Abstract: Smokable rods of cigarettes are manufactured using wrapping materials that incorporate at least one fibrous material (e.g., flax fibers, hardwood pulp fibers and/or softwood pulp fibers) at least one filler material (e.g., calcium carbonate in particulate form). The wrapping materials possess multi-layer coatings. The wrapping materials possess coatings in the form of series of spaced apart bands, each band possessing a series of layers. At least one of the coating layers can have a filler material dispersed or suspended within a film-forming material of that layer.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing electric vehicle charging information. In one embodiment, the process receives charging process data. The charging process data may be stored in a data repository and associated with a user to form historical user data. The process then generates a notification in response to detecting a condition for triggering the generation of the notification. The notification comprises a set of recommendations for achieving a set of optimization objectives. In addition, the set of recommendations are derived from at least one of the historical user data and a remote data source. Thereafter, the process presents the notification to a user using a set of notification preferences.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for brokering a charging process of an electric vehicle. In one embodiment, a process extracts event data associated with the charging process from a charge notification in response to receiving the charge notification indicating that the charging process of the electric vehicle is complete. The event data may include, but is not limited to, duration of the charging process, quantity of electricity transferred, or rate at which electricity was transferred during the charging process. The process then identifies, from an energy transaction plan, a set of payees participating in the charging process. Thereafter, the process disburses a payment owed to the set of payees. An amount of the payment is calculated using payment terms in profiles of the set of payees. The payment includes funds from at least one of a payer fund and an incentive fund.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing a charging process of an electric vehicle. In one embodiment, the process initiates the charging process of the electric vehicle at a charging station in response to receiving an energy transaction plan from an energy transaction planner. The process then terminates the charging process in response to at least one of a deviation of the charging process from the energy transaction plan and a completion of the charging process according to the energy transaction plan. Thereafter, the process sends a charge notification to a set of recipients that includes a user of the electric vehicle and an energy transaction broker.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing a charging process of an electric vehicle. The process begins by monitoring a set of operational parameters of the charging process for one or more interruptions in response to receiving, from an energy transaction execution engine, a request signaling the start of the charging process. The process then detects the one or more interruptions from the set of operational parameters, which conform to a set of predefined interrupt conditions. In one embodiment, the one or more interruptions include at least one of a device capability interruption, a preference interruption, and a data services interruption. The process sends a response to the energy transaction execution engine to terminate the charging transaction in response to detecting the one or more interruptions.

Abstract: Apparatus for bonding rubber O-Rings from cord stock, rubber extrusions and extruded tubing materials, consists of heated die-sets, holding fixtures, electronic module, assembly device, spring clamping and pneumatic clamping arrangement. The combined heated die-set and holding fixture are two separable heat conductive blocks having a common interface. Apertures are located across the interface having diameters or matching shapes of extrusions, these apertures are slightly less than the cord or extrusion dimensions, the rubber is axially mated in the open heated aperture, and will stay unlovable when the clamping device is closed. The electronic module controls both a heating and timing device for proper control of maintaining a constant temperature and accurate timing cycle.

Abstract: A smokeless tobacco product is provided. A tobacco product configured for insertion into the mouth of a user of that product comprises a tobacco formulation including a granular tobacco composition enclosed within a water-permeable pouch that has been treated with a substance selected from the group consisting of: an analgesic, a buffer, a coloring, an effervescent, or an organic acid.

Abstract: A system and method for debugging system solutions under design which cooperates with a solution design platform in which relationships between two or more system-level computing components are defined, in which each system-level computing component is associated with a behavioral model, and in which each relationship between system-level computing components is defined as a message-based communications interface. During simulation of the solution, messages are created by analysis of each behavioral model, and are transported or exchanged between system components. The debugging facility monitors interfaces between the system-level components, captures messages at the monitored interfaces, and adds tracking information to the captured messages. Following simulation, the stored messages and tracking information can be reformatted and displayed for review by the user to assist in determination of the problems in system-level operation.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for managing user preferences on remote computing device for utilization in electric vehicle charging transactions is provided. In one embodiment, in response to a determination that a set of preferences for an identified principal are available on a removable data storage device, a first preference service retrieves the set of preferences from the removable data storage device. In response to a determination that the set of preferences are stored on a second computing device associated with a second preference service, the first preference service sends a request for the set of preferences to the second preference service. The first preference service receives the set of preferences from the second preference service and sends the set of preferences to the energy transaction planner. The first preference service is a proxy for the energy transaction planner and the second preference service.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for automatically managing incentives associated with an electric vehicle charging transaction is provided. Incentives are received from a set of sources to form received incentives, by an incentive service. Applicable incentives are selected from the received incentives based on an identification of an electric vehicle, a charging station, and a set of principals associated with the electric vehicle charging transaction, by the incentive service. A set of selected incentives is identified from the received incentives for utilization in the electric vehicle charging transaction. The set of selected incentives is sent to an energy transaction planner, wherein the energy transaction planner incorporates the set of selected incentives into an energy transaction plan that is used to control the electric vehicle charging transaction.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating a dynamic energy transaction plan to manage an electric vehicle charging transaction. The dynamic energy transaction planner generates a dynamic energy transaction plan based on the charging transaction information. The dynamic energy transaction plan comprises a first set of terms of the charging transaction. An initial portion of the charging transaction is controlled according to the first set of terms of the dynamic energy transaction plan. The dynamic energy transaction planner receives updated charging transaction information during execution of the charging transaction; and updates the dynamic energy transaction plan based on the updated charging transaction information to form an updated dynamic energy transaction plan. The updated dynamic energy transaction plan comprises a second set of terms.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for approving energy transaction plans for managing electric vehicle charging transactions. In one embodiment, an energy transaction plan and an identification of a set of principals associated with the energy transaction plan are received from an energy transaction planner. In response to a determination that the energy transaction plan is pre-approved by the set of principals, an energy transaction plan approval service sends a notification to the energy transaction planner indicating that the energy transaction plan is approved to form an approved energy transaction plan. In response to a determination that the energy transaction plan requires express approval from a subset of principals in the set of principals, the transaction plan approval service sends a request for approval of the energy transaction plan to each principal in the subset of principals.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for managing an electric vehicle charging transaction. A set of principals associated with the electric vehicle charging transaction is identified. Electric vehicle charging information is retrieved from a set of sources. An energy transaction plan is generated using the electric vehicle charging information. A charging phase of the electric vehicle charging transaction is initiated for an electric vehicle connected to a charging station in accordance with the energy transaction plan. The charging phase comprises at least one of charging the electric vehicle with electricity, storing electricity in an electric storage mechanism associated with the electric vehicle, and removing electricity from the electric storage mechanism to de-charge the electric vehicle. In response to completion of the charging phase, the process then settles the financial obligations of a subset of principals in accordance with the energy transaction plan.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product is provided for managing network based preferences associated with charging transactions for electric vehicles. The network based energy preference service receives an identification of a principal associated with a first computing device using a network connection. The network based energy preference service receives a selection of preferences from the principal associated with the first computing device over the network connection to form a set of preferences for the principal. In response to receiving a request for a subset of preferences from the set of preferences for the principal from a preference requesting service, the network based energy preference service retrieves the subset of preferences from the set of preferences by the network based energy preference service and sends the subset of preferences to the preference requesting service.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for managing user preferences associated with charging transactions for electric vehicles. In one embodiment, a set of principals associated with a charging transaction for an electric vehicle is identified in response to receiving a request for a set of preferences from an energy transaction planner. The vehicle preference service is located on the electric vehicle. The set of preferences are retrieved from a plurality of preferences. The set of preferences comprises a subset of preferences for each principal in the set of principals. A preference in the set of preferences specifies a parameter of the charging transaction that is to be minimized, maximized, or optimized. The set of preferences are sent to an energy transaction planner.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating an energy transaction plan to manage an electric vehicle charging transaction. The energy transaction planner identifies an electric vehicle associated with a charging station and a set of principals associated with a charging transaction for the electric vehicle. The charging transaction is a transaction associated with at least one of charging the electric vehicle, storing electric power in an electric storage mechanism associated with the electric vehicle, and de-charging the electric vehicle. The energy transaction planner receives charging transaction information. The charging transaction information comprises requirements, constraints, and preferences applicable to the charging transaction. The energy transaction planner generates an energy transaction plan based on the charging transaction information. The energy transaction plan comprises terms for governing all aspects of the charging transaction.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a valve body defining a fluid passage with a seat member positioned adjacent the fluid passage. A gate, having a leading edge, is supported in the valve body and is moveable relative to the fluid passage along a given axis between an open position and a closed positioned wherein the gate sealingly engages the seat member. The seat member includes a portion whose tangent is perpendicular to the given axis. At least a portion of the gate leading edge that is laterally aligned with the portion of the seat member whose tangent is perpendicular to the given axis may extend at an obtuse angle relative to the given axis. The gate leading edge may be configured such that any portion of the leading edge contacting a respective portion of the seat member is non-parallel to a tangent of that portion of the seat member.

Abstract: A deterministic UDF processing mechanism processes user-defined functions (UDFs) using multiple hash tables. Data access patterns for a UDF are collected, and an appropriate hash table set is then determined for the UDF from the data access patterns. If a UDF accesses some similar columns and some disjoint columns, the similar columns are grouped together, and one or more hash tables are allocated to the similar columns. Disjoint columns are allocated their own hash tables. In addition, the allocation of hash tables may be adjusted based on historical access patterns collected over time. By dynamically allocating and adjusting sets of hash tables to a deterministic UDF, the performance of the UDF is greatly increased.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for marking data versioning for code. Responsive to receiving an application programming interface call, a first marking statement in the code and a second marking statement are inserted in the code. A portion of code between the first marking statement and the second marking statement forms a marked section of code. A change made in data in an object caused by execution of the marked portion of code is detected. The detected change is tracked in manner such that the object may be restored to a prior state.

Abstract: Hydrogen is liquefied by a process comprising pre-cooling hydrogen feed gas by indirect heat exchange against pressurized liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) to produce pre-cooled hydrogen feed gas and pressurized natural gas, further cooling at least a portion of said pre-cooled hydrogen feed gas by indirect heat exchange against at least one refrigerant to produce condensable hydrogen gas and expanding at least a portion of said condensable hydrogen gas to produce at least partially condensed hydrogen. One advantage of such a process is that the power consumed during liquefaction is significantly less than that consumed in existing hydrogen liquefaction processes which pre-cool hydrogen feed gas by indirect heat exchange against other refrigerants, e.g. liquid nitrogen.