Abstract: A system and method display a suggested luminance adjustment for an image. The method includes applying a contrast adjustment to a first region of the image. The contrast adjustment defines a preference for the contrast adjusted image and determines a second region of the contrast adjusted image based on a salience map associated with the contrast adjusted image and the preference for the contrast adjusted image. The method further includes displaying a visual indication of the suggested luminance adjustment for the second region in association with the contrast adjusted image. The suggested luminance adjustment is determined based on a preference of the contrast adjusted image with the suggested luminance adjustment applied.

Abstract: A system includes a tank containing a fluid to be heated; a U-shaped pipe disposed proximate a bottom of the tank, a majority of the extent of the U-shaped pipe being disposed within an interior of the tank; a catalyst unit embedded within the U-shaped pipe, the catalyst unit comprising a catalyst wrapped, natural gas filled, perforated pipe that is configured to enable a catalytic reaction on its exterior; a vent pipe attached to the U-bend pipe which allows air to circulate; and mechanical controls disposed proximate the U-shaped pipe configured to vary temperature output.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using encapsulated microbubbles to process biological samples are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for using encapsulated microbubbles to process a biological sample includes creating a mixture comprising encapsulated microbubbles mixed with a biological sample and adding activation energy to the mixture to cause at least some of the microbubbles to oscillate or burst and thereby process the sample, including effecting cell lysis, shearing DNA, and/or performing tissue dispersion.

Abstract: A heat transfer element includes curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of a pipe for attachment thereto; and a channel configured to receive a tracer therein. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with heat transfer cement (HTC) to both the pipe and the tracer. A system includes a pipe and a tracer; HTC; and a heat transfer element having curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of the pipe and attached thereto via the HTC, and a channel in which the tracer is received and secured via HTC. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with HTC to both the pipe and the tracer.

Abstract: A method for crystallizing insulin or insulin analogs under alkaline conditions and purifying the insulin or insulin analog crystals by filtering through a filter and drying the insulin or insulin analog crystals captured on the filter to produce crystalline insulin or insulin analog crystal compositions is described. In particular aspects, the method may be used to crystalize insulin glargine.

Abstract: A heat transfer element includes curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of a pipe for attachment thereto; and a channel configured to receive a tracer therein. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with heat transfer cement (HTC) to both the pipe and the tracer. A system includes a pipe and a tracer; HTC; and a heat transfer element having curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of the pipe and attached thereto via the HTC, and a channel in which the tracer is received and secured via HTC. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with HTC to both the pipe and the tracer.

Abstract: A heat transfer element includes curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of a pipe for attachment thereto; and a channel configured to receive a tracer therein. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with heat transfer cement (HTC) to both the pipe and the tracer. A system includes a pipe and a tracer; HTC; and a heat transfer element having curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of the pipe and attached thereto via the HTC, and a channel in which the tracer is received and secured via HTC. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with HTC to both the pipe and the tracer.

Abstract: A heat transfer element includes curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of a pipe for attachment thereto; and a channel configured to receive a tracer therein. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with heat transfer cement (HTC) to both the pipe and the tracer. A system includes a pipe and a tracer; HTC; and a heat transfer element having curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of the pipe and attached thereto via the HTC, and a channel in which the tracer is received and secured via HTC. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with HTC to both the pipe and the tracer.

Abstract: A heat transfer element includes curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of a pipe for attachment thereto; and a channel configured to receive a tracer therein. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with heat transfer cement (HTC) to both the pipe and the tracer. A system includes a pipe and a tracer; HTC; and a heat transfer element having curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of the pipe and attached thereto via the HTC, and a channel in which the tracer is received and secured via HTC. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with HTC to both the pipe and the tracer.

Abstract: A heat transfer element includes curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of a pipe for attachment thereto; and a channel configured to receive a tracer therein. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with heat transfer cement (HTC) to both the pipe and the tracer. A system includes a pipe and a tracer; HTC; and a heat transfer element having curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of the pipe and attached thereto via the HTC, and a channel in which the tracer is received and secured via HTC. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with HTC to both the pipe and the tracer.

Abstract: A heat transfer element includes curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of a pipe for attachment thereto; and a channel configured to receive a tracer therein. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with heat transfer cement (HTC) to both the pipe and the tracer. A system includes a pipe and a tracer; HTC; and a heat transfer element having curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of the pipe and attached thereto via the HTC, and a channel in which the tracer is received and secured via HTC. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with HTC to both the pipe and the tracer.

Abstract: A heat transfer element includes curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of a pipe for attachment thereto; and a channel configured to receive a tracer therein. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with heat transfer cement (HTC) to both the pipe and the tracer. A system includes a pipe and a tracer; HTC; and a heat transfer element having curved mounting surfaces configured to mate with an outer surface of the pipe and attached thereto via the HTC, and a channel in which the tracer is received and secured via HTC. The heat transfer element is configured to effect conductive heat transfer from the tracer to the pipe, or to process flowing through the pipe, when attached with HTC to both the pipe and the tracer.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium embodies a computer program for authenticating a user. The computer program comprises computer-readable program code for: generating a first message including an identifier for a session, sending the first message through an interface associated with the session, receiving a response message including the identifier for the session, a user identifier, and at least a portion encrypted using a private key associated with a mobile device associated with the user, and authenticating the user in response to identifying that the response message includes at least the portion encrypted using the private key associated with the mobile device.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for predicting preferences of an observer for two images, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the first image and an associated salience map indicating regions of the first image that are likely to be scrutinized by the observer; receiving a content masking map indicating differences between the first image and the second image that the observer is likely to be able to perceive; determining a number of preference measures; and processing the salience map and the content masking map to determine a distribution of a set of values of the preference measures predicting the preferences of the observer for the first image and the second image, the set of values of the preference measures having a number of degrees of freedom.

Abstract: A system includes a vessel containing stored water, a pipe connected to the vessel which transports water to a facility, and a steam tracer pipe for heating the pipe. The system further includes a standoff apparatus installed on the pipe with the steam tracer received therein. The standoff apparatus comprises a trace receiving area configured to receive a steam trace, the trace receiving area comprising three curved cutout portions defining four contact points, and two elevating leg portions. The steam tracer is received within the trace receiving area, and the standoff apparatus contacts the steam tracer only at the four contact points. The standoff apparatus contacts the pipe only at the two elevating leg portions.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium embodies a computer program for registering a mobile device. The computer program comprises computer-readable program code for: generating a first message including a first code in response to receiving a request to register the mobile device for use with a future session with an entity, sending the first message including the first code, receiving a second message including the first code and at least a portion encrypted using a private key associated with the mobile device, and registering the mobile device for use with the future session based on at least the portion of the second message being encrypted using the private key associated with the mobile device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic solid bar cleanser formulated to clean human skin. More particularly, the present invention relates to synthetic solid cleanser formulations which have pH of about 5.5, the same as human skin, and yet which perform similarly, or superior, to traditional soap.

Abstract: A system includes a tank containing a fluid to be heated; a U-shaped pipe disposed proximate a bottom of the tank, a majority of the extent of the U-shaped pipe being disposed within an interior of the tank; a catalyst unit embedded within the U-shaped pipe, the catalyst unit comprising a catalyst wrapped, natural gas filled, perforated pipe that is configured to enable a catalytic reaction on its exterior; a vent pipe attached to the U-bend pipe which allows air to circulate; and mechanical controls disposed proximate the U-shaped pipe configured to vary temperature output.

Abstract: An aqueous topical serum having stabilized bioactive L-ascorbic acid has a pH of from 3.4 to 3.8 and comprises from 10% to 18% by weight of L(+)-ascorbic acid, 0.2% by weight retinyl propionate, and from 0.005% to 0.5% by weight of a mixture selected from the group consisting of glabridin, silibinin and thyme.

Abstract: A method for crystallizing insulin or insulin analogs under alkaline conditions and purifying the insulin or insulin analog crystals by filtering through a filter and drying the insulin or insulin analog crystals captured on the filter to produce crystalline insulin or insulin analog crystal compositions is described. In particular aspects, the method may be used to crystalize insulin glargine.