Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to magnetic liquid particles, and methods for using the magnetic liquid particles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to magnetic liquid particles having antimicrobial properties. The particles can comprise a liquid metal core comprising a liquid gallium or alloy thereof, and a plurality of magnetic iron particles; and an inorganic passivation layer encapsulating the liquid metal core. The particles can be used for disrupting a biofilm. The particles can also be used for the treatment of biofilm related diseases.

Abstract: Various aspects described herein relate to a location-based and population-based health metric processes. In one example, a computer-implemented method for generating one or more predicted health metrics for a location includes receiving a request to assess the one or more health metrics associated with the location, and identifying at least one current or future built, social, or natural environment parameter associated with the location. The method may further include calculating one or more predicted health metrics associated with the location based upon at least one of the current or future built, social, or natural environment parameters associated with the location, monetizing the healthcare costs of the predicted health metrics and displaying the one or more predicted health metrics and costs.

Abstract: A computer-aided educational system and method to further a student's understanding of a subject matter through analyzing data captured in an electronic learning system so as to determine correlation data corresponding to variables or trends which are determined to enhance, optimize, and/or improve one's learning abilities or understanding of educational content. The system and method generates reports based on the correlation data, develops statistical models that highlight learning and behavioral trends, and/or provides recommendations for adapting the learning system based on the correlation data and statistical models.

Abstract: Acid detergent compositions, concentrates and use solutions prepared from the concentrates and methods of using the same are provided. The acid detergent compositions are particularly suited for use in removing soils, especially milk soils, from clean-in-place systems, such as those commonly used in the dairy and food processing industries. The detergent compositions comprise an acidic component including an inorganic or alkanesulfonic acid and a blend of surfactants to provide high cleaning efficiency and low foam generation. The acid detergent compositions optionally comprise an antimicrobial agent to impart a sanitization functionality to the detergent.

Abstract: A social electronic learning system, including a plurality of computing devices for communicating with a plurality of users in an educational community, and at least one server in communication with each of the plurality of computing devices, each server in communication with at least one data storage device configured to host a plurality of electronic portfolios, each electronic portfolio associated with one or more users of the plurality of users in the educational community, wherein each server is configured such that one or more users may associate one or more digital items with each electronic portfolio, and the plurality of users may take actions on the digital items in each electronic portfolio depending on authorization criteria.

Abstract: A layer for directing a hydraulic fluid includes a first fluoropolymer, a first crosslinker, and an anti-static additive. The first fluoropolymer is present in an amount greater than 60 parts by weight, the first crosslinker is present in an amount of from about 1 to about 10 parts by weight, and the anti-static additive is present in an amount of from about 0.4 to about 4 parts by weight, each based on 100 parts by weight of the layer. The layer may be included in a layered tube. In addition to the layer, the layered tube also includes an outer layer. The outer layer includes a second fluoropolymer, which is the same as or different than the first fluoropolymer. The second fluoropolymer is present in an amount greater than 60 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the outer layer.

Abstract: A method includes premixing an anti-static additive and a first crosslinker to form an anti-static intermediate mixture where the anti-static additive is dispersed in the first crosslinker. The method also includes compounding the anti-static intermediate mixture and at least a portion of the first fluoropolymer to form a first compounded mixture. The method further includes extruding the first compounded mixture to form a layer.

Abstract: Bio-alloy compositions, having improved mechanical, physical and thermal comprising at least one petroleum-based polymer and at least one biopolymer. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates generally to polymer compositions comprising a bio-alloy having improved characteristics, the bio-alloy including at least one hybrid biopolymer having same molecular structure as that of a petroleum based polymer and at least one biopolymer.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to an annotation system having a remote processor, and a client processor in data communication with the remote processor. The client processor is adapted to send a first request for an electronic file to the remote processor, receive the electronic file from the remote processor, define at least one new annotation about the electronic file, and define at least one anchor associated with the at least one annotation. The at least one of the remote processor and the client processor is adapted to store the at least one anchor and the at least one annotation in an annotation file that is separate from the electronic file.

Abstract: A scheme for determining which of a set of taps that can potentially be used to measure a channel impulse response should be used to estimate the channel impulse response.

Abstract: The present application discloses a technique for targeting therapeutic thermal energy to human tissue that is subject to displacement during a respiratory cycle using ARMA modeling. It discloses using an ARMA treatment of MRI tracking data of salient features of the tissue of interest to predict the spacial position of the portion of the tissue to be treated and using this prediction to guide the application of the thermal energy. It also discloses that this technique is particularly useful when the tissue of interest undergoes elastic deformation in a respiratory cycle and high energy focused ultrasound (HIFU) is used to ablate diseased tissue such as a cancerous tumor.

Abstract: A method includes premixing an anti-static additive and a first crosslinker to form an anti-static intermediate mixture where the anti-static additive is dispersed in the first crosslinker. The method also includes compounding the anti-static intermediate mixture and at least a portion of the first fluoropolymer to form a first compounded mixture. The method further includes extruding the first compounded mixture to form a layer.

Abstract: A layer for directing a hydraulic fluid includes a first fluoropolymer, a first crosslinker, and an anti-static additive. The first fluoropolymer is present in an amount greater than 60 parts by weight, the first crosslinker is present in an amount of from about 1 to about 10 parts by weight, and the anti-static additive is present in an amount of from about 0.4 to about 4 parts by weight, each based on 100 parts by weight of the layer. The layer may be included in a layered tube. In addition to the layer, the layered tube also includes an outer layer. The outer layer includes a second fluoropolymer, which is the same as or different than the first fluoropolymer. The second fluoropolymer is present in an amount greater than 60 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the outer layer.

Abstract: A signal receiver is arranged to process a portion of a received signal in each of a plurality of filter branches and to determine a quality metric for each branch. The configuration of a second filter for processing the entirety of the received signal is subsequently performed according to the determined quality metrics.

Abstract: Methods, associated products and apparatus are described for the production of biodegradable foam products using a controlled pressure increase due to compressed air and a controlled pressure decrease in pressure as key variables during a microwave heating cycle to produce a foamed product. The biodegradable product formed has improved characteristics including a density from 10 to 100 kg/m3; a soft and resilient structure; cushioning G-value characteristics to cushion an object with a fragility of 15 to 115; and a surface abrasion comparable to polystyrene.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for making thermoformed structural elements and composites, including the use of composites, dissimilar or variable processing materials. The present invention avoids the expense and the technical issues of the present art on how difficult it is to ‘clean’ said ‘dirty’ recycled materials so that they are acceptable to the extrusion process and or the injection mold process. The end products can have the same outward appearance as those products made by the more demanding, more expensive extrusion process and or injection process, but the present invention's end products can be pre-engineered to have significantly, unexpectedly, improved physical and chemical properties.

Abstract: A method of archiving a set of source tables in a database system. Each source table has a plurality of rows. Initially, a consistency point for the set of source tables is established. The database system creates a log record for each change (insert, modify, or delete) effected to a row of the source tables subsequent to the consistency point. Substantially all source table rows are copied to an archive (a data storage object that is external to the database system). Then the accumulated log records for the affected source tables are distilled and appended to the archive.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an online learning system comprising a processor adapted to provide a monitoring module, a recommendation module and a communication module. The monitoring module is operable to monitor system data about one or more components of the online learning environment wherein the system data is indicative of behavior of one or more users of the learning environment. The recommendation module is operable to determine whether the system data for a given component meets one or more defined thresholds, each threshold being indicative of undesirable behavior associated with that component, and if one of the given thresholds is met, determine at least one remedial action associated with that threshold which may be employed to address the undesirable behavior. The communication module is operable to communicate information about the at least one remedial action to at least one user.

Abstract: A social electronic learning system, including a plurality of computing devices for communicating with a plurality of users in an educational community, and at least one server in communication with each of the plurality of computing devices, each server in communication with at least one data storage device configured to host a plurality of electronic portfolios, each electronic portfolio associated with one or more users of the plurality of users in the educational community, wherein each server is configured such that one or more users may associate one or more digital items with each electronic portfolio, and the plurality of users may take actions on the digital items in each electronic portfolio depending on authorization criteria.

Abstract: A method of making a color filter array of an imaging device comprises forming a main recess for a color filter array, forming a tension breaking feature at an edge of the main recess, and providing a color filter array material across the tension breaking feature and main recess as part of forming the color filter array. The tension breaking feature reduces the settling distance of the color filter array material. An imaging device having the thus formed color filter array is also described.