Abstract: A method of processing an aqueous hemicellulosic stream containing lignin, comprising: (a) contacting an aqueous hemicellulosic stream containing lignin with a C3-8 alkyl alcohol at elevated temperature and acidic pH; (b) separating the reaction mixture obtained from step (a) into an aqueous phase containing hemicellulose-derived monosaccharide and an organic phase containing C3-8 alkyl alcohol; (c) concentrating the organic phase obtained from step (b) to remove at least some C3-8 alkyl alcohol; (d) treating the residue from step (c) with water or an aqueous medium having an alkaline pH; and (e) recovering C3-8 alkyl alcohol from the product of step (d).

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an exhaust gas recirculation system. In one example, an exhaust gas recirculation cooler includes a first section, arranged proximate to an exhaust gas inlet of the EGR cooler and including a first plurality of tubes and a first plurality of fins coupled to the first plurality of tubes, where at least one of the first plurality of tubes and the first plurality of fins are comprised of a first material that has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and a second section, arranged downstream of the first section and including a second plurality of tubes and a second plurality of fins coupled to the second plurality of tubes, where the second plurality of tubes and the second plurality of fins are comprised of a second material that has a second CTE, the second CTE greater than the first CTE.

Abstract: A technique is described herein for managing the manner in which a computing device transitions from one user interface (UI) mode to another. The technique stores state information that describes prior states of UI features that have appeared in previous UI presentations, with respect to different UI modes. When transitioning from a first UI presentation (associated with a first UI mode) to a second UI presentation (associated with a second UI mode), the technique leverages the state information to restore one or more aspects of a prior-encountered state associated with the second UI mode.

Abstract: A thermoelectric composite includes a plurality of particles comprising a crosslinked polymer having a heat deflection temperature greater than or equal to 200° F. and a segregated network comprising a first filler material which is disposed between the particles to produce a thermoelectric response in response to application of a voltage difference or temperature difference across the thermoelectric composite. The first filler material includes a carbon material, a metal, a metal disposed on a carbon material, or a combination thereof. A process for preparing a thermoelectric article includes combining a first filler material and a plurality of particles comprising a polymer to form a composition and molding the composition to form a thermoelectric article, wherein the thermoelectric article is configured to produce a thermoelectric response in response to application of a voltage difference or temperature difference across the article.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure relate to a bi-directional oil-flow adapter that is attachable to a valve-controlled port of a transformer housing in which oil is contained for cooling parts of the transformer such as a primary coil and a secondary coil. The bi-directional oil-flow adapter not only allows for an oil sample to be drawn out of the transformer housing via the valve-controlled port but also allows for the oil sample to be used (along with an additional volume of oil if so desired) for flushing the valve-controlled port in order to ensure that a subsequent oil sample is different than a current oil sample. The oil sample can be provided to a dissolved gas analyzer for detecting and analyzing one or more gases that may be present in the oil sample, the one more gases indicative of a level of contamination of the oil sample.

Abstract: A system includes a central processing unit (CPU) core, and a pulse width modulator (PWM) controller configured to generate a PWM control signal having a PWM cycle. The system also includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), an accumulator, a sum register, and an oversampling register set. The oversampling register set is configurable by the CPU core to specify time points during each PWM cycle when the ADC is to convert an analog signal to a digital sample to produce a plurality of digital samples. The time spacing between consecutive digital samples varies among the specified time points. The accumulator accumulates digital samples from the ADC and stores an accumulated sum in the sum register. The CPU core reads the accumulated sum from the sum register, and can use the accumulated sum to calculate a metric (e.g., an average) of the digital samples.

Abstract: A Wearable Cardiac Defibrillator (WCD) system is configured to be worn by a patient who carries a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device has a user interface that is configured to enable the patient to enter wireless inputs. The WCD system includes a communication module that is configured to establish a local comlink with the mobile communication device. The WCD system also includes a tethered action unit that has a user interface configured to enable the patient to enter action inputs. The WCD system can perform some of its functions in response to the action inputs or to the wireless inputs. Since the wireless inputs can be provided from the mobile communication device instead of the action unit, the patient is less likely to attract attention when entering them, and thus exhibit better compliance.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems relating to a Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (WCD) system capable of logging event data and/or broadcasting state changes and/or system status information to external clients are described. In an embodiment, a processor stores data corresponding to one or more event markers in memory in response to occurrence of an event. Occurrence of the event is detected based at least in part on detection of one or more parameters by one or more sensors or a signal to be generated by one or more of electrodes of the WCD system. A communication device transmits at least a portion of the stored data to a remote device. A patient condition or a WCD system condition can then be detected based at least in part on analysis of the stored data and/or the transmitted portion of the stored data. Other embodiments are also disclosed and/or claimed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) chip and method of booting the IC are disclosed. The method includes determining whether a boot pin configuration has been programmed and responsive to determining that the boot pin configuration has been programmed, performing a boot method indicated in a user-defined boot table. Responsive to determining that the boot pin configuration key has not been programmed, the method performs a boot method selected from a factory-defined boot table.

Abstract: A data file system includes one or more files about a patient wearing a wearable cardiac defibrillator (WCD) system that has been assigned to them. The one or more files contain at least one patient identifier of the patient, compliance data about a history of the patient's wearing the WCD system, and possibly other data. The data file system can be accessed through a communication network when the patient uses a communication device. When so accessed, some of the contents can be viewed on a screen of the device, for example in the form of a website. In embodiments, the health care provider and friends and family can view such data and even enter inputs, which may create a situation that motivates the patient to comply better.

Abstract: An anchor has a fluke, a shank that is connected to the fluke, a coupling to attach the fluke to an anchor line or anchor chain, and an angle adjustment provision to adjust the angle between the shank and the fluke, wherein the angle adjustment provision is a hinge between the fluke and the shank, a first positioning member connected to the shank that is provided with a series of first positioning holes at a first intermediate distance and a second positioning member connected to the fluke that is provided with a series of second positioning holes at a second intermediate distance and spaced apart from the hinge axis, and a positioning pin that is inserted in one of the aligned first and second positioning holes, wherein the second intermediate distance differs from the first intermediate distance.

Abstract: A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments the WCD system includes a speaker system that transmits a sound designed to assist a bystander to perform CPR. Optionally CPR chest compressions received by the patient can be further detected, and feedback can be given. In embodiments, a WCD system may include a user interface that can be controlled to output CPR prompts tailored to a skill level of the bystander.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anchor having a fluke, a shank that is connected to the fluke, and a coupling to attach the fluke to an anchor line or anchor chain, wherein the shank has two shank legs each having a straight shank plate with an outer surface that extend on the opposite sides of the plane of symmetry of the anchor and that diverge from the coupling towards the fluke, wherein the fluke has two straight penetration plates with a top surface on the opposite sides of the plane of symmetry of the anchor, wherein the orientation of the outer surfaces with respect to the top surfaces is specified by three angles under narrow ranges to provide excellent penetration properties and an excellent holding capacity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for incorporating social content items into a produced video are provided. The system presents a producer interface to a user that allows the user to query for social content items. The user may then select and arrange social content items in an on-air queue. In an on-air mode, the system generates a broadcast-ready on-air format of the social content items and provides a video stream including the broadcast-ready social content items in the on-air queue to a video production system. The broadcast-ready social content items are incorporated into a produced video by the video production system. The user may navigate through the social content items in the on-air queue while on camera as part of the produced video.

Abstract: Techniques for identifying fraudulent entities is provided. Tracking data is received for displayed content items and is associated with one or more entities. Using the tracking data and one or more rules, a determination is made whether the one or more entities are fraudulent. A new rule is received and the one or more rules are updated, while continuing to receive tracking data and determine whether one or more entities are fraudulent. The new rule is used to determine whether one or more entities are fraudulent. Fraud data about the one or more entities is stored in a central database, and, in response to a determination that a particular entity is fraudulent, an alert is sent to a content exchange. The content exchange may suspend, based on the alert, delivery of content items associated with the particular entity.

Abstract: A blocking member for an actuator having a movable arm for effecting a quick-make feature, includes, for example, an elongated member having a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the elongated member is configured so that the blocking member disposed in a first position engages a portion of the movable arm of the actuator to restrain movement of the movable arm and so that the blocking member disposed in a second position disengages from the portion of the movable arm of the actuator to permit movement of the movable arm.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an exhaust gas recirculation cooler including a plurality of cooling tubes. In one example, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler includes a plurality of cooling tubes positioned within a housing of the EGR cooler, each cooling tube of the plurality of cooling tubes extending between and directly coupled to tube sheets of the EGR cooler at ends of each cooling tube, where at least one end of one or more cooling tubes of a first portion of the plurality of cooling tubes, inward of a tube sheet coupled to the at least one end, includes a compliant region, where the first portion is positioned proximate to an exhaust inlet of the EGR cooler.

Abstract: A water temperature regulating valve (10) including a valve body (12) having a cavity (13) in which mixing of fluids can occur, and provided with a hot fluid (or heated water) inlet (18) adapted for communication with a source of hot (or heated) water, a cooled fluid inlet (16) adapted for communication with an apparatus that has used the mixed fluid for heating, a mixed fluid outlet (14) adapted for communication with an apparatus that uses the mixed fluid for heating, and a return fluid outlet (20) adapted for communication with the source of hot (or heated) water, all inlets and outlets also being in communication with the cavity (13) provided within the valve body (12), said cavity (13) being provided with an insert (24) in a sealing relationship with an inner surface of the said cavity (13), said insert (24) having a central bore (42) and also defining flow passages and being configured to direct the flows of hot fluid entering the cavity (13) via the hot fluid inlet (18) and cooled fluid entering the ca

Abstract: Systems and methods for incorporating social content items into a produced video are provided. The system presents a producer interface to a user that allows the user to query for social content items. The user may then select and arrange social content items in an on-air queue. In an on-air mode, the system generates a broadcast-ready on-air format of the social content items and provides a video stream including the broadcast-ready social content items in the on-air queue to a video production system. The broadcast-ready social content items are incorporated into a produced video by the video production system. The user may navigate through the social content items in the on-air queue while on camera as part of the produced video.

Abstract: A conduit for a breathing circuit includes a heater associated, at least in part, with a hydrophilic layer. The purpose of the heater is to evaporate any condensed liquid collecting in the conduit, which is first sucked up by the hydrophilic layer. The heated wick reduces the risk of collected water being passed to the patient and causing choking fits or discomfit. It is preferred that the heated wick lies freely in the conduit to settle at low points in the conduit where condensation may collect.