Abstract: To provide a trusted, secure, and immutable record of transactions within a process plant, techniques are described for utilizing a distributed ledger in process control systems. The distributed ledger may be maintained by nodes which receive transactions broadcasted from field devices, controllers, operator workstations, or other devices operating within the process plant. The transactions may include process plant data, such as process parameter data, product parameter data, configuration data, user interaction data, maintenance data, commissioning data, plant network data, and product tracking data. The distributed ledgers may also be utilized to execute smart contracts to allow machines such as field devices to transact by themselves without human intervention. In this manner, recorded process parameter values and product parameter values may be retrieved to verify the quality of products.

Abstract: Asymmetric hollow fiber membranes, membrane contactors, and related production and use methods. The asymmetric hollow fiber membranes include a porous substrate having a multiplicity of pores, the porous substrate including at least a first semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyolefin copolymer derived by polymerizing at most 3 wt. % of linear or branched alpha olefin monomers with at least 97 wt. % of 4-methyl-1-pentene monomer. The asymmetric hollow fiber membranes also include a skin layer overlaying the porous substrate, the skin layer including a second semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyolefin copolymer derived by polymerizing at least 2 wt. % of linear or branched alpha olefin monomers with at most 98 wt. % of 4-methyl-1-pentene monomer. The skin layer is less porous than the porous substrate and forms an outer surface of the asymmetric hollow fiber membrane, while the porous substrate forms an inner surface of the hollow fiber membrane. The skin layer is preferably nonporous.

Abstract: Asymmetric hollow fiber membranes, membrane contactors, and related production and use methods. The asymmetric hollow fiber membranes include a porous substrate having a multiplicity of pores, the porous substrate including at least a first semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyolefin copolymer derived by polymerizing at most 3 wt. % of linear or branched alpha olefin monomers with at least 97 wt. % of 4-methyl-1-pentene monomer. The asymmetric hollow fiber membranes also include a skin layer overlaying the porous substrate, the skin layer including a second semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyolefin copolymer derived by polymerizing at least 2 wt. % of linear or branched alpha olefin monomers with at most 98 wt. % of 4-methyl-1-pentene monomer. The skin layer is less porous than the porous substrate and forms an outer surface of the asymmetric hollow fiber membrane, while the porous substrate forms an inner surface of the hollow fiber membrane. The skin layer is preferably nonporous.

Abstract: Hollow fiber membranes, membrane contactors, and related production and use methods. The membranes include a substrate having a multiplicity of pores and a skin layer overlaying the porous substrate. The porous substrate includes a first semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyolefin (co)polymer resin and a nucleating agent in an amount effective to achieve nucleation. The skin layer includes a second semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyolefin (co)polymer resin derived by polymerizing at most 98 wt. % of 4-methyl-1-pentene monomer with at least 2 wt. % of linear or branched alpha olefin monomers. Preferably, the first thermoplastic polyolefin (co)polymer is different from the second thermoplastic polyolefin (co)polymer. The skin layer is less porous than the porous substrate and forms an outer surface of the hollow fiber with the porous substrate forming an inner surface. The hollow fibers are formed by co-extruding the porous substrate resin and the skin layer resin through an annular die.

Abstract: A class of antioxidant compositions include benzotriazole phenolate salts with substituents either ortho to the phenol hydroxide group and/or para to the phenol hydroxide group can be prepared from substituted benzotriazole phenols. The ortho substituent group can be a simple hydrocarbon, alkoxy or amino group, or the ortho substituent group can be a linking group, linking the benzotriazole phenolate to another benzotriazole phenolate group.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions include at least one polymer that is free of ester linkages and an additive that is a benzotriazole phenolate salt with substituents either ortho to the phenol hydroxide group and/or para to the phenol hydroxide group. The substituted benzotriazole phenolate salts can be prepared from substituted benzotriazole phenols. The ortho substituent group can be a simple hydrocarbon, alkoxy, or amino group, or the ortho substituent group can be a linking group, linking the benzotriazole phenolate to another benzotriazole phenolate group.

Abstract: A system includes a server system that includes a processor and instructions stored in non-transitory machine-readable media. The instructions are configured to cause the server system to receive authentication information from a client device. The authentication information relates to a financial account of a user. The instructions are also configured to cause the server system to authenticate the user so as to associate the client device with the financial account of the user. The system also includes a financial notification circuit located on the client device. The financial notification circuit is configured to determine a location of the client device. The financial notification circuit is also configured to provide a notification on the client device alerting the client to not spend money at the location.

Abstract: A class of antioxidant compositions include benzotriazole phenolate salts with substituents either ortho to the phenol hydroxide group and/or para to the phenol hydroxide group can be prepared from substituted benzotriazole phenols. The ortho substituent group can be a simple hydrocarbon, alkoxy or amino group, or the ortho substituent group can be a linking group, linking the benzotriazole phenolate to another benzotriazole phenolate group.

Abstract: A class of antioxidant compositions include benzotriazole phenolate salts with substituents either ortho to the phenol hydroxide group and/or para to the phenol hydroxide group can be prepared from substituted benzotriazole phenols. The ortho substituent group can be a simple hydrocarbon, alkoxy or amino group, or the ortho substituent group can be a linking group, linking the benzotriazole phenolate to another benzotriazole phenolate group.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions include at least one polymer that is free of ester linkages and an additive that is a benzotriazole phenolate salt with substituents either ortho to the phenol hydroxide group and/or para to the phenol hydroxide group. The substituted benzotriazole phenolate salts can be prepared from substituted benzotriazole phenols. The ortho substituent group can be a simple hydrocarbon, alkoxy, or amino group, or the ortho substituent group can be a linking group, linking the benzotriazole phenolate to another benzotriazole phenolate group.

Abstract: Compositions comprising surface-modified calcite nanoparticles dispersed in a curable resin and to coatings and fibrous composites incorporating such compositions are described. The nanocalcite particles have a high magnesium to calcium surface concentration ratio. The surface-modifying agents include a binding group ionically associated with the nanoparticles, and a compatiblizing segment compatible with the curable resin. The surface-modifying agent may also include a reactive group capable of reacting with the curable resin. Methods of preparing nanocalcite composites, and coatings and fibrous composites prepared from such nanocalcite composites are also described.

Abstract: A curable benzoxazine composition is described wherein the benzoxazine is derived from an aryl amine having a b.p.>200° C. The curable compositions are more thermally stable and have reduced weight loss and by-products upon cure.

Abstract: A class of antioxidant compositions include benzotriazole phenolate salts with substituents either ortho to the phenol hydroxide group and/or para to the phenol hydroxide group can be prepared from substituted benzotriazole phenols. The ortho substituent group can be a simple hydrocarbon, alkoxy or amino group, or the ortho substituent group can be a linking group, linking the benzotriazole phenolate to another benzotriazole phenolate group.

Abstract: A curable benzoxazine composition is described wherein the benzoxazine is derived from an aryl amine having a b.p.>200° C. The curable compositions are more thermally stable and have reduced weight loss and by-products upon cure.

Abstract: Compositions comprising surface-modified calcite nanoparticles dispersed in a curable resin and to coatings and fibrous composites incorporating such compositions are described. The nanocalcite particles have a high magnesium to calcium surface concentration ratio. The surface-modifying agents include a binding group ionically associated with the nanoparticles, and a compatiblizing segment compatible with the curable resin. The surface-modifying agent may also include a reactive group capable of reacting with the curable resin. Methods of preparing nanocalcite composites, and coatings and fibrous composites prepared from such nanocalcite composites are also described.

Abstract: The present inventions provides an apparatus and method for the parallel loading of multiple samples in a microarray containing a plurality of sub-arrays. The method makes use of a microarray containing multiple sub-arrays, a loading channel array, and a fluid handling robot or an assembly robot or machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microarray for multiple sample analysis that does not require an alignment of well walls with corresponding probe sets. Methods for building and using such a microarray are also within the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: One provides (101) a captured image of a real-world setting that comprises both target content and at least one visual distraction. One also provides (102), via a display, information regarding selectable elements of the captured image as a function of the relative positions (such as relative depth) of the selectable elements with respect to one another. An end user (via an end-user interface) can select (103) at least one visual distraction as a selected element. Additional image content from the real-world setting can then be accumulated (105) for a portion of the target content as corresponds to the selected element. This additional image content is then aggregated (106) with previously obtained image content for the target content to facilitate the provision of an image of the real-world setting that comprises the target content in the absence of the at least one visual distraction.

Abstract: The present inventions provides an apparatus and method for the parallel loading of multiple samples in a microarray containing a plurality of sub-arrays. The method makes use of a microarray containing multiple sub-arrays, a loading channel array, and a fluid handling robot or an assembly robot or machine.

Abstract: The present invention is a microarray having a plurality of subarrays with a hydrophobic barrier that defines each subarray of the microarray, and a method for preparing such a microarray. The hydrophobic barrier is prepared using a microarray synthesis instrument, where NPPOC photoprotected and other hydrophobic group-bearing phosphoramidites are coupled to the microarray using light from a digital micromirror to direct formation of the hydrophobic barrier. The method utilizes hydrophobicity, a well-established property, of conventional phosphoramidite protecting groups for an entirely new application, the synthesis of hydrophobic barriers on microarrays.