Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to communicate with a remote server to provide and obtain vehicle performance information, wherein the processor is further configured to receive and present a list of one or more available race opponents respond to the server with an opponent selection present a countdown timer and measure and report to the server one or more vehicle statistics relating to a race beginning at the end of the countdown timer.

Abstract: Fishing tools for retrieving objects, i.e., “fish,” lodged within a wellbore are disclosed. The fishing tool comprises a tubular member having a tubular member bore with at least one profiled surface or insert disposed within or along the inner wall surface of the tubular member bore. The profiled surface or insert provides a fishing profile shaped to allow a portion of the fish to move past the fishing profile so that the fishing profile is disposed below the portion of the fish. The tubular member can then be actuated, such as through rotation, to align the portion of the fish with a shoulder of the fishing profile. Upward movement of the tool engages the shoulder with the portion of the fish. Continued upward movement of the tool facilitates retrieval of the fish from the wellbore.

Abstract: A system comprises a processor configured to subscribe to a broadcast of vehicle-related state changes. The processor is also configured to detect at least one vehicle-related state change in the broadcast that triggers an application launch and launch an application corresponding to the detected vehicle related state change.

Abstract: A rasp for shaping a bone is provided. The rasp includes a housing, a driving mechanism, a first gear assembly, two linkage units and two blades. The housing has a channel along a first axis. The driving mechanism has an output gear rotating about the first axis. The first gear assembly rotates about a second axis and is driven by the output gear. The first gear assembly has a first and a second rotation surfaces. A first and a second connection points are respectively located on the first and the second rotation surfaces. The linkage units slidably pass through the channel. The first end of each of the linkage units is pivotally connected to the corresponding connection point, such that the second ends move along the first axis in a reciprocating manner. The blades are respectively and detachably connected to the second ends.

Abstract: A bone cement applicator for applying a bone cement to a bone surface is provided. The hone cement applicator includes a bone cement receiver, a first housing and a second housing. The bone cement receiver has a first opening to be connected with a bone cement supplier supplying the bone cement. The first housing is connected with the bone cement receiver. The second housing is connected with the first housing. A cavity is formed between the first housing and the second housing. The cavity is in fluid communication with the first opening. The second housing includes a contact surface and a plurality of holes. The contact surface is in contact with the bone surface. The holes are located on the contact surface, in which the bone cement reaches the bone surface after sequentially flowing through the first opening, the cavity, and the holes.

Abstract: A survey system enabling one or more processors to output a survey in a vehicle while allowing a vehicle occupant to engage in the survey. The survey system may communicate with a vehicle computing system enabling one or more processors to receive input representing one or more occupants in a vehicle. They survey system may receive an input representing a current location. The system may determine a workload value for the one or more vehicle occupants and output a survey to the one or more vehicle occupants when the workload value is below a predefined threshold. The system may output a survey related to the one or more occupants and current location. The system may collect survey results and relay the survey results to a remote server for processing. The system may provide a digital reward to the one or more occupants participating in the survey.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to communicate with a remote server to provide and obtain vehicle performance information, wherein the processor is further configured to receive and present a list of one or more available race opponents respond to the server with an opponent selection present a countdown timer and measure and report to the server one or more vehicle statistics relating to a race beginning at the end of the countdown timer.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and computer program product are described that provide for a visual indication of an operation to be performed, such that a user, upon applying a first portion of a user input, may be able to determine from the visual indication whether the input applied, when completed, will cause the desired operation to be performed. The apparatus may provide for the display of a screen having a representation of interactive content, and an input may be received from the user that includes a contact component and a movement component, such as a stroke gesture. In response to receipt of the contact component and prior to receipt of the movement component, the apparatus may provide for a visual indication of an operation to be performed. The operation may be executed based on receipt of at least a portion of the movement component.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes receiving vehicle location information. The method also includes delivering a survey to one or more vehicle occupants, over a vehicle audio system, the survey related to a business having some correlation to the location information. Further, the method includes collecting survey results. Also, the method includes relaying the survey results to a remote server for processing. The method additionally includes providing a digital reward to the one or more occupants participating in the survey.

Abstract: Fishing tools for retrieving objects, i.e., “fish,” lodged within a wellbore are disclosed. The fishing tool comprises a tubular member having a tubular member bore with at least one profiled surface or insert disposed within or along the inner wall surface of the tubular member bore. The profiled surface or insert provides a fishing profile shaped to allow a portion of the fish to move past the fishing profile so that the fishing profile is disposed below the portion of the fish. The tubular member can then be actuated, such as through rotation, to align the portion of the fish with a shoulder of the fishing profile. Upward movement of the tool engages the shoulder with the portion of the fish. Continued upward movement of the tool facilitates retrieval of the fish from the wellbore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preferential determination and display of points of interest are provided. The points of interest can be determined based on a variety of non-proximity based factors, including, but not limited to, time of day, temperature, etc. The automatically determined points of interest can then be displayed for a user on a display associated with a vehicle-based computing system. Advertisements may also be selected and displayed based on incoming signals, and points of interest associated with displayed advertisements may be displayed.

Abstract: A method of defining an earnings profile and a reward profile for loyalty reward program for a credit card issuer for a plurality of participants. A survey to gather data related to the loyalty reward program earning types and the loyalty reward types is defined and response data related to the survey is collected from the plurality of participants. One or more segments of participants are identified as a function of the collected data. The collected data is further analyzed to determine the reach, frequency, and overlap of the loyalty reward program earning types for the identified segments and to determine preference shares for participants within the segments. At least one of the defined loyalty reward program earning types of the loyalty reward program is selected for the earnings profile of the loyalty reward program based on the determined reach, frequency, and overlap of the loyalty reward program earning types viewed in a first user interface.

Abstract: A method of hydrolyzing peptide bonds in waste material from dissolved air flotation (DAF float) wastewater treatment systems is disclosed. The method according to the disclosure comprises controlling the pH of said DAF float; adding a lytic agent to said pH controlled DAF float; and incubating the lytic agent/DAF float mixture. The hydrolyzed peptide bonds allow for the cleaving of oil molecules from protein material thereby increasing oil extraction from wastewater streams.

Abstract: Monochloramine is efficiently manufactured by introducing controlled quantities of an ammonia source and a chlorine source in a small side-stream of water in a small diameter pipe under turbulent flow conditions. The ammonia source and chlorine source can be injected in either order and are separated by a sufficient distance to ensure that the first chemical is adequately diffused throughout the water prior to the injection of the second chemical. A sufficient length of a mixing chamber insures that turbulent flow is maintained for a length of time sufficient to thoroughly mix the two chemicals to produce monochloramine. This mixing technique allows for the manufacture of high concentrations of monochloramine at atmospheric pressure without off gassing.

Abstract: Monochloramine is efficiently manufactured by introducing controlled quantities of an ammonia source and a chlorine source in a small side-stream of water in a small diameter pipe under turbulent flow conditions. The ammonia source and chlorine source can be injected in either order and are separated by a sufficient distance to ensure that the first chemical is adequately diffused throughout the water prior to the injection of the second chemical. A sufficient length of a mixing chamber insures that turbulent flow is maintained for a length of time sufficient to thoroughly mix the two chemicals to produce monochloramine. This mixing technique allows for the manufacture of high concentrations of monochloramine at atmospheric pressure without off gassing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for injection of carbon dioxide into a process water stream. The method and apparatus allow carbon dioxide injection using any line pressure as it normally exists in a target water stream and produces superior mixing and carbon dioxide transfer results. The benefits of this method and device significantly improve the economics of using carbon dioxide gas to control pH and at the same time reduces the negative impact on the environment caused by the off gassing of carbon dioxide that is not effectively mixed into solution.

Abstract: The inventions of the present disclosure are directed to processes designed to recover water used in certain aspects of the processing of poultry, treat the recovered water to remove solids, fats, oils and greases, animal proteins and pathogenic organisms and to reuse the treated water for poultry processing operations. The processes described herein reduce bacteria and microorganisms associated with the poultry and reuse water. The present disclosure can be employed with an approach that includes unexpected positive results of reacting ozone and chlorine with water being treated for reuse to generate hypochlorous acid and/or other effective biocides. Ozone reacts with fats, oils, and greases, dissolved in the reuse water, to produce specific surface-active agents and surfactants which reduce the surface tension of the water which it is dissolved.

Abstract: The inventions of the present disclosure are directed to processes designed to recover water used in certain aspects of the processing of poultry, treat the recovered water to remove solids, fats, oils and greases, animal proteins and pathogenic organisms and to reuse the treated water for poultry processing operations. The processes described herein reduce bacteria and microorganisms associated with the poultry and reuse water. The present disclosure can be employed with an approach that includes unexpected positive results of reacting ozone and chlorine with water being treated for reuse to generate hypochlorous acid and/or other effective biocides. Ozone reacts with fats, oils, and greases, dissolved in the reuse water, to produce specific surface-active agents and surfactants which reduce the surface tension of the water which it is dissolved.

Abstract: A wafer-handling apparatus for semiconductor wafers, the apparatus including a holding structure having wedge assemblies configured to hold and rotate a wafer about a first axis, the first axis extending generally perpendicular to a surface of the wafer. Further, a shaft is operatively coupled to the holding structure and configured to rotate the holding structure about a second axis, the second axis different than the first axis.

Abstract: This invention is directed to processes designed to recover water used in certain aspects of the processing of poultry, treat the recovered water to remove solids, fats, oils and greases, animal proteins and pathogenic organisms and to reuse the treated water for poultry processing operations. Although the reuse points will vary from plant to plant depending upon specific water consumption volumes, type of processing operations conducted by the facility and regulatory requirements and approvals, there are a number of reuse points which are preferred based upon treated water quality requirements, material balances relating to the capacity to recover process streams and the consumption volumes at the identified reuse points, and source waters that have been shown to have the least total contaminant loading.