Abstract: A technique is provided for wirelessly tracking valuable assets during transit via a tracking system. The tracking system includes an event sensor for generating a trigger signal upon sensing an event and a position sensing device for receiving positional information of an asset being tracked. The tracking system also includes a communication device for communicating a date, a time and received positional information to one or more monitoring stations upon being triggered by the trigger signal. The one or more monitoring stations process the information received from the tracking system to determine if the event is expected or an anomaly via an anomaly detection algorithm.

Abstract: A method of preparing block copolyestercarbonates wherein al one dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon moiety and at least one aromatic diacid chloride are reacted under interfacial conditions to give a hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate. The dihydroxy-substituted aromatic compound is used in about 10 mole to about 125 mole percent excess relative to the diacid chloride. Enhanced control of hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate molecular weight is achieved by limiting the amount of water present to provide a final salt level of greater than 30 percent. The final salt level is a theoretical value but is readily calculable. The hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate is then converted to a block copolyestercarbonate by reaction with a carbonate precursor such as phosgene.

Abstract: A method of preparing block copolyestercarbonates wherein at least one dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon moiety and at least one aromatic diacid chloride are reacted under interfacial conditions to give a hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate. The dihydroxy-substituted aromatic compound is used in about 10 mole to about 125 mole percent excess relative to the diacid chloride. Enhanced control of hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate molecular weight is achieved by limiting the amount of water present to provide a final salt level of greater than 30 percent. The final salt level is a theoretical value but is readily calculable. The hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate is then converted to a block copolyestercarbonate by reaction with a carbonate precursor such as phosgene.

Abstract: A method of objectively evaluating a surface mark provides an objective test methodology for the optical quantification of surface marks. The method may include the steps of reproducibly producing a surface mark on an object and optically evaluating the surface mark. The surface mark may be reproducibly produced by loading a stylus, contacting a surface on the object with the loaded stylus and moving the object and the surface thereon relative to the loaded stylus so as to thereby produce a mark on the surface. Any surface mark is optically evaluated by optically producing images of the surface mark, electronically capturing the optically produced images and measuring selected parameters of the captured optically produced images.

Abstract: Statistical models for quantifying and predicting human perception of scratches on automotive components are disclosed. Such models may be created by utilizing quantitative two-step moving scale surveys. Such surveys employ a continuous scale to model human perception and allow response bias and measurement error in survey data to be evaluated. Once survey data is collected, relationships between the visual perception of the scratches and the measurable optical properties associated with the scratches can be determined. Additionally, relationships between the visual perception of the scratches and the actual physical scratch dimensions can be determined. Thereafter, models for predicting the human perception of such scratches can be created therefrom. Since these models predict the results of such surveys, the need for repeatedly collecting survey data is eliminated. These models may also be used for predicting human perception of other items of interest.

Abstract: A method of objectively evaluating a surface mark provides an objective test methodology for the optical quantification of surface marks. The method may include the steps of reproducibly producing a surface mark on an object and optically evaluating the surface mark. The surface mark may be reproducibly produced by loading a stylus, contacting a surface on the object with the loaded stylus and moving the object and the surface thereon relative to the loaded stylus so as to thereby produce a mark on the surface. Any surface mark is optically evaluated by optically producing images of the surface mark, electronically capturing the optically produced images and measuring selected parameters of the captured optically produced images.

Abstract: A viscosity modifier comprising a low molecular weight block copolymer including A blocks and B blocks, wherein the A blocks comprise at least about 93 wt. % polyethylene and the B blocks comprise a copolymer of between about 40 wt. % to 75 wt. % ethylene and at least one other .alpha.-olefin; wherein the resulting block copolymer has an average ethylene content of between about 60 wt. % to 80 wt. %.