Abstract: A preform configured to form a carbonated beverage container. The preform includes a finish defining an opening. A body portion of the preform extends from the finish. A bottom portion of the preform is at an end of the preform opposite to the finish. A longitudinal axis of the preform extends through an axial center of the bottom portion. A base layer is included with the body portion and the bottom portion. The base layer has an inner portion with an inner surface at a carbonated product side of the preform. An outer portion of the base layer has an outer surface at an outer bottle side of the preform. A passive CO2 barrier layer is between the inner portion and the outer portion of the base layer. The passive CO2 barrier layer extends along the body portion to the bottom portion, and across the bottom portion. The passive CO2 barrier layer is arranged closer to the inner surface than the outer surface to increase the shelf-life of carbonated products.

Abstract: A system and method of threat detection using a pulsed polarimetric radar system using microwave range of frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum. The system uses a radar principle to transmit and receive the scattered response from the target. A time pulsed upconverted frequency system is used to sample the target over a specified radio frequency (RF) bandwidth. The full 2-port scattering matrix (comprising all co and cross s-parameters) is captured using only one antenna with an OMT and delay lines, that represent the target. Several decompositions are used to describe the polarimetric signature of the target. The system uses polarimetric approaches to measure scattering properties of anomalous object concealed beneath clothing. The co-polarized and cross-polarized signals are analyzed to determine if a person is carrying an anomalous object beneath their clothing.

Abstract: A closure for a container. The closure includes a carbon dioxide emitter, and a release rate control layer that is configured to control release of carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide emitter into the container when the closure is coupled to the container.

Abstract: Processes for producing a disubstituted oxalate are disclosed. The process includes contacting a cesium salt with one or more alcohols and carbon dioxide (CO2) under reaction conditions sufficient to produce a composition comprising a disubstituted oxalate.

Abstract: A preform configured to form a carbonated beverage container. The preform includes a finish defining an opening. A body portion of the preform extends from the finish. A bottom portion of the preform is at an end of the preform opposite to the finish. A longitudinal axis of the preform extends through an axial center of the bottom portion. A base layer is included with the body portion and the bottom portion. The base layer has an inner portion with an inner surface at a carbonated product side of the preform. An outer portion of the base layer has an outer surface at an outer bottle side of the preform. A passive CO2 barrier layer is between the inner portion and the outer portion of the base layer. The passive CO2 barrier layer extends along the body portion to the bottom portion, and across the bottom portion. The passive CO2 barrier layer is arranged closer to the inner surface than the outer surface to increase the shelf-life of carbonated products.

Abstract: A closure for a container. The closure includes a carbon dioxide emitter, and a release rate control layer that is configured to control release of carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide emitter into the container when the closure is coupled to the container.

Abstract: A system for and methods of processing non-traditional payment transactions on a traditional payment network is disclosed. More specifically, a payments system includes one or more payment program managers (PPMs), which are the providers of alternative payment products, in combination with one or more payment program processors (PPPs), which serve as processors for the PPMs. The PPMs and PPPs operate on a payment network, such as a traditional payment network. The payments system includes the utilization of traditional bank identification numbers (BINS) in order to process non-traditional transactions on a traditional payment network. Surrogate numbers are issued on BIN ranges to the non-traditional transactions in order to process them on the traditional payment network. Additionally, the payments system includes pricing structures that are associated with alternative payment products.

Abstract: Dendrimer conjugates for determining membrane retention level and/or pore structure, methods of determining membrane level/pore structure, and kits including dendrimer conjugates are disclosed.

Abstract: Dendrimer conjugates for determining membrane retention level and/or pore structure, methods of determining membrane level/pore structure, and kits including dendrimer conjugates are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for making and methods of using a hand-held nucleic acid amplification device, comprising a disposable biochip with a series of sample wells, each sample well having a novel optical arrangement that includes a light-emitting diode (LED) and a single light capturing element (e.g. a photodiode) for quickly measuring light emissions from biological samples such as nucleic acid amplification reactions. Such a device can utilize isothermal amplification for obtaining detectable yields of amplified nucleic acid product in short time periods, for example, within seconds.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for offering a consumer an opportunity to purchase one or more targeted products and/or services with a pre-approved credit instrument where the selection of one or more products is based on consumer related profile information, which may include previous spending habits, previous transactions and/or other information. Some or all aspects of an offer for the targeted product or service, which may include product type, offer delivery, pricing and payment terms, may be determined by various factors, such as the consumer's credit-worthiness, profile information and/or other information.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and a system for emulating a private label network over an open network where settlement occurs at varying discount rates with one or more merchants or providers. A computer implemented method and system for settling a transaction at a discount rate may include receiving an authorization record for the transaction initiated by a customer over an open payment network; identifying payment plan data associated with a transaction; creating a settlement record based at least in part on the authorization record and the payment plan data; determining a discount rate for the settlement record; and settling with a provider for the transaction at the discount rate.

Abstract: A system for and methods of processing non-traditional payment transactions on a traditional payment network is disclosed. More specifically, a payments system includes one or more payment program managers (PPMs), which are the providers of alternative payment products, in combination with one or more payment program processors (PPPs), which serve as processors for the PPMs. The PPMs and PPPs operate on a payment network, such as a traditional payment network. The payments system includes the utilization of traditional bank identification numbers (BINS) in order to process non-traditional transactions on a traditional payment network. Surrogate numbers are issued on BIN ranges to the non-traditional transactions in order to process them on the traditional payment network. Additionally, the payments system includes pricing structures that are associated with alternative payment products.

Abstract: A storage area network (SAN) of the type has a plurality of components including one or more digital data processors in communication with one or more storage devices via a switching fabric. An interface process, e.g., resident on a manager digital data processor, permits the operator/administrator to effect execution of at least a process residing on the manager and at least one process, such as a management application, residing on another SAN component.