Abstract: A system that handles delivery of a service through a client device or a secondary device paired with the client device, includes an interactive service provider and the client device. The interactive service provider inserts at least one of digital watermarks, fingerprints, and trigger identifiers at event opportunities in media content. The client device detects at least one of the inserted digital watermarks, the digital fingerprints, and the inserted trigger identifiers in the media content. The client device further renders overlay graphics on the media content and activates at least one of input devices in vicinity of the client device or the rendered overlay graphics. The client device receives trigger responses over an activated overlay graphic, via the activated input devices. The client device further displays an interactive view on the client device, to enable delivery of services in response to the received trigger responses.

Abstract: Described herein is an ethoxylated starch crosslinked with a cross linking agent having surprisingly high viscosity in water. The ethoxylated crosslinked starch described has a degree of ethoxy substitution from 1% to 3% and the crosslinking agent is from 0.02% to 0.05% of the weight of starch. Within this narrow range of values, a 7% wt/wt aqueous solution of the crosslinked ethoxylated starch exhibits a viscosity of at least 1600 cps at 95 ° C. This ethoxylated crosslinked starch is particularly useful in the formation of ceiling tiles with stucco, borax and steel wool, and should be useful in enhancing the viscosity of hydraulic fracturing fluids.

Abstract: A support apparatus for a head of a user placed in a wash basin maintains the neck of the user in a neutral position, thereby minimizing head or neck injuries. The support apparatus includes a base member with a cushion member to receive the head of the user and a support arm to contact a side wall of the wash basin, a leg member with a shaft rotatably mounted to the base member, the leg member able to adjust so the distance between the base member and the leg member is sufficient to enable the bottom portion of the leg member to be in contact with a drain of the wash basin, and a locking mechanism slidably mounted to the shaft to secure the leg member to the base member.

Abstract: Described herein is an ethoxylated starch crosslinked with a cross linking agent having surprisingly high viscosity in water. The ethoxlylated crosslinked starch described has a degree of ethoxy substitution from 1% to 3% and the crosslinking agent is from 0.02% to 0.05% of the weight of starch. Within this narrow range of values, a 7% wt/wt aqueous solution of the crosslinked ethoxylated starch exhibits a viscosity of at least 1600 cps at 95 C. This ethoxlylated crosslinked starch is particularly useful in the formation of ceiling tiles with stucco, borax and steel wool, and should be useful in enhancing the viscosity of hydraulic fracturing fluids.

Abstract: A support apparatus for a head of a user placed in a wash basin maintains the neck of the user in a neutral position, thereby minimizing head or neck injuries. The support apparatus includes a base member with a cushion member to receive the head of the user and a support arm to contact a side wall of the wash basin, a leg member with a shaft rotatably mounted to the base member, the leg member able to adjust so the distance between the base member and the leg member is sufficient to enable the bottom portion of the leg member to be in contact with a drain of the wash basin, and a locking mechanism slidably mounted to the shaft to secure the leg member to the base member.

Abstract: A method for depositing a coating comprising a polymer and impermeable dispersed solid on a substrate, comprising the following steps: discharging at least one impermeable dispersed solid in dry powder form through a first orifice; discharging at least one polymer in dry powder form through a second orifice; depositing the polymer and/or impermeable dispersed solid particles onto said substrate, wherein an electrical potential is maintained between the substrate and the impermeable dispersed solid and/or polymer particles, thereby forming said coating; and sintering said coating under conditions that do not disrupt the activity and/or function of the substrate. A similar method is provided for depositing a coating comprising a hydrophobic polymer and a water-vapor-trapping material on a substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying a weapon with an inexpensive and easily removable attachment that is capable of recording information related to the use of the weapon and transmitting that data to a remote computing device by wired or wireless transmission means. The attachment includes one or more sensors able to record various changes and operations related to settings and usage of the modified weapon. The attachment also includes a module that contains electronics capable of one or more of the following: (i) receiving data from the one or more sensors; (ii) storing data received from the sensors; (iii) transmitting the data received from the sensors or stored data to a computing device via a wired or wireless connection.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to adjustable kayak paddles. One disclosed embodiment provides a paddle including a first shaft section having an outer surface with one or more indicia and a second shaft section angularly positionable relative to the first shaft section about a paddle axis, the second shaft section being configured to at least partially surround the outer surface of the first shaft section is provided. The second shaft section further includes a viewing opening configured to permit viewing of one or more of the indicia therethrough when the first and second shaft sections are coupled together. The paddle further includes a coupler operable to releasably couple the first shaft section with the second shaft section at a plurality of angular positions.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying a weapon with an inexpensive and easily removable attachment that is capable of recording information related to the use of the weapon and transmitting that data to a remote computing device by wired or wireless transmission means. The attachment includes one or more sensors able to record various changes and operations related to settings and usage of the modified weapon. The attachment also includes a module that contains electronics capable of one or more of the following: (i) receiving data from the one or more sensors; (ii) storing data received from the sensors; (iii) transmitting the data received from the sensors or stored data to a computing device via a wired or wireless connection.

Abstract: A method for depositing a coating comprising a polymer and impermeable dispersed solid on a substrate, comprising the following steps: discharging at least one impermeable dispersed solid in dry powder form through a first orifice; discharging at least one polymer in dry powder form through a second orifice; depositing the polymer and/or impermeable dispersed solid particles onto said substrate, wherein an electrical potential is maintained between the substrate and the impermeable dispersed solid and/or polymer particles, thereby forming said coating; and sintering said coating under conditions that do not disrupt the activity and/or function of the substrate. A similar method is provided for depositing a coating comprising a hydrophobic polymer and a water-vapor-trapping material on a substrate.

Abstract: A method for the production of resistant starch comprising acidifying unmodified starch to an optimal pH with an acid-alcohol mixture to convert the unmodified starch to resistant starch when at a reaction temperature, heating the acidified unmodified starch to about the reaction temperature, and maintaining the acidified unmodified starch close to about the reaction temperature until the resistant starch has been obtained while maintaining a whiteness level within a predetermined range. Resistant starches and food products manufactured therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of resistant starch. Preferably, this invention relates to the production of resistant starch comprising selecting a reaction temperature, acidifying unmodified starch to a pH, wherein the pH is optimum to convert the unmodified starch to resistant starch when at the reaction temperature, heating the acidified unmodified starch to about the reaction temperature, and maintaining the acidified unmodified starch close to about the reaction temperature until the maximum yield of resistant starch has been obtained while maintaining a whiteness level between about 65 and about 100.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus having multiple wash tanks for washing articles in a carbon dioxide dry cleaning system employing a liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution are provided. Cleaning apparatus having multiple wash tanks of the present invention may provide improved thermodynamic efficiency by allowing carbon dioxide vapor to be transferred between wash tanks rather than condensed. Cleaning apparatus having multiple wash tanks of the present invention may have a lower capital cost than multiple cleaning systems having single wash tanks. Cleaning apparatus having multiple wash tanks of the present invention include a first wash tank for contacting a first article with liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution, and a second wash tank for contacting a second article with liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution. The second wash tank is in fluid communication with the first wash tank. Methods of utilizing such cleaning apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming a drug/polymer composite material is carried out by combining a drug material with a polymer material under pressure in the presence of a compressed gas solvent (e.g., carbon dioxide) to form the drug/polymer composite material. Drug/polymer composite materials and shaped articles (e.g., subcutaneous drug depots) which may be produced by a process are also described, along with methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a composite membrane with ion exchange properties includes, in an exemplary embodiment, forming a porous membrane from a first material, dissolving a coating material in a fluid at supercritical conditions, and exposing the porous membrane to the coating material dissolved in the supercritical fluid. The method also includes precipitating a uniform coating of the coating material onto an exterior surface of the porous membrane by changing the supercritical conditions of the fluid to a non-supercritical condition, and applying an ion exchange material to the coated porous membrane so that the ion exchange material is in intimate contact with substantially all of the coated surfaces of the porous membrane.

Abstract: A composite article, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a porous base membrane made from a first material having hydrophobic properties, and a coating layer formed on at least a portion of the porous membrane. The coating layer includes a crosslinked coating material, and has hydrophilic properties.

Abstract: A composite article, in an exemplary embodiment, includes a porous membrane formed from a first material, a coating formed from a second material applied to at least a portion of the porous membrane, and a third material covering at least a portion of the porous membrane. The third material is substantially incompatible with the first material. The second material of the coating is compatible with the first material and the third material. The coating is positioned between the first material and the third material The third material is connected to the first material by the coating on the porous membrane.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a divided pressure vessel in a processing system employing a carbon dioxide based solvent includes transferring a first carbon dioxide based treating solution from a first liquid chamber in a divided pressure vessel having a plurality of liquid chambers to a processing vessel, returning the first treating solution from the processing vessel to the divided pressure vessel, transferring a second carbon dioxide based treating solution having a composition different from the first treating solution from a second liquid chamber in the divided pressure vessel to a processing vessel, and returning the second treating solution from the processing vessel to the divided pressure vessel. A divided pressure vessel may allow multiple solvent baths each having a different chemical composition to be stored and/or processed in a single pressure vessel while maintaining the different chemical compositions of the multiple solvent baths.

Abstract: A method for the production of resistant starch comprising acidifying unmodified starch to an optimal pH with an acid-alcohol mixture to convert the unmodified starch to resistant starch when at a reaction temperature, heating the acidified unmodified starch to about the reaction temperature, and maintaining the acidified unmodified starch close to about the reaction temperature until the resistant starch has been obtained while maintaining a whiteness level within a predetermined range. Resistant starches and food products manufactured therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of coating a substrate comprises the steps of: (a) providing a substrate in an enclosed vessel, the substrate having a surface portion; (b) at least partially filling the enclosed vessel with a first supercritical fluid so that said first supercritical fluid contacts the surface portion, with the first supercritical fluid carrying or containing a coating component; then (c) adding a separate compressed gas atmosphere to the reaction vessel so that a boundary is formed between the first supercritical fluid and the separate compressed gas atmosphere, said separate compressed gas atmosphere having a density less than said first supercritical fluid; and then (d) displacing said first supercritical fluid from said vessel by continuing adding said separate compressed gas atmosphere to said vessel so that said boundary moves across said surface portion and a thin film of coating component is deposited on said microelectronic substrate.