Abstract: In general, the subject matter described herein relates to wettable materials that can be used to expose a liquid phase to a gas phase. An example method includes: providing a material including a polymeric substrate and at least one of: a silicate coating disposed over the polymeric substrate; or a polar mineral additive dispersed within the polymeric substrate at a loading from about 1% to about 25%, by weight; and using the material in a chemical process in which the material is at least partially covered by a liquid phase and the liquid phase is exposed to a gas phase.

Abstract: It has been recognized that to accurately measure the required resource capacity of computing systems such as servers, various relevant factors should be considered, since the capacity may be excess or insufficient. This measurement can be reflected by the ratio of the theoretical minimum server capacity required relative to the actual server capacity provisioned, hereinafter also referred to as the “fully loaded utilization”, which can be expressed in various ways, including as a percentage or an efficiency index or other number or value.

Abstract: A data management system may include computer code to receive data that may include financial data and related data. The computer code may store the data in a database. The financial data may include data not tracked by a general ledger, such as contractual commitments, operating leases, head count, environmental incidents, lost time, disposal of operations, etc. The financial data may be applicable to different business units. The computer code may be configured to permit access to, entry of, and sign-off on the data only by users granted authority to do so. The financial data may include different data categories, and the data management system may be configured to use a different workflow to manage the data based on the data category of the financial data. The computer code may generate reports from the data retrieved from the database.

Abstract: It has been recognized that to accurately measure the required resource capacity of computing systems such as servers, various relevant factors should be considered, since the capacity may be excess or insufficient. This measurement can be reflected by the ratio of the theoretical minimum server capacity required relative to the actual server capacity provisioned, hereinafter also referred to as the “fully loaded utilization”, which can be expressed in various ways, including as a percentage or an efficiency index or other number or value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for managing system identification information for workforce members such as employees, contractors and consultants that are affiliated with a business entity such as a corporation. The method and apparatus provide for the association of system identification information of a workforce member with each such workforce member in memory and further provides a review process of the same information by the relevant workforce member and one or more of the workforce member's supervisors. The review process allows each of the workforce member and the applicable supervisor(s) to confirm and, in some instances, reject the system identification information as being valid or not valid. The method and apparatus further maintains the review status of the workforce member and the applicable supervisor(s) and in one embodiment, provides for an audit of the same so that any discrepancies in the reviews are brought to light.

Abstract: A data management system may include computer code to receive data that may include financial data and related data. The computer code may store the data in a database. The financial data may include data not tracked by a general ledger, such as contractual commitments, operating leases, head count, environmental incidents, lost time, disposal of operations, etc. The financial data may be applicable to different business units. The computer code may be configured to permit access to, entry of, and sign-off on the data only by users granted authority to do so. The financial data may include different data categories, and the data management system may be configured to use a different workflow to manage the data based on the data category of the financial data. The computer code may generate reports from the data retrieved from the database.

Abstract: An operations instance is created in an operations environment, and an activity item is created related to the operations instance. An initialization level for the activity item is identified and one or more parameters associated with the activity item are initialized based on the initialization level, wherein one of the parameters comprises an escalation parameter. An escalation report is generated based on the escalation parameter.

Abstract: A system for facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a consumer includes a consumer interface and a settlement administrator. The consumer interface is configured to emit a consumer identity signal configured to identify a consumer, and the settlement administrator is configured to receive the consumer identity signal and to receive an amount owing signal indicative of an amount owing from said consumer. The settlement administrator is further configured to facilitate one or more payments between an account of the merchant and an account of the consumer upon receipt of the consumer identity signal and the amount owing signal. In addition, the system may include an incentive administrator configured to emit an offer signal indicative of an incentive offer. The incentive administrator may be configured to receive the consumer identity signal so that the incentive offer may be based at least in part on the consumer identity signal.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting secure electronic transactions are provided. More specifically, a system and method are provided for conducting secure transactions utilizing tokens, such as transaction cards, such as credit cards or the like, on a computer. The computer is token-enabled, having a token reader and software in communication with itself allowing the token user to communicate with a goods and/or services provider that supports a secure on-line transaction. Moreover, a system and a method are provided for conducting secure transactions on-line with a token having a microchip embedded therein for additional security.

Abstract: A system for facilitating a transaction between a merchant and a consumer includes a consumer interface and a settlement administrator. The consumer interface is configured to emit a consumer identity signal configured to identify a consumer, and the settlement administrator is configured to receive the consumer identity signal and to receive an amount owing signal indicative of an amount owing from said consumer. The settlement administrator is further configured to facilitate one or more payments between an account of the merchant and an account of the consumer upon receipt of the consumer identity signal and the amount owing signal. In addition, the system may include an incentive administrator configured to emit an offer signal indicative of an incentive offer. The incentive administrator may be configured to receive the consumer identity signal so that the incentive offer may be based at least in part on the consumer identity signal.

Abstract: An audit monitoring system (10) is provided for use with any of a multiplicity of different coin operated vending machines (300). The audit monitoring system includes an interface assembly (102) for use in replacing an existing data link (330) within vending machine (300) and interfacing with row and column conductors (306) of vending machine (300). The interface assembly (102) is coupled to an audit monitoring assembly (100) which interprets the communications transferred between a controller (310), coin changer (322), bill validator (324), and motor matrix (304) of vending machine (300). Audit monitoring assembly (100) is powered from a power supply (302) of vending machine (300) and includes interface circuitry (110, 120, 130, 180, 190) for receipt of digital logic level signals, serial data or relay logic signals from vending machine (300).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for light fastness testing. The apparatus for holding samples for testing comprising a planar member and vacuum to hold a sample against the test area of the planar member. A heating and cooling device in contact with said planar member, a heat sink, in contact with the heating and cooling device and a fan to direct air over the heat sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for light fastness testing comprising a light source, means for dividing ultraviolet and visible light from infrared rays, means to direct the visible component of light into spherical cavity, and means to mount test samples in apertures in said cavity.

Abstract: A dispensing machine payment acceptance apparatus for dispensing products or services from a dispensing machine upon user request and payment is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a data card scanner apparatus for acquiring payment and other information. It also comprises an electrical signals interface between the scanner and the dispensing machine to indicate proper payment has been made. Cash payment, such as coins and paper bills, may also be accepted and apparatus is disclosed in the dispensing machine payment acceptance apparatus for generating electrical signals indicative of an amount of cash accepted. The invention discloses a card swallowing feature which enable the scanner to retain the card when the data card is defective or has other predetermined characteristics. In some embodiments the scanner has a geometrical form factor substantially similar to a standard bill validator apparatus.

Abstract: A high temperature ceramic membrane device for separation of fluids at high temperature, the device comprises: (a) a housing having: (i) an entrance for introducing fluids to the housing to be separated, (ii) an exit for removing fluids after being subjected to separation; (b) a plate mounted in one end of the housing, the plate having openings therein; (c) ceramic membrane comprised of porous ceramic tubes having a closed end and an open end, the tubes permeable by a fraction of the fluid to be removed from the fluid as filtrate and impermeable to a second fraction, the open end designed to remove the filtrate from the tube, the tubes mounted in the openings in the plate so that the closed end is projected into the housing and the open end is extended outside the housing for removing the filtrate; (d) a seal for sealing the plate in the housing; (e) insulation provided in the housing, the insulation means located adjacent the plate and surrounding the tubes projecting therethrough, the insulation adapted to

Abstract: An audit monitoring system (10) is provided for use with any of a multiplicity of different coin operated vending machines (300). The audit monitoring system includes an interface assembly (102) for use in replacing an existing data link (330) within vending machine (300). The interface assembly (102) is coupled to an audit monitoring assembly (100) which interprets the communications signals transferred between a controller (310), coin changer (322) and bill validator (324) of vending machine (300). Audit monitoring assembly (100) is powered from a power supply (302) of vending machine (300) and includes interface circuitry (110,120,130) for receipt of digital logic level signals, serial data or relay logic signals from vending machine (300).

Abstract: Discrimination between genuine coins and unacceptable coins (i.e., slugs) deposited in a coin-actuated vending machine, is achieved by guiding a deposited coin for movement along a guide path, and positioning a disk-shaped coil which forms part of an oscillator circuit at a certain position relative to the first guide path such that coins of certain diameters will interact with flux produced by the coil when the latter is excited by the oscillator circuit and the coins are guided in proximity with the coil. Amplitude and frequency values each corresponding to operation of the oscillator circuit (1) in the absence of a proximate coin, and (2) when a deposited coin is at positions along the first guide path which are in proximity with the coil, are measured. Degrees of shift in the amplitude and the frequency values between measurements made at (1) and (2) are then determined. The determined degrees of shift are compared against known shift limits for acceptable (i.e.

Abstract: The amount of cheese curd such as cottage cheese curd which can be obtained from milk is increased by adding a caseinate to the milk and heating the milk to 180.degree. F. or higher before forming the curd. The amount of caseinate is preferably about 0.35 to about 0.5%. Calcium is preferably added to the milk to provide curd firmness, and a water-origin colloid gum may also be added. Yield increase results from substantially all whey proteins in the milk becoming part of the curd, rather than remaining in suspension and being lost when whey is drained from the curd.

Abstract: An audit monitoring system (10) is provided for use with any of a multiplicity of different coin operated vending machines (300). The audit monitoring system includes an interface assembly (102) for use in replacing an existing data link (330) within vending machine (300). The interface assembly (102) is coupled to an audit monitoring assembly (100) which interprets the communications signals transferred between a controller (310), coin changer (322) and bill validator (324) of vending machine (300). Audit monitoring assembly (100) is powered from a power supply (302) of vending machine (300) and includes interface circuitry (110,120,130) for receipt of digital logic level signals, serial data or relay logic signals from vending machine (300).

Abstract: An audit monitoring system (10) is provided for use with any of a multiplicity of different coin operated vending machines (300). The audit monitoring system includes an interface assembly (102) for use in replacing an existing data link (330) within vending machine (300) and interfacing with row and column conductors (306) of vending machine (300). The interface assembly (102) is coupled to an audit monitoring assembly (100) which interprets the communications transferred between a controller (310), coin changer (322), bill validator (324), and motor matrix (304) of vending machine (300). Audit monitoring assembly (100) is powered from a power supply (302) of vending machine (300) and includes interface circuitry (110, 120, 130, 180, 190) for receipt of digital logic level signals, serial data or relay logic signals from vending machine (300).