Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating a user's behavior in an interactive computer system are provided. For example, a computer program product includes a simulator configured to simulate a user interacting with a computer program. The simulator includes a learning mode of operation and a simulation mode of operation. During the learning mode, for example, the simulator is configured to monitor the user's interaction with the computer program for one or more events and analyze one or more current circumstances during the occurrence of the one or more events, and further, to record at least one user input in response to the occurrence of at least one event, store the at least one user inputs in at least one data field, and associate the at least one data field with the at least one events and the at least one current circumstances.

Abstract: A system and method may include generating, by a computing system, a list of selectable challenge factors for a player to select one or more challenge factors when playing a video game. The player may be provided with the ability to set a plan for each of the challenge factors. A protocol inclusive of the planned challenge factors may be established to be achieved over a time period. A player interface may be displayed for the player of the video game, where the player interface may show the protocol inclusive of at least a portion of the planned challenge factor(s) along with corresponding input elements associated with each planned challenge factor for the player to account for the planned challenge factors by submitting whether or not the player achieved each of the respective planned challenge factors. Achieving the planned challenge factor(s) causes a health condition to be reversed.

Abstract: The present application describes methods and systems for administration of a gamification system. Administrators can be separated into tiers, each with differing levels of control. Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system that receives, from an administrator, a request to generate a second gamification site and to copy content from a first gamification site to a second gamification site. The system then determines if the administrator is enabled to do so. If the administrator has the appropriate permission, the second gamification site may be generated, and the content from the first gamification site may be copied to the second gamification site.

Abstract: A method for sharing gameplay of a video game is provided, including: recording, by a computer, a two-dimensional (2-D) video clip to a storage, the 2-D video clip generated from gameplay of a video game; receiving, by the computer, a request to share the 2-D video clip to a social network; generating, by the computer, a three-dimensional (3-D) video clip by converting the 2-D video clip to a 3-D format, the 3-D video clip being configured for viewing through an HMD; sharing, by the computer, the 3-D video clip to the social network.

Abstract: Interactive smart beads are described. The beads are attached to a connecting element and form a fashion item such as a necklace or bracelet. The connecting element detects the presence of beads which are part of the fashion item and also beads which are part of nearby fashion items. The connecting element also autonomously generates interactions between two or more detected beads and transmits data about the interactions to a software experience so that a user can view a graphical representation of the interactions. In various examples each bead represents a character, environment, object, etc. and the software experience displays an animated story based on the characters, environments, objects, etc. represented by the beads involved in an interaction.

Abstract: There described a computerized yo-yo toy that uses an acceleration measuring device, a computation and control device, a communication device and entertaining devices to enhance the entertaining experience of playing with the computerized yo-yo toy. The acceleration measuring device measures the acceleration values of the computerized yo-yo toy. The computation and control device uses the measured acceleration values to generate control signals to control the entertaining devices such as a light display device, an audio play device and an auxiliary device for an enhanced entertaining experience. The entertaining devices may be latched to a latching base, which allows using different and new entertaining devices with the computerized yo-yo toy. The computation and control device may also use the measured acceleration values to generate control signals to control the motion of the computerized yo-yo toy, using an electric clutch device and an electric motor device.

Abstract: A writing instrument, comprising a tubular body having a longitudinal axis with a first and a second end, and with an opening arranged in the first end; a first building block having a body part with a substantially plane surface and one or more coupling knobs extending from the substantially plane surface, and where the first building block is fixed onto the outside of the tubular body so that the coupling knobs extend away from said longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An edible piñata system may have an edible piñata including edible upper and lower shells, a hanging rod for attaching the edible piñata to a hanging assembly, a support plate for supporting the edible piñata and edible contents, and the hanging assembly for supporting the edible piñata, hanging rod, and support plate to suspend the edible piñata for consumption. The edible piñata system may be made by a method for producing an edible piñata.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hologram stage setting which is configured to apply a net screen of a grid network structure coated by a ceramic ball lens on the front part of a stage and directly project images, thereby enabling performance without specific limits on general multi-purpose stages instead of special stages, solving high cost problems caused by using a conventional foil screen, implementing high-resolution images, enhancing durability, and performing easy maintenance and repair. The hologram stage setting includes: a rear screen which is installed on the rear part of a stage to display a rear background image; a lower screen which is installed on the lower part of the stage to display a lower background image; a front screen which is installed on the front part of the stage to display a front hologram image; and a front hologram image projector which generates and projects the front hologram image.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, systems, and devices for the vapor phase delivery of high purity process gases to a critical process or application.

Abstract: A device for purifying water by solar power is described. The device has bottom and top sections, each being half-cylinders contacting one another along a flat edge to provide an elongated cylinder. The bottom section has an evacuated area with an optically transparent bottom surface that light can pass through to heat a liquid tray in the top section. A side-gutter directs water that condenses on an interior surface of the top section to an output port for collection.

Abstract: A device for purifying water by solar power is described. The device has bottom and top sections, each being half-cylinders contacting one another along a flat edge to provide an elongated cylinder. The bottom section has an evacuated area with an optically transparent bottom surface that light can pass through to heat a liquid tray in the top section. A side-gutter directs water that condenses on an interior surface of the top section to an output port for collection.

Abstract: A process of mass transfer is described which utilizes latent heat transfer with little or sensible heat transfer. In a preferred process microbubbles are used under certain conditions of contact with a liquid phase to ensure highly effective mass transfer between a gaseous and liquid phase with significantly less than expected or little or no sensible heat transfer. The present invention in part provides a means by which the known state of a cold liquid of varying depths can be changed using a hot gas injected via a micro bubble inducing internal mixing without allowing the resultant mixture to reach equilibrium thereby ensuring the transfer process becomes continuous. Thus a process is described wherein at least one gaseous phase is contacted with at least one liquid phase such that the heat ratio of the system (AA) is maintained at an a value of greater than 0.5, and the mass transfer is effected by passing a gaseous phase comprising microbubbles through a liquid phase of thickness no more than 10 cm.

Abstract: A method and system/device for enabling an efficient and increased rate of evaporation of liquids, which can be used, for example, to separate solutes from solvents, including desalination of salt water. The method and system/device are directed to introducing kinetic energy into an evaporative system to cause movement and agitation of liquid and/or air molecules, and employing a gravity assist, to more efficiently and effectively promote evaporation of the liquid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for de-acidification of fats and oils, to obtain micronutrients, to obtain a fatty acid product, and recovery of refined oils, comprising: feeding pre-treated oil feed stream to a vacuum steam stripping section, stripping off volatile phases. Feeding the stripped off the volatile phases to a condensing stage providing a condensed phase and a vapour phase. Sending the condensed phase to a vacuum distillation operation and sending the vapour phase to a cold condensation stage. Subjecting the condensed phase to a vacuum distillation operation, and obtaining a high temperature distillate and a stream of volatiles.

Abstract: A packing system is disclosed that has a series of flat blades arranged to promote mixing in a fluidized bed such as one in a FCC stripper, with an upward flowing gas stream and a downward flowing solid particle stream. The blade arrangement provides for different gas solids flow directions within a single layer of packing system to enhance cross mixing of gas and catalyst in all directions and reduces the potential for gas and catalyst bypassing. The blade arrangement has splits which minimizes the tendency for phase separation around the blade. The arrangement and sizing of the blades is intended to promote intimate contact between the two phases to ensure efficient mass transfer of material trapped inside the particles to the gas phase. The arrangement of the blades prevents excessive bubble growth and channeling, both of which reduce surface area for mass transfer.

Abstract: Method for the processing of a mixture of organic compounds, in particular of an oil, in order to recover different constituents therefrom. This method makes it possible to separate a fraction of iso-alkanes and cycloalkanes from a sample of a mixture of organic compounds, said method comprising a separation step by liquid chromatography.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the extraction of lithium from liquid resources such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from minerals, and recycled products.

Abstract: A process for separation of oil from oil-containing produced water as well as an apparatus for separation of oil from oil-containing produced water. A perforated baffle plate is arranged in a separator tank to provide for equalizing of the downwardly flow rate of produced water. The insertion of such baffle plates has shown that less oil is following the stream downward.

Abstract: Emulsion breaking and phase separation is achieved by droplet adhesion. An emulsion breaking device includes a channel having distinct adjacent zones with distinctly different surface wettability characteristics, namely, solvophilic and solvophobic surfaces. The device is positioned such that the upstream portion of the device is configured to be wetted by the continuous phase of the emulsion, and the downstream portion of the device is configured to be wetted by the dispersed phase of the emulsion. As the emulsion flows from the upstream zone to the downstream zone, the change in surface wettability characteristics promotes adhesion of the dispersed phase as the dispersed phase wets the surface of the downstream portion of the channel, which results in breaking of the emulsion. Subsequent collection of the broken emulsion in a collection vessel results in separation of the disparate phases to facilitate their recapture and recycling.

Abstract: Multiple site purification can be achieved by a small plastic portable voltaic inspissation unit in a box configuration. Each unit may feature an air hopper, a recirculation line, a gas diffuser, a centrifuge, a decanter, and multiple anodic and cathodic voltaic inspissation plates that may direct fluid through a box in a meandering or serpentine fashion. Multiple devices may be present or omitted, and retention times may be varied both by the presence or absence of recirculation and the flow rate accomplished by use of different metal in the plates depending on purification goals. Air may be injected interstitially prior to passage into the box to aid in purification, and ultimately both ease of transport and substantially improved purification percentages may be achieved relative to prior systems.

Abstract: A degassing chamber is disclosed, adapted for the efficient removal of entrained gases from liquids. In a preferred embodiment the degassing chamber is combined with and works in conjunction with a sedimentation tank to provide an efficient clarification station. The combined clarification station can have a “footprint” the same size as, or only slightly larger than, the footprint of the sedimentation tank alone. The degassing chamber is well-suited for retrofitting, and can easily be combined with most types of solid-liquid sedimentation tanks that are currently used in the industry.

Abstract: A separation nipple to separate a liquid from a vent inlet line into a filler pipe of a motor vehicle. The separation nipple has an inlet for connection to the vent inlet line, an outlet for connection to a vent outlet line, an opening for connection to an interior of the filler pipe, and a flap to close the opening. The flap has a main flap surface and a reflector flap surface which slopes relative to the main flap surface. The reflector flap surface is configured to form a reflector with the main flap surface when the flap is in an open position, the reflector being configured to deflect liquid passing through the opening in a direction of an end of the tank of the filler pipe. The opening is configured for closing by the main flap surface when the flap is in a closed position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for collecting, storing, separating, and disposing of waste material from an oil and gas well site in order to enhance payload efficiency. An embodiment of a method, for example, may include introducing a waste material into an enhanced-payload mobile vessel positioned at the oil and gas well site, the waste material selected to include one or more of a sludge waste material, a solids-laden wastewater material, and a dry waste material. The method may further include transporting the waste material when positioned in the enhanced-payload mobile vessel along roadways to an off-site waste management facility. Additionally, the method may include dumping the waste material from the enhanced-payload mobile vessel by a site-based lifting mechanism into a receiving vessel at the off-site waste management facility thereby to dispose of the waste material at a reduced transportation cost.

Abstract: A separator unit includes a tank defining an internal volume and having an inlet and an outlet. A deck within the tank separates the tank into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A weir at an upper side of the deck defines an inlet side atop the deck for receiving an influent liquid and an outlet side atop the deck, with a first opening through the deck on the inlet side for delivering liquid down into the lower chamber, and a second opening through the deck on the outlet side for delivering liquid from the lower chamber back up into the upper chamber. The separator includes one or more of an integrated drop pipe assembly with a dispersal manifold, a riser pipe with a vortex disrupting vane and/or a weir configuration that in part follows a periphery of the second opening.

Abstract: A filter apparatus includes a filter housing having a filter head (3) and a filter bowl (7). The housing accommodates a filter element that separates a non-filtrate side (15) from a filtrate side (17). A differential pressure measurement device (59) indicates at least a blockage of the filter element during filtration operation and has a measurement piston (91) that is guided in a measurement housing (88) in a longitudinally displaceable manner. An end face (90) of that piston is subjected to the instantaneous pressure of the non-filtrate side (15). The opposite end face of the piston is subjected to the instantaneous pressure of the filtrate side (17). Each instantaneous pressure passes into the measurement housing (88) via at least one conduit (57, 61, 65, 89). At least a section (57, 61) of the conduit is arranged in an element cap (43) of the filter element.

Abstract: Provided are an extraction structure, an extraction module, and a liquid pretreatment device relating to the liquid component testing technical field. The extraction structure comprises a cavity and a first pore passage. The extraction module comprises an extraction module body, successively bottom up, including a first cavity provided therein with a second filter layer, a first pore passage provided therein with a first filter layer, and a second cavity provided therein with an extractant layer and a porous filter disc; the first and second filter layers contain therein an expansive agent; and the diameter of the first filter layer is smaller than that of the second filter disc. The liquid pretreatment device comprises a storage tank, a transfer device and the extraction module. Between the transfer device and the extraction module is provided a filter membrane for filtering and supporting.

Abstract: A screen assembly for a shale shaker, the screen assembly including a support structure and at least one layer of screening material thereon. The support structure includes structural members having a thermal expansion coefficient and the at least one layer of screening material has a thermal expansion coefficient. The thermal expansion coefficient of the structural members is substantially equal to the thermal expansion coefficient of the at least one layer of screening material. A method for making a support structure for a screen assembly is also provided. The method includes placing at least one support member in a mold whereupon a flowable plastics material is injected into the mold, whereupon the flowable plastics material hardens, at least a portion of the flowable plastics material forming a brace.

Abstract: A filter cartridge includes a filter medium disposed within an interior volume of a casing. A leak director is positioned on the casing above an RFID tag. The leak director has a trough that extends about a sidewall of the casing. The trough of the leak director has an outlet positioned for directing liquid in the trough to the RFID tag.

Abstract: A water separator element (14) for a fuel filter (10) having two water level electrodes (34, 36) for detecting backed-up water in a water collection chamber (32) of the fuel filter (10). The water level electrodes (34, 36) can be electrically contacted by means of two contact electrodes (40, 42), said contact electrodes (40, 42) being connected in an electrically conductive manner to the water level electrodes (34, 36). The disclosure further relates to a fuel filter comprising a water separator element of this type.

Abstract: A water level sensor device of a fuel filter may include a printed circuit board and a water level sensor composed of electrically conductive plastic. The water level sensor may be coupled to the printed circuit board via an electrically conductive metal element. The metal element may be coupled to the water level sensor via a press-fit assembly. The metal element may include a sharp-edged fastening contour configured to tear open the plastic of the water level sensor when the metal element is pressed against the water level sensor.

Abstract: A filtration barrier comprises at least one barrier layer which includes polymeric nanofibers interlaced with microfibers, and at least one substrate layer which includes polymeric microfibers. The filtration barrier can be made by electrospinning process.

Abstract: A filter guide ring is disclosed which comprises a ring having a top surface, a bottom surface; an inner ring side, and an outer ring side, a first leg having a first short leg portion extending outwardly from the outer ring side, a first elbow connected to the first short leg portion, and a first long leg portion extending upwardly from the first elbow, a second leg having a second short leg portion extending outwardly from the outer ring side, a second elbow connected to the second short leg portion, and a second long leg portion extending upwardly from the second elbow, and a third leg having a third short leg portion extending outwardly from the outer ring side, a third elbow connected to the third short leg portion, and a third long leg portion extending upwardly from the third elbow.

Abstract: A support tube for a filter element, in which the support tube is an elongated tubular member having a central longitudinal axis extending through a hollow interior of the support tube. The support tube has a plurality of through openings extending through a circumferential wall of the support tube and is formed in one piece and a unitary component. The plurality of through openings are bounded by at least five longitudinal webs which are polygonal in cross section in at least some sections in the longitudinal direction of the support tube. The at least five longitudinal webs are in each case formed symmetrically.

Abstract: By joining together first case and second case, a notch in the first case and a notch in the second case are unified and an intake opening for air is formed. The ratio of the depth of the cases to the height of the intake opening is in the range 10:1 to 20:1.

Abstract: An air filter element with a filter cover and a filter body, whereby the filter body is connected to the filter cover with a water drainage duct, whereby the filter cover has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, whereby the filter body is connected to the first side and the water drainage duct is connected to the second side.

Abstract: The filter assembly includes a threadless closure system for sealing a filter element of the filter assembly within a bowl of the filter assembly. The bowl is fluidly connectable to opposing fluid transfer passages. The filter element and a cover element connected to the filter element are received into the bowl. The filter element is retained in the bowl via a pin of the filter assembly that engages the cover element. The filter element may be removed and replaced without the unscrewing of threads exposed to an external environment external to the filter assembly during typical use of the filter assembly.

Abstract: Honeycomb monolith structure, especially for use as catalyst or support for a catalyst in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitrogen oxides, comprising: a plurality of cell walls defining a plurality of polygonal channels, the plurality of cell walls and channels extending in parallel along a common direction from an entrance end to an outlet end of the structure in the fluid flow direction. The transversal cross section of a polygonal channel has the shape of a convex polygon in closest packing, wherein more than 50% of the internal angels between two adjacent walls of the convex polygon are above 90 degrees and wherein the cell aspect ratio LL/LS is greater than 1.5. The monolith structure has an outer row of polygons in shifted direction perpendicular to each other at the two side edges of the monolith which are parallel to the longest direction of the cells/channels.

Abstract: A railway air dryer that switches the flow and counter flow of air through each of two desiccant towers in response to the actual humidity of air being dried by the air dryer. The air dryer includes a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor in the outlet air, and a temperature sensor in the inlet air stream to determine when to initiate the regeneration of the desiccant. The air dryer system is generally specified to provide some minimum drying performance, for example 40° C. dew point suppression.

Abstract: An amount of seawater control device controls an amount of seawater supplied to a scrubber that purifies sulfur oxide contained in exhaust gas by bringing the sulfur oxide into contact with seawater. The control device includes a minimum amount of seawater converter which calculates a minimum amount of seawater necessary for an absorption reaction of the sulfur oxide by the seawater, an amount of seawater correction converter which calculates a corrected amount of seawater which is an amount of seawater at which the sulfur oxide contained in the exhaust gas discharged into atmosphere from the scrubber is equal to or less than a set variable, a summing element which calculates a set amount of seawater by summing the minimum amount of seawater and the corrected amount of seawater, and a pump control device which implements control such that seawater corresponding to the set amount is supplied to the scrubber.

Abstract: Techniques are described for chemical sequestration of carbon dioxide and production of precipitated magnesium carbonate. The process can include contacting carbon dioxide from industrial emissions with water and magnesium-containing particulate material, such as serpentinite, which is thermally pre-treated and has a particle size of at most 75 microns. The process can also include separation of the loaded aqueous stream from the solids, followed by precipitation of magnesium carbonate material that includes carbon and oxygen from industrial emissions and magnesium from serpentinite or chrysotile mining residue, for example.

Abstract: Provided is a microorganism including a gene encoding a protein having a dehalogenase activity, a composition for using in reducing a concentration of fluorinated methane in a sample, the composition including the microorganism including the gene encoding the protein having the dehalogenase activity, and a method of reducing the concentration of fluorinated methane in the sample.

Abstract: A system for reducing methane emissions from a natural gas or oil wellhead. Some oil and gas wells leak a flow of natural gas, referred to as the surface casing vent flow. The system includes a catalytic oxidizing assembly operably connectable to the wellhead and configured to receive the surface casing vent flow therefrom. The catalytic oxidizing assembly includes a catalyst pad heated to a temperature sufficient to reduce the methane in the surface casing vent flow to carbon dioxide in the presence of oxygen. When the temperature and flow rate of the methane is sufficient, the heat generated by the exothermic oxidative reaction of the methane is sufficient to maintain the surface temperature of the catalyst pad, allowing the system to deactivate the heating element. The system can further include a separator configured to isolate a gas component of a surface casing vent flow when liquid is present.

Abstract: A catalyst and system for an internal combustion engine exhaust gas purification includes a first catalyst component region (a) having a catalyst component layer containing Rh at a concentration of 0.1 to 3.0 g/L at a length of 3 to 30 mm on an upstream side, a second catalyst component region (b) having a catalyst component layer containing Pd at a concentration of 1.0 to 20.0 g/L at a length of 10 to 100 mm on a downstream side, and a third catalyst region (c) containing rhodium at a concentration of 0.05 to 1.0 g/L and an oxygen storage material at a concentration of 30 to 150 g/L at a length of 25 to 150 mm on a monolithic support. The catalyst suppresses the formation and discharge of N2O from the exhaust gas with a small amount of a noble metal from the time of cold starting.

Abstract: Asymmetric membrane structures are provided that are suitable for hydrocarbon reverse osmosis of small hydrocarbons. Separation of para-xylene from ortho- and meta-xylene is an example of a separation that can be performed using hydrocarbon reverse osmosis. Hydrocarbon reverse osmosis separations can be incorporated into a para-xylene isomerization and recovery system in a variety of manners.

Abstract: A membrane-forming dope for carbon membranes, comprising polyphenylene oxide in an amount giving a concentration of 15 to 40 wt. % in the membrane-forming dope, and sulfur in an amount giving a ratio of 0.1 to 5.0 wt. %, preferably 0.2 to 3.0 wt. %, of the total weight of the polyphenylene oxide and the sulfur, both of which are dissolved in a solvent that can dissolve these components. A hollow fiber carbon membrane is produced by molding the membrane-forming dope for carbon membranes in a hollow shape by means of a wet or dry-wet spinning method using a double tubular nozzle, subjecting the molded product to an infusibilization treatment by heating at 150 to 350° C. in the air, and then subjecting it to a carbonization treatment by heating at 600 to 800° C. in an inert atmosphere or under vacuum. When the product molded in a hollow shape by means of a wet or dry-wet spinning method is subjected to an infusibilization treatment by heating in the air while stretching the product with a stress of 0.002 to 0.

Abstract: A hollow fiber carbon membrane is produced by preparing a membrane-forming dope for carbon membranes by dissolving polyphenylene oxide in an amount giving a concentration of 15 to 40 wt. % in the membrane-forming dope, and sulfur in an amount giving a ratio of 0.2 to 3.0 wt. % based on the polyphenylene oxide, in a solvent capable of dissolving these components; preparing the membrane-forming dope for carbon membranes into a hollow shape by means of a spinning method in accordance with a non-solvent induced separation method using a double annular nozzle; performing a crosslinking treatment at 200 to 240° C. in the air; then performing an infusibilization treatment by heating at 250 to 350° C.; and further performing a carbonization treatment by heating at 450 to 850° C. in an inert atmosphere or under vacuum.

Abstract: A purifier for removing metal, such as chromium, from an organic solvent is disclosed. The purifier comprises a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the fluid inlet; a volume of ion-exchange resin disposed within the housing downstream of the fluid inlet; and a filtration member downstream of the volume of ion-exchange resin, the filtration member comprising at least one microporous membrane having a substantially neutral surface and a microporous polytetrafluoroethylene membrane downstream of the at least one microporous membrane. A method for removing metal, including chromium, from an organic solvent using a purifier of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a statistical copolymer that includes both zwitterionic repeat units and hydrophobic repeat units and a filtration membrane that contains a selective layer formed of the statistical copolymer. Also disclosed are methods of preparing the above-described filtration membrane.

Abstract: A method for the efficient solubilization of carbon dioxide in water through the use of high energy impacts is disclosed. The method can optionally includes mixing the carbon dioxide and water to form an annular dispersed flow, accelerating the carbon dioxide and water prior to the collision; providing a retention network to collect the carbonated water flow. Also disclosed are systems and apparatuses for practicing the disclosed methods.