Abstract: Systems and methods allow playback of a media stream received via a network. The media stream is received and stored in a buffer prior to playback. Responsive to receiving the user command to change the content of the media stream, the buffer is flushed prior to receiving the changed content in the media stream.

Abstract: A laser ignition system for an internal combustion engine, and more specifically a gas turbine engine, is provided. The system including a laser light source configured to generate a laser beam, an ignition port configured to provide optimized optical access of the laser beam to a combustion chamber and an optical beam guidance component disposed between the laser light source and the ignition port. The optical beam guidance component is configured to include optimized optic components to transmit the laser beam to irradiate on a fuel mixture supplied into the combustion chamber to generate a combustor flame in a flame region. A method for igniting a fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine is also presented.

Abstract: Dairy compositions are provided having a high pH, of about 4.8 to about 6.2, comprising desirable probiotic cultures as well as an anti-microbial system for inhibiting undesirable pathogenic and/or spoilage microbial growth without significantly reducing the beneficial effect of the probiotic cultures.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method comprising same for removing metal oxides from a substrate surface are disclosed herein. In one particular embodiment, the apparatus comprises an electrode assembly that has a housing that is at least partially comprised of an insulating material and having an internal volume and at least one fluid inlet that is in fluid communication with the internal volume; a conductive base connected to the housing comprising a plurality of conductive tips that extend therefrom into a target area and a plurality of perforations that extend therethrough and are in fluid communication with the internal volume to allow for a passage of a gas mixture comprising a reducing gas.

Abstract: Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions for use in forming polyurethane products include a gelling catalyst, a trimerization catalyst, and a cure accelerator. The gelling catalyst is a tertiary amine, mono(tertiary amino) urea, bis(tertiary amino) urea, or a combination of any of these. Any known trimerization catalyst may be used. The cure accelerator may be a diol having at least one primary hydroxyl group, and having from five to 17 chain backbone atoms chosen from carbon, oxygen, or both between the hydroxyl groups, provided that at least five of the backbone atoms are carbon. Alternatively or in addition, the cure accelerator may be a polyol having three or more hydroxyl groups, at least two of which are primary, and having molecular weights between 90 g/mole and 400 g/mole. Delayed initiation of the polyurethane-forming reaction and/or reduced demold time for producing the polyurethane part can be obtained by using these catalyst compositions.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for mobile stations for enhancing the ease of use of a mobile station. An example method includes connecting with a first wireless network and displaying a first indicator associated with the first network. The example method includes connecting with a second wireless network while connected to the first wireless network and displaying a second indicator associated with the second network. The example method includes selecting one of the first network and the second network to place a voice call and placing the call using the selected network.

Abstract: A sprinkler head cover. Implementations may include an artificial turf portion including a backing, a stiffener coupled to the backing, and a bag coupled to the stiffener where the bag has at least one reclosable opening therein. The bag may be configured to receive a quantity of fill material when the at least one reclosable opening is opened and to retain the quantity of fill material within the bag when the at least one reclosable opening is closed. The bag may also be configured to rest on a top surface of a sprinkler head when the sprinkler head is in a retracted position in a grassy area.

Abstract: A device for concealing a seam between a first abutting surface of a first article and a second abutting surface of a second article, the device includes a seam concealment body fixedly attached to a selected one or both of the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface, wherein the seam concealment body comprises an active material, wherein the active material is configured to transition between a first stiffness and a second stiffness upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the transition permits movement of a selected one or both of the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface such that the seam concealment body deforms with the movement of the surface to maintain concealment of the seam.

Abstract: Improved methods for reducing boron concentration in seawater or brackish water, while simultaneously maintaining or improving the salt rejection of membrane and flow performance of polyamide reverse osmosis (RO) membranes include contacting the water with a composite membrane comprising moieties derived from an aromatic sulfonyl halide, a heteroaromatic sulfonyl halide, a sulfinyl halide; a sulfenyl halide; a sulfuryl halide; a phosphoryl halide; a phosphonyl halide; a phosphinyl halide; a thiophosphoryl halide; a thiophosphonyl halide, an isocyanate, a urea, a cyanate, an aromatic carbonyl halide, an epoxide or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: In association with a data processing system that includes one or more servers, one or more clients and a partitionable distributed directory contained in a database, a computer implemented method is provided for selectively processing data entries that reside in the directory. The method comprises the steps of generating a request to perform an operation on each data entry in a specified group of intended entries, and specifying a hashing control index that uniquely identifies each entry of the specified group, and excludes all other entries. The requested operation is applied only to data entries in the directory that are identified by the specified hashing control index.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a compound archery bow comprises a riser, first and second limbs and first and second rotatable members. A bowstring extends between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member. A power cable is biased in a direction away from the riser by a cable guard comprising a mounting portion attached to the riser, a flexible portion and a cable engaging portion. In some embodiments, the cable guard comprises a roller.

Abstract: A fire suppression system having a foam proportioning system, a water source, and a controller. The foam proportioning system includes a foam tank having at least two types of chemical foamants, a selector valve in fluid communication with the foam tank for selecting one of the at least two types of chemical foamants, a foam pump in fluid communication with the selector valve for supplying the selected chemical foamant to a discharge unit, and a foam controller operatively connected to the foam pump and the selector valve. The water source is connected to the foam proportioning system for mixing water with the selected chemical foamant to form a fire suppression fluid. The controller is operatively connected to the foam proportioning system and includes a one-touch activation control for activating the controller. The controller is also configured to automatically output to the foam controller inputs for configuring the foam pump.

Abstract: Systems and methods of virtual world interaction, operation, implementation, instantiation, creation, and other functions related to virtual worlds (note that where the term “virtual world” is used herein, it is to be understood as referring to virtual world systems, virtual environments reflecting real, simulated, fantasy, or other structures, and includes information systems that utilize interaction within a 3D environment). Various embodiments facilitate interoperation between and within virtual worlds, and may provide consistent structures for operating virtual worlds. The disclosed embodiments may further enable individuals to build new virtual worlds within a framework, and allow third party users to better interact with those worlds.

Abstract: An adhesive composition is provided that is water-insoluble yet water-absorbent, i.e., capable of absorbing up to 15 wt. % water or more. The composition in composed of a film-forming hydrophilic polymer with at least one linear segment having a plurality of recurring polar groups along the polymer backbone, a complementary multifunctional polymer with a plurality of recurring functional groups that noncovalently bind to the polar groups on the film-forming polymer, and plasticizer. A method for manufacturing the adhesive composition is provided as well.

Abstract: A document registry system (10) includes a registry database (20) with a specific task sub-database (22) and an analytics-supporting general task sub-database (24). The sub-databases (22, 24) include i) pre-existing fields configured to store, respectively, specific task-related and analytics-related document data received from one or more of a plurality of sources (S1, S2, S3, S4) or from a source (NS1, NS2) other than the plurality of sources (S1, S2, S3, S4), and ii) de novo fields configured tote generated as a result of, respectively, a specific task query and a general task query and configured to store, respectively, specific task-related and general task-related document data received from source(s) (NS1, NS2) other than the plurality of sources (S1, S2, S3, S4). A query mapping engine (26) is configured to receive a request entry, map the request entry into a query, and actively collect data based upon the query.

Abstract: A network operator intermediates a cashless transaction by sending a payment device issuer an outbound clearing data file enriched with cleansed merchant data. Issuers that choose to participate in the merchant data cleansing service will be provided with the cleansed, and optionally augmented, merchant information. Providing this data to the issuer could be used to help reduce costs associated with “do not recognize” calls by cardholders, disputed charges, and charge-backs. With cleansed data provided in the clearing record, a device holder would be given access to this cleansed information about the merchant where a transaction took place through their statement. The present disclosure also provides for augmenting the clearing record data to include merchant-specific add-on and/or aggregate data not presently included in the transaction clearing record, yet useful to the issuer both in form and content.

Abstract: An air filter cartridge has Z-media and a gasket arrangement with a perimeter gasket member against the downstream flow face and a side gasket member adjacent to at least a partial extension of a first side panel. The side gasket member includes no portion against second, third, and fourth side panels of the air filter cartridge. The air filter cartridge can be used in a dust collector having a tubesheet and a frame arrangement extending from the tubesheet. The perimeter gasket member seals against the frame arrangement and the side gasket member seals against the tubesheet. A method of servicing includes orienting the air filter cartridge against a guide ramp and moving the filter cartridge until the side gasket member is engaged against the tubesheet sealing surface.

Abstract: A hold open rod is provided. The hold open rod includes an outer tube, a lock body connected to the outer tube, an inner tube, slidingly disposed within the outer tube and lock body, the inner tube having an outer surface, and a friction pad captured between the lock body and the outer surface of the inner tube. A method for damping movement of a telescoping rod is also provided. The method includes attaching the locking body to an outer tube, configuring the outer tube and the inner tube to move with respect to each other in a telescoping manner, fitting a damper between an outer diameter of an inner tube and a locking body, and fitting the damper to frictionally engage the outer diameter of the inner tube and the locking body.

Abstract: A non-destructive inspection method for detecting the presence of a contaminant that has alloyed with a metallic alloy of a part includes exposing the metallic alloy of the part to an extraction solution. The extraction solution extracts at least a portion of any of the contaminant that has alloyed with the metallic alloy. The extraction solution can then be analyzed to determine whether the solution includes any of the contaminant element, which indicates whether the part includes any of the contaminant element.