Abstract: A system and method ranks funding sources to make payments according to user preferences, which may be both explicitly provided and learned, and the benefits and costs of using such funding sources, and displays the funding sources in ranked order, allows the user to select one or more funding sources, and makes the payment using the selected one or more funding sources.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the post-deployment performance of a web-based or other transactional server is disclosed. The monitoring system includes an agent component that monitors the performance of the transactional server as seen from one or more geographic locations and reports the performance data to a reports server and/or centralized database. The performance data may include, for example, transaction response times, server response times, network response times and measured segment delays along network paths. Using the reported performance data, the system provides a breakdown of time involved in completion of a transaction into multiple time components, including a network time and a server time. Users view the transaction breakdown data via a series of customizable reports, which assist the user in determining whether the source of the performance problem. Additional features permit the source to be identified with further granularity.

Abstract: An adjustable height, protective folding step is mounted into an existing receiver hitch of a vehicle, preferably a truck or sport utility vehicle. In the up position, the protective folding step is angled and preferably extends or appears to extend partially underneath the rear of the vehicle to create an integrated appearance. The mounting distance and support stability of the folding step enables it to provide significant protection to the vehicle bumper, both by being spaced away from the bumper and by having a top horizontal tubular extent that follows the bumper width and thus helps spread impact. Added advantage of adjustable vertical placement is had by providing a multiplicity of pivot apertures in a pivot locking plate so that users can adjustably install the protective folding step at the proper height with respect to a vehicle bumper, and in particular in a position which will avoid obscuring the vehicle's license plate.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and analyzing the post-deployment performance of a web-based or other transactional server is disclosed. The monitoring system includes agent components that monitor and report various performance parameters associated with the transactional server, such as response times seen by end users, server and network times, and various server resource utilization parameters. A web-based reports server displays the data collected by the agents through a series of charts and graphs that indicate whether correlations exist between the response times and lower level parameters. A root cause analysis system applies statistical algorithms to the collected data to detect performance degradations in specific parameters, and uses predefined parameter dependency rules to correlate high level performance problems to likely sources or causes of such problems.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and analyzing the post-deployment performance of a web-based or other transactional server is disclosed. The monitoring system includes agent components that monitor and report various performance parameters associated with the transactional server, such as response times seen by end users, server and network times, and various server resource utilization parameters. A web-based reports server displays the data collected by the agents through a series of charts and graphs that indicate whether correlations exist between the response times and lower level parameters. A root cause analysis system applies statistical algorithms to the collected data to detect performance degradations in specific parameters, and uses predefined parameter dependency rules to correlate high level performance problems to likely sources or causes of such problems.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and analyzing the post-deployment performance of a web-based or other transactional server is disclosed. The monitoring system includes an agent component that monitors and reports the performance of the transactional server over time as seen from one or more user locations. The performance data includes response times indicative of delays experienced by end users. Concurrently with the monitoring of end user performance, a server agent component monitors and reports server resource utilization parameter measurements. A web-based reports server displays the data collected by the two types of agents through a series of charts and graphs that indicate whether correlations exist between the response times and specific server resource utilization parameters. The collected data may also be analyzed using a root cause analysis system that detects performance degradations and identifies likely sources of such degradations.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the post-deployment performance of a web-based or other transactional server is disclosed. The monitoring system includes an agent component that monitors the performance of the transactional server as seen from one or more geographic locations and reports the performance data to a reports server and/or centralized database. The performance data may include, for example, transaction response times, server response times, network response times and measured segment delays along network paths. Using the reported performance data, the system provides a breakdown of time involved in completion of a transaction into multiple time components, including a network time and a server time. Users view the transaction breakdown data via a series of customizable reports, which assist the user in determining whether the source of the performance problem. Additional features permit the source to be identified with further granularity.

Abstract: The process applies to polymers obtained by a water-in-oil process, that is to say, a reverse emulsion process or a suspension process in reversible phase. The process of fixation of this type of polymer in or on a porous support is characterized in that it comprises the impregnation of the porous support with said reverse suspension or emulsion resulting from the polymerization reaction and the removal of solvent from the support. By said process, complexes are obtained which present improved absorption properties and offer a better holding of the product to the support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a net composed of a regular array of longitudinal ribbon-formed continuous filaments of a polymer substance, and a regular array of transverse stems of different polymer matter, said filaments being embedded in said stems, as well as to a process of producing such net from a sheet consisting of a regular array of longitudinal ribbon-like polymer filaments embedded in a polymer matrix, the filament polymer having a higher melting point than the matrix polymer, by transversely impressing said sheet at a temperature where said matrix is at least semi-molten and the filaments are solid, then splitting the structure.

Abstract: A laminated web for use as a roll towel comprises a sheet of plastics scrim 2 between two layers of tissue paper 1. The edge portions of the towel are reinforced with plastics tapes 3 and threads 4. The tapes 3 prevent tearing of the towel across its width while the threads resist bursting of the towel in the regions normally grasped by a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a net composed of a regular array of longitudinal ribbon-formed continuous filaments of a polymer substance, and a regular array of transverse stems of different polymer matter, said filaments being embedded in said stems, as well as to a process of producing such net from a sheet consisting of a regular array of longitudinal ribbon-like polymer filaments embedded in a polymer matrix, the filament polymer having a higher melting point than the matrix polymer, by transversely impressing said sheet at a temperature where siad matrix is at least semi-molten and the filaments are solid, then splitting the structure.

Abstract: Extrusion-die system comprising an extrusion slit (3) fed upstream by two flows of polymeric materials, one of which issues from one or several flat conduits (7,8), the other from a multitude of small holes (18) drilled into a bar element of generally T-shaped cross-section (5). The cross-section of element (5) has a punch-like configuration with the holes being fashioned therein in two parallel rows and being staggered from one row to the other. The die system permits manufacture of products comprising a network of threads or filaments sheathed in a film or foil.