Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a cloud based computing system. The methods comprise: receiving, by a cloud server, a request for accessing Virtual Hard Disk (“VHD”) data associated with a first location in the VHD of a Virtual Machine (“VM”) hosted by a remote computing device; extracting, by the cloud server, at least a first address specifying the first location from the request; translating, by the cloud server, the first address into a second address specifying a second location in a cloud storage where the VHD data is stored; and communicating from the cloud server the second address to the remote computing device for facilitating access to the VHD data stored in the cloud storage.

Abstract: A method for operating a cyclically operating automation controller, the method being executed within a cycle time of the automation controller, wherein input data is read from input peripherals (1st Step), the input data is stored in a process image memory for inputs, a user program is launched (3rd Step), a plurality of program instructions generating output data based on the input data stored in the process image memory for inputs, the output data is stored in a process image memory for outputs after execution of the last program instruction, the output data from the process image memory for outputs is written to output peripherals, where data backup of remanent data is performed within a time window which opens upon completion of the 3rd step and recloses upon commencement of the 1st step.

Abstract: A medication analysis system maintains a database of medication profiles for users of medications, each medication profile being associated with a person and includes demographic information about the person and user experience information describing the person's experiences with one or more medications. An input from a user is received that requests information about a medication for a desired demographic. A cluster of medication profiles is identified from the database of medication profiles that include user experience information describing peoples' experiences with the medication. One or more satisfaction metrics are determined for the medication using user experience information in the identified set of medication profiles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional macroscopic patterns in liquid-crystalline coatings, patterned layers containing liquid-crystalline materials and produced by said method, and the use thereof in decorative and security products. In the method, the liquid-crystalline coating in a non-solidified state is brought into contact with a printing form for a relief printing method, with the result that depressions which are not deeper than 10 ?m arise in the coating.

Abstract: Binder compositions comprising as essential components at least one dispersion polymer P having a glass transition temperature ?20° C. and comprising ethyl acrylate in copolymerized form and also at least one mineral binder M exhibiting low VOC emission after curing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for scheduling batch jobs. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may receiving, at a progress engine, status information provided by a job scheduler controlling an execution of a plurality of jobs, the status information representative of the plurality of jobs of the batch job; receiving, at the progress engine implemented on at least one processor, reference information representative of past executions of batch jobs; determining, by the progress engine, a completion time for the batch job based on the received status information and the received reference information; and generating, by the progress engine, a page including the determined completion time. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medication analysis system maintains a database of medication profiles for users of medications, each medication profile being associated with a person and includes demographic information about the person and user experience information describing the person's experiences with one or more medications. An input from a user is received that requests information about a medication for a desired demographic. A cluster of medication profiles is identified from the database of medication profiles that include user experience information describing peoples' experiences with the medication. One or more satisfaction metrics are determined for the medication using user experience information in the identified set of medication profiles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a readily water-redispersible polymer powder by spray drying of an aqueous polymer B dispersion, wherein the spray drying of the aqueous polymer B dispersion is effected in the presence of a polymer A, wherein polymer A has a glass transition temperature ?60° C., a weight average molecular weight Mw?1000 and ?25000 g/mol, a polydispersity index ?5 and is composed of ?5 and ?50 wt % of at least one ?,?-monoethylenically un-saturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid and/or anhydride (monomer A1), and ?50 and ?95 wt % of at least one other ethylenically un-saturated compound which is copolymerizable with the monomers A1 (monomer A2), in polymerized form, wherein the monomer amounts A1 and A2 sum up to 100 wt %.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional macroscopic patterns in liquid-crystalline coatings, patterned layers containing liquid-crystalline materials and produced by said method, and the use thereof in decorative and security products. In the method, the liquid-crystalline coating in a non-solidified state is brought into contact with a printing form for a relief printing method, with the result that depressions which are not deeper than 10 ?m arise in the coating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of three-dimensional patterns in coatings which comprise flake-form effect pigments, to patterned coatings produced thereby and to the use thereof in decoration and security products.

Abstract: A method of deterring mammals comprising configuring an acoustic deterrent system to emit an acoustic signal having characteristics which repel the mammals by eliciting an acoustic startle response reflex in said mammals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for scheduling batch jobs. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may receiving, at a progress engine, status information provided by a job scheduler controlling an execution of a plurality of jobs, the status information representative of the plurality of jobs of the batch job; receiving, at the progress engine implemented on at least one processor, reference information representative of past executions of batch jobs; determining, by the progress engine, a completion time for the batch job based on the received status information and the received reference information; and generating, by the progress engine, a page including the determined completion time. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of three-dimensional patterns in coatings which comprise flake-form effect pigments, to patterened coatings produced thereby and to the use thereof in decoration and security products.

Abstract: A method is suggested for the simultaneous personalization of several portable data carriers (2) respectively having at least one integrated circuit (6) for storing and/or processing information. According to the invention a unidirectional protocol serves for transmitting an identical personalization signal to several portable data carriers (2). These detect personalization data on this basis and store them in the integrated circuits (6). Preferably adapter elements (100; 101; 102) are used, which can accommodate at least one data carrier (50) and which are equipped with first interfaces (140; 150) for communicating with a reading device (20; 21; 22) and with second interfaces (120) for communicating with the accommodated data carrier (2). In a variant the portable data carriers (1) are transported in a transport device (600) which, at least temporarily, electrically contacts the contact area (9) of the portable data carriers (2) by means of a contacting unit (604).

Abstract: A method of deterring mammals comprising configuring an acoustic deterrent system to emit an acoustic signal having characteristics which repel the mammals by eliciting an acoustic startle response reflex in said mammals.

Abstract: A method and system of deterring mammals is disclosed involving incurring an acoustic startle response comprising the steps of selecting a target order, family, genus or species to be deterred, selecting a received level that is a predetermined level above a representative hearing threshold of the targeted mammals, and, taking transmission loss into account, transmitting an acoustic signal at a source level required to create the selected received level at a predetermined distance from the transmission point. The acoustic signal may comprise frequency components at which the aural sensitivity of the targeted mammals is greater than that of selected other animals, preventing the disturbance of the selected other animals while deterring the targeted mammals. In addition, a secondary conditioning sound may be played prior to the main acoustic signal to condition the mammals to avoid the main stimulus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of comb polymers which have a carbon backbone which bears polyether groups of the formula A *—U—(C(O))k—X-(Alk-O)n—W??A wherein * indicates the binding site to the carbon backbone of the comb polymer, U stands for a chemical bond or an alkylene group with 1 to 8 C atoms, X means oxygen or a NR group, k is 0 or 1, n stands for a whole number, the mean value whereof, based on the comb polymer, lies in the range from 5 to 300, Alk stands for C2-C4 alkylene, where Alk within the group (Alk-O)n can be the same or different, W means a hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl residue or an aryl residue or means the group Y—Z, Y stands for a linear or branched alkylene group with 2 to 8 C atoms, which may bear a phenyl ring, Z stands for a 5- to 10-membered nitrogen heterocycle bound via nitrogen, which can have as ring members, as well as the nitrogen atom and as well as carbon atoms, 1, 2 or 3 additional hetero atoms, selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, wherein the nitrogen ring

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel comb polymers which bear poly-C2-C4-alkylene ether side chains A and functional groups B which at a pH of >12 are present in the form of anionic groups on a carbon backbone and also the salts of such comb polymers. The invention also relates to the use of these comb polymers as additives in preparations comprising a mineral binder. The polyalkylene ether side chains A have the following formula: *—U—(C(O))k—X-(Alk-O)n—Y—Z??A.

Abstract: A method and system of deterring mammals is disclosed involving incurring an acoustic startle response comprising the steps of selecting a target order, family, genus or species to be deterred, selecting a received level that is a predetermined level above a representative hearing threshold of the targeted mammals, and, taking transmission loss into account, transmitting an acoustic signal at a source level required to create the selected received level at a predetermined distance from the transmission point. The acoustic signal may comprise frequency components at which the aural sensitivity of the targeted mammals is greater than that of selected other animals, preventing the disturbance of the selected other animals whilst deterring the targeted mammals. In addition, a secondary conditioning sound may be played prior to the main acoustic signal to condition the mammals to avoid the main stimulus.

Abstract: A process for preparing free-radically polymerizable carboxylic esters by reacting ethyllenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, carboxylic anhydrides or carbonyl halides (referred to collectively as carboxylic acid component) with a hydroxyl compound composed of at least 60% by weight of C2 to C4 alkoxy groups (and referred to for short as polyalkoxy compound), which comprises said reacting taking place in the presence of a polymerization inhibitor and of a reducing agent.