Abstract: An approach for reducing backend system calls. The approach determines if a client request, comprising a backend system call, has timed out. If the client request has timed out, then the approach generates a unique identity associated with the client request. The approach creates a fault message indicating a timeout of the client request. The approach inserts the unique identity into the fault message. The approach sends the fault message to the client as a response to the request. The approach creates a data structure comprising the unique identity, a timeout value, and a message buffer. The approach inserts the data structure into a message queue. Subsequently, a client sending a next request containing the unique identity can receive a response, from a slow responding backend server, after the timeout of the previous request without incurring the expense and overhead of another backend system call.

Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed for enabling users to attach a tag and highlight in a single action or activity to a select piece or portion of text in digital content (e.g., in a digital book or other content provided for viewing on an electronic device). In some implementations, the teacher may associate a tag with a particular text in the assignment, push the assignment embedding the tag to one or more students, and the tag becomes automatically visible to the one or more students through their highlight menu when they open up the assignment for completion. In some implementations, with this single activity, users may easily share tasks, comments etc., with ease. One or more other activities are also used among teachers and students to create and execute assignments with efficiency.

Abstract: An interactive organization architecture and application platform and methods for use with social reading systems and networks are disclosed for permitting users to interact while viewing the pages of electronic content, for example, a book. Users may highlight text and attach a comment, link, poll, or quiz to the text of the electronic content. As other readers peruse through the electronic content, they are either presented with the notes as they read or are presented with aggregated notes in their feed, which may be determined as relevant based on predetermined criteria. Users may share content with others in multiple private and public discussion threads. The social reading platform system and methods also include other features that facilitate discovery, collaborative reading, assignment of tasks, review of tasks by teachers and peers etc.

Abstract: This invention pertains generally to the field of chemical synthesis and purification, and more specifically to methods of synthesizing and purifying certain 3,7 diamino-phenothiazin-5-ium compounds (referred to herein as “diaminophenothiaziniumcompounds”) including Methythioninium Chloride (MTC) (also known as Methylene Blue). In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of, in order: nitrosylation (NOS); nitrosyl reduction (NR); thiosulfonic acid formation (TSAF); oxidative coupling (OC); Cr(VI) reduction (CR); isolation and purification of zwitterionic intermediate (IAPOZI); ring closure (RC); chloride salt-formation (CSF); one of: sulphide treatment (ST); dimethyldithiocarbamate treatment (DT); carbonate treatment (CT); ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid treatment (EDTAT); organic extraction (OE); and recrystallisation (RX). The present invention also pertains to the resulting (high purity) compounds, compositions comprising them (e.g.

Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed for enabling users to attach a tag and highlight in a single action or activity to a select piece or portion of text in digital content (e.g., in a digital book or other content provided for viewing on an electronic device). In some implementations, the teacher may associate a tag with a particular text in the assignment, push the assignment embedding the tag to one or more students, and the tag becomes automatically visible to the one or more students through their highlight menu when they open up the assignment for completion. In some implementations, with this single activity, users may easily share tasks, comments etc., with ease. One or more other activities are also used among teachers and students to create and execute assignments with efficiency.

Abstract: A tool for detecting potential impairment in an electronic device. The tool classifies the user input into various categories and determines some measurement, typically a rate of input per user or per time, for determining average use statistics of the electronic device. The tool then determines if a calculated measurement based on user inputs deviates from the average use statistics past some threshold level of deviation. In response to surpassing the threshold level of deviation, the tool identifies the electronic device as potentially impaired.

Abstract: An interactive organization architecture and application platform and methods for use with social reading systems and networks are disclosed for permitting users to interact while viewing the pages of electronic content, for example, a book. Users may highlight text and attach a comment, link, poll, or quiz to the text of the electronic content. As other readers peruse through the electronic content, they are either presented with the notes as they read or are presented with aggregated notes in their feed, which may be determined as relevant based on predetermined criteria. Users may share content with others in multiple private and public discussion threads. The social reading platform system and methods also include other features that facilitate discovery, collaborative reading, assignment of tasks, review of tasks by teachers and peers etc.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a sending device, a receiving device and a network which connects the sending device to the receiving device. The sending device comprises at least one user operable input for entering a sequence of textual characters. as a message and transmission means for sending the message across the network. The receiving device comprises a memory which stores a plurality of head images, each one being associated with a different sending device and comprising an image of a head viewed from the front, receiver means for receiving the message comprising the sequence of textual characters, text to speech converting means for converting the text characters of the message into an audio message corresponding to the sequence of text characters and animating means for generating an animated partial 3D image of a head from the head image stored in the memory which is associated with the sender of the message.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for delivering an aerosol drug to an infant. The delivery device comprises a) a diagnostic module configured to provide geometrical properties of the nasal airway of the infant as output; b) a dosing system configured to produce an aerosol drug dose, based upon the output of the diagnostic module, that is predicted to ensure that a desired amount of the aerosol drug dose reaches the lungs of the infant in use; and c) an infant facemask connected to receive the aerosol drug dose from the dosing system for supply of the aerosol drug dose to the infant.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and utilizing an electronic construction punch list. A touch screen displaying a virtual floor plan is utilized to input and detail punch list items. The punch list information can then be transmitted to a contractor who uses the system to locate and address punch list items pursuant to the associated detail.

Abstract: A method to reduce NOx, emissions from diesel fuel alcohol microemulsions (E-diesel) is taught. Ethanol is stripped from the microemulsion and entered into the exhaust gasses upstream of the reducing catalyst. The method allows diesel engines to meet new, lower emission standards without having to carry separate fuel and reductant tanks.

Abstract: A method for managing the temperature of an E-diesel catalyst by distilling out a portion of the ethanol, injecting the distilled ethanol into exhaust gasses upstream of the catalyst, reacting the distilled ethanol with excess oxygen in the exhaust gasses to produce heat, and controlling the ethanol injection using various engine parameters.

Abstract: This invention pertains generally to the field of chemical synthesis and purification, and more specifically to methods of synthesizing and purifying certain 3,7-diaminophenothiazin-5-ium compounds (referred to herein as “diaminophenothiazinium compounds”) including Methythioninium Chloride (MTC) (also known as Methylene Blue). In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of, in order: nitrosylation (NOS); nitrosyl reduction (NR); thiosulfonic acid formation (TSAF); oxidative coupling (OC); Cr(VI) reduction (CR); isolation and purification of zwitterionic intermediate (IAPOZI); ring closure (RC); chloride salt formation (CSF); one of: sulphide treatment (ST); dimethyldithiocarbamate treatment (DT); carbonate treatment (CT); ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid treatment (EDTAT); organic extraction (OE); and recrystallisation (RX). The present invention also pertains to the resulting (high purity) compounds, compositions comprising them (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous liquid bleaching composition having a pH-value of less than or equal to 7 and comprising surfactant material including ethoxylated nonionic surfactant having on average more than 7 ethylene oxide groups, a bleach catalyst and an antifoam system containing fatty acid having an iodine value lower than 1.0.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous liquid bleaching composition having a pH-value of less than or equal to 7 and comprising surfactant material, a bleach catalyst and an antifoam system containing fatty acid having an iodine value lower than 1.0 and a neutralising agent selected from the group consisting of a substituted amine with a C1 or C2 substitution and tetraalkyl ammoniumhydroxide having a C1-C4 alkyl group.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle situated device includes a shut-out arrangement denying access to, or disabling an adjustment feature of the device but permitting the device to operate in a predetermined mode of operation when the vehicle is in a first state of operation. The shut-out means is disabled or overridable when the vehicle is in an alternate state of operation, thereby permitting the respective adjustment feature to be accessed or enabled. The shut-out arrangement is typically operated to deny access to or disable the relevant adjustment feature of the vehicle situated device when the vehicle engine is running and/or when the vehicle is in motion. The arrangement reduces driver distraction and thereby reduces driver error and the risk of accident.

Abstract: Attrition resistant and stable catalyst composition comprising crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites e.g. rare earth exchanged zeolites dispersed in an inorganic matrix containing synthetic amorphous silica-alumina and clay are prepared by a process which reduces the level of polluting ammonium salts by eliminating the use of ammonium hydroxide in the steps prior to primary filtration. During the synthesis of the amorphous inorganic matrix wherein alkali metal silicate and aluminum salt solutions are gelled and subsequently combined with zeolitic materials, the ammonia reagent is replaced by non-polluting additives such as magnesium or calcium hydroxides (or oxides) prior to a primary filtration stage without decreasing the catalytic activity of the resulting zeolite promoted hydrocarbon conversion catalysts.

Abstract: A process for cracking hydrocarbon feedstocks by contacting such stocks under cracking conditions with a composite catalyst comprising an improved hydrogen exchanged Y-type zeolite component and an amorphous inorganic matrix component. The use of this catalyst yields cracked naphthas of increased olefinic content for the production of lead-free high octane gasoline. Further improvement in the levels of C.sub.3 and C.sub.4 olefins can be realized by incorporating a portion of calcined rare earth exchanged Y-type zeolite into the composite catalyst.

Abstract: Uranium oxide or uranium and silver oxides in combination with hydrogen or rare earth oxides are exchanged into zeolites as components of zeolite cracking catalysts to increase the olefin content of the gasoline and, thus, enhance the yield of high octane components as well as reduce the coking tendency of the catalyst.

Abstract: An amorphous hydrocarbon cracking catalyst of high activity is prepared by mixing solutions of sodium silicate and sodium aluminate, allowing the gel and age, acidulating said gel to precipitate the excess aluminate and ion exchanging after drying to accomplish removal of the alkali metal.