Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. The data security techniques disclosed herein also enable the use of smart contracts to transfer funds associated with payment obligations. A node may receive a transaction indicative of a settlement condition of a smart contract being satisfied. Accordingly, the transaction may be compiled into a block of a blockchain and routed to the smart contract. The smart contract may direct a node to transfer funds in accordance with the payment obligations.

Abstract: One embodiment of a computer-implemented method checking the health of a domain host configuration protocol (DHCP) system comprises receiving information identifying one or more system checks to be executed on one or more components of a DHCP system, wherein the one or more system checks include at least one of a gateway system check, a domain name server (DNS) system check, a domain search list system check, or a subnet mask system check; executing the one or more systems checks, wherein each system check of the one or more system checks performs a comparison of an operating condition of the DHCP system to a target condition; and effecting creation of a ticket for recording a result of the comparison.

Abstract: Various embodiments set forth systems and techniques for identifying issues associated with a domain name system (DNS) ecosystem. The techniques include receiving a first target domain name; identifying a plurality of DNS elements included in the DNS ecosystem that should be tested based on the first target domain name; performing one or more validation operations on the plurality of DNS elements based on the first target domain name to generate a first set of validation results; and identifying a first DNS issue associated with the first target domain name based on the first set of validation results.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous agrochemical composition comprising a) suspended particles of an active ingredient; and b) hydrophobically modified fumed silica. It also relates to use of the hydrophobically modified fumed silica for stabilizing an aqueous agrochemical composition comprising suspended particles of an active ingredient; to a method of stabilizing an agrochemical composition comprising the suspended particles of an active ingredient; to a method for treating, controlling, preventing or protecting animals against infestation of infection by parasites by application of the agrochemical composition; to a method of preparing the agrochemical composition; and to plant propagation material containing the agrochemical composition.

Abstract: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.

Abstract: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.

Abstract: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.

Abstract: Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.

Abstract: Described is a polymeric coextruded multilayer web, the web comprising: at least two layers that are discontinuous in the cross-web direction, each layer comprising a plurality of distinct phases that are substantially continuous in the down-web direction; and at least one layer that is substantially continuous in both the cross-web and down-web directions; wherein said web has an x-axis that is in the cross-web direction of the web, a y-axis that is in the down-web direction of the web and a z-axis that is in the thickness direction of the web, and wherein the substantially continuous layer(s) lacks weld lines in the y-z plane of the web.

Abstract: The invention is an extrusion device comprising an interleaving block portion. The interleaving block portion includes at least two first chambers, each first chamber including a width, a length, a height, and an input aperture. The length dimension of the first chambers are generally parallel. An output aperture is included in each first chamber, the output aperture is wider and shorter in height than the input aperture. A series of first distances are defined between the input aperture to points along the output aperture. A die portion is included in the extrusion device. The die portion has a laminate chamber having a height dimension. The height dimension of the laminate is disposed generally perpendicular to the length dimension of the first chambers. An output is disposed at one end of the height dimension. The laminate chamber is disposed so as to be in communication with the output apertures of the parallel first chambers.

Abstract: Microporous articles are formed by solid-liquid phase separation from a diluent in combination with a thermoplastic polymer, flame retardant and a hindered amine synergist providing novel flame retardant articles. Such articles are useful in clothing, barriers, optical films in electronic devices (such as light reflective and dispersive films), printing substrates and electrical insulation.

Abstract: There is provided an oil absorbing wipe material suitable for wiping a users' skin or hair and a method for their manufacture. The wipes comprise at least an oil absorbing porous film-like substrate of a crystalline thermoplastic material with at least 40 percent by weight of a nonparticulate filler. Generally, the wipe changes transparency or color (a change in L* of about 10 or more) when loaded with oil to provide an oil absorption indication functionality. The wipe is capable of forming a compact ball by crumpling to a diameter of 2.5 cm or less.

Abstract: Described is a polymeric coextruded multilayer web, the web comprising: at least two layers that are discontinuous in the cross-web direction, each layer comprising a plurality of distinct phases that are substantially continuous in the down-web direction; and at least one layer that is substantially continuous in both the cross-web and down-web directions; wherein said web has an x-axis that is in the cross-web direction of the web, a y-axis that is in the down-web direction of the web and a z-axis that is in the thickness direction of the web, and wherein the substantially continuous layer(s) lacks weld lines in the y-z plane of the web.

Abstract: The invention is an extrusion device comprising an interleaving block portion. The interleaving block portion includes at least two first chambers, each first chamber including a width, a length, a height, and an input aperture. The length dimension of the first chambers are generally parallel. An output aperture is included in each first chamber, the output aperture is wider and shorter in height than the input aperture. A series of first distances are defined between the input aperture to points along the output aperture. A die portion is included in the extrusion device. The die portion has a laminate chamber having a height dimension. The height dimension of the laminate is disposed generally perpendicular to the length dimension of the first chambers. An output is disposed at one end of the height dimension. The laminate chamber is disposed so as to be in communication with the output apertures of the parallel first chambers.

Abstract: A driving tool for an elongated fastener of ferro-magnetic material, including an elongated hollow tubular body reciprocably receiving a driving rod having an impact end and a drive end. The drive end is characterized by an internal cavity receiving an Indalloy permanent magnet, the open end of the cavity being closed by a magnetic head, or pole piece, in such a manner that the axial impact forces imparted to the drive rod are transmitted substantially entirely to the magnetic head and not through the magnet. The Indalloy magnet is utilized within the drive end of the drive rod so that its magnetism will be retained, even if fragmented.