Abstract: Improved methods for anaerobic digestion of organic matter to produce biogas. Among the improvements given are including ferric iron in a hydrolysis reactor to increase the rate and efficiency of anaerobic hydrolysis to provide substrates for methanogenesis. A solids separation step is added after hydrolysis and before methanogenesis to improve the efficiency of the methanogenesis step. Other improvements involve using separate tanks for the hydrolysis and methanogenesis stages and using two (or more) methanogenesis tanks in sequence, and switching the order of the two (or more) methanogenesis tanks periodically.

Abstract: A data transaction is associated with a plurality of remote data sources so that a score may be generated that characterizes the transaction. The remote data sources are polled to obtain partial scores which can be used by a decisioning system to score the transaction. In some implementations, different scoring models may be used so that the data source is notified which scoring model to use when generating the partial score. Related techniques, apparatus, systems, and articles are described.

Abstract: A first set of variables is introduced into a data transaction scoring system. The first set of variables having a maturity level less than a second set of variables previously matured on the data transaction scoring system. The maturity level corresponding to an amount of exposure to the data transaction scoring system. The amount of exposure affecting a degree of precision for the data transaction scoring system. The first set of variables are introduced by expanding a data transaction profile for the data transaction scoring system including second set of variables to further include the first set of variables. Initial values are assigned for the first set of variables based on a statistical model. After such an assignment, scoring of data transactions using the expanded data transaction profile prior to maturing the data transaction system using the first set of variables can be initiated. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a reinforced polyvinyl chloride device including the steps: a) preparing a pre-reinforced polymer by mixing polyvinyl chloride polymer with a quantity A of a naturally occurring mineral filler at a temperature lower than the melting temperature of the polyvinyl chloride polymer; and b) mixing the pre-reinforced polymer obtained under a) with a quantity B of a naturally occurring mineral filler at a temperature higher than 180° C. to obtain a reinforced polyvinyl chloride polymer.

Abstract: A profile made of a reinforced polyvinyl chloride polymer having at least 40 weight parts, preferably at least 60 weight parts, most preferably at least 80 weight parts of naturally occurring mineral filler for every 100 weight parts of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and PVC with a K-value of 50-68.

Abstract: Profiles made of foamed polyvinyl chloride polymer containing at least 40, preferably at least 60 weight parts of naturally occurring mineral filler for every 100 weight parts of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and PVC with a K-value of 50-58.

Abstract: A process for preparing a second compound stereo-selectively is described. The process comprises reacting a substrate comprising at least one first compound with a reagent in the presence of a biological catalyst and a solvent comprising at least one (hydro)fluorocarbon so as to convert a first compound into the second compound.

Abstract: A first set of variables is introduced into a data transaction scoring system. The first set of variables having a maturity level less than a second set of variables previously matured on the data transaction scoring system. The maturity level corresponding to an amount of exposure to the data transaction scoring system. The amount of exposure affecting a degree of precision for the data transaction scoring system. The first set of variables are introduced by expanding a data transaction profile for the data transaction scoring system including second set of variables to further include the first set of variables. Initial values are assigned for the first set of variables based on a statistical model. After such an assignment, scoring of data transactions using the expanded data transaction profile prior to maturing the data transaction system using the first set of variables can be initiated. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.

Abstract: A data transaction is associated with a plurality of remote data sources so that a score may be generated that characterizes the transaction. The remote data sources are polled to obtain partial scores which can be used by a decisioning system to score the transaction. In some implementations, different scoring models may be used so that the data source is notified which scoring model to use when generating the partial score. Related techniques, apparatus, systems, and articles are described.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product, and method utilize a dynamic, automated, extensible and flexible intelligent agent-based product support “framework” to facilitate the provision of product support services to customers of computer-related products. Agent platforms are utilized on both a customer computer and a product support computer, with different agents configured to execute on one or both of such computers. Automated analysis and/or creation of remedial actions, based upon cross-customer operational data, and often relying upon intelligent agents for many or all of such actions, may be used to decrease product support personnel burden and effort. Publishing control may be provided to limit distribution of certain intelligent agents, as may multi-agent remediation of undesirable operational conditions, where agents from multiple parties collectively address a problem experienced by a customer.

Abstract: The present application describes 6–5, 6—6, or 6–7 heterobicycles of Formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof: wherein ring P is a 6-membered heteroaromatic and ring M is a 5-, 6-, or 7-membered non-aromatic carbocycle or heterocycle. Compounds of the present invention are useful as inhibitors of trypsin-like serine proteases, specifically factor Xa.

Abstract: The present application describes 5-6 or 5-7 heterobicyclics of Formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, wherein ring P is a 5-membered heteroaromatic and ring M is a 6 or 7-membered non-aromatic carbocycle or heterocycle. Compounds of the present invention are useful as inhibitors of trypsin-like serine proteases, specifically factor Xa.

Abstract: A compact tape drive for reading and writing data on single reel magnetic tape cartridges. The compact tape drive has a tape threading mechanism that extracts the leader block from the magnetic tape cartridge and threads the leader block into a takeup reel that is located juxtaposed to the loaded magnetic tape cartridge. A separate magnetic tape wrap mechanism having a plurality of cooperatively operative tape wrap arms is also provided to position the magnetic tape around a set of tape guides and the read/write head. The magnetic tape wrap mechanism functions both to thread the magnetic around the takeup reel, spanning the space in front of the read/write head, and then to wrap the magnetic tape around the read/write head. In addition, the tape elevator, electronics and other standard tape drive assemblies are included in a predefined volume.

Abstract: The present application describes 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrazolo-[3,4-c]-pyridin-7-ones of the following formula or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof: wherein ring Rb is 3-amido or 4-methoxy, Ra can be cyano, trifluoromethyl, or amido, and R can be a substituted phenyl, a substituted imidazolyl, or a substituted pyridine. Compounds of the present invention are useful as inhibitors of trypsin-like serine proteases, specifically factor Xa.

Abstract: The present application describes 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrazolo-[3,4-c]-pyridin-7-ones of Formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof: wherein ring R is 3-amido or 4-methoxy, R1 is trifluoromethyl or amido, and R2 is aminomethyl, N-methylaminomethyl, and N,N-dimethylaminomethyl. Compounds of the present invention are useful as inhibitors of trypsin-like serine proteases, specifically factor Xa.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of the mesylate trihydrate of the (1S,2S)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidin-1-yl)-1-propanol compound having the formula (I): The present invention is also further comprises a process for enantiomeric resolution and isolation of the (D)-(−)-tartrate salt of the compound of the formula (I).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing text-to-speech conversion in a client/server environment partitions an otherwise conventional text-to-speech conversion algorithm into two portions: a first “text analysis” portion, which generates from an original input text an intermediate representation thereof and a second “speech synthesis” portion, which synthesizes speech waveforms from the intermediate representation generated by the first portion (i.e., the text analysis portion) The text analysis portion of the algorithm is executed exclusively on a server while the speech synthesis portion is executed exclusively on a client which may be associated therewith. The client may comprise a hand-held device such as, for example, a cell phone, and the intermediate representation of the input text advantageously comprises at least a sequence of phonemes representative of the input text.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting formant trajectories based on input speech and corresponding text data. The input speech is analyzed to obtain formant candidates for the respective time frame. The text data corresponding to the input speech is converted into a sequence of phonemes which are then time aligned such that each phoneme is temporally labeled with a corresponding segment of the input speech. Nominal formant frequencies are assigned to a center timing point of each phoneme and target formant trajectories are generated for each time frame by interpolating the nominal formant frequencies between adjacent phonemes. For each time frame, at least one formant candidate that is closest to the corresponding target formant trajectories is selected according to a minimum cost factor. The selected formant candidates are output for storage or further processing in subsequent speech applications.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel process for the preparation of the mesylate trihydrate of the compound of formula (I), (1S,2S)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidin-1-yl)-1-propanol: The present invention is further directed to a process for the preparation of a (2S)-(+)-compound of formula (II): wherein R1 is a protecting group. In addition, the present invention relates to intermediates useful in said processes.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product, and method utilize distribution control information associated with intelligent agents to manage the distribution of such intelligent agents. Such distribution management may be incorporated into a dynamic, automated, extensible and flexible intelligent agent-based product support “framework” to facilitate the provision of product support services to customers of computer-related products. In such a framework, agent platforms may be utilized on both a customer computer and a product support computer, with different agents configured to execute on one or both of such computers.