Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising an aqueous solution of a) a hydrophobically modified alkylene oxide polymer comprising a hydrophobic portion functionalized with a protonated secondary or tertiary amine or a quaternary ammonium salt and b) an acid and a salt thereof, which acid is phosphoric acid, nitrilotris(methylene)triphosphonic acid, hydrochloric acid, or sulfuric acid. The composition of the present invention is useful for the preparation of an associative thickener that can be stored for long periods, in the absence of ancillary biocides, without spoilage from biodeteriogenic attack.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve a transparent structure. The structure may include at least one light source, a transparent light-carrying guide layer optically coupled with the at least one light source. The structure may include refractive layers where a light absorbing feature is operably associated with the light-carrying guide layer to absorb any light not internally reflected in the light guide layer, at least adjacent the light source.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining application experience of a user. One embodiment presented herein includes a computer-implemented method, which includes receiving, at a computing device, eye tracking data of a user interacting with at least a first page of an application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the eye tracking data, at least a current user experience regarding the first page. The computer-implemented method further includes predicting, based on evaluating the current user experience, that the user is likely to discontinue use of the application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the prediction, an intervention that reduces a likelihood of the user discontinuing use of the application, and interacting with the user according to the intervention.

Abstract: Provided herein are peptidomimetic macrocycles containing amino acid sequences with at least two modified amino acids that form an intramolecular cross-link that can help to stabilize a secondary structure of the amino acid sequence. Suitable sequences for stabilization include those with homology to the p53 protein. These sequences can bind to the MDM2 and/or MDMX proteins. Also provided herein are methods of using such macrocycles for the treatment of diseases and disorders, such as cancers or other disorders characterized by a low level or low activity of a p53 protein or high level of activity of a MDM2 and/or MDMX protein.

Abstract: A fractionation system for removing heavy hydrocarbons in a gas stream. A stripping section receives a predominantly liquid phase of the feed gas stream. A co-current contacting system receives a predominantly vapor phase of the feed gas stream. The co-current contacting system includes a compact contacting bundle disposed within a vessel and including a plurality of substantially parallel contacting units, each of the plurality of contacting units having a droplet generator, a mass transfer section, and a separation system. Each droplet generator generates droplets from a liquid disperses the droplets into a gas stream. Each mass transfer section provides a mixed, two-phase flow having a vapor phase and a liquid phase. Each separation system separates the vapor phase from the liquid phase such that the concentration of heavy hydrocarbons in the vapor phase is lower than in the liquid phase.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for inferring or estimating user-related data for use with tax preparation software is disclosed. The method uses a computer that connects to the one or more remotely located data sources and executing a data capture utility, the data capture utility capturing at least some tax data pertaining to the user. The computing device executes an estimation module that receives the captured tax data pertaining to the user and generates one or more estimates and stores the one or more estimates in a data store associated with the tax preparation software, the data store configured to store user-specific tax data therein. The computing device executes a tax calculation engine of the tax preparation software configured to read the user-specific tax data contained in the data store and compute an intermediate or final tax liability or refund amount.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining application experience of a user. One embodiment presented herein includes a computer-implemented method, which includes receiving, at a computing device, eye tracking data of a user interacting with at least a first page of an application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the eye tracking data, at least a current user experience regarding the first page. The computer-implemented method further includes predicting, based on evaluating the current user experience, that the user is likely to discontinue use of the application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the prediction, an intervention that reduces a likelihood of the user discontinuing use of the application, and interacting with the user according to the intervention.

Abstract: Provided herein are peptidomimetic macrocycles containing amino acid sequences with at least two modified amino acids that form an intramolecular cross-link that can help to stabilize a secondary structure of the amino acid sequence. Suitable sequences for stabilization include those with homology to the p53 protein. These sequences can bind to the MDM2 and/or MDMX proteins. Also provided herein are methods of using such macrocycles for the treatment of diseases and disorders, such as cancers or other disorders characterized by a low level or low activity of a p53 protein or high level of activity of a MDM2 and/or MDMX protein.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining application experience of a user. One embodiment presented herein includes a computer-implemented method, which includes receiving, at a computing device, eye tracking data of a user interacting with at least a first page of an application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the eye tracking data, at least a current user experience regarding the first page. The computer-implemented method further includes predicting, based on evaluating the current user experience, that the user is likely to discontinue use of the application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the prediction, an intervention that reduces a likelihood of the user discontinuing use of the application, and interacting with the user according to the intervention.

Abstract: A fractionation system for removing heavy hydrocarbons in a gas stream. A stripping section receives a predominantly liquid phase of a feed gas stream. First and second co-current contacting systems are located in-line within a pipe. The first co-current contacting system receives a predominantly vapor phase of the feed gas stream. Each co-current contacting system includes a co-current contactor and a separation system. Each co-current contactor includes a droplet generator and a mass transfer section. The droplet generator generates droplets from a liquid and disperses the droplets into a gas stream. The mass transfer section provides a mixed, two-phase flow having a vapor phase and a liquid phase. The separation system separates the vapor phase from the liquid phase.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining application experience of a user. One embodiment presented herein includes a computer-implemented method, which includes receiving, at a computing device, eye tracking data of a user interacting with at least a first page of an application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the eye tracking data, at least a current user experience regarding the first page. The computer-implemented method further includes predicting, based on evaluating the current user experience, that the user is likely to discontinue use of the application. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, based at least on the prediction, an intervention that reduces a likelihood of the user discontinuing use of the application, and interacting with the user according to the intervention.

Abstract: Provided herein are peptidomimetic macrocycles containing amino acid sequences with at least two modified amino acids that form an intramolecular cross-link that can help to stabilize a secondary structure of the amino acid sequence. Suitable sequences for stabilization include those with homology to the p53 protein. These sequences can bind to the MDM2 and/or MDMX proteins. Also provided herein are methods of using such macrocycles for the treatment of diseases and disorders, such as cancers or other disorders characterized by a low level or low activity of a p53 protein or high level of activity of a MDM2 and/or MDMX protein.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for acquiring benefits qualification data includes obtaining a profile corresponding to the individual. The method also includes forming respective sets of unanswered questions in each completeness graph in a set of completeness graphs by running the profile against each completeness graph. The method further includes forming a union set of unanswered questions in the set of completeness graphs from the respective sets of unanswered questions in each completeness graph. Moreover, the method includes identifying a high priority unanswered question in the union set of unanswered questions using a prioritization algorithm. Each completeness graph corresponds to a respective benefit program.

Abstract: A computing platform identifies one or more characteristics of a user accessing application software or a software service via a user interface and a field to be filled or completed in the user interface of the application software or a software service. The computing platform further determines and presents, at one or more automatic fill or completion modules that are stored at least partially in memory and function in tandem with one or more computer processors in the computing platform, a list of one or more completion candidates in the user interface of the application software or a software service at least by performing one or more incremental searches based in part or in whole upon the one or more characteristics. The field is then populated with a completion candidate from the list of one or more completion candidates.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating an explanation for a benefit qualification status change over different benefit qualification periods includes a computing device executing a benefit calculation engine. The benefit calculation engine operates on first and second benefit completeness graphs from respective first and second benefit qualification periods to perform first and second benefit qualification status determination. The first and second benefit completeness graphs each describe data dependent benefit qualification operations including a plurality of interconnecting functional nodes connected by one of a plurality of functions. The method also includes the computing device identifying the differences among nodes within the first benefit completeness graph and the second benefit completeness graph.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for providing a notice regarding a benefit qualification status change includes receiving a change in a qualification requirement for a benefit program. The method also includes obtaining a completeness graph corresponding to the benefit program. The method further includes modifying the completeness graph based on the received change in the qualification requirement for the benefit program. Moreover, the method includes obtaining a profile corresponding to an individual. In addition, the method includes obtaining a first qualification status relating to the individual's qualification for the benefit program before the received change in the qualification requirement for the benefit program. The method also includes determining a second qualification status by running the profile against the modified completeness graph.

Abstract: A co-current contactor for separating components in a fluid stream, the co-current contactor comprising a first inlet configured to receive the fluid stream proximate to a first end of the co-current contactor, a second inlet configured to receive a solvent proximate the first end of the co-current contactor, and a mass transfer section configured to receive the fluid stream and the solvent and to provide a mixed, two-phase flow, wherein the mass transfer section comprises a surface feature along an inner surface of the mass transfer section configured to reduce film flow along an inner wall of the mass transfer section, and wherein the surface feature comprises at least one of a hydrophobic surface, a superhydrophobic surface, a porous wall surface, and a nonlinear surface irregularity extending radially inward or radially outward along the inner surface of the mass transfer section.

Abstract: A system for explaining added tax questions resulting from modified tax data for an electronic tax return preparation program includes a computing device having a completeness graph engine, an explanation engine, and a user interface controller. The computing device executes the completeness graph engine, which takes a first snapshot of input needs for a completeness graph corresponding to a tax topic, takes a second snapshot of input needs for the completeness graph corresponding to the tax topic after receiving modified tax data, and compares the first and second snapshots to identify an added variable in the completeness graph. An explanation engine analyzes the completeness graph and the modified tax data to generate an explanation asset for the added variable. A user interface controller generates a tax question corresponding to the added variable. The computing device presents the tax question and the explanation asset to a user.

Abstract: Systems, methods and articles of manufacture for preparing a tax return in which tax questions may be generated and presented to a user in an ad hoc manner. A tax system includes a computing device executing a tax program. The tax program can display a plurality of user interface presentations, such as interview or question screens, with tax questions asking the user to provide tax data related to a taxpayer for preparing a tax return for the taxpayer. The tax program allows the user to skip a tax question on a user interface presentation, and proceed with subsequent user interface presentations. When the tax program determines that a response to the skipped tax questions is required, the tax program dynamically generates a skipped tax question user interface presentation with the skipped tax question and presents it to the user.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method, comprising passing a fluid into a co-current contactor, passing a solvent into the co-current contactor, dividing the solvent into solvent droplets having a first average droplet size, placing the fluid in contact with the solvent droplets to create a combined stream, coalescing at least a portion of the solvent droplets to create solvent droplets having a second average droplet size, wherein the second average droplet size is greater than the first average droplet size, and separating the fluid and the solvent.