Abstract: An apparatus for dynamic credit card reader mode management is provided, the apparatus including: a point-of sale (POS) terminal, configured to accept employee login credentials via a magnetic stripe card, to display menu items for selection, to add selected menu items to an order, and to accept payment for the order, where the payment may be obtained via swipe, dip, or tap, the POS terminal including: a first card reader, configured to read first provided cards when enabled; a second card reader, configured to read second provided cards when enabled; and a dual reader controller, coupled to the first and second card readers, configured to determine one or more workflow states of the POS terminal, and configured to dynamically control modes of the first and second card readers according to the one or more workflow states.

Abstract: A polyamide composition comprises a polyamide, an anhydride-functional copolymer reactive with the polyamide, and a poly (ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomer. A pneumatic tire assembly includes an inner liner which is formed from the polyamide composition. The inner liner comprises the reaction product of the polyamide and the anhydride-functional copolymer, as well as the (ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomer.

Abstract: An article manufactured from a polymeric material filled with fibers has an exterior surface having an impact portion with an arcuate configuration to impart impact resistance to the article. The article also includes a plurality of ribs orientated and configured in a unique manner to also impart impact resistance to the article. The ribs extend from the exterior surface of the article. A fillet having a fillet radius interconnects the ribs and the exterior surface. The fibers of the polymeric material are aligned within the article parallel to a flow of the polymeric material when injected into a mold during a molding process. The ribs are oriented in a pattern relative to the fibers to maximize the impact resistance of the article.

Abstract: A polyamide composition comprises a polyamide, an anhydride-functional copolymer reactive with the polyamide, and a poly (ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomer. A pneumatic tire assembly includes an inner liner which is formed from the poly-amide composition. The inner liner comprises the reaction product of the polyamide and the anhydride-functional copolymer, as well as the (ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) ionomer.

Abstract: An article manufactured from a polymeric material filled with fibers has an exterior surface having an impact portion with an arcuate configuration to impart impact resistance to the article. The article also includes a plurality of ribs orientated and configured in a unique manner to also impart impact resistance to the article. The ribs extend from the exterior surface of the article. A fillet having a fillet radius interconnects the ribs and the exterior surface. The fibers of the polymeric material are aligned within the article parallel to a flow of the polymeric material when injected into a mold during a molding process. The ribs are oriented in a pattern relative to the fibers to maximize the impact resistance of the article.

Abstract: A data base is created for storage of voice prints of requesters that are believed to be fraudulently attempting to access information for which they are not authorized to obtain. When a user opens an account a voice print is obtained and stored. The user also provides answers to security related questions. When a requester tries to access the information, they must be authenticated by providing a voice print and answers to the security questions. If the voice print and answers do not result in a satisfactory match based on predetermined criteria, access is denied and the voice print is stored as a possibly fraudulent voice print. Subsequent access attempts are compared to the stored possibly fraudulent voice print which is reclassified as a likely fraudulent voice print if matched. Thus, unauthorized access is less likely.

Abstract: A composition for forming an article having an improved resistance to hydrolysis is disclosed. The composition comprises a polyalkylene terephthalate and/or polyester thereof, a triglyceride, an epoxy component, and a plasticizer. The polyalkylene terephthalate has terminal carboxyl groups and hydroxyl groups and internal ester linkages. The triglyceride has at least one acid component with 6 to 30 carbon atoms and at least one epoxy group for reacting with the carboxyl groups. The epoxy component has internal aromatic groups and at least one terminal epoxy group for reacting with the carboxyl groups. The plasticizer comprises an esterification product of a polyoxyalkylene glycol with 1 to 20 carbon atoms and an aliphatic carboxylic acid with 1 to 25 carbon atoms for improving melt flow properties and for reducing hydrolysis of the composition.

Abstract: A composition for use in forming an article is disclosed and is particularly useful as a bezel in various applications such as headlights, watches, and clocks. The composition generally includes a polyalkylene terephthalate and/or polyester thereof, a lubricant, and a plasticizer. The polyalkylene terephthalate is selected from at least one of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The lubricant includes an esterification product of a first alcohol and a first acid having an aliphatic and/or an alicyclic chain of at least 20 carbon atoms and is preferably the reaction product of montanic acid and a multifunctional alcohol. The plasticizer includes an esterification product of a polyoxyalkylene alcohol and a second acid having an aliphatic and/or an alicyclic carbon chain.

Abstract: A method (50) of dynamically changing a sentence structure of a message can include the step of receiving (51) a user request for information, retrieving (52) data based on the information requested, and altering (53) among an intonation and/or the language conveying the information based on the context of the information to be presented. The intonation can optionally be altered by altering (54) a volume, a speed, and/or a pitch based on the information to be presented. The language can be altered by selecting (55) among a finite set of synonyms based on the information to be presented to the user or by selecting (56) among key verbs, adjectives or adverbs that vary along a continuum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medium for preparing dedifferentiated cells derived from post-natal islets of Langerhans. The medium comprises in a physiologically acceptable culture medium an effective amount of a solid matrix environment for a three-dimensional culture, a soluble matrix protein, and a first and a second factor for developing, maintaining and expanding the dedifferentiated cells. Such a medium may be used in an in vitro method for islet cell expansion. The present invention also relates to a medium for inducing islet neogenesis from duct-like structure, which comprises in a physiologically acceptable culture medium an effective amount of at least one islet neogenesis inducer compound.