Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multilayer coating system present on a substrate and including at least two coating layers L1 and L2 different from one another, namely a first coating layer L1 applied over at least a portion of the substrate, and a second topcoat layer L2 applied over the first coating layer L1, where the topcoat layer L2 is formed from a coating composition including at least one block copolymer containing a backbone and at least two blocks B1 and B2 and side chains S1 and S2 including different polymeric moieties M1 and M2. Also disclosed herein are a method of preparing said multilayer coating system, a coated substrate obtainable therefrom, and a method of using a coating composition including the block copolymer for improving, in particular for increasing, the chromaticity of the multilayer coating system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multilayer coating system present on a substrate and including at least three coating layers L1, L2 and L3 different from one another, namely a first pigmented coating layer L1 applied over at least a portion of the substrate, a second coating layer L2 applied over the first pigmented coating layer L1, and a third coating layer L3 applied over the second coating layer L2, where the second coating layer L2 is formed from a coating composition including at least one block copolymer containing a backbone and at least two blocks B1 and B2 and side chains S1 and S2 including different polymeric moieties M1 and M2. Also disclosed herein are a method of preparing said multilayer coating system, a coated substrate obtainable therefrom, and a method of using a coating composition including the block copolymer for improving the chromaticity of the multilayer coating system.

Abstract: Availability zone and region recovery are described. For an availability zone (AZ), a recovery availability zone (rAZ) may be identified based on available computing capacity of the recovery availability zone and geographic proximity of the availability zone relative to the recovery availability zone. In an instance in which the availability zone is impacted in which at least one of hardware and software of the availability zone is not fully operational, a virtual private cloud (VPC) is generated that establishes a peered connection between the availability zone and the recovery availability zone. A service is executed in the recovery availability zone, permitting any other services executing in the availability zone to invoke the service and become partially or fully operational.

Abstract: A system and method for creating, managing, and displaying 3D digital collectibles comprising a virtual, three dimensional, n-sided structure including a digital media file or set of digital media files representing an event rendered on a representation of at least a first surface thereof, and data relating to the event rendered on at least a second surface thereof and other content on one or more other surfaces, where the digital media file may be video clip of the event that can be played automatically via a media player associated with the display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for adding bitter flavor to beer and other beverages. The present invention concerns the use of compositions comprising compounds that are present in hop extracts or in beer and result from natural processes that occur during processing or storage (aging) of hops or beer. The present invention further concerns the use of suitable amounts of a composition comprising humulinones for adding bitter flavor to beer and other beverages.

Abstract: A system for augmenting 360-degree aspect monostatic radar cross section of an aircraft. The system may comprise a pair of pods mountable on opposing wing tips of an aircraft and each having a pod housing with an elongate body tapering forwardly to a nose and rearwardly to a tail. Each pod may comprise a forward SDL disposed within the nose, a rear SDL disposed within the tail, and a pair of mid-body SDLs disposed within a mid-section of the pod housing. The SDLs may be arranged within the pods to reflect radiation and provide coverage around the aircraft over a region of about 360 azimuth degrees. Each SDL may comprise radar absorbing material located on an interior reflective surface, and portions of the elongate bodies may be constructed of radome material. The SDLs may be Luneburg lens having diameters of at least approximately 8-inches.

Abstract: A gas detection device for a drum containing lithium-ion batteries, may include a sensing component configured to be received by a threaded port of a lid of the container, the sensing component including at least one sensor configured to detect a gas concentration and a temperature of the drum, and a controller configured to receive the gas concentration and the temperature from the sensing component, and issue an alert in response to one of the gas concentration and the temperature exceeding an associated predefined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for analyzing the maturity of one or more supply chain entities according to competencies of an omni-channel retailer. The one or more supply chain entities including a retail manager that assesses the one or more supply chain entities according to one or more competencies and determines one or more maturity gaps associated with the one or more competencies. The retail manger further identifies one or more transition projects that fill the one or more maturity gaps and roadmaps one or more transition activities that generate the one or more identified transition projects. The one or more supply chain entities further adjusts an inventory of one or more products at least partially based on the one or more roadmapped transition activities.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for analyzing the maturity of one or more supply chain entities according to competencies of an omni-channel retailer. The one or more supply chain entities including a retail manager that assesses the one or more supply chain entities according to one or more competencies and determines one or more maturity gaps associated with the one or more competencies. The retail manger further identifies one or more transition projects that fill the one or more maturity gaps and roadmaps one or more transition activities that generate the one or more identified transition projects. The one or more supply chain entities further adjusts an inventory of one or more products at least partially based on the one or more roadmapped transition activities.

Abstract: Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide an exemplary system and method for detection and surveillance of an infectious agent, and particularly an agent that is spread through respiratory aerosols. In an embodiment, the system and method include retrieving a face covering that contains oral and/or nasal, and/or skin secretions and/or skin flora on or within a material of the face covering, removing one or more samples of the material of the face covering that contains the secretions from the face covering, and depositing the one or more samples into a predetermined formulation.

Abstract: A system for augmenting 360-degree aspect monostatic radar cross section of an aircraft. The system may comprise a pair of pods mountable on opposing wing tips of an aircraft and each having a pod housing with an elongate body tapering forwardly to a nose and rearwardly to a tail. Each pod may comprise a forward SDL disposed within the nose, a rear SDL disposed within the tail, and a pair of mid-body SDLs disposed within a mid-section of the pod housing. The SDLs may be arranged within the pods to reflect radiation and provide coverage around the aircraft over a region of about 360 azimuth degrees. Each SDL may comprise radar absorbing material located on an interior reflective surface, and portions of the elongate bodies may be constructed of radome material. The SDLs may be Luneburg lens having diameters of at least approximately 8-inches.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system utilizes a multi-phase separation apparatus to separate gas entrained in hydraulic fracturing fluids during the blending process prior to introduction of hydraulic fracturing fluid into high pressure fracturing pumps by directing hydraulic fracturing fluids from a blender through a plurality of loops and thereafter, directing a portion of the separated fluid into a vortex cluster system.

Abstract: A gas detection device for a drum containing lithium-ion batteries, may include a sensing component configured to be received by a threaded port of a lid of the container, the sensing component including at least one sensor configured to detect a gas concentration and a temperature of the drum, and a controller configured to receive the gas concentration and the temperature from the sensing component, and issue an alert in response to one of the gas concentration and the temperature exceeding an associated predefined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for on-site remediation and sanitization of household items preferably uses a HEPA vacuum to remove surface microbials from the item being remediated. The item is then placed into a sealable plastic vacuum bag having a connection port that allows a vacuum to remove air from the bag, collapsing the bag over the item (which has first been braced to the extent necessary to prevent damage to the item). Once the air has been extracted from the vacuum bag air is introduced into the bag, preferably by using a blower, whereby a fogger can be used to introduce a remediating fog into the bag with the remediating fog surrounding the item. Next, the vacuum is used to again collapse the bag around the item, thereby infusing the remediating fog into the item. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the steps of inflating, fogging, and collapsing may be repeated one or more times to thoroughly infuse the remediating solution into the item, after which the item is removed from the vacuum bag.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer utilizes a unique forward acoustic transmission line comprised of a composite structure partially consisting of a portion of a continuous smooth sheet of material, such as an automobile bumper, from which the acoustic beam is emitted. This makes it invisible to sight, thus allowing for an improved object detection system in which the sensors cannot be seen, so that they do not interfere with the smooth lines that were designed into the surface of the object or vehicle onto which they are mounted. This is a significant improvement for applications where the look and style of the surface of the platform is important, such as in automotive park assist systems.

Abstract: An hybrid unmanned underwater vehicle comprises a body housing a controller; a vector thruster for propelling the body; deployable wings allowing the unmanned underwater vehicle to traverse by gliding as the unmanned underwater vehicle ascends and descends; a center-of-mass shifter for shifting a center-of-mass of the vehicle to allow the unmanned underwater vehicle to pitch up and pitch down; and one of a multi-stage buoyancy control system within the body and configured to adjust an apparent displacement of the unmanned underwater vehicle and an expandable outer shell configured to adjust an apparent displacement and therefore a buoyancy of the unmanned underwater vehicle.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for remediating environmental fungal sites in an environment to which a patient experiencing sinusitis and chronic rhino sinusitis brought on by fungal antigens is exposed. The formulation includes grapefruit seed extract, together with lemon, lime, and tangerine seed extracts. The method removes both air borne antigens and mold colonies from the environment.

Abstract: A drilling device for use in a wellbore may include a tubular casing member having an external surface, and a thread member positioned on the exterior surface of the tubular casing member. The thread member may form a spiral on the exterior surface of the tubular casing member. The thread member may have a pentagonal cross section. The thread member may have a pitched cross section. The thread member may have a triangular cross-section. The thread member may have a convex cross-section. The thread member may have a concave cross-section. The thread member may have a rectangular cross section.

Abstract: Using a feed backbone computer network, enables connection of counterparty customers in disparate Financial Information Exchange (FIX) networks, across IP network boundaries. The feed backbone network links consumer, database, management, and proxy computer systems with a FIX backbone computer network in turn connected to trading extranets via access centers. Proxy computer systems balance their shared message processing load, log message traffic, manage operational sessions, and collect and present aggregated feed information to client users, whether connected locally or to the trading extranets. A software proxy acts as a “middleman” between the two customer endpoints. Copies selected FIX messages to a multicast backbone for aggregation in a standard format. The entire network is centrally configurable and supports realtime operational status.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for remediating environmental fungal sites in an environment to which a patient experiencing sinusitis and chronic rhinosinusitis brought on by fungal antigens is exposed. The formulation includes grapefruit seed extract, together with lemon, lime, and tangerine seed extracts. The method removes both air borne antigens and mold colonies from the environment.