Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypropylene composition comprising a multimodal propylene random copolymer with at least one comonomer selected from alpha-olefins with 2 or 4 to 8 carbon atoms, wherein the polypropylene composition has a melt flow rate MFR2 (2.16 kg, 230° C.) of 0.05 to 1.0 g/10 min, determined according to ISO 1133, a polydispersity index (PI) of 2.0 to 7.0, and a Charpy Notched Impact Strength at 0° C. of more than 4.0 kJ/m2, determined according to ISO 179/1eA:2000 using notched injection moulded specimens, a process for producing said polypropylene composition, an article comprising said polypropylene composition and the use of said polypropylene composition for the production of an article.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus serving as a master device and a plurality of local image processing apparatus serving as local devices are connected to one another via a network, and each of the devices includes an authentication information storage unit and an authentication unit. The master device stores, as master authentication information, authentication information necessary for an authentication on each of users who are able to use each of the devices, for each of the devices, and allows editing of the master authentication information. When the authentication information on the local device in the master authentication information is edited, the edited authentication information is transmitted to the local device, and the authentication information stored in local device is updated. When a user login operation is performed on the local device, an authentication is performed by using the authentication information in the local device.

Abstract: One or more braking event detection computing devices and methods are disclosed herein based on fused sensor data collected during a window of time from various sensors of a mobile device found within an interior of a vehicle. The various sensors of the mobile device may include a GPS receiver, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a microphone, a camera, and a magnetometer. Data from vehicle sensors and other external systems may also be used. The braking event detection computing devices may adjust the polling frequency of the GPS receiver of the mobile device to capture non-consecutive data points based on the speed of the vehicle, the battery status of the mobile device, traffic-related information, and weather-related information. The braking event detection computing devices may use classification machine learning algorithms on the fused sensor data to determine whether or not to classify a window of time as a braking event.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recognizing an obstacle using a laser scanner are provided. The apparatus includes a laser scanner that is installed at the front of a traveling vehicle and is configured to acquire laser scanner data configured of multiple layers in real time and an imaging device installed at the front of the moving object and is configured to acquire video data. A controller is configured to divide first laser scanner data item and second laser scanner data item acquired by the laser scanner into multiple layers to extract measurement data items each existing in the respective layers and is configured to compare the measurement data items in the same layer of the multiple layers to determine whether an obstacle is present ahead of the traveling vehicle. Additionally, the controller is configured to combine the laser scanner data reflecting whether an obstacle is present with the video data.

Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of efficiently producing an optically active 6-(3-aminopiperidin-1-yl)-2,4-dioxo -1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine derivative. The optically active piperidine-3-carboxamide or a derivative thereof, which is obtained by subjecting 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine -3-carboxamide or a derivative thereof to an asymmetric reduction in the presence of a catalyst, is used as an intermediate.

Abstract: A system and method of conducting a computer-based, simultaneous, multiple round, descending clock auction for basic generation services (BGS) includes receiving bids by an application server host application for processing bids according to auction rules, for tranche units of BGS products, calculating next round prices, and sending round results to bidders, the subsequent round prices and a notice of the number of tranches bid during the previous round and/or the amount of excess supply offered. When available to a bidder, an extension request may be automatically granted extending the duration of the round and allowing all qualified bidders to submit new bids, and thereafter deducting the number of extensions available to the bidder. When the number of tranches bid are equal to or less than a certain threshold for each of the products, the auction may end and bidders are awarded an ending price for each of the products won.

Abstract: The annular space surrounding a flow tube in a subsurface safety valve is sealingly isolated at opposed ends of the flow tube and pressure compensated to the tubing pressure. The subsurface safety valve is inserted and aligned in an outer housing so that hydraulic operating connections are sealingly aligned with opposite hand split ring seals that are properly compressed when the safety valve is secured in its surrounding housing. The assembly is then able to meet high pressure, heavy debris, and marine environment service requirements for subsea conditions with minimal reconfiguration for what would otherwise serve as a borehole subsurface safety valve.

Abstract: A liquid electrophotographic ink developer comprises a developer roller (112) rotatable about an axis, first and second electrodes (108, 110) proximate the developer roller (112) and an inlet chamber (100) extending along the axis from a first end adjacent an inlet opening (122) to a second end opposite the first end. A neck (104) forms an uninterrupted ink flow path from the inlet chamber (100) to the developer roller (112).

Abstract: A thermal system includes a plurality of thermal elements. In one form, each of the thermal elements define a resistor and a current limiting device. The plurality of thermal elements have at least a first subset of parallel thermal elements and at least a second subset of parallel thermal elements. The system also has a plurality of power lines connected to the plurality of thermal elements. The power lines are configured in pairs for providing power to a subset of the plurality of thermal elements that are connected in a parallel set. Each of the pairs of power lines share a common power line with an adjacent parallel set of thermal elements within a subset. Additionally, each of the current limiting devices in the adjacent parallel sets of thermal elements within a subset are opposed. The first and second subsets of parallel thermal elements share the common power line.

Abstract: Audio encoding methods/terminals, audio decoding methods/terminals, and audio codec systems are provided. A plurality of audio signals that are continuous is obtained. It is determined whether each audio signal of the plurality of audio signals includes a designated signal type, according to an audio parameter of each audio signal. A marked audio encoding stream is obtained by performing a marking to each audio signal as having or not having the designated signal type. The marking is used, at a decoding terminal, to perform an enhancement-process to one or more audio signals having the designated signal type. The enhancement-process is not performed to audio signals that do not have the designated signal type.

Abstract: A secondary brake for commercial vehicles using Magnetorheological (MR) fluid may include a rotor coupled to a transmission output shaft to be rotated together, a stator configured to be disposed between the rotor and a body of a transmission and having a cavity into which the MR fluid is filled and a portion of the rotor is received, and a stator coil provided in a portion of the stator and applying a magnetic field to the MR fluid so that braking torque is generated due to a shear resistance characteristic of the MR fluid.

Abstract: A blackjack game provides a side bet that the cards dealt to form the dealer's hand will match one of a predetermined set of winning poker hands. A blackjack hand is dealt to the player and a dealer, wherein each hand comprises a plurality of cards. The outcome of the blackjack hand is determined according to blackjack rules. The cards in the dealer's hand are then arranged to form a poker hand. Furthermore, the dealer's poker hand may be modified using cards selected from the player's hand into the dealer's hand to form the poker hand. Modification can be by substitution or addition of cards from the player's hand. The player wins the side bet if the dealer's poker hand matches one of a set of predetermined poker hands.

Abstract: A stringer and corresponding method is provided having a runout design that softens the stringer. According to one aspect, the stringer includes a base flange, a web, and a noodle. The noodle includes a unidirectional fiber top portion and a stacked laminate bottom portion coupled to the top portion. The bottom portion includes a number of stacks, each stack including three plies having three corresponding fiber orientations within an acreage region of the stringer. In a transition region of the stringer, the stacked laminate bottom portion includes a number of stacks, each stack including the first and third plies of the acreage region. According to another aspect, the base flange is softened by dropping plies within the transition region. Yet another aspect includes trimming the web down to the noodle, while trimming through the noodle according to a trim radius to a height proximate the base flange.

Abstract: A tube exchange device for holding and replacing refractory nozzle comprises a frame with a casting opening. The frame is configured to be fixed to the lower side of a metal casting vessel. The frame is has an upper portion and a lower portion joining at a middle section plane in which an inner nozzle and an exchangeable pouring nozzle form a sliding contact. The lower portion of the frame contains a displacing element and a guiding element disposed for displacing and guiding the nozzle from a standby position to a casting position, and a pressing element pressing the nozzle at the casting position towards the upper portion of the frame. In a combination of the tube exchange device and a nozzle, the nozzle comprises bearing elements mating with the clamping elements of the tube exchange device.

Abstract: Fabric care compositions comprising a cationic polymer, a silicone, and a surfactant system. Methods of making and using such compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are polyurethane golf ball compositions. The compositions are prepared by adding a UV absorber to a polyol prior to reacting the polyol with an isocyanate to form a prepolymer, or by adding the UV absorber to the prepolymer, which is then reacted with a curing agent to form the polyurethane.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a carbon-dioxide (“CO2”) sequestration system comprising a CO2 source, a process-water source, a membrane module, and a sequestration duct. The membrane module comprises a first section, a second section, and a membrane. The first section can be configured to receive gaseous CO2 at a first pressure from the CO2 source. The second section can be configured to receive process-water at a second pressure from the process-water source, wherein the first pressure is greater than the second pressure. The membrane can be positioned between the first section and the second section and can comprise a plurality of apertures configured such that the gaseous CO2 passes through the plurality of apertures and dissolves into the process-water to form a process-water-CO2-solution. The sequestration duct can be in fluid communication with the second section and configured to transport the process-water-CO2 solution to a sequestration site.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed towards calculating a remaining length of a cable on a cable reel. Generally, a first distance between a top edge of a first flange of the cable reel and a top portion of the cable remaining on the cable reel is received at a processor. A winding characterization indicating a configuration of the cable wound on the cable reel is also received at the processor. Dimensions of the cable reel are also received at the processor and include: a diameter of the first flange, a cable reel traverse distance, and a diameter of a drum of the cable reel. The cable reel traverse distance indicates a distance between the first and second flanges of the cable reel. The remaining length of the cable on the cable reel is calculated based on the first distance, the winding characterization, and the dimensions of the cable reel.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hybrid electric vehicle, a drive control method and a drive control device of a hybrid electric vehicle. The drive control method includes: obtaining a current gear position and a current operating mode of the hybrid electric vehicle, a current electric charge level of a power battery and a slope of a road where the hybrid electric vehicle is; determining whether the hybrid electric vehicle is within a taxiing start-stop interval according to the current gear position of the hybrid electric vehicle, the current electric charge level of the power battery, and the slope of the road; if the hybrid electric vehicle is within the taxiing start-stop interval, further obtaining a current speed of the hybrid electric vehicle; and causing the hybrid electric vehicle to enter a small load stop mode or a small load stall mode according to the current speed.