Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are for high throughput object handling and X-Ray screening systems. Material handling systems can adopt the proposed system to assist with the transportation of objects into X-Ray screening machines populated with lead curtains to curtail radiation emissions. The lead curtains associated with X-Ray screening machines can cause numerous problems to the safe and secure transportation of the objects. The systems and methods proposed control several aspects of the object handling to overcome the problems associated with the lead curtains. The system and methods results in the increase of system throughput, improved efficiency, reduction in line stoppages and general wear and tear. Systems can include a smart conveyor that assists objects through lead curtains using flights that are raised behind the trailing edge of the objects. The system can include smart conveyors and control systems that communicate with the X-Ray machine regarding the identity and status of the objects.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered cells and methods for engineering cells to deliver a therapeutic agent, e.g., a small molecule, peptide or other drug, to a cell or tissue to be treated.

Abstract: Provided herein are engineered cells and methods for engineering cells to deliver a therapeutic agent, e.g., a small molecule, peptide or other drug, to a cell or tissue to be treated.

Abstract: An ion exchange polymer is provided. The ion exchange polymer is a reaction product of a reaction between a crosslinker monomer and a cationic monomer. The crosslinker monomer is a reaction product of a reaction between a first crosslinking monomer and a second crosslinking monomer. Further, the cationic monomer comprises a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making an ion exchange polymer is also provided. The method comprises a step of preparing a curable solution and a step of curing the curable solution. The step of preparing the curable solution comprises mixing a pair of crosslinking monomers, a cationic monomer that comprises a quaternary ammonium group and an acid. A membrane is also provided. The membrane comprises the ion exchange polymer made by the method provided.

Abstract: Various of the disclosed embodiments generally contemplate computer-implemented systems and methods for selecting an electronic or virtual gift card from among a plurality of possible gift cards or gift card issuers. Various of the embodiments may match and rank the gift cards according to a gift card recipient's characteristics, and possibly to the electronic or virtual gift card itself. Certain embodiments also contemplate the selection of physical gift cards selection, matching, and ranking aspects of the invention. Various methods for operating a gift card business using certain of the embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel 6,7-dihydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazin-4(5H)-one derivatives as negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2 (“mGluR2”). The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, to processes for preparing such compounds and compositions, and to the use of such compounds and compositions for the prevention or treatment of disorders in which the mGluR2 subtype of metabotropic receptors is involved.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrodialysis stack that may be used for the treatment of an electrically conductive solution. The stack includes two electrodes (at least one is a recessed electrode), a plurality of ion-transport membranes and stack spacers. The membranes and spacers are arranged between the electrodes to define electrodialysis cell pairs. The stack includes an electrically insulated zone that extends substantially from a distribution manifold past the recessed edge of the electrode and substantially from the recessed electrode to the opposite electrode for a distance that is about 8% to 100% of the total distance between the electrodes. The overlap distance that the electrically insulated zone extends past the recessed edge of the electrode is calculated as: distance in cm=(0.062 cm?1)*(exp(?60/total cp)*(area in cm2 of the manifold ducts of the concentrated stream at the recessed edge) +/?10%.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a polymerizing method where (i) an ionic crosslinker that includes a quaternary ammonium group and (ii) a non-ionic crosslinker, is polymerized in a reaction solution whose solvent is substantially a mixture of propylene glyocol (PG) and an aprotic amide-based solvent. The polymerization makes an anion-exchange polymer composition. The PG and the aprotic amide-based solvent are present in a weight ratio of from about 25:75 to about 70:30, and the reactants and solvents are present in amounts to generate the anion-exchange polymer composition with a theoretical water content from about 35% to about 60% (wt/wt).

Abstract: An ion exchange polymer is provided. The ion exchange polymer is a reaction product of a reaction between a crosslinker monomer and a cationic monomer. The crosslinker monomer is a reaction product of a reaction between a first crosslinking monomer and a second crosslinking monomer. Further, the cationic monomer comprises a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making an ion exchange polymer is also provided. The method comprises a step of preparing a curable solution and a step of curing the curable solution. The step of preparing the curable solution comprises mixing a pair of crosslinking monomers, a cationic monomer that comprises a quaternary ammonium group and an acid. A membrane is also provided. The membrane comprises the ion exchange polymer made by the method provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of producing a cation exchange polymer, the method includes polymerizing an anionic monomer in the presence of a polymerizable crosslinker having a cationic functional group. A sufficient amount of anionic monomer is used to provide both the anionic charges necessary for cation exchange, and the anionic charges necessary to pair with the cationic functional groups in the crosslinker.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds, in particular novel pyridinone derivatives according to Formula (I) wherein all radicals are as defined in the application and claims. The compounds according to the invention are positive allosteric modulators of metabotropic receptors—subtype 2 (“mGluR2”) which are useful for the treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with glutamate dysfunction and diseases in which the mGluR2 subtype of metabotropic receptors is involved. In particular, such diseases are central nervous system disorders selected from the group of anxiety, schizophrenia, migraine, depression, and epilepsy. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions and processes to prepare such compounds and compositions, as well as to the use of such compounds for the prevention and treatment of such diseases in which mGluR2 is involved.

Abstract: An ion conductive spacer for use in an electrodialysis reversal stack is disclosed, which includes a plastic netting and a polymeric coating coated on the plastic netting and containing charged groups. The morphology of the polymeric coating has interconnected ionic clusters which allow continuous and macroscopic ion transportation throughout a surface of the plastic netting. An electrodialysis reversal stack using the above ion conductive spacer and a process for preparing the above ion conductive spacer are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ion-exchange membrane is disclosed here including ion-permeable layers impregnated with an ion-exchange material and arranged in an order from one face of the membrane to the opposite face of the membrane such that opposing layers in the supporting membrane substrate provide sufficiently identical physical properties to substantially avoid irregular expansion when in a salt solution. The ion-permeable layers including at least one non-woven layer and at least one reinforcing layer.

Abstract: A measurement configuration of a remote sensing device for use in implementing a remote sensing measurement campaign is improved. One method includes adjusting a scan geometry configuration of the remote sensing device during the measurement campaign based on measurement data acquired in a previous scan geometry configuration. In another method, the remote sensing device is configured in a scan geometry configuration having a plurality of scan geometries, and following acquisition of a measurement data set by the remote sensing device at a first time interval, one of the scan geometries indicative of an improved or optimal scan geometry at the first time interval is selected. The remote sensing device forms part of a remote sensing system and includes an optical source emitting a probe as a light beam along different lines of sight. The remote sensing device includes or is operatively associated with a receiver for detecting the reflected probe.

Abstract: A compound represented by the general formula (1) is useful as a light emitting material. In the general formula (1), Ar1 to Ar3 represent an aryl group, provided that Ar2 and Ar3 are the same as each other, and at least one of Ar1 to Ar3 represents an aryl group substituted with a group represented by the general formula (2). In the general formula (2), R1 to R8 represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; Z represents O, S, R9—N, (R10) (R11)C, or (R12) (R13)Si; and R9 to R13 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-yl derivatives as inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 2 (PDE2). The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, to processes for preparing such compounds and compositions, and to the use of such compounds and compositions for the prevention and treatment of disorders in which PDE2 is involved, such as neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Abstract: An ion exchange polymer composition is provided, which includes a primary crosslinker and a secondary crosslinker. The primary crosslinker includes a crosslinked ionic monomer including a quaternary ammonium group. A method for making the ion exchange polymer composition and materials prepared from the ion exchange polymer composition are also provided.

Abstract: This specification describes an ion exchange membrane and a method of making it. The membrane may be used, for example, in an electrodialysis module or electrochemical cell. The membrane comprises an ion exchange polymer and inorganic particles preferably linked to the ion exchange polymer. To make a membrane, inorganic particles are mixed into an ion exchange membrane pre-cursor. A polymerization initiator or catalyst is then added and the resulting mixture is placed in a form and cured. The inorganic particles may comprise, for example, an oxidized form of graphite such as graphite oxide. The ion exchange polymer may comprise an ionic monomer, containing a quaternary ammonium group for anion exchange or a sulfonate group for cation exchange, along with a crosslinking co-monomer containing polymerizable diacrylic functionalities. The membrane is self-supporting and can be made without a supporting fabric.

Abstract: A self-supported ion exchange membrane including a polymerized and crosslinked monomer, where the monomer includes: a least one ionic group, a polymerized group, and a silicate group; and a polymer chemically bonded to crosslinked monomer through the silicate group.