Abstract: Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions including at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising about 90 to about 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) about 10 to about 27 mole % 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) about 73 to about 90 mole % ethylene glycol residues; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.50 to 0.8 dL/g; and wherein the L* color values for the polyester is 90 or greater. The polyesters may be manufactured into articles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing latency during conference calls are provided. The method and system can involve a conference call coordinator that evaluates the regions of participants in the call each time a call is added or dropped and transfers the conference call to a media server in the appropriate region.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a ride system includes a turntable, a multi-axis motion device, and a control system. The multi-axis motion device may be mounted in a fixed position on the turntable. The control system may be configured to manipulate the turntable and the multi-axis motion device in synchronization with an environment of the ride system. In various embodiments, the control system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, where the memory is configured to store a ride experience command sequence. The processor may be configured to use a turntable motor controller to manipulate a turntable to execute a ride experience command sequence and use the motion device controller to manipulate a multi-axis motion device to execute the ride experience command sequence.

Abstract: A method for improving the performance of an image sensor array includes performing an electrical test on the image sensor array, generating a test image from the electrical test to detect an open circuit in a data line of the image sensor array, performing a laser-weld operation the data line to weld a portion of the data line to ground, re-testing the image sensor array to confirm a successful laser-weld operation, performing a laser-cut on a readout portion of the data line, and re-testing the image sensor array to confirm a successful laser-cut operation.

Abstract: Various embodiments herein each include at least one of systems, methods, software, and data structures for product identifier not-on-file imaging system and processing. Some such embodiments include solutions that automate capturing and communicating images of imaged items for which an item identifier (e.g., UPC DIGIMARC) cannot be located to facilitate correction and updating of product lookup databases to remove inefficiencies and sub-optimal experiences and realization at checkout. One such embodiment in the form of a method includes delivering, to a product pricing update location, an image of an item presented to a product scanner for scanning upon an occurrence of an item-not-on-file event indicating an unsuccessful price lookup database query performed with regard to an item identifier read by the product scanner from the presented item.

Abstract: A supply unit for a cleaning machine which can be connected via at least one flexible hose, has a heating device for heating water, a water pump for conveying water into or out of the heating device, a hot water and/or steam connector which is connected to the outlet of the heating device, a dirty water tank, a suction device, which preferably includes a suction turbine, for sucking dirty water from a dirty water connector into the dirty water tank. In a preferred embodiment the unit has at least one, preferably precisely one central, drive unit for driving at least one, preferably a plurality of or all components to be driven of the supply unit and/or of a cleaning machine to be connected to it.

Abstract: A work string assembly for an oil or gas well has a first and second tubulars, and a torque limiting device connected in the work string. The torque limiting device has a body with an axial bore and two interconnected members that can disconnect to be relatively rotatable. The interconnected members can be repeatedly re-engageable when the torque levels drop below a torque threshold value, or can be connected by a frangible member that is broken when the interconnected members disconnect. A selectively actuable circulation port provided in the string adjacent to and above the torque limiting device allows the annulus between the work string and the casing to be flushed with fluid from the port.

Abstract: A method and a circuit take a measurement of a sensor having first, second and third lead wires by: (a) providing first, second and third terminals for voltage measurements; (b) connecting a current sensing device (e.g., a reference resistor) to provide a signal at the third terminal that is indicative of the current in the third lead wire of the sensor; (c) connecting a first protective device between the first lead wire of the sensor and the first terminal; (d) connecting a second protective device between the second lead wire of the sensor and the second terminal; (e) connecting a first current source to the first lead wire of the sensor; (f) connecting a second current source to the second lead wire of the sensor; and (g) measuring a first voltage across the first and second terminals and a second voltage across the third terminal and the voltage reference.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes (a) an analog-to-digital converter operated according to a first clock signal; and (b) a charge pump circuit providing a negative power supply voltage to the integrated circuit, the charge pump circuit being operated according to a second clock signal having a frequency that is different from a frequency of the first clock signal, such that a noise level introduced by the charge pump into the analog-to-digital converter is less than the average noise level over a predetermined range of frequencies for the second clock signal. The integrated circuit may further include a clock divider circuit (e.g., a programmable clock divider) that generates both the first clock signal and the second clock signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of ethene by vapor phase chemical dehydration of a feed comprising ethanol, said process comprising contacting the feed with a supported heteropolyacid catalyst in a reactor, wherein the feed temperature is at least 250° C. and the pressure inside the reactor is at least 0.80 MPa but less than 1.80 MPa.

Abstract: Techniques are described for implementing a cloud computer system to provide access to a custom execution environment for execution of custom executable instructions. Users may be able to configure one or more different types of template execution environments, e.g., a virtual machine environment, each of which can be used to establish a type of custom execution environment. Users may configure the template execution environment with regard to settings, states, resources, permissions, or other criterion related to an execution environment. Upon request, a custom execution environment (e.g., a child execution environment) may be established for running one instance of a custom executable instruction. The custom execution environment may be based on the template execution environment. The custom execution environment may provide a secure, isolated environment for execution of a custom executable instruction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing p-n junction in semiconductor material such that small dimensions of such junctions are maintained, and associated lattice dislocations of such junctions may be preferentially maintained, and devices with such patterned semiconductor material, is disclosed. Typically, a neutron moderator is used to slow fast neutrons to thermal energies. A mask made from thermal neutron absorbing material, such as cadmium, is placed in close proximity to such neutron moderator. Thermal neutron focusing optics, such as compound refractive lenses, are used to collect and focus thermal neutrons emitted from the mask such that the pattern or portion of the pattern is transferred to the silicon body, with neutrons transmitted from the window areas in the mask and through the neutron optic so as to form the donor dopant concentration for the n-type regions by transmutation of silicon atoms into phosphorus.

Abstract: Methods of identifying potential skin moisturizing actives for the treatment of dry skin and method of formulating a moisturizing skin care composition using actives identified by the method. Moisturizing agents can be identified by comparing the transcriptional profile of a skin tissue sample contacted by a test agent to a negative or positive control to determine if the regulation of certain genes corresponds to the appropriate direction of regulation indicated by the control. Agents identified as skin moisturizing agents can then be incorporated into a skin moisturizing composition.

Abstract: Methods, articles of manufacture, and kits for calibrating fluid delivery systems are provided. A fluid delivery system connected to N input streams, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, mixes together fluid from the N input streams to form an output stream. The methods involve obtaining N test solutions, each containing a dye, providing optical absorbances of the test solutions at appropriate wavelengths, injecting the test solutions into the input streams, mixing the test solutions, and measuring the absorbance of the output stream at the same wavelengths. The methods also involve comparing the absorbances of the test solutions with the absorbances of the output stream, which can include calculating ratios and comparing the ratios with target values. The methods can further involve adjusting operation of the fluid delivery system based upon the absorbances. In some embodiments, the dyes have largely non-overlapping absorbance spectra.

Abstract: The apparatus is used for testing heat exchangers having mutually separate first and second flow paths. The apparatus provides a high pressure fluid source (10) to connect with a first pressure-sealed flow path of the heat exchanger under test. A volumetric sensor (VS) is connected to a selected pressure-sealed flow path, having a sensing chamber arranged to receive fluid from the selected flow path. The sensing chamber is connected to a further fluid source such as a compressed air reservoir (16) which provides a high pressure gas supply. Movement of a magnetic float within the sensing chamber is detected by an array of Hall effect sensors, enabling a CPU to calculate the rate of leakage between the two flow paths which may be signaled to a local display and/or alarm or remotely via an internet connection.

Abstract: This invention relates to chemical polymer compositions, methods of synthesis, and fabrication methods for devices regarding polymers capable of displaying shape memory behavior (SMPs) and which can first be polymerized to a linear or branched polymeric structure, having thermoplastic properties, subsequently processed into a device through processes typical of polymer melts, solutions, and dispersions and then crossed linked to a shape memory thermoset polymer retaining the processed shape.