Abstract: Methods and systems described in this disclosure are directed to authentication of calling parties. The authentication of calling parties applies to simultaneous voice and/or data communications with multiple parties over multiple electronic mediums including a variety of electronic devices. A user can continue to maintain a data exchange session with a representative of an entity offering the goods or services of interest to the user across more than one user device. In some embodiments, a user can invite other parties in a multi-party call involving the user and the representative. Various embodiments for multi-party and multi-device authentication mechanisms are described herein. In some embodiments, the system calculates an estimated call waiting time for a user to speak with the representative.

Abstract: Security control governance can significantly thwart attacks from external data. Inline processing can reduce and limit attack surfaces and enforce validators preselected for applications. Processing and saving data can be controlled based on confirmation that an application has implemented requisite security controls to validate data. The applicability of such a technical improvement to system operations improves the technical operations of most any system with one or more applications that accept potential attack surface items, such as data, data fields, or data types, from “open” or uncontrolled sources.

Abstract: Attacks with inserted data may be greatly thwarted with the disclosed innovation featuring systems and methods of using a governor. A governor may act directly in in-line processing to reduce and limit attack surfaces, enforcing validators pre-selected by applications and/or, in the absence of application preselection, selecting and validating validators separately. The applicability of such a technical improvement to system operations improves the technical operations of most any system with one or more applications that accept potential attack surface items, such as data, data fields and/or data types, from “open” or uncontrolled sources.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing pouches in retail-ready cartons includes pouch placer having an elevator assembly having paddles for receiving pouches provided by a first conveyor, and lifting the pouches, and a first robot arm for retrieving a pouch from a paddle of the elevator assembly and placing it in a retail-ready carton.

Abstract: Attacks with inserted data may be greatly thwarted with the disclosed innovation featuring systems and methods of using a governor. A governor may act directly in in-line processing to reduce and limit attack surfaces, enforcing validators pre-selected by applications and/or, in the absence of application preselection, selecting and validating validators separately. The applicability of such a technical improvement to system operations improves the technical operations of most any system with one or more applications that accept potential attack surface items, such as data, data fields and/or data types, from “open” or uncontrolled sources.

Abstract: A pouch-placement machine includes an elevator assembly that receives pouches from one conveyor, lifts them up for presentation to robot arms. The robot arms pick pouches from the elevator assembly and place them into cartons that are on a second conveyor.

Abstract: A process for drying fine tailings is provided. The process, which may use a pipeline reactor system, comprises providing an in-line flow of the fine tailings; continuously introducing a flocculent solution to cause dispersion and commence flocculation of the fine tailings and may comprise rapid turbulent mixing; subjecting the fine tailings to flocculation and water release conditioning in-line to cause formation and rearrangement of floes and increasing the yield shear stress to form flocculated fine tailings while avoiding over-shearing of the flocs; and depositing the fine tailings to allow the release of water, formation of a non-flowing fine tailings deposit and drying of the non-flowing fine tailings deposit. The process enables effective in-line dispersion, flocculation and water release, resulting in reliable deposition and drying of the fine tailings deposit.

Abstract: A method and system automatically determines when an electrode add event occurs in an electric arc furnace having a plurality of electrode columns, each carried by an electrode positioning system. Data is received correlating to the electrical current input to the positioning motors of the plurality of electrode columns. Data is also received correlating to a defined operating mode of the electrode positioning systems. Motor electrical current data is captured when the electrode positioning system is in the defined mode and an electrode-add event is thereafter determined when a current spike is identified in the motor input current data.

Abstract: A security fastener, for use with a corresponding key, having a channel in a head of the security fastener for receiving the key, the bottom of the channel being profiled wherein the depth of the channel varies along the length of the channel; a key for use with a security fastener; a combination, or a kit of parts, comprising a security fastener; a method of manufacturing a security fastener; and a method of processing an order for a security fastener.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing pouches in retail-ready cartons includes pouch placer having an elevator assembly having paddles for receiving pouches provided by a first conveyor, and lifting the pouches, and a first robot arm for retrieving a pouch from a paddle of the elevator assembly and placing it in a retail-ready carton.

Abstract: Described are novel quantification methods and systems that permit, within the context of multiplex PCR, the quantification of all targets within a single reaction tube. The methods employ quantitation algorithms applied to the amplification profiles of internal calibration controls or standards utilizing a plurality of nucleic acid templates that are amplified within the same reaction tube as the nucleic acid target(s) interrogated.

Abstract: A process for drying fine tailings is provided. The process, which may use a pipeline reactor system, comprises providing an in-line flow of the fine tailings; continuously introducing a flocculent solution to cause dispersion and commence flocculation of the fine tailings and may comprise rapid turbulent mixing; subjecting the fine tailings to flocculation and water release conditioning in-line to cause formation and rearrangement of floes and increasing the yield shear stress to form flocculated fine tailings while avoiding over-shearing of the flocs; and depositing the fine tailings to allow the release of water, formation of a non-flowing fine tailings deposit and drying of the non-flowing fine tailings deposit. The process enables effective in-line dispersion, flocculation and water release, resulting in reliable deposition and drying of the fine tailings deposit.

Abstract: A security fastener, for use with a corresponding key, having a channel in a head of the security fastener for receiving the key, the bottom of the channel being profiled wherein the depth of the channel varies along the length of the channel; a key for use with a security fastener; a combination, or a kit of parts, comprising a security fastener; a method of manufacturing a security fastener; and a method of processing an order for a security fastener.

Abstract: Described are novel quantification methods and systems that permit, within the context of multiplex PCR, the quantification of all targets within a single reaction tube. The methods employ quantitation algorithms applied to the amplification profiles of internal calibration controls or standards utilizing a plurality of nucleic acid templates that are amplified within the same reaction tube as the nucleic acid target(s) interrogated.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for transporting a carbon based electrode having a threaded male end. The apparatus includes a casing having a top end and a bottom end. The casing defines an electrode aperture from the bottom end shaped to accept the threaded male end of the carbon based electrode to secure the lifting apparatus to the electrode. An attachment aperture is positioned in the top end while an attachment element is positioned in the attachment aperture and operatively engaging the top end of the casing. The attachment element is positioned to accept engagement from a crane or other powered lifting device, while the lifting apparatus is preferably manually attachable to the electrode.

Abstract: Described are novel quantification methods and systems that permit, within the context of multiplex PCR, the quantification of all targets within a single reaction tube. The methods employ quantitation algorithms applied to the amplification profiles of internal calibration controls or standards utilizing a plurality of nucleic acid templates that are amplified within the same reaction tube as the nucleic acid target(s) interrogated.

Abstract: An electrode joint is presented, the joint including two joined graphite electrodes having blocked threads and having a locking ring interposed between the electrodes, the locking ring composed of a material having a coefficient of friction such that the tendency of the electrode joint to unscrew is retarded.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for transporting a carbon based electrode having a threaded male end. The apparatus comprises a casing having a top end and a bottom end. The casing defines an electrode aperture from the bottom end shaped to accept the threaded male end of the carbon based electrode to secure the lifting apparatus to the electrode. An attachment aperture is positioned in the top end while an attachment element is positioned in the attachment aperture and operatively engaging the top end of the casing. The attachment element is positioned to accept engagement from a crane or other powered lifting device, while the lifting apparatus is preferably manually attachable to the electrode.

Abstract: A male-female electrode joint is presented, the joint including two joined graphite electrodes having blocked threads and having a seal interposed between the electrodes, the seal composed of a material having an oxidation rate equal to or less than that of the electrodes.

Abstract: An electrode joint is presented, the joint including two joined graphite electrodes and having a joint strengthening ring interposed between the electrodes, the joint strengthening ring composed of a compressible.