Abstract: Asphalt binders and methods for making and using same. In at least one specific embodiment, the asphalt binder can include a bitumen and a glyceride and fatty acid mixture. The glyceride and fatty acid mixture can include one or more triglycerides, at least 1 wt % of one or more diglycerides, and at least 5 wt % of one or more fatty acids, based on the combined weight of the one or more triglycerides, the one or more diglycerides, and the one or more fatty acids. The asphalt binder can be made by combining a bitumen and a glyceride and fatty acid mixture. A paving composition can be made by combining a plurality of solids and the asphalt binder. A road can include a plurality of solids mixed with the asphalt binder.

Abstract: A device configured to receive a first current status for a user account from the provisioning service device. The device is further configured to send a query to a plurality of data control devices to determine a second current status for the user account from the status logs of the plurality of data control devices. The device is further configured to determine the first current status for the user account from the provisioning service device does not match a second current status of the user account from a status log of a first data control device from among the data control devices. The device is further configured to update one of the status log of the first data control device and the provisioning service device in response to determining that the first current status for the user account does not match the second current status of the user account.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a part is characterized by obtaining data representing a distress rank model (DRM) and a cumulative damage model (CDM) for the part. Based on the data, the method ascertains a DRM value for the part and a CDM value for the part. The method determines whether the DRM value is at or above a predetermined DRM threshold and whether a CDM value is at or above a predetermined CDM threshold. If either the DRM value or the CDM value is at or above at least one respective threshold, an action related to the part is generated.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for testing the presence and/or activity of glutathione system components and thioredoxin system components during the manufacturing process of disulfide bond-containing proteins. Also disclosed are methods for mitigating reduction of disulfide bonds during the manufacturing process, and for lowering the reduction potential of disulfide bond-containing proteins. Provided are compositions, kits, and methods for mitigating reduction and diminishing reduction potential of disulfide bond-containing proteins during protein manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A device configured to receive a first current status for a user account from the provisioning service device. The device is further configured to send a query to a plurality of data control devices to determine a second current status for the user account from the status logs of the plurality of data control devices. The device is further configured to determine the first current status for the user account from the provisioning service device does not match a second current status of the user account from a status log of a first data control device from among the data control devices. The device is further configured to update one of the status log of the first data control device and the provisioning service device in response to determining that the first current status for the user account does not match the second current status of the user account.

Abstract: A device configured to receive a service request for modifying a user account. The device is further configured to add an entry in a service request log and in an event log in response to receiving the first service request. The device is further configured to apply the modifications instructions from the service request to a current status of the user account in a status log and to modify the current status of the user account in the status log. The device is further configured to determine a second data control device is associated with the user account. The device is further configured to determine the first set of service instructions based on the updated first current status of the user account, to generate a second service request that comprises the first set of service instructions, and to send the second service request to the second network device.

Abstract: A device configured to receive a first current status for a user account from a provisioning service device. The device is further configured to query a status log using to determine a second current status of the user account. The device is further configured to compare the first current status for the user account from the provisioning service device to the second current status of the user account in the status log, to determine the first current status for the user account does not match the second current status of the user account, and to update one of the status log and the provisioning service device in response to determining that the first current status for the user account does not match the second current status of the user account.

Abstract: A device configured to receive a service request for modifying a user account. The device is further configured to add an entry in a service request log and an event log in response to receiving the service request. The device is further configured to query a status log to determine a current status of the user account. The device is further configured to apply modification instructions from the service request to the current status of the user account to update the current status of the user account and to modify the current status of the user account in the status log. The device is further configured to identify a provisioning service device that is associated with the user account, to determine service instructions for the provisioning service device based on the updated current status of the user account, and to send the service instructions to the provisioning service device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for auditing business controls are disclosed. The system may receive or retrieve data from one or more data sources corresponding to a business control. The system may perform a direct analytic control test (ACT) or an indirect ACT on the data. The system may compare a direct ACT result or an indirect ACT result to an ACT threshold. The ACT threshold may comprise separate direct ACT thresholds and indirect ACT thresholds. Based on the comparison, the system may determine an operating effectiveness of the business control.

Abstract: A method of expert peer identification includes receiving, from a user, a request for an expert peer for an asset type, and obtaining asset interaction data relevant to the request including a list of assets, and, for each asset on the list, values for each of a set of pre-defined interaction categories for each worker that has interacted with the asset. The method further includes, for each asset on the list, respectively multiplying the interaction category values by a corresponding set of category weights to obtain a set of weighted interaction values, and, for each worker, processing the sum of their weighted interaction values to obtain an overall centrality measure. The method also includes selecting one of the workers as the expert peer based, at least in part, on their overall centrality measure, and identifying the expert peer to the user.

Abstract: A process for producing gaskets with an improved channel for use in matched syringe and plunger systems, preferably prefilled plastic syringe systems. In particular, an improved process for making and inspecting continuous channels in a gasket film by laser treatment. The gaskets are useful in matched syringe and plunger systems with high and consistent container closure integrity (CCI), and consistent break loose and glide forces over time, and sealability.

Abstract: An endoscope can include an elongated shaft that includes a distal tip and a displaceable distal region. The endoscope can further include a handle coupled to the elongated shaft and an actuator movable relative to the handle. The endoscope can further include at least one tensioning line extending through at least a proximal portion of the elongated shaft and through a portion of the handle, and the at least one tensioning line can be coupled to the displaceable distal region of the shaft and also can be coupled to the actuator such that movement of the actuator relative to the handle effects angular movement of the displaceable distal region. The endoscope can further include a locking mechanism that prevents angular movement of the displaceable distal region when the locking mechanism is engaged.

Abstract: A method of expert peer identification includes receiving, from a user, a request for an expert peer for an asset type, and obtaining asset interaction data relevant to the request including a list of assets, and, for each asset on the list, values for each of a set of pre-defined interaction categories for each worker that has interacted with the asset. The method further includes, for each asset on the list, respectively multiplying the interaction category values by a corresponding set of category weights to obtain a set of weighted interaction values, and, for each worker, processing the sum of their weighted interaction values to obtain an overall centrality measure. The method also includes selecting one of the workers as the expert peer based, at least in part, on their overall centrality measure, and identifying the expert peer to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are plunger assemblies including various convertible plungers and methods of making the same. Each plunger assembly is configured for disposition within a barrel of a medical container, e.g., a syringe, and displaced within the barrel from an engagement position to a release position. The engagement position is configured to provide a compression seal between a storage sealing section of the plunger and an inner wall of the syringe barrel. In the release position, the compression seal is reduced or eliminated. Also disclosed are methods for making convertible plungers and assembling them into syringes, e.g., pre-filled syringes.

Abstract: An improved vehicle propulsion system using a hybrid variable reluctance motor (VRM) system which allows for: diversified power sources for typical roadway vehicles, and gradual fleet and roadway implementation. In one embodiment, all of the components that are required for a typical vehicle to use the hybrid VRM system can be intergraded in a non-obstructive manner into typical vehicle components. In one embodiment, the vehicle operator selectively determines the amount of propulsive energy that comes from the on-board engine and the amount that comes from the VRM system.

Abstract: A transmission comprising an input shaft connectable to a power generation device such that the input shaft is rotatable at a power input rotational speed, an output shaft connectable to a driveline of the vehicle, and a plurality of gear sets selectable to operably connect the input shaft to the output shaft providing a rotational speed reduction ratio therebetween. The gear sets comprise a master active gear set having a master gear ratio, a slave active gear set having a slave gear ratio, and a passive gear set having a passive gear ratio. The passive gear set is operable to selectively engage the master and slave active gear sets to provide the high numeric compound ratio rotational speed reduction that is the product of the master active gear ratio, the slave active gear ratio and the passive gear ratio.

Abstract: Present technology is directed to a system and method for implementing an offline scheme to automatically and efficiently transform a set of conventional IP-based Access Control Entries in a supplied configuration into compressed form that can then be represented as Object-Group based Access Control Entries. The compression is performed on contiguous blocks of the supplied Access Control List having a common prescribed filtering access. The compression is performed by iteratively selecting a data field with mismatching data values across the ACEs and merging the data values into a corresponding data field of the output ACE. The common values of other data fields are then imported to the corresponding data fields of the output ACE. The process is repeated in an iterative manner by assigning a different data field as the selected data field for each iteration round.

Abstract: Disclosed are plunger assemblies which include a plunger sleeve, a plunger rod and an axial protrusion disposed within an inner cavity of the plunger sleeve. Application of a distal force onto the plunger via the plunger rod causes the axial protrusion to contact and apply pressure to an engagement surface in the inner cavity. The engagement surface is configured to receive distal force from the end of the axial protrusion. This causes the plunger to elongate and slightly constrict, thus reducing break loose force and facilitating transition from storage mode to dispensing mode of the plunger.

Abstract: A magnetorheological damper, wherein the damper comprises a housing that is at least partially filed with a magnetorheological fluid, and a magnetorheological valve disposed within the housing. The valve includes a magnetically permeable core having at least one coil reservoir formed therein, and at least one conductor coil, wherein each conductor coil is disposed around a portion of the core within a respective one of the coil reservoir(s). The valve additionally includes a fluid flow path adjacent the conductor coil(s). The fluid flow path is structured and operable to allow the magnetorheological fluid to flow adjacent the conductor coil(s). The valve further includes at least one coil cover, wherein each coil cover is disposed over a respective one of the coil(s) such that the respective coil is protected from exposure to magnetorheological fluid flowing through the fluid flow path.