Abstract: Described herein are methods of enhancing the rheological properties of a colloidal mineral suspension in a liquid with high-intensity acoustical energy. In some examples, the colloidal mineral suspension may be dehydrated after treatment with high-intensity acoustical energy.

Abstract: A high temperature plasma generating system has a ceramic magnetron insulator joined to a frustoconical waveguide reflector. A cavity magnetron tube is joined to the frustoconical waveguide reflector. An antenna is set in the cavity magnetron tube and extending through the ceramic magnetron insulator. Applying an electrical current to the magnetron creates multipactor in the frustoconical waveguide reflector generating plasma focused at the tip of the magnetron antenna.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device, system, methods and computer-readable medium products that provide techniques to implement functionality to receive information related to a meal and delivery of a meal bolus. The received information may be stored and utilized in the generation of insulin delivery profiles. An estimate a mealtime insulin need based on the generated insulin delivery profiles may be generated. A dose of insulin may be determined that satisfies an estimated mealtime insulin need based on the generated insulin delivery profiles. The determined dose of insulin may be output at a time corresponding to a mealtime.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device, system, methods and computer-readable medium products that provide an updated insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio and an updated total daily insulin. The described processes may be used for periodic updating of the insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio and the total daily insulin. The insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio and/or the total may be used in the calculation of new doses of insulin that a drug delivery device may be commanded to deliver to a user.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device, a computer-readable medium, and techniques that provide an onboarding process and an adaptivity process for a drug delivery device. A processor executing an onboarding process determines whether a history of delivered insulin to a user meets certain sufficiency requirements. The onboarding process enables a processor to cause the drug delivery device to administer doses of insulin to a user according to an initial total daily insulin dose calculation that is determined based on the sufficiency of the insulin delivery history. The initial total daily insulin may be adapted according to the adaptivity process as new insulin delivery is collected. The insulin delivery history, when sufficient, may be used to set total daily insulin dosages that enable automated insulin delivery upon replacement of a drug delivery device. The adaptivity process may be implemented to modify an initial insulin delivery doses to provide adapted insulin delivery doses.

Abstract: Support frames and rail cars include first and second side drive plates, first and second cross members connecting the respective ends of the side drive plates, third and fourth cross members connecting the side drive plates at a select distance from the first and second cross members, a coupling assembly situated at the first cross member and adapted to connect another rail car thereto, and first and second diagonal support members connected to the first cross member at an angle sufficient to substantially direct forces from the coupling assembly to the third cross member and side drive plates. The support frames and rail cars may be used for conveying bulk materials on a rail transport system.

Abstract: Techniques for distributed computing system node management are described herein. In some cases, internal compute nodes (i.e., compute nodes that are allocated to the distributed system) may be mutually trusted such that they may freely establish communications with one another. By contrast, external compute nodes (i.e., compute nodes that aren't allocated to the distributed computing system) may be untrusted such that their access to the distributed system may be regulated. In some cases, one or more of the compute nodes within the distributed computing system may maintain respective collections of system view information. Each respective collection of system view information may include, for example, information associated with the corresponding compute node's view of the distributed computing system based on information that is available to the corresponding compute node.

Abstract: Hybrid multirotor vehicles and related methods are disclosed herein. An example aircraft includes a battery, a rotor coupled to a wing, a motor operatively coupled to the rotor, and a processor operatively coupled to the motor. The processor to is cause the motor to operate in a first motor operational state. The rotor is to operate in a first rotor operational state when the motor is operating in the first motor operational state. The processor is to cause the motor to switch from operating in the first motor operational state to a second motor operational state. The rotor is to operate in a second rotor operational state when the motor is in the second motor operational state. The motor is to provide electrical energy to the battery in the second motor operational state and the rotor is to autorotate in the second rotor operational state.

Abstract: Techniques for distributed computing system node management are described herein. In some cases, internal compute nodes (i.e., compute nodes that are allocated to the distributed system) may be mutually trusted such that they may freely establish communications with one another. By contrast, external compute nodes (i.e., compute nodes that aren't allocated to the distributed computing system) may be untrusted such that their access to the distributed system may be regulated. In some cases, one or more of the compute nodes within the distributed computing system may maintain respective collections of system view information. Each respective collection of system view information may include, for example, information associated with the corresponding compute node's view of the distributed computing system based on information that is available to the corresponding compute node.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a rail transport system having no internal drive, and in particular to an improved rail transport system for conveying bulk materials. The rail transport system includes horizontal and vertical drive stations that include a drive tire that rotates on a plane parallel to the track. In this arrangement, force is applied on a different plane than earlier systems, and the reaction force is separated out of the tensioning device. The improvements of the drive stations provide for a reduction of steel used in the system, improved manufacturability and, therefore, reduction in system component costs as compared to previous drive stations. Moreover, the drive stations allow for improved maintainability and access to the drive tires.

Abstract: Techniques for converting plastic bags to a recyclable form are described. In some implementations, a device includes an outer container having an outer lid, an inner container situated within the outer container having an opening, and one or more heating elements. The inner container has an inner lid configured to cover the inner container's opening, and the outer lid of the outer container is configured to close over the inner lid. In response to a user input to the device, a conversion cycle is initiated in which electric power is supplied to one or more heating elements so that the one or more heating elements raise the inner container's internal temperature to a target temperature and maintain the inner container's internal temperature at a minimum of the target temperature for a predetermined conversion time sufficient to convert one or more plastic bags within the inner container to a recyclable plastic block.

Abstract: Techniques for distributed computing system node management are described herein. In some cases, internal compute nodes (i.e., compute nodes that are allocated to the distributed system) may be mutually trusted such that they may freely establish communications with one another. By contrast, external compute nodes (i.e., compute nodes that aren't allocated to the distributed computing system) may be untrusted such that their access to the distributed system may be regulated. In some cases, one or more of the compute nodes within the distributed computing system may maintain respective collections of system view information. Each respective collection of system view information may include, for example, information associated with the corresponding compute node's view of the distributed computing system based on information that is available to the corresponding compute node.

Abstract: Methods including drying a crude mineral composition including surface active minerals (“SAM”) and gangue, grinding the crude mineral composition to produce a crude mineral particulate composition including SAM particulates and gangue particulates, contacting the crude mineral particulate composition with a quaternary ammonium surfactant to form organically modified surface active mineral (“OMSAM”) particulates, grinding the crude mineral particulate composition that was contacted with the quaternary ammonium surfactant, and separating a portion of the OMSAM particulates from the gangue particulates using an air classifier.

Abstract: The invention relates to solid compositions comprising {2-[3-cyclohexyl-3-(trans-4-propoxy-cyclohexyl)-ureido]-thiazol-5-ylsulfanyl}-acetic acid, and methods of making and using such solid compositions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a rail transport system having no internal drive, and in particular to an improved rail transport system for conveying bulk materials. The rail transport system includes horizontal and vertical drive stations that include a drive tire that rotates on a plane parallel to the track. In this arrangement, force is applied on a different plane than earlier systems, and the reaction force is separated out of the tensioning device. The improvements of the drive stations provide for a reduction of steel used in the system, improved manufacturability and, therefore, reduction in system component costs as compared to previous drive stations. Moreover, the drive stations allow for improved maintainability and access to the drive tires.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sensing a train position of a train with no internal drive operating in an automated train system are provided. According to one embodiment, a train system comprises a track extending in a travel direction, a plurality of cars riding on the track and connected to form a train, a position sensing unit, and a programmable logic controller (PLC) in signal communication with the position sensing unit and configured to determine a train position based on inputs therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a rail transport system having no internal drive, and in particular to an improved rail transport system for conveying bulk materials. The rail transport system includes improvements in functionality, manufacturability and/or modularity and, therefore, can result in a reduction in system component costs, manpower and/or implementation. The rail transport system includes a dump loop and components thereof for enabling unloading of the rail cars in a predetermined location. The components thereof may be designed to be modular to allow for ease of manufacture and installation of the dump loop. The components may be prefabricated for later use on site.

Abstract: A method of forming a set grout includes steps of preparing a grout additive fluid comprising a fresh water base fluid and a grout additive control package comprising a primary additive selected from the group consisting of an inhibitor, a dispersant, a thermally conductive material, and any combination thereof; introducing an aqueous swellable clay into the grout additive fluid, thereby forming a final grout fluid; and introducing the final grout fluid into an annulus in a subterranean formation, the annulus formed between an exterior of a geothermal well loop tubular and the subterranean formation. The ordering of additives in the method results in enhanced effectiveness of the additives, which may reduce the amount of additive loading required.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to support frames and rail cars comprising first and second side drive plates, first and second cross members connecting the respective ends of the side drive plates, third and fourth cross members connecting the side drive plates at a select distance from the first and second cross members, a coupling assembly situated at the first cross member and adapted to connect another rail car thereto, and first and second diagonal support members connected to the first cross member at an angle sufficient to substantially direct forces from the coupling assembly to the third cross member and side drive plates. The support frames and rail cars may be used for conveying bulk materials on a rail transport system.

Abstract: A method comprising (a) first, preparing a grout additive fluid comprising a fresh water base fluid and a grout additive control package comprising a primary additive selected from the group consisting of an inhibitor, a dispersant, a thermally conductive material, and any combination thereof, wherein at least about 90% of the dispersant and the inhibitor are dissolved in the fresh water base fluid; (b) second, introducing an aqueous swellable clay into the grout additive fluid, thereby forming a final grout fluid; and (c) third, introducing the final grout fluid into an annulus in a subterranean formation, the annulus formed between an exterior of a geothermal well loop tubular and the subterranean formation.