Abstract: A variable capacity vane pump for an automobile includes a pump control ring positioned within the housing to move about a pivot. A rotor is positioned within a cavity of the control ring such that a position of the control ring determines an offset between a center of the cavity and an axis of rotation of the rotor. A first control chamber is provided between the pump housing and a first outer surface of the control ring. The first outer surface is positioned on an opposite side of the control ring as the working fluid chambers within the cavity. A second control chamber is provided between the pump housing and a second outer surface of the control ring. A return spring biases the control ring toward a position of maximum volumetric capacity against the forces created by the pressurized fluid within the first and second control chambers.

Abstract: A system and method that includes executing communication processes in an application platform, which comprises on behalf of outside entities, negotiating communications between a set of internal resources and at least one external resource using at least a first communication protocol and a second protocol; capturing internal log information during execution of the application platform; receiving a request to access log information by an outside entity; synthesizing the internal log information of the first protocol and at least a second protocol into a unified communication report; and transmitting the unified communication report.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for generating contextual search presentations. One of the methods includes obtaining selection data identifying a term selected by a user from a document displayed to the user; determining whether or not the context data and the selection data satisfy one or more criteria for presenting any of one or more types of special case contextual search presentations; in response to determining that the context data and the selection satisfy criteria for presenting a first type of special case contextual search presentation, generating a first special case contextual search presentation of the first type; in response to determining that the context data and the selection data do not satisfy the criteria, generating a default contextual search presentation; and providing the first special case contextual search presentation or the default contextual search presentation for presentation to the user.

Abstract: Different properties of a frequency monitor of a magnetic resonance imaging system are adaptively adjusted, for example as a function of a user input or a temperature. The frequency monitor monitors a system variable indicative of a mechanical flux of force in a gradient system of the magnetic resonance imaging system. Selective aborting of the performance of a magnetic resonance imaging measuring sequence takes place.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for generating, processing and distributing leads, the system comprising a leads processing engine for receiving customer requests, creating leads based upon the customer requests, determining a best available agent or agents for each lead from a pool of available agents based upon one or more selected factors, and offering or sending each lead to the best available agent or agents.

Abstract: The present invention discloses compounds of Formula (I): wherein the variables in Formula (I) are defined as described herein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods for using the compounds of Formula (I) in the prevention or treatment of HCV infection.

Abstract: Systems and methods generate steam mixed with desired non-condensable gas concentrations using a direct steam generator. Injecting the steam into a reservoir may facilitate recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir. Cooling an output of the direct steam generator produces water condensate, which is then separated from the non-condensable gas, such as carbon dioxide. Reducing pressure of the condensate subsequently heated by cross-exchange with effluent of the direct steam generator regenerates the steam with the carbon dioxide removed for the injection.

Abstract: A method for providing access to a target electronic device through a first service running on a different electronic device may include receiving in the first service a command directed to the target electronic device from a command sender and receiving in the service device operation status parameters of the target electronic device. The device operation status parameters may include properties of the target electronic device such as a battery level, a battery charging rate, an age, a planned lifespan, a recent wireless usage, an internal temperature, or any of the above in relation to an intervening electronic device over which communication to the target electronic device travels, or any combination thereof. The method may also include using the device operation status parameters to determine, using the service, whether to provide or not to provide an update signal incorporating the command or information to the target electronic device.

Abstract: An example system for streaming media content includes: a data communication network; a source venue for generating audio and/or video data stream, the source venue in communication with the data communication network; and at least one recipient venue, the at least one recipient venue in communication with the data communication network; the source venue is configured to send the audio and/or video data stream to the at least one recipient venue through the data communication network.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a patient side-system is provided that includes a column with a rail and a counterbalance subsystem. The patient side-system may further include a braking subsystem. The counterbalance subsystem includes a spring assembly coupled at one end to the column with a spring member, and a housing movably coupled to the rail. The housing includes a drum to receive the spring member and a plurality of roller elements to guide a movement of the spring member winding or unwinding on the drum. If present, the braking subsystem includes a first pulley rotatably coupled to the column, a second pulley with a locking mechanism spaced apart from the first pulley and rotatably coupled to the column, and at least one brake cable wrapped around the first pulley and the second pulley with ends coupled to the housing. The locking mechanism can set a position of the housing along the column.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for measuring borehole conditions, in particular for verification of a final diameter of a borehole. The system includes a drill string with a drill bit and a drilling mud circulation device, an underreamer attached to the drill string above the drill bit, and a tool body attached to the drill string, having a sensor for detecting downhole conditions, such as borehole diameter. The tool body is mounted above the underreamer and has a diameter smaller than the underreamer and drill bit. The sensor can be an ultrasonic transducer with a sensor housing for adjustable distance to particular borehole size. The system may also include a calibrator for sensor data, and an auxiliary tool body with another sensor between the drill bit and the underreamer.

Abstract: A video stream demultiplxer receives video streams comprising a selected current content channel and one or more adjacent content channels. Time stamp management is concurrently performed on the adjacent content channels while decoding the selected current content channel. Timing information such as Decoding Time Stamp (DTS) and Presentation Time Stamp (PTS) values, and/or random access points (RAPs) may be determined for pictures stored for the selected current content channel and the adjacent content channels. The determined timing information is utilized to determine a Program Clock Reference (PCR) value for each of the selected current channel and the adjacent channels for channel monitoring. A timebase, derived from a PCR rate that is determined based on the determined PCR value, is determined for decoding the selected current content channel. An adjacent content channel, which is primed during decoding of the selected current content channel, may be directly decoded for display if selected.

Abstract: Protein-protein imprinting of silk fibroin is introduced as a rapid, high-fidelity, and/or high-throughput method for the fabrication of nanoscale structures in silk films, through controlled manipulation of heat and/or pressure. High resolution imprinting on conformal surfaces is also demonstrated.

Abstract: Implementations are provided that permit a seamless activation of a game or other application on a host device from a game controller. The game may be launched on the host device in response to an activation signal that is dispatched from the game controller. The game controller may generate the activation signal or it may send such a signal to the host device for processing. The game controller may detect that an action button has been pressed and generate the activation signal in response thereto.

Abstract: In one aspect, a device includes a processor and a memory accessible to the processor. The memory bears instructions executable by the processor to receive at least a first Bluetooth low energy (BLE) signal from a BLE beacon and enable a first function of the first device at least in part in based on receipt of the first BLE signal.

Abstract: A tap display, system and non-transitory computer writeable medium for managing a volume of dispensable product through a tap. A body includes a lower stem supporting end adapted to being mounted atop a fluid dispensing valve which is in fluid communication with the volume of dispensable product, the body having a display screen at a first location and an audial output at a second location. A first processor component is incorporated into the body and communicates with at least one of a visual and audial output. A second processor component is integrated into a processor driven device in communication with the first processor component and includes each of data collection, diagnostic and audio-visual output functions associated with the volume of dispensable product and outputted through the audial/visual outputs.

Abstract: A method in accordance with the invention includes establishing a cooperative network of businesses, establishing a first entity configured to own and invest in intellectual property assets utilized by the cooperative network of businesses, and establishing a second entity configured to own and invest in physical assets shared and utilized by the cooperative network of business.

Abstract: A window treatment retention system may include a roller shade assembly and one or more retention brackets that at least partially enclose the roller shade assembly and do not interfere with operation of the roller shade assembly. The retention brackets may be configured to absorb an impact force associated with detachment of the roller shade assembly from a mounted position. The retention brackets may deflect upon absorbing the impact force, and may limit displacement of the detached roller shade assembly from the mounted position. The retention brackets may deflect such that the roller shade assembly does not pass through openings defined by the retention brackets. The retention brackets may deflect such that the width of at least one of the openings defined by the retention brackets does not expand beyond a distance that is equivalent to the diameter of a roller tube of the roller shade assembly.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for mitigating risk in distributed energy assets are disclosed. In one aspect a computerized method comprises purchasing a bundle of distributed energy assets comprising agreements by end-users of distributed energy resources to purchase energy at variable rates which are tied to future utility rates or an index and swapping with one or more off-takers a variable stream of cash flows based on a variable future utility rate for a fixed stream of cash flows based on a fixed rate.

Abstract: Methods of making increased amounts of diketopiperazines (DKP) such as DA-DKP in pharmaceutical compositions of proteins and peptides are disclosed. The disclosure further provides methods of making a DKP, including (1) contacting albumin with an enzyme (such as a dipeptidyl peptidase N (DPP-IV)) that cleaves a pair of N-terminal amino acids from the albumin, and (2 heating the albumin under conditions effective to cause the formation of the DKP. Further, treatment of DKP- and albumin-containing streams to produce improved, higher value, DKP compositions and purified albumin compositions for therapeutic uses is also disclosed. In addition to a first therapeutic DKP composition comprising a low albumin content, a second valuable therapeutic composition is also produced characterized by a high albumin concentration.