Abstract: It has been unexpectedly discovered that the addition of a natural or other pozzolan to non-spec fly ash significantly improves the properties of the non-spec fly ash to the extent it can be certified under ASTM C618 and AASHTO 295, as either a Class F or Class C fly ash. The natural pozzolan may be a volcanic ejecta, such as pumice or perlite. Other pozzolans may also be used for this beneficiation process. Many pozzolans are experimentally tested and may be used to beneficiate non-spec fly ash into certifiable Class F fly ash. Additionally, this disclosure provides a method of converting a Class C fly ash to a more valuable Class F fly ash. This discovery will extend diminishing Class F fly ash supplies and turn non-spec fly ash waste streams into valuable, certified fly ash pozzolan which will protect and enhance concrete, mortars and grouts.

Abstract: A messaging system automatically populates a stream of messages using only a seed selected by the requesting account holder. In one embodiment, the seed includes the streams of one or more of the “top” accounts of the messaging system. Here, “top” is according to any one of a number of different metrics stored in the messaging system. With knowledge of the seed, the messaging system automatically populates a stream for the requesting account holder, without requiring any other input. As a result, an account holder is provided with a fully functioning stream with very little effort or knowledge required on their part.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for restoring multiple instances of a software application to a predetermined baseline state. The method/system of the invention creates a baseline template from a single correct or “golden” installation of the software application. The baseline template may then be deployed to restore previously used instances of the software application to a baseline state.

Abstract: A messaging system automatically populates a stream of messages using only a seed selected by the requesting account holder. In one embodiment, the seed includes the streams of one or more of the “top” accounts of the messaging system. Here, “top” is according to any one of a number of different metrics stored in the messaging system. With knowledge of the seed, the messaging system automatically populates a stream for the requesting account holder, without requiring any other input. As a result, an account holder is provided with a fully functioning stream with very little effort or knowledge required on their part.

Abstract: A centripetal microfluidic platform comprised of a microfluidics disc and a reader for testing LAL-reactive substances in fluid samples is provided. The microfluidic disc may comprise at least two testing areas wherein each testing area includes a reservoir portion for receiving at least one fluid sample. The disc may comprise a distribution network portion in fluid communication with the reservoir portion. Each distribution network portion may comprise a distribution network of at least four (4) channels, wherein each channel has a metering portion and at least one analysis chamber portion. The analysis chamber portion may comprise a mixing chamber for mixing samples and reagents and an optical chamber portion that is compatible with an optical reader. The metering portion may be sized to meter an aliquot of the fluid sample for analysis in the analysis chamber portion. At least one analysis chamber portion has at least one reagent isolated therein.

Abstract: An engine-mounted component life cycle data tracking system is provided. The system includes a plurality of RFID tags associated with, positioned proximate to, and configured to transmit and store identification, repair history, and dynamic data regarding a different engine component of a plurality of engine components, wherein the dynamic data includes engine usage, component usage, and/or component fault information. The system further includes an aircraft-mounted controller that includes non-transient computer readable storage media. The controller is configured to: store identification and repair history data retrieved from the RFID tags in the storage media; store dynamic data for the plurality of engine components in the storage media after each engine cycle; and transmit dynamic data to the RFID tags after each engine cycle for storage.

Abstract: A real time messaging platform identifies an audio snippet of a time-based media (TBM) event. The messaging platform maintains a real time repository of concurrently broadcasting TBM events as well as a historical repository of previously broadcast TBM events. These repositories contain acoustic fingerprints of their respective TBM events. The messaging platform matches an acoustic fingerprint of the audio snippet with one of the stored acoustic fingerprints to identify the TBM event in the recorded snippet. To identify the TBM event, the messaging platform matches multiple overlapping reference audio segments of the reference audio stream with multiple test audio segments of the audio snippet. This allows the platform to account for time delays between the test and reference audio segments that would otherwise hinder the matching process.

Abstract: An engine-mounted component life cycle data tracking system is provided. The system includes a plurality of RFID tags positioned proximate to a different engine component, a communication module configured to read data from and write data to each RFID tag and a controller. The controller is configured to retrieve static data and repair data from each RFID tag wherein the static data includes identification information regarding the engine components and the repair data includes repair history information regarding the engine components. The aircraft-mounted controller is further configured to store the static data and the repair data in a database and provide dynamic data to the database wherein the dynamic data includes engine usage information, component usage information, and component fault information regarding the engine component. The controller is further configured to transmit the dynamic data regarding the engine component to each RFID tag for storage in the RFID tag.

Abstract: A centripetal microfluidic platform comprised of a microfluidics disc and a reader for testing LAL-reactive substances in fluid samples is provided. The microfluidic disc may comprise at least two testing areas wherein each testing area includes a reservoir portion for receiving at least one fluid sample. The disc may comprise a distribution network portion in fluid communication with the reservoir portion. Each distribution network portion may comprise a distribution network of at least four (4) channels, wherein each channel has a metering portion and at least one analysis chamber portion. The analysis chamber portion may comprise a mixing chamber for mixing samples and reagents and an optical chamber portion that is compatible with an optical reader. The metering portion may be sized to meter an aliquot of the fluid sample for analysis in the analysis chamber portion. At least one analysis chamber portion has at least one reagent isolated therein.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for providing multiple installations of a software application. The method/system creates an installation template from a single correct or “golden” installation of the software application and uses the installation template to produce additional installations of the software application. In one embodiment, any references to a specific host or computing system in the files or directories of the installed software application are replaced with a temporary variable in the installation template. The installation template may then be stored on a designated server and uploaded to any computing system needing a new installation of the software application. Once uploaded, the variable is replaced with system-specific references to complete the new installations. Since the installations are produced from the installation template and not from floppy disks or CD-ROMs, the process takes significantly less time.

Abstract: A system for affecting motion of an amusement ride vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a channel and a plurality of fluid spray sources positioned to spray at least a primary fluid over the channel. For at least one of the fluid spray sources, the system is adapted to inject a secondary fluid into the primary fluid to modify at least one of a pressure and a velocity of the primary fluid. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular variable blade augment including an augment component and a blade component. The blade component includes a buttress portion and a neck portion, with the neck portion having a body segment and a face segment that is contoured for mating engagement with an outer surface of the acetabular shell. The augment component has a first opening sized and shaped to receive insertion of the body segment, and which is also sized to accommodate selective adjustment of linear and angular orientations of the blade component relative to the augment component when the body segment is positioned in the first opening. Additionally, the body segment has a length that is sized to facilitate direct contact of the face segment with the acetabular shell when the modular variable blade augment is in an assembled configuration. Further, cement can be injected into the internal cavity to unitize the connection between the acetabular shell and the blade component.

Abstract: Images of key phrases or hashtags appear on televised feeds. Image processing techniques, such as feature locating algorithms or character recognition algorithms, can be used to locate the images of key phrases in the images. Then, character recognition algorithms can be used to generate a list of candidate key phrases for the key phrase in image format. However, identification of the key phrase in image format is not completely accurate with conventional methods. Social media content items associated with the televised feed are used to filter the list of candidate key phrases. Using known information about the televised feed as well as about key phrases in text format in the social media content items, candidate key phrases in the list of candidate key phrases can be scored and, thus, a final candidate key phrase selected based on the scores.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly discovered that the addition of a non-spec natural pozzolan to non-spec fly ash significantly improves the properties of the non-spec fly ash to the extent it can be certified under ASTM C618 and AASHTO 295, as either a Class F or Class C fly ash. Other pozzolans may also be used for this beneficiation process. Many pozzolans are experimentally tested and may be used to beneficiate non-spec fly ash into certifiable Class F fly ash. Additionally, this disclosure provides a method of converting a Class C fly ash to a more valuable Class F fly ash, by utilizing natural pozzolans. This discovery will extend diminishing Class F fly ash supplies and turn non-spec fly ash waste streams into valuable, certified fly ash pozzolan which will protect and enhance concrete, mortars and grouts.

Abstract: It has been unexpectedly discovered that the addition of ground-granulated blast-furnace slag to non-spec fly ash significantly improves the properties of the non-spec fly ash to the extent it can be certified under ASTM C618 and AASHTO 295, as either a Class F or Class C fly ash. Other pozzolans may also be used for this beneficiation process. Many pozzolans are experimentally tested and may be used to beneficiate non-spec fly ash into certifiable Class F fly ash. Additionally, this disclosure provides a method of converting a Class C fly ash to a more valuable Class F fly ash. This discovery will extend diminishing Class F fly ash supplies and turn non-spec fly ash waste streams into valuable, certified fly ash pozzolan which will protect and enhance concrete, mortars and grouts.

Abstract: A waterslide feature comprises a channel having a sliding surface and walls. The walls define a plurality of recesses. A nozzle extends through each of the recesses angled to spray water over the sliding surface. The nozzles are positioned to provide a flow of water to impact a vehicle sliding on the sliding surface. The nozzles are sized to provide a flow of water sufficient to affect motion of the vehicle. The vehicle may include an attachment to enhance the effectiveness of the flow of water.

Abstract: A percussive instrument mallet includes a molded head, a shaft having an optionally threaded nose, and a rigid insert fixed completely within the head. The insert has an inner profile including threads or other protrusions that mate with the nose of the shaft, and an outer profile that is embedded in the mold material. An outer portion of the insert includes a weighting ring that is also embedded in the mold material. The method includes selecting a tool with an optionally threaded nose and a central bore, threading or otherwise securing an insert onto the nose of the tool, supporting a weight ring on the insert; placing the threaded insert and weight ring in a mold, molding the head while over-molding the weight ring and insert, drawing air out of the head through the central bore, disengaging the tool from the insert, and attaching a mallet shaft into the insert.