Abstract: A method for preparing a polymer-organoclay composite composition comprises combining a solvent and an unexfoliated organoclay to provide a first mixture, wherein the unexfoliated organoclay comprises alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, and has an initial spacing between the silicate layers; exposing the first mixture to an energized condition of a sufficient intensity and duration to increase the initial spacing of the inorganic silicate layers, to provide a second mixture; contacting the second mixture with a polymer composition so that the polymer composition fills at least one region located between at least one pair of silicate layers, wherein the polymer composition is at least partially soluble in the solvent; and removing at least a portion of the solvent from the second mixture, wherein the inorganic silicate layers remain separated by the polymer after removal of the solvent.

Abstract: A method for advanced condition monitoring of an asset system includes monitoring a variable of an asset system using the at least one sensor of a smart sensor system; determining whether the asset system has departed from normal operation; and identifying the variable of the asset system indicating the departure from normal operation. In another method, the time sequential values of the monitored variable is analyzed by using a Rank Permutation Transformation test, a Hotelling's T2 statistic test, and a Likelihood Ratio Test; and a change of an operating condition of the asset system is determined using the analyzed values. An alert is provided if necessary. A smart sensor system includes an on-board processing unit for performing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a log-full condition of a transaction log in a transaction processing system are provided. The transaction log has a plurality of log records each associated with a particular transaction. When a log-full condition is detected, the active transaction having the oldest log entry of all active transactions is identified and logging for all transactions except for the identified transaction is temporarily suspended. A dynamic transaction backout of the identified transaction is initiated, with the writing of a backout record for the identified transaction to the log being delayed. The method waits for confirmation that the backout has completed before trimming the log. Then the delayed backout record for the identified transaction is written to the log and normal logging is resumed.

Abstract: An optical article with a plurality of optically detectable marks on a first surface of the optical article, wherein a mark of the plurality of marks has a thickness of less than or equal to about 1 micrometer, and wherein the plurality of optically detectable marks have uniform thickness.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for initializing one or more components of a system, the system comprising an integrated circuit that comprises at least one processor, are disclosed. A method includes initializing at least one component of the system, determining a temperature of the integrated circuit using a temperature sensing device embedded on the integrated circuit, comparing the determined temperature to a predetermined suitable temperature operating range of at least one additional component to yield a comparison result, and initializing the at least one additional component based on the comparison result. The at least one additional component may be initialized on the condition that the determined temperature of the integrated circuit is within the predetermined suitable temperature operating range of the at least one additional component.

Abstract: A multiple option beverage dispenser, having a spigot, for gravitationally dispensing a liquid beverage from standard recyclable plastic bottle containers, having standard screwed necks, available commercially. The instant invention called “Multiple Beverage Dispenser with Spigot” is a two piece device, preferably injection molded of preferred plastic construction, for economy of production. The heart of the instant inventions' design comprises a multi-tiered female threaded bottle receiver, a fluid chamber, and a tubular discharge end having a standard male threaded coupling and seal, and a manually operated spigot having a standard female threaded coupling for assembly to said male threaded coupling. The instant invention is designed as companion equipment when installed into a wide variety of commercially produced host ice cooler/chests having dispensing spigots, or that spigots may be added (retro-fitted), providing a unique scope of utility, size, durability, and appearance.

Abstract: System, device and methods that provide proximate environmental and security intelligence to a guard making a security tour or round in an installation, as well as that provide for certifying that the guard has visited designated and known checkpoints on or about the times at which the guard is expected at those checkpoints.

Abstract: An optical article comprising a mark disposed on the optical article; wherein the mark comprises an optical state change material; wherein the optical state change material undergoes a change in its optical state when exposed to an activation signal selected from one or more of a laser, thermal energy, infrared rays, X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet light, ultrasound waves, radio frequency waves, electrical energy, chemical energy, magnetic energy, and mechanical energy; wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an activated state when an authorized activation method is used; and wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an incorrectly activated state when an unauthorized activation method is used. A method and a system for changing the functionality of the optical article are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating the effluent from a hydrocarbon pyrolysis unit processing heavier than naphtha feeds to recover heat and remove tar therefrom. The method comprises passing the gaseous effluent to at least one primary transfer line heat exchanger, thereby cooling the gaseous effluent and generating superheated steam. Thereafter, the gaseous effluent is passed through at least one secondary transfer line heat exchanger having a heat exchange surface with a liquid coating on said surface, thereby further cooling the remainder of the gaseous effluent to a temperature at which tar, formed by the pyrolysis process, condenses. The condensed tar is then removed from the gaseous effluent in at least one knock-out drum. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A system for treating abnormalities of the cardiovascular system includes a stent having a plurality of movable crown portions. When the stent is expanded, the crown portions move to a diameter recoil prevention position. One embodiment of the invention includes crown portions that translate from a concave to a convex configuration with respect to the strut portions of the stent during expansion of the stent. Another embodiment of the invention includes a method reducing diameter recoil of stent upon expansion of the stent.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) have been found to be useful as inhibitors of DDAH.

Abstract: A delivery system for an endoprosthesis includes a spindle having a spindle body and spindle pins extending radially outward from the spindle body. The delivery system further comprises a tip comprising a sleeve, the spindle pins extending from the spindle body toward the sleeve. The endoprosthesis includes a proximal anchor stent ring having spindle pin catches and anchor pins. The spindle pins of the spindle extend into the spindle pin catches and the sleeve radially constrains the anchor pins.

Abstract: An optical article for playback in a player includes a plurality of optically detectable marks disposed on a surface of the optical article; wherein the plurality of optically detectable marks are in a pre-determined combination of a first state and a second state; and at least one first control logic comprising at least one sector; wherein each optically detectable mark is associated with a particular first control logic; wherein each first control logic is executed only when its associated optically detectable mark is in a pre-determined state; and wherein a customized player-readable code is determined using a combination of the plurality of optically detectable marks and their associated first control logic. A method of making the optical article, a method of customizing the optical article, a method and a system for the playback of the optical article are also included.

Abstract: A stent delivery and apposition detecting system includes at least one electrode pair of dissimilar metals mounted on a balloon of a balloon catheter. The electrode pair forms part of an electrochemical cell, and voltage and current generated from the electrochemical cell enables the system to detect when a stent mounted on the balloon achieves proper wall apposition. As the balloon is exposed to different environments, i.e., blood or tissue having different resistances, the electric potential of the electrochemical cell changes and an alert is generated by a feedback circuit to notify a user that the electrodes are in contact with tissue of the vessel wall. In one embodiment, the feedback circuit may be powered by the electrochemical cell. Multiple sets of electrode pairs may be mounted along the circumference and length of the balloon to detect differential contact between the deployed stent and the vessel wall.

Abstract: An electrically responsive ink composition comprising at least one electrically responsive optical-state change material, at least one electrolyte material, at least one solvent, and at least one binder material, wherein the ink composition has a viscosity between about 0.1 centipoise and about 10,000 centipoise, and a maximum optical absorbance in a range from about 200 nanometers to about 800 nanometers; and wherein the ink composition is capable of transforming from a first optical state to a second optical state upon exposure to an electrical stimulus. The electrically responsive ink composition may be used to deposit an electrically responsive coating composition, which may be used as part of an anti-theft system for optical articles. Articles comprising electrically responsive coating compositions are also disclosed, as are methods for activation.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes an input transducer for provision of an input signal, a high pass filter configured for providing a high pass filtered part of the input signal, a low pass filter configured for providing a low pass filtered part of the input signal, a synthesizing unit configured for generating a synthetic signal from the high pass filtered part using a model based on a periodic function, wherein a phase of the synthetic signal is at least in part randomized, a combiner configured for combining the low pass filtered part with the synthetic signal for provision of a combined signal, a hearing loss processor configured for processing the combined signal for provision of a processed signal, and a receiver coupled to the hearing loss processor, wherein the receiver is configured for converting an audio output signal into an output sound signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for performing multicasting, including receiving a write request including write data and an address from a first server in a first canister, determining if the address is within a multicast region of a first system memory, and if so, sending the write request directly to the multicast region to store the write data and also to a mirror port of a second canister coupled to the first canister to mirror the write data to a second system memory of the second canister. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes: deciding to perform a refresh operation on a media cartridge having a tape wrapped around a spool; determining which drive of a plurality of drives is available to perform the refresh operation; causing the media cartridge to be mounted to the available drive; causing the drive to unwrap the tape from the spool of the media cartridge to about an end of the tape; and causing the drive to wrap the tape back onto the spool after the unwrapping, wherein at least some data on the tape is overwritten with new data, and a verification operation is performed using the new data.

Abstract: The present application relates to a hearing aid with suppression of wind noise wherein wind noise detection is provided involving only a single comparison of the input signal power level at first low frequencies with the input signal power level at frequencies that may include the first low frequencies whereby a computational cost effective and simple wind noise detection is provided. The determination of relative power levels of the input signal reflects the shape of the power spectrum of the signal, and the detection scheme is therefore typically capable of distinguishing music from wind noise so that attenuation of desired music is substantially avoided.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a microphone for conversion of sound into an input audiosignal, a signal processor for processing the input audiosignal, the signal processor including a compressor, and a receiver for conversion of the processed signal into sound, wherein the compressor is configured to adapt attack and release time constants in response to input signal fluctuations.