Abstract: A power converter includes an inductor configured to be coupled with a direct current voltage source. The power converter includes a first switching device coupled with the inductor and a second switching device coupled with the inductor. The first switching device and the second switching device are arranged in parallel. The first switching device and the second switching device have a similar drain resistance.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for cutscene management. The method is implemented with at least one processor and includes receiving, from a game server, game state data representing a state of an electronically displayed game, the game being hosted by a plurality of gameplay client devices that are configured to transmit the game state data to the game server. The method also includes determining an event associated with the game based on the game state data, determining at least one cutscene based on the event, the at least one cutscene including a visual representation of the event, and inserting the at least one cutscene into a cutscene queue, the cutscene queue including at least one cutscene associated with the game and a sequence for displaying the at least one cutscene from the cutscene queue.

Abstract: The invention discussed in this application relates to vitamin B12-based compounds that are useful as quantitative standards, particularly for the assessment of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for secondary game creation and management include a plurality of gaming machines, and a scheduler configured to initiate a secondary game in response to a request from one or more players or a schedule defined by an administrator, the secondary game including one or more games executed on the plurality of gaming machines. A controller is also provided that is configured to validate each player to participate in the secondary game on respective ones of the plurality of gaming machines and enable secondary gameplay by the validated players on the plurality of gaming machines. Further, a data analyzer is provided that is configured to receive primary game player data and secondary game player data from the plurality of gaming machines and process the primary game player data and secondary game player data to determine at least one of a progression, position, or score of a player of a secondary game.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for secondary game creation and management include a plurality of gaming machines, and a scheduler configured to initiate a secondary game in response to a request from one or more players or a schedule defined by an administrator, the secondary game including one or more games executed on the plurality of gaming machines. A controller is also provided that is configured to validate each player to participate in the secondary game on respective ones of the plurality of gaming machines and enable secondary gameplay by the validated players on the plurality of gaming machines. Further, a data analyzer is provided that is configured to receive primary game player data and secondary game player data from the plurality of gaming machines and process the primary game player data and secondary game player data to determine at least one of a progression, position, or score of a player of a secondary game.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for tracking user activity and managing quests. By way of example, a method may include receiving, from a website server, first identity data representing an identity of a user and data identifying a quest activated by the user, the quest comprising one or more activities to be performed at a physical location, and receiving, from at least one reporting device, second identity data representing the identity of the user at the physical location, and activity tracking data in response to the user performing an activity associated with the quest at the physical location. The method may also include identifying the user and the quest activated by the user based on the first identity data and data identifying the quest, further identifying the user and activity data related to the quest based on the second identity data and activity tracking data, and monitoring a progress of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus 100 for removing moisture from particulate material is provided. The apparatus 100 comprises a master chamber 102 having a master inlet 104 for the supply of gas to the master chamber 102. The apparatus 100 further includes a plurality of drying chambers 106 at least partially arranged within the master chamber 102. Each drying chamber 106 that is at least partially arranged within the master chamber 102 has a first end and a second end, wherein each drying chamber 106 is configured for directing a flow of gas-entrained particulate material between said first and second ends of the drying chamber 106. Each drying chamber 106 includes a plurality of dryer inlets for directing gas from the master chamber 102 into the drying chamber 106, for interacting with said flow of gas-entrained particulate material within the drying chamber 106.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for managing user account data and award redemptions. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a web server configured to operate an online platform that enables a user to activate an award enhancement option for an award. The system also includes a data integration server communicatively coupled to the server. The data integration server may be configured to receive, from the web server, first identity data representing an identity of the user and activation data identifying the award enhancement option activated by the user, and store, in a memory device, the activation data with account data of the user.

Abstract: Moisture is removed from particulate material using an apparatus comprising a dryer having a drying chamber for directing a flow of gas-entrained particulate material between first and second ends of the drying chamber. The dryer is configured for directing gas under pressure into the drying chamber, for interacting with a flow of gas-entrained particulate material within the drying chamber. The dryer comprises a body of modular construction, which defines a plurality of guide passages arranged for fluid communication between the drying chamber and a source of gas under pressure. The body of modular construction comprises a plurality of discrete annular elements arranged in series, one adjacent another, each having a body defining a central aperture, and wherein the annular elements are arranged together with the central apertures aligned.

Abstract: Moisture is removed from particulate material using an apparatus comprising a dryer having a drying chamber for directing a flow of gas-entrained particulate material between first and second ends of the drying chamber. The dryer is configured for directing gas under pressure into the drying chamber, for interacting with a flow of gas-entrained particulate material within the drying chamber. The dryer comprises a body of modular construction, which defines a plurality of guide passages arranged for fluid communication between the drying chamber and a source of gas under pressure. The body of modular construction comprises a plurality of discrete annular elements, arranged in series, one adjacent another, each having a body defining a central aperture, and wherein the annular elements are arranged together with the central apertures aligned.

Abstract: The invention discussed in this application relates to vitamin B12-based compounds that are useful as quantitative standards, particularly for the assessment of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Abstract: The invention discussed in this application relates to vitamin B12-based compounds that are useful as quantitative standards, particularly for the assessment of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Abstract: A locally powered intermittent pilot combustion controller may include an igniter, a thermal electric and/or photoelectric device that produces an electrical signal having power when exposed to a flame, and a local power source for providing power when the thermal electric and/or photoelectric device is not exposed to a flame. In some cases, the intermittent pilot combustion controller may include a memory for storing information about an ignition sequence for igniting a pilot flame, and a controller coupled to the memory. The controller may be configured to initiate the ignition sequence of the pilot flame using information stored in the memory, determine whether the ignition was successful by monitoring the electrical signal produced by the thermal electric and/or photoelectric device, and adjust the information stored in the memory based on whether the ignition sequence completed successfully.

Abstract: A method for direct measurement of gradients of patient compliance with a medication regimen by employing a stable non-radioactive isotope taggant compound as part of, bound to, or applied to an endogenous molecule. An assay to determine patient compliance with medication regimens for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis employing administering a taggant to a pharmacologically active compound, obtaining and collecting a patient tissue or fluid sample analyzing the collected tissue or fluid sample for the taggant concentration and interpreting data from the taggant concentration analysis as an indicator of gradients of patient compliance.

Abstract: The invention discussed in this application relates to vitamin B12-based compounds that are useful as quantitative standards, particularly for the assessment of vitamin B12 deficiency.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for managing user account data and award redemptions. In one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a web server configured to operate an online platform that enables a user to activate an award enhancement option for an award. The system also includes a data integration server communicatively coupled to the server. The data integration server may be configured to receive, from the web server, first identity data representing an identity of the user and activation data identifying the award enhancement option activated by the user, and store, in a memory device, the activation data with account data of the user.

Abstract: A gas dispensing system includes a frame configured to house multiple rows of gas cylinders, a common gas manifold fluidically coupled to a gas outlet for dispensing of gas from the gas cylinders, a gas manifold for each row of gas cylinders configured to be fluidically coupled to each cylinder in the row by a respective dispensing valve, a vent manifold for each row of gas cylinders, in which the vent manifold for a given row of gas cylinders is configured to be fluidically coupled to each cylinder in the row via a respective vent valve, in which each vent valve is configured to open when a temperature on the vent valve exceeds a threshold temperature, and a common vent manifold, in which each vent manifold is fluidically coupled to the common vent manifold.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for cutscene management. The method is implemented with at least one processor and includes receiving, from a game server, game state data representing a state of an electronically displayed game, the game being hosted by a plurality of gameplay client devices that are configured to transmit the game state data to the game server. The method also includes determining an event associated with the game based on the game state data, determining at least one cutscene based on the event, the at least one cutscene including a visual representation of the event, and inserting the at least one cutscene into a cutscene queue, the cutscene queue including at least one cutscene associated with the game and a sequence for displaying the at least one cutscene from the cutscene queue.

Abstract: The invention discussed in this application relates to vitamin B12-based compounds that are useful as quantitative standards, particularly for the assessment of vitamin B12 deficiency.