Abstract: Active metal and active metal intercalation electrode structures and battery cells having ionically conductive protective architecture including an active metal (e.g., lithium) conductive impervious layer separated from the electrode (anode) by a porous separator impregnated with a non-aqueous electrolyte (anolyte). This protective architecture prevents the active metal from deleterious reaction with the environment on the other (cathode) side of the impervious layer, which may include aqueous or non-aqueous liquid electrolytes (catholytes) and/or a variety electrochemically active materials, including liquid, solid and gaseous oxidizers. Safety additives and designs that facilitate manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: Active metal fuel cells are provided. An active metal fuel cell has a renewable active metal (e.g., lithium) anode and a cathode structure that includes an electronically conductive component (e.g., a porous metal or alloy), an ionically conductive component (e.g., an electrolyte), and a fluid oxidant (e.g., air, water or a peroxide or other aqueous solution). The pairing of an active metal anode with a cathode oxidant in a fuel cell is enabled by an ionically conductive protective membrane on the surface of the anode facing the cathode.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting ADR swaps is disclosed where ADR swap requests are read into a queue. The swap requests are then matched by security type. For example, a swap request can be made to exchange ADRs in a first security for underlying shares in the same security. The matching swap requests are then executed and the ADRs and underlying shares are exchanged.

Abstract: A method for generating customized alerts related to the procurement, sourcing, strategic sourcing and/or sale of one or more items by an enterprise is disclosed. The method is based on a Value Chain Intelligence (VCI) system that enables suppliers and procurement professionals to leverage enterprise and marketplace data in order to potentially improve decision-making in business enterprises. Accordingly, internal data from enterprises and external data from suppliers, catalogs, and marketplaces are integrated and analyzed in real time for their impact on supply chains processes. When an event occurs or data is received potentially affecting decisions regarding the procurement, sourcing, strategic sourcing, and/or sale of one or more items, the system correlates the data with predetermined conditions, which, when satisfied, trigger one or more software modules to send alerts to specified users about the potential impact of the event and/or data on the particular item/s.

Abstract: A method for automatically invoking a software module in response to an internal or external event affecting the purchase or sale of an item is disclosed. The method is based on a Value Chain Intelligence (VCI) system that enables suppliers and procurement professionals to leverage enterprise and marketplace data in order to potentially improve decision-making in business enterprises. Accordingly, internal data from enterprises and external data from suppliers, catalogs, and marketplaces are integrated and analyzed in real time for their impact on supply chains processes. When an internal or external event occurs, directly affecting the purchase and/or sale of an item, and/or decisions regarding procurement, sourcing, strategic sourcing, and other business processes, the system understands the event, correlates the event with the aforementioned processes, automatically invokes one or more software modules, which make recommendations and send alerts to users about the potential impact of such an event.

Abstract: A method for assisting a user with procurement decisions, sourcing decisions and strategic sourcing decisions in an enterprise is disclosed. The method implements a plurality of software modules in a logical workflow process based on the results of integrating and analyzing data. The workflow process provides a plurality of steps for discovering data, analyzing data, alerting the user about the data, recommending actions to the user based on the data, and executing those actions. The workflow process is based on a Value Chain Intelligence (VCI) system, which integrates and analyzes internal data from enterprises and external data from suppliers, catalogs, and marketplaces in real time for their impact on supply chains processes. Components for such a system may consist of internal data collection components, external data collection components, data integration components, and data application components.

Abstract: A system and methods based thereon for a Value Chain Intelligence (VCI) system that enables suppliers and procurement professionals to leverage enterprise and marketplace data in order to potentially improve decision-making in business enterprises. In this system, internal data from enterprises and external data from suppliers, catalogs, and marketplaces are integrated and analyzed in real time for their impact on supply chains processes. The VCI system makes recommendations and alerts users based on the results of the integrated and analyzed data. Components in a VCI system may consist of internal data collection components, external data collection components, data integration components, and data application components. The system provides a plurality of methods for searching, extracting, transforming, integrating, analyzing, and representing data internal to an enterprise and data external to an enterprise.

Abstract: A flashing for a roof top vent pipe includes a frusto-conical shield member to enclose a portion of the vent pipe and a support base with a central longitudinal axis extending lateral longitudinaly thereof for mounting and securing upon the roof top. An annular upper portion of the shield member sealingly engages around the vent pipe. A pair of laterally spaced elongated stiffener beads extend along the under side of the base upon opposite sides of the longitudinal axis in engagement with the rooftop for stiffening and reinforcing the base at its exposed forward edge against upward bending and flexing under wind pressure to exclude water and debris.