages that identify a media asset segment position are provided. A plurality of messages from a plurality of users is received with a remote server. Each message identifies a segment within the media asset through which a fast-access playback operation was performed. The received messages are processed to extract media asset information and the identified segment. The extracted media asset information of each message is cross-referenced with a media asset information database to identify the media asset that corresponds to each of the received messages. The identified segments extracted from each of the plurality of messages are processed to determine a position of the segment within the identified media asset. The position of the segment within the media asset is stored in the media asset information database for the media asset that corresponds to each of the received messages.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing input from a plurality of users to identify a type of media asset segment are provided. A plurality of messages is received from a plurality of users at a remote server. The received messages are processed to extract a plurality of words from each message. Each of a first plurality of the words is cross-referenced with a first database of media asset information to identify a media asset that corresponds to a portion of the received messages. A segment within the media asset is identified based on the portion of the received messages. Each of a second plurality of the words of the portion of the received messages is cross-referenced with a second database of segment types to assign a type to the identified segment. Information is stored for the media asset identifying a position and type of the segment within the media asset.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing access to a segment of a media asset during a fast-access playback operation are provided. A media asset is retrieved from storage. A user request to perform a fast-access playback operation on the media asset is received. Information that identifies the segment of the media asset is retrieved. The information is generated based on input received from a crowd that includes a plurality of users that have previously consumed the media asset. The fast-access playback operation is automatically terminated before the segment is reached based on the retrieved information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to process for producing acrylics. The process includes the steps of contacting a crude product stream with an extraction agent mixture and diluting the crude product stream with at least one diluent.

Abstract: A process for producing an acrylate product comprises the step of contacting an alkanoic acid and an alkylenating agent over a catalyst over conditions effective to produce the acrylate product. The catalyst composition comprises vanadium, titanium and bismuth. Preferably, the catalyst comprises vanadium to bismuth at a molar ratio of greater than 0.2:1, in an active phase.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful in treating pulmonary hypertension. In one embodiment, for example, the disclosure provides a method for treating pulmonary hypertension comprising administering a therapeutically effective dose of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor to a patient in need of treatment. The disclosure finds utility in the fields of medicine and pharmacology.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating fine particles from an incoming stream of solid particles has a chute with openings that interface with respective inlets of a plenum. The incoming stream of solid particles enters the top of the chute. Nozzles direct gas jets into the chute transversely to the incoming stream of solid particles toward the openings. The gas jets blow the fine particles from the stream through the openings into the plenum. The remaining solid particles fall under gravity and exit the chute for further processing or disposal. The fine particles pass through the plenum under gravity and with the gas flow, exiting the plenum for disposal or further processing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of reacting a reaction mixture comprising an alkanoic acid, an alkylenating agent, and oxygen over a catalyst and under conditions effective to form a crude acrylate product. Preferably, the reaction mixture comprises from 0.5 wt % to 10 wt % oxygen. The crude acrylate product comprises acrylate product and alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product to form at least one alkylenating agent stream and at least one purified acrylate product stream. The purified acrylate product stream comprises acrylate product.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a catalyst composition comprising vanadium and titanium. The catalyst composition further comprises ethylene glycol and citric acid. Preferably, the catalyst composition is substantially free of oxalic acid and lactic acid.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of reacting an alcohol and oxygen in a reactor to produce a high temperature alkylenating agent stream comprising an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of contacting an alkanoic acid with at least a portion of the high temperature alkylenating agent stream under conditions effective to form a crude product stream comprising acrylate product and alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream to form at least one alkylenating agent stream and at least one purified acrylate product stream comprising acrylate product.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product, an alkylenating agent, and water. The process further comprises the step of contacting at least a portion of the crude product stream or a derivative thereof with an extraction agent mixture to form an extract stream and a raffinate stream. The extract stream comprises acrylate product and extraction agent. The raffinate stream comprises alkylenating agent and water. Preferably, the extraction agent mixture comprises at least two extraction agents.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream to form an alkylenating agent stream and an intermediate product stream. The alkylenating agent stream comprises at least 1 wt % alkylenating agent and the intermediate product stream comprises acrylate product.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream to form an alkylenating agent stream and an intermediate product stream. The alkylenating agent stream comprises at least 1 wt % alkylenating agent and the intermediate product stream comprises acrylate product. The separating is performed in at least one column at an operating pressure ranging from 40 kPa to 80 kPa.

Abstract: A kayak capsize recovery system. It includes a paddle with a blade on each end; a paddle float for releasable connection to one end of the paddle; a pouch connected to the kayak to receive the other end of the paddle; and a strap with inner and outer ends for releasable connection to kayak and paddle float. The pouch and said strap connect to opposite sides of the kayak cockpit. The length of strap and depth of pouch enable the system to stabilize a capsize orientation of kayak.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful in treating pulmonary hypertension. In one embodiment, for example, the disclosure provides a method for treating pulmonary hypertension comprising administering a therapeutically effective dose of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor to a patient in need of treatment. The disclosure finds utility in the fields of medicine and pharmacology.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful in treating pulmonary hypertension. In one embodiment, for example, the disclosure provides a method for treating pulmonary hypertension comprising administering a therapeutically effective dose of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor to a patient in need of treatment. The disclosure finds utility in the fields of medicine and pharmacology.

Abstract: A combined prime valve and electrical pressure control apparatus including a prime valve actuator, an electrical pressure control actuator, and a control housing containing the actuators, with each coupled to a single shaft having a cam assembly for selectively actuating the control apparatus to one of a prime mode and a spray mode and the electrical pressure control is operable within a range of pressure settings by movement of the shaft while the control apparatus remains in the spray mode. The actuators are oriented diametrically opposite and offset along an axis of the single shaft with respect to each other, and contact the cam assembly and respectively contact a lever for a prime valve and a pressure switch carrier. A setscrew in the carrier provides adjustment of the pressure at which the switch is actuated.

Abstract: A hand-held apparatus for spraying texture material including a body, a pressurized air source mounted on the body, a texture material hopper mounted on the body, and a texture delivery nozzle for selectively spraying texture material from the hopper onto a surface to be coated by propelling the texture material using pressurized air from the pressurized air source wherein each of the air source and the hopper can be disconnected from the body without the use of tools. An air directing plunger has a plurality of discontinuities at an outlet thereof, which may be radially outwardly directed recesses or radially inwardly directed teeth for reducing the noise generated by the pressurized air during operation.