Abstract: A boiler includes a steam drum, an intermediate drum, and a lower drum. Each drum is divided into a clean section and a concentrated section. A channel that is fluidly connected to the clean section also runs down one side of the concentrated section in the intermediate drum and the lower drum. The presence of the channels permits low-quality feedwater tubes and high-quality feedwater tubes to be arranged in parallel rows next to each other.

Abstract: The disclosed latex system comprises a one-component, closed-cell, semi-foam, mastic sealant using gas-filled, flexible, organic microspheres to create a product that is elastic and compressible under pressure without protruding in an outward direction when compressed, thereby allowing the applied sealant to compress in an enclosed, maximum-filled channel unlike typical mastic sealants (while retaining the ability to rebound). This allows the sealant to function as a gasket, and, once fully cured, to have properties including vibration damping, insulating, and condensation resistance. The sealant can be formulated as an air barrier or a vapor barrier and at various degrees of moisture resistance. It may be applied by different packaging variations including aerosol can (bag in can or bag on valve), airless sprayer, cartridge tubes, foil tubes, squeeze tubes, and buckets to be applied using a brush, trowel, spatula, etc.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for interfacing home buyers and realtors. The method includes, receiving a first signal including financial data and a second signal including personal profile data for each acquiring entity associated with the electronic platform, storing a database of realtor profile data for each of a plurality of the realtors, providing a realtor search tool to receive search criteria, receiving search criteria and using the received search criteria and the realtor profile data to generate a search result list comprising at least one recommended realtor, sending the search result list to the acquiring entity, receiving a request for a selected realtor, providing controlled access to the financial data and the personal profile data to the selected realtor, and enabling at least one step in an acquisition process to be electronically executed or electronically initiated with a financial institution computing system.

Abstract: Superconducting circuits for processing input signals are described. An example superconducting circuit includes a first portion configured to receive an input signal having a data pattern represented by edge transitions in the input signal. The superconducting circuit further includes a second portion configured to provide an output signal, where the superconducting circuit is configured to, without applying a direct-current (DC) offset to the input signal, output the output signal corresponding to the edge transitions such that the output signal is substantially representative of the data pattern despite not applying the DC offset to the input signal.

Abstract: Provided herein is a lateral flow diagnostic device and methods of using thereof. The device comprises a substrate and a first end, wherein the first end comprises a sample loading portion. The first end may further comprise a first region loaded with a detectable ligand, a CRISPR effector system, a detection construct, a first test band comprising a biotin ligand, and a second test band comprising a capture molecule for the detectable ligand. The detection construct may comprise an RNA oligonucleotide, having a first molecule such as FITC on a first end and a second molecule such as FAM on a second end. Contacting the sample loading portion with a sample causes the sample to flow from the sample loading portion of the substrate towards the first and second capture regions, thereby generating a detectable signal, which may be indicative of a disease state.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to methods, systems, and apparatuses for managing network connections. A system for managing network connections includes a storage component, a decoding component, a rule manager component, and a notification component. The storage component is configured to store a list of expected connections for a plurality of networked machines, wherein each connection in the list of expected connections defines a start point and an end point for the connection. The decoding component is configured to decode messages from the plurality of networked machines indicating one or more connections for a corresponding machine. The rule manager component is configured to identify an unexpected presence or absence of a connection on at least one of the plurality of network machines based on the list of expected connections. The notification component is configured to provide a notification or indication of the unexpected presence or absence.

Abstract: A graphically based tool and method for generating programming for a fire monitoring system. The locations of existing devices, such as detectors, in a building being monitored, can be visually presented in the context of the building. New devices can be installed, or the location of existing devices changed since all devices report their locations in the building to the tool. Device location information can be combined with building information to create a multi-dimensional representation of parts of the building being monitored.

Abstract: A method for designing a well, including: determining a first well construction discipline for a first participant and an authority level for the first participant within the first well construction discipline; obtaining a plurality of rules corresponding to the first well construction discipline and the authority level for the first participant within the first well construction discipline; operating, based on the plurality of rules, an interface that restricts decision options for the first participant; receiving a decision associated with the well and based on the interface from the first participant; and updating a design of the well based on the decision.

Abstract: A three-dimensional printing system for manufacturing three-dimensional articles includes an apparatus, a filtration system, and a controller. The apparatus is a fabrication system that generates ignitable powder dust in an inert atmosphere fluid stream. The filtration system receives the fluid stream and has a plurality of filter units in a parallel arrangement including at least a first filter unit and a second filter unit. The controller is configured to control the filtration unit and to thereby individually operate the plurality of filter units in two states including a filtration state and an oxidation state. When one of the plurality of filter units is operating in the filtration state another of the plurality of filter units is operating in the oxidation state.

Abstract: A conveyor system 24 carries work items, such as flexible, pliable, food products 22, through a scanning system 28 which generates data pertaining to various physical parameters of the food products. Thereafter, the food products are transported through a processing station which may be in the form of a portioning system 30. Next, the portioned food products are transported to a harvesting system 32 utilizing a actuator 34 to unload the food product portions 36 by vacuuming the portions into a nozzle 90. Such food products are transported to one or more desired locations through a hose/tube connected to a nozzle or may be launched through the air in a trajectory aimed at the desired placement location.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) motor includes a substrate, a backplate, and a diaphragm. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface. The second surface has a slot that extends at least partially into the substrate. A port extends through the substrate. The backplate is mounted to the first surface of the substrate, and the backplate covers at least a portion of the port. The diaphragm is between the backplate and the substrate. The diaphragm moves with respect to the backplate in response to acoustic energy that passes through the port.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and computer program product for dynamic interaction behavior commentary are provided. The embodiment may include receiving, by a processor, a plurality of posted comments. The embodiment may also include analyzing the plurality of posted comments based on a semantic distance of the topic of discussion measured by content analysis of the plurality of posted comments. The embodiment may further include determining optimal frameworks for a plurality of users in response to a comment from a user within the plurality of posted comments. The embodiment may also include identifying interaction behavior responses containing statistically significant words or phrases that may improve a tone of the next comment when the user responds to a certain post. The embodiment may further include notifying the user when the next statement is generated based on a pre-identified or dynamically-learned interaction behavior comment.

Abstract: Improved DLL4 binding proteins are described, including antibodies, CDR-grafted antibodies, human antibodies, and DLL4 binding fragments thereof, proteins that bind DLL4 with high affinity, and DLL4 binding proteins that neutralize DLL4 activity. The DLL4 binding proteins are useful for treating or preventing cancers and tumors and especially for treating or preventing tumor angiogenesis, and/or other angiogenesis-dependent diseases such as ocular neovascularization, or angiogenesis-independent diseases characterized by aberrant DLL4 expression or activity such as autoimmune disorders including multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a connection module. The example connection module includes a connection interface and a connection matrix having a root transmission line to conduct signals to and from the connection interface. The connection matrix also includes branch transmission lines that are connectable electrically to the root transmission line to conduct the signals to and from the root transmission line. Each of the branch transmission lines is part of an electrical pathway between a device and the root transmission line. A housing encloses the connection matrix and enables access to the connection interface. The root transmission line and the branch transmission lines are each multi-conductor transmission lines that conduct the signals in transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode.

Abstract: A microfluidic device (11) is provided for separation and analysis of microfluidic samples. The device comprises: a separation channel (10); a first electrolyte channel (12) configured to provide a flow of high conductivity electrolyte solution, in use; and provided with a positive electrode (13) at a downstream outlet of the channel; a second electrolyte channel (14) configured to provide a flow of high conductivity electrolyte solution, in use, and provided with a negative electrode (15) at a downstream outlet of the channel; and wherein the flow of electrolyte through the first and second electrolyte channels removes electrophoresis products and gas bubbles from the device; and wherein the presence of the electrolyte provides a substantially homogenous electric field across the separation channel.

Abstract: A system and method for improving a machine learning-based dialogue system includes: sourcing a corpus of raw machine learning training data from sources of training data based on a plurality of seed training samples, wherein the corpus of raw machine learning training data comprises a plurality of distinct instances of training data; generating a vector representation for each distinct instance of training data; identifying statistical characteristics of the corpus of raw machine learning training data based on a mapping of the vector representation for each distinct instance of training data; identifying anomalous instances of the plurality of distinct instances of training data of the corpus of raw machine learning training data based on the identified statistical characteristics of the corpus; and curating the corpus of raw machine learning training data based on each of the instances of training data identified as anomalous instances.

Abstract: Processes for converting glucose to sorbose with tailored selectivity. The processes include contacting glucose with a silica-containing structure that includes a zeolite having a topology of a 10-membered ring or smaller and Lewis acidic M4+ framework centers, wherein M is Ti, Sn, Zr, or Hf. Contacting the glucose is conducted under reaction conditions sufficient to isomerize the glucose to sorbose.

Abstract: One example method of operation may include identifying a call to a mobile device, determining whether the call includes call content data intended for the mobile device, initiating an active session and a time to live (TTL) associated with the call content data, forwarding the call content data to the mobile device when the call includes call content data associated with the caller, and receiving a content confirmation from the mobile device that the call content data was received.

Abstract: Tamper-proofing and secure identity validation techniques in a transaction processing system and secure electronic payment techniques are disclosed. A tamper-proof transaction processing device is provided and comprises at least two different strength adhesives to secure parts of the device together and a housing comprising at least a first and second protective layer. An electronic component comprising a secure element chip storing unique information relating to the chip is located between the first and second protective layer in the housing. In another aspect, a transaction processing system includes a payment instrument that is configured to approve only negative value and/or zero value transaction requests. Another aspect provides an identity card checking system and method where the identity card is brought into proximity of a data processing device and identity information is displayed on the screen of the data processing device for the period of time while the card is in proximity.

Abstract: A colostrum-enriched composition comprising at least 0.1 to 12 wt % immunoglobulin (at least 0.1 to 12g per 100 g composition dry weight) isolated from whey.