Abstract: Methods and apparatus for economically producing a biodiesel product from feedstocks. Some embodiments comprise using at least one of a crude feedstock pretreatment process and a free fatty acid refining process prior to transesterification and the formation of crude biodiesel and glycerin. The free fatty acid refining process may include introducing the feedstock to glycerolysis to obtain a glycerolysis product then stripping the glycerolysis product to produce a fatty acid distillate and a stripped feedstock. The fatty acid distillate is recycled to the glycerolysis process to create more higher-molecular weight glycerides and the stripped feedstock (mostly di- and tri-glycerides) proceeds to transesterification to make biodiesel.

Abstract: The invention relates to aerosol-generating material comprising tobacco granules comprising tobacco material, and an expansion agent, wherein the expansion agent expands on contact with moisture to cause movement of the tobacco granules within the aerosol-generating material and to expose further tobacco material. The invention also relates to tobacco granules comprising tobacco material and an expansion agent. Such aerosol-generating material and tobacco granules may be used in a non-combustible aerosol provision system.

Abstract: Carbon quantum dots having selected adsorption of carbon dioxide over nitrogen and oxygen can be prepared by amine modification or nitrogen doping of hydrocarbon-based carbon quantum dots. The carbon quantum dots can be used in various applications for the adsorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and for treating industrial processes that generate carbon dioxide. The carbon quantum dots can be synthesized from lignin and can be paired with a porous activated carbon surface to create a renewable composite material with increased selective adsorption of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Systems and methods directed at removing HCN from an FCC process flue gas (and/or generated in the catalyst system reactions themselves) such that the final HCN output is satisfactory; while, in so doing, avoiding undesirable levels of other pollutants contained in that exhaust gas such as NOx. A system includes an assembly having a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit generating a flue gas with HCN and NOx and a catalyst device placed in the flue gas line to remove HCN and NOx. The catalyst device having one or more SCR catalytic articles, as in one free of platinum group metal material (PGM) or a dual functioning SCR catalyst with PGM, or a combination of each. The assembly can be provided with an ammonia supplier and optionally an H2O supplier with associated injection for supply into the flue gas upstream of a catalytic article(s).

Abstract: A method and system for aligning a component within a turbine casing, and a related turbine casing, are disclosed. In a top-on position, a location of a reference point and another, vertically spaced reference point on the lower casing are measured. After removing at least the upper casing, the reference points' locations are measured again, and the locations of a reference point on an upper surface of the HJ flange are measured. A prediction offset value is calculated for the component support position in the top-on position based on the locations. The prediction offset value may include a vertical adjustment based, in part, on a translation of a triangular spatial relationship of a number of the reference points and/or a tilt angle, a horizontal adjustment, and a HJ flange surface distortion adjustment. The component support position is adjusted by the prediction offset value to improve alignment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inkjet ink compositions that take advantage of solvent mixtures containing an ester, a ketone, and optionally an alcohol, in order to provide ink compositions that have suitable qualities for inkjet printing. Preferred ink compositions include a C1-C3 alkyl ester of C1-C3 carboxylic acid, a C3-C7 ketone, and optionally a C2-C3 alkyl alcohol.

Abstract: The techniques described herein include provide solutions to optimizing the battery power of a user equipment (UE) though energy optimal radio link adaption. A UE may determine an energy optimal modulation and coding scheme (MCS). An energy optimal MCS may include an MCS that enables reception of a data payload at a lowest total energy consumed by a receiver. In some implementations, the MCS may be based on several factors, including time and/or data rate constraints and changes in transfer rates relative to changes in energy consumption. The UE may communicate the energy optimal MCS to a base station, and the base station may send a data payload to the UE using an energy optimal data transfer rate that is based on the energy optimal MCS.

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of medical informatics, and more particularly to a system and methods for generating and displaying a user interface of a patient medical record such that a user can annotate, augment, and overall interact with clinically more accurate and detailed medical information. In addition, the system may be configured to collect, display, and model an individual's genomic makeup, physiological characteristics, healthcare history, and lifestyle to enable personalized medicine, better understand the transition from health to disease, and identify additional risk factors for disease. Advantageously, the system is configured to collect, display, and model an individual's genomic makeup, health status, health history, and social determinants of health to enable personalized medicine, better understand the transition from health to disease, and identify additional risk factors for disease.

Abstract: Systems and methods for vehicle controllers for agricultural and industrial applications are described. For example, a method includes accessing a map data structure storing a map representing locations of physical objects in a geographic area; accessing current point cloud data captured using a distance sensor connected to a vehicle; detecting a crop row based on the current point cloud data; matching the detected crop row with a crop row represented in the map; determining an estimate of a current location of the vehicle based on a current position in relation to the detected crop row; and controlling one or more actuators to cause the vehicle to move from the current location of the vehicle to a target location.

Abstract: A wall shear stress sensor comprising first and second optical gratings, an incident light source and a photodetector. The second optical grating overlaps the first optical grating such that the first optical grating and second optical grating form a Moiré fringe pattern, wherein the second optical grating is displaceable relative to the first optical grating in response to a wall shear stress imparted on the sensor, and wherein displacement of the second optical grating correlates with a phase shift in the Moiré fringe pattern. The incident light source is configured to sequentially illuminate a plurality of discrete locations distributed across the Moiré fringe pattern. The photodetector is configured to detect light intensity reflected from each discrete location on the Moiré fringe pattern. A method of using the sensor and a two dimensional wall shear stress sensor system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved shelving unit for a shipping container is disclosed herein. The improved shelving unit can comprise one or more shelf assemblies and an RFID reader. Each of the one or more shelf assemblies can comprise a bottom platform and a top platform. The RFID reader can be mounted between the bottom platform and the top platform. The top platform can be capable of supporting items.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to controlling a vehicle having an autonomous driving mode. For instance, a current state of a traffic light may be determined. One of a plurality of yellow light durations may be selected based on the current state of the traffic light. When the traffic light will turn red may be predicted based on the selected one. The prediction may be used to control the vehicle in the autonomous driving mode.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to determine the load of a vehicle via calibrate a suspension sensor are disclosed herein. An example vehicle described herein includes a force transducer, an actuator coupled to the force transducer, memory including instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to engage the actuator to a bottom surface of a vehicle, apply a first force to the bottom surface via the actuator, determine a first displacement of a first suspension component of the vehicle, and calibrate a first sensor of the vehicle based on the first force and the first displacement.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for pumping blood in a patient in need of circulatory assistance or a replacement heart. Instead of providing a temporary solution for these patients, the devices may be permanently implanted. The devices linearly reciprocate a shuttle within a housing to move blood into and out of the housing, and rotate the shuttle to selectively direct the movement of blood into and out of a plurality of ports in the housing.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the analysis of data generated by one or more connected systems and devices. Operational data obtained by one or more connected devices and/or systems, such as a connected thermostat and/or wind turbine system, may be used to detect and/or predict impending failures and/or suboptimal performance. By detecting and/or predicting anomalous system and device performance, various actions may be taken to improve system and device performance and mitigate failure conditions.

Abstract: Provided in some aspects are methods for light-controlled in situ surface patterning of a substrate comprising a step of blocking or ablating oligonucleotide molecules in a boundary region separating a plurality of spot regions, and attaching oligonucleotides to oligonucleotide molecules in a first one or more of the spot regions.

Abstract: A bag sealing system for securing one or more items in a closable bag comprises a moveable frame, a closable bag, a closing device and a driving device. The moveable frame can have an open configuration, intermediate configurations and a closed configuration. The closable bag has an open end and a closed end wherein the open end of the closable bag is coupled to the moveable frame. The closing device is provided for securely closing the open end of the bag via a securing element, and the driving device is coupled to the closing device to actuate the closing device to securely close the closable bag.

Abstract: A melt-blown fabric for pouching smokeless tobacco or a smokeless tobacco substitute can include melt-blown polymer fibers. The fabric can have a basis weight of less than 30 gsm and a tensile strength of at least 4mJ in at least one predetermined direction. Method of making the fabric can include melt-blowing a polymeric material against a support surface and bonding the fibers or arranging them in a predetermined orientation. Pouched smokeless tobacco or tobacco substitute products including the fabrics provided herein can provide desirable flavor and tactile experience.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a client, from an identity service provider, an authentication token associated with a user of the client. The method also includes receiving, by the client, from a control plane, an authorization token associated with a cloud resource. The method also includes receiving, by a desktop agent, a password request including the authentication token and the authorization token. The method also includes validating the password request based at least in part on the authentication token and the authorization token. The method also includes responsive to the validating the password request, receiving, by the client, a password for the cloud resource. The method also includes causing the client to transmit the password to the cloud resource to establish a connection between the client and the cloud resource.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (16) for determining the attitude of a carrier comprising a GNSS receiver apt to receive GNSS signals from one or a plurality of antennas (14) arranged in known positions; the determination device (16) comprising: a movement generation module (22) configured for generating a movement of an apparent phase center according to a control law; a control module (23) configured for determining the control law; a determination module (24) configured for determining an absolute orientation of a vector of interest from at least one observable value supplied by the GNSS receiver (12) and from the control law, and for determining at least one component of the attitude of the carrier from the absolute orientation of the vector of interest.