Abstract: A method of selectively leaching a metal such as nickel from an ore or ore processing intermediate comprising the metal and cobalt. The ore or ore processing intermediate is contacted with an acidic leach solution comprising an amount of an oxidising agent sufficient to oxidise a major portion of the cobalt to thereby cause it to be stabilised in the solid phase while a major portion of the metal is dissolved for subsequent recovery.

Abstract: A system for removing undesirable compounds from contaminated air includes a biofilter having an alkaline material introduction system and a fuzzy-logic based controller. A contaminant, such as hydrogen sulfide, is removed from contaminated air by passing the contaminated air through the biofilter.

Abstract: A method of creating a 3-D model by capturing partial 3-D models each comprising a sequence of 2-D images, analyzing each of the partial 3-D models to identify image features in the sequence of 2-D images of each of the partial 3-D models, identifying pairs of overlapping image features between the 2-D mages of each of the partial 3-D models by identifying image features in each 2-D image in the sequence of 2-D images of each of the partial 3-D models that overlaps image features in 2-D images of the sequence of 2-D images of the other partial 3-D models and selecting a 2-d image from each of the partial 3-D models, computing an initial transformation between 3-D coordinates of individual pairs of identified image features between the selected 2-D image from each of the partial 3-D models; and generating a final 3-D model based on the initial transformation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for repeat photography and difference extraction that help users take pictures from the same position and camera angle as earlier photos. The system automatically extracts differences between the photos. Camera poses are estimated and then indicators are rendered to show the desired camera angle, which guide the user to the same camera angle for repeat photography. Using 3D rendering techniques, photos are virtually projected onto a 3D model to adjust them and improve the match between the photos, and the difference between the two photos are detected and highlighted. Highlighting the detected differences helps users to notice the differences.

Abstract: A method of creating a 3-D model by capturing partial 3-D models each comprising a sequence of 2-D images, analyzing each of the partial 3-D models to identify image features in the sequence of 2-D images of each of the partial 3-D models, identifying pairs of overlapping image features between the 2-D mages of each of the partial 3-D models by identifying image features in each 2-D image in the sequence of 2-D images of each of the partial 3-D models that overlaps image features in 2-D images of the sequence of 2-D images of the other partial 3-D models and selecting a 2-d image from each of the partial 3-D models, computing an initial transformation between 3-D coordinates of individual pairs of identified image features between the selected 2-D image from each of the partial 3-D models; and generating a final 3-D model based on the initial transformation.

Abstract: A method of selectively leaching a metal such as nickel from an ore or ore processing intermediate comprising the metal and cobalt. The ore or ore processing intermediate is contacted with an acidic leach solution comprising an amount of an oxidising agent sufficient to oxidise a major portion of the cobalt to thereby cause it to be stabilised in the solid phase while a major portion of the metal is dissolved for subsequent recovery.

Abstract: A method and system for defining a model by analyzing images of a physical space. In some embodiments the images of a physical space contain distinctive visual features with associated semantic information, and the model is defined using image feature detection techniques to identify distinctive visual features and a rich marker-based markup language to give meaning to the distinctive visual features. In some embodiments the distinctive visual features are predefined markers, and the markup language specifies model aspects and rules for combining semantic information from a plurality of markers to define the model.

Abstract: An electrical adapter enables the conductors of a flexible cable to be extended into an armored conduit with electrical ground continuity and a rigid structural attachment. The adapter is cylindrical and has removable cover over an oblique aperture providing a highly rigid and strengthened fixture, which has a ground wire clamp for securement of the wires of the cable. An adapter collar is secured rotationally to one end of the adapter body for connecting the adapter to a nipple of an armored conduit mounted to a wall structure. The ground wire is secured to the ground wire fixture, and with the adapter collar secured to the armored conduit, electrical ground continuity is extended from the flexible cable to the armored conduit. With the removable cover secured over the access aperture, exposure of the ground wire clamp and the conductors of the flexible cable is eliminated.

Abstract: An electrical adapter enables the conductors of a flexible cable to be extended into an armored conduit with electrical ground continuity and a rigid structural attachment. The adapter is cylindrical and has removable cover over an oblique aperture providing a highly rigid and strengthened fixture, which has a ground wire clamp for securement of the wires of the cable. An adapter collar is secured rotationally to one end of the adapter body for connecting the adapter to a nipple of an armored conduit mounted to a wall structure. The ground wire is secured to the ground wire fixture, and with the adapter collar secured to the armored conduit, electrical ground continuity is extended from the flexible cable to the armored conduit. With the removable cover secured over the access aperture, exposure of the ground wire clamp and the conductors of the flexible cable is eliminated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for repeat photography and difference extraction that help users take pictures from the same position and camera angle as earlier photos. The system automatically extracts differences between the photos. Camera poses are estimated and then indicators are rendered to show the desired camera angle, which guide the user to the same camera angle for repeat photography. Using 3D rendering techniques, photos are virtually projected onto a 3D model to adjust them and improve the match between the photos, and the difference between the two photos are detected and highlighted. Highlighting the detected differences helps users to notice the differences.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for creating virtual models, primarily through actions taken in actual 3D physical space. For many applications, such systems are more natural to users and may provide a greater sense of reality than can be achieved by editing a virtual model at a computer display, which requires the use of manipulations of a 2D display to effect 3D changes. Actions are taken (markup is drawn or laid out, etc.) in a physical workspace. Such physical workspaces may in fact be identical to the space being modeled, small physical scale models of the space, or even a whiteboard or set of papers or objects which get mapped onto the space being modeled.

Abstract: Some aspects of the invention can involve compositions, systems, and related techniques that control or reduce objectionable odor characteristics of a body or a stream of wastewater. The compositions, systems, and related techniques can comprise one or more compounds that adjust metabolic activity of at least a portion of microorganisms in wastewater to inhibit or disfavor the formation of at least one objectionable odorous compound or species and one or more compounds that modify, shift, or promote one or more states or characteristics of one or more objectionable odorous species in wastewater. The metabolic modifying compound can be an anthraquinone and the state modifying compound can be an alkaline or pH-elevating compound.

Abstract: A method and system for defining a model by analyzing images of a physical space. In some embodiments the images of a physical space contain distinctive visual features with associated semantic information, and the model is defined using image feature detection techniques to identify distinctive visual features and a rich marker-based markup language to give meaning to the distinctive visual features. In some embodiments the distinctive visual features are predefined markers, and the markup language specifies model aspects and rules for combining semantic information from a plurality of markers to define the model.

Abstract: A cylindrical tube of extendable length, the tube having open ends. A first, second and third transverse flanges fastened at one or both of the opposing ends of the tube. The first flange is integral with the tube and sandwiched between the second and the third flanges. A ring is coextensive with the first flange and covers part of the open end of the tube. A heat expansive material is placed within the tube for expansion during fire to cover spaces between utility conduits and the inside wall of the tube.

Abstract: Visual tracking of multiple objects in a crowded scene is critical for many applications include surveillance, video conference and human computer interaction. Complex interactions between objects result in partial or significant occlusions, making tracking a highly challenging problem. Presented is a novel efficient approach to tracking a varying number of objects through occlusion. The object tracking during occlusion is posed as a track-based segmentation problem in the joint-object space. Appearance models are used to interpret the foreground into multiple layer probabilistic masks in a Bayesian framework. The search for optimal segmentation solution is achieved by a greedy searching algorithm and integral image for real-time computing. Promising results on several challenging video surveillance sequences have been demonstrated.

Abstract: A cylindrical tube of extendable length, the tube having open ends. A first, second and third transverse flanges fastened at one or both of the opposing ends of the tube. The first flange is integral with the tube and sandwiched between the second and the third flanges. A ring is coextensive with the first flange and covers part of the open end of the tube. A heat expansive material is placed within the tube for expansion during fire to cover spaces between utility conduits and the inside wall of the tube.

Abstract: A deck slotted into a left and a right deck halves in spaced apart positions so as to provide a slot therebetween. On each of the deck halves a pair of drums are mounted for rotation. Around each of the pairs of drums a rubber belt is engaged so that the rubber belts are in spaced apart adjacency. A motor is linked with at least one of the drums for rotating at least one of the rubber belts. A pair of rigid wires extends divergently forward from a forward end of the deck. A chamber is positioned rearwardly of the deck in a position for accepting aquatic growth moving between the rubber belts and in the slot in rearward motion. A hose is engaged rearwardly on the chamber for drawing the growth by suction into the hose.