Abstract: A system and method for remotely managing content levels in one or more defined areas includes a computer system communicatively connected to one or more resident sensor units and controllers linked to devices such as content loading drive mechanisms and/or supply reordering modules. When a sensor reports that a content level is or will be lower or higher than desired, the computer system generates an alert and forwards the alert across a wireless communications network to a user's mobile device. The user may select a user command to send to the computer system, whereupon the computer system may selectively regulate the content levels in accordance with the response action or alternatively override the user command based upon one or more contextual determinations.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely managing grain levels in one or more silos includes a computer system communicatively connected to one or more light sensors and grain loading drive mechanisms and/or grain supply reordering modules. When a sensor reports that a grain level has fallen below a predetermined threshold, the computer system generates an alert and forwards the alert across a wireless communications network to a user's mobile device. The user may select a user command to send to the computer system, whereupon the computer system may activate one or more grain loading drive mechanisms and/or reorder grain from the associated supplier in accordance with the response action or alternatively override the user command based upon one or more contextual determinations, the grain loading drive mechanisms able to replenish the grain levels to optimal, above-threshold levels.

Abstract: Provided are multistage polymers that comprise (i) a first stage comprising a first copolymer having a first theoretical Tg, the first copolymer being derived from a soft ethylenically-unsaturated monomer, a phosphorus-containing monomer, and an acetoacetoxy monomer; and (ii) a second stage comprising a second polymer having a second theoretical Tg, the second polymer being derived from one or more hard ethylenically-unsaturated monomers. The multistage polymers can be in the form of multilayer particles that comprise (i) a first layer comprising the first copolymer; and (ii) a second layer surrounding at least a portion of the first layer comprising the second polymer. Also provided are aqueous compositions including one or more of the multistage polymers (or multilayer particles) described herein, as well as methods for making the multistage polymers (or multilayer particles) described herein.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely managing gas concentrations in gas-sensitive facilities comprises a computer system communicatively connected to one or more atmospheric sensors and ventilation systems. When a sensor reports that a predetermined threshold for a measured atmospheric condition has been exceeded, such as for atmospheric concentrations of ammonia, the computer system generates an alert and forwards the alert across a wireless communications network to a user's mobile device. The user may select a user command to send to the computer system, whereupon the computer system may activate one or more ventilation systems in accordance with the response action or alternatively override the user command based upon one or more contextual determinations, the ventilation systems able to reduce the atmospheric condition to optimal, sub-threshold levels.

Abstract: Provided are multistage polymers that comprise (i) a first stage comprising a first copolymer having a first theoretical Tg, the first copolymer being derived from a soft ethylenically-unsaturated monomer, a phosphorus-containing monomer, and an acetoacetoxy monomer; and (ii) a second stage comprising a second polymer having a second theoretical Tg, the second polymer being derived from one or more hard ethylenically-unsaturated monomers. The multistage polymers can be in the form of multilayer particles that comprise (i) a first layer comprising the first copolymer; and (ii) a second layer surrounding at least a portion of the first layer comprising the second polymer. Also provided are aqueous compositions including one or more of the multistage polymers (or multilayer particles) described herein, as well as methods for making the multistage polymers (or multilayer particles) described herein.

Abstract: A multifunction traffic control and information system of the present invention includes external condition sensors and various devices each having one or more display portions to display alphanumeric messages and a local communications module functionally linked to a local network. At least one device further includes a cellular communications module and a system controller. The controller receives a display data string including a message displayable by one or more of the devices, as transmitted from a remote source via a cellular network, determines at least one of the devices to display the message, and routes the message to at least one display portion associated with the one or more determined devices. The controller further generates a return data string based on external condition data sensed by the one or more sensors, and transmits the return data string across the cellular network to the remote source.