Abstract: A process for producing an aqueous dispersion of at least two preformed polymers each at least partially modified by grafted addition polymers produced in a solution of the polymers, comprising the steps of i) providing a solution in organic carrier liquid of a first preformed polymer, consisting of diepoxy resin, and at least one other preformed polymer excluding polyesters ii) mixing the solution containing the polymers with ethylenically unsaturated monomers, said monomers comprising an effective amount of copolymerizable dispersing moiety iii) providing an effective amount of a grafting polymerization initiator iv) allowing or causing the monomers to polymerize and graft to at least some of the preformed polymers to form a solution of modified polymers v) optionally adding crosslinking agent to solution iv) vi) dispersing the solution of modified polymers, and optionally crosslinking agent, in aqueous medium to form a stable dispersion of particles.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that may centralize the management of applications that access the data of social networks via API calls. A central service may generate tokens at a generation rate that permit an application to access an API. The tokens may be distributed to queues associated with certain content types. The relative distribution of tokens to each queue may be determined by rules. A queue may release tokens to applications that function to access the content type associated with the queue. The token generation rate and rules may be selected to prevent violation of the rate limits for the API.

Abstract: A method of accelerated testing of a membrane module for resistance to cyclic stress during operation of an industrial membrane separation process comprising loading at least one membrane module into a test cell of a test plant; conducting said industrial membrane separation process while subjecting said membrane module to cyclic stresses during a plurality of membrane operating cycles, each cycle being of significantly lesser duration than used for operation of said industrial membrane separation process in an operating plant; and testing said membrane module for component failure caused by said cyclic stresses.

Abstract: A system for distributing alternatively generated power to a real estate development having at least two individual properties includes at least one alternative energy power generator. A distribution station is coupled to the at least one alternative energy power generator. A plurality of real estate properties are coupled to the distribution station. A written instrument associates ownership rights in a portion of the power received from the alternative energy power generator with ownership of at least one of the plurality of real estate properties. A method includes providing a plurality of real estate properties and an alternative energy power generator that forms a cooperative power farm coupled to a distribution station. A credit of power provided from the cooperative power farm to the distribution station is metered. Rights to a portion of the metered credit are included with ownership of at least one of the plurality of real estate properties.

Abstract: A system and method for customized scheduling of sources, including breaking down a source of content into at least two categories, including posts and engagements, and gathering content related to a specific source. A scheduler handles scheduling of posts and engagement for a single source and entities that are due to be crawled are sent to a scheduling queue, in which each content type for a source can have its own queue. A process points to the correct scheduler queue in order to request content to be crawled, attaches to the proper queue, processes requests, queries the social network for content, parses the response and sends any new data to be saved to the system.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that may centralize the management of applications that access the data of social networks via API calls. A central service may generate tokens at a generation rate that permit an application to access an API. The tokens may be distributed to queues associated with certain content types. The relative distribution of tokens to each queue may be determined by rules. A queue may release tokens to applications that function to access the content type associated with the queue. The token generation rate and rules may be selected to prevent violation of the rate limits for the API.

Abstract: The present invention relates to at least one epichloae fungal endophyte strain combined with at least one species of Secale spp., which confers at least some level of pest protection on the Secale spp. plant. In particular, the invention relates to an isolated strain of epichloae fungal endophyte selected from the group consisting of AR3039 (NRRL #50716), AR3046 (NRRL #50576), AR3049 (NRRL #50577), AR3050 (NRRL #50578), AR3064 (NRRL #50718), AR3067 (NRRL #50719), AR3068 (NRRL #50720), AR3073 (NRRL #50721), AR3074 (NRRL #50722), AR3076 (NRRL #50723), and AR3078 (NRRL #50724), and combinations thereof; a Secale spp. plant infected with a fungal endophyte wherein Secale spp. is not a natural host of the endophyte; a method of making a stable host plant/epichloae fungal endophyte combination; a method of conferring at least some level of pest protection on a host Secale spp. plant; and a Secale spp. seed infected with an epichloae fungal endophyte.

Abstract: A method and system are provided that may centralize the management of applications that access the data of social networks via API calls. A central service may generate tokens at a generation rate that permit an application to access an API. The tokens may be distributed to queues associated with certain content types. The relative distribution of tokens to each queue may be determined by rules. A queue may release tokens to applications that function to access the content type associated with the queue. The token generation rate and rules may be selected to prevent violation of the rate limits for the API.

Abstract: An attachment system principally use on garment (10, 30) provides a number of aligned loops (15) on the garment and a number of aligned loops (24) on a load such as an equipment pack (17). The load also includes an elongate securing member that extends from the load with a flexible proximal portion (26) and a stiffened distal portion (27). The stiffened distal portion (27) can be very readily threaded through successive ensemble loops (15) and load loops (24) to pull the flexible proximal portion (26) through the loops (15, 24) to attach the load (17) to the garment (10, 30). The stiffened distal portion (27) is then fed back through the loops (15, 24) to provide a geometric lock that prevents the load (17, 18) detaching from the garment (10, 30). Various loads can be attached in this way.

Abstract: In an anti-counterfeiting system and method, a set of identification codes are generated from data associated with units of a line of items. A manufacturer affixes machine readable forms of such identification codes to units of an item, and scans or reads the affixed identification codes before distribution of the units in order to flag only affixed identification codes as “active”. Thereafter, when a user scans or reads the machine readable form of an affixed identification code from a unit of some item, such as by using a “smart phone”, the identification code value is transmitted for verification and validation, and subjected to selected computer based tests to determine the authenticity of the identification code and thus of the associated unit. The user is provided with feedback as to the genuineness of the unit, or is contacted by or directed to contact a representative of the manufacturer if doubt exists.

Abstract: A method for distributing alternatively generated power to a real estate development includes subdividing the real estate development into a plurality of plots. A portion of the subdivided real estate development is dedicated to alternative energy power generation. An alternative energy power generator is provided that forms a cooperative power farm electrically coupled to a power grid. Power is at least in part generated on the dedicated portion of the subdivided real estate development. Rights to a portion of an output of the cooperative power farm are included with ownership of at least one of the plurality of plots.

Abstract: A system for distributing alternatively generated power to a real estate development includes at least one alternative energy electrical power generator forming a cooperative power farm. A power grid receives electrical power from the cooperative power farm. A metering credit system is configured to determine a metered credit of power received by the power grid from the cooperative power farm. A plurality of real estate properties are electrically coupled to the power grid and receive at least a portion of the metered credit of power. Ownership of at least one of the plurality of real estate properties includes rights to the portion of the metered credit.

Abstract: A method of accelerated testing of a membrane module for resistance to cyclic stress during operation of an industrial membrane separation process comprising loading at least one membrane module into a test cell of a test plant; conducting said industrial membrane separation process while subjecting said membrane module to cyclic stresses during a plurality of membrane operating cycles, each cycle being of significantly lesser duration than used for operation of said industrial membrane separation process in an operating plant; and testing said membrane module for component failure caused by said cyclic stresses.

Abstract: A remotely operated device for inspecting and/or cleaning a subsea flexible pipe joint comprises a support assembly. In addition, the device comprises a tool positioning assembly coupled to the support assembly. The tool positioning assembly includes a rotating member disposed about a central axis. The tool positioning assembly is rotatable relative to the support assembly about the central axis. Further, the device comprises a cleaning assembly including a cleaning device adapted to clean the flexible pipe joint. The cleaning device is axially moveable relative to the rotating member. Still further, the device comprises a clamping assembly coupled to the support assembly. The clamping assembly has an open position disengaged with the section of the flexible pipe joint and a closed position engaging the section of the flexible pipe joint.

Abstract: In an anti-counterfeiting system and method, a set of identification codes are generated from data associated with units of a line of items. A manufacturer affixes machine readable forms of such identification codes to units of an item, and scans or reads the affixed identification codes before distribution of the units in order to flag only affixed identification codes as “active”. Thereafter, when a user scans or reads the machine readable form of an affixed identification code from a unit of some item, such as by using a “smart phone”, the identification code value is transmitted for verification and validation, and subjected to selected computer based tests to determine the authenticity of the identification code and thus of the associated unit. The user is provided with feedback as to the genuineness of the unit, or is contacted by or directed to contact a representative of the manufacturer if doubt exists.

Abstract: A remotely operated device for inspecting and/or cleaning a subsea flexible pipe joint comprises a support assembly. In addition, the device comprises a tool positioning assembly coupled to the support assembly. The tool positioning assembly includes a rotating member disposed about a central axis. The tool positioning assembly is rotatable relative to the support assembly about the central axis. Further, the device comprises a cleaning assembly including a cleaning device adapted to clean the flexible pipe joint. The cleaning device is axially moveable relative to the rotating member. Still further, the device comprises a clamping assembly coupled to the support assembly. The clamping assembly has an open position disengaged with the section of the flexible pipe joint and a closed position engaging the section of the flexible pipe joint.

Abstract: A hose splicing system comprises a first clamping tool and a hose fitting adapter. The first clamping tool includes a first clamp member and a second clamp member. An inner surface of at least one of the first clamp member and the second clamp member includes a recess configured to receive an end of a hose. In addition, the first clamping tool includes a hinge coupled to the second clamp member. Further, the first clamping tool includes a lock member pivotally coupled to the first clamp member. The hose fitting adapter has a central axis, a first end configured to be inserted into the end of the hose, a second end configured to releasably connect to a rigid hose end connector, and a through bore extending axially from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A hose splicing system comprises a first clamping tool and a hose fitting adapter. The first clamping tool includes a first clamp member and a second clamp member. An inner surface of at least one of the first clamp member and the second clamp member includes a recess configured to receive an end of a hose. In addition, the first clamping tool includes a hinge coupled to the second clamp member. Further, the first clamping tool includes a lock member pivotally coupled to the first clamp member. The hose fitting adapter has a central axis, a first end configured to be inserted into the end of the hose, a second end configured to releasably connect to a rigid hose end connector, and a through bore extending axially from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: A modular containment cap for containing a subsea wellbore discharging hydrocarbons comprises a lower assembly including a spool body having an upper end, a lower end opposite the upper end, and a first throughbore extending from the upper end to the lower end. In addition the containment cap comprises an upper assembly including a spool piece having an upper end, a lower end opposite the upper end, a throughbore extending from the upper end to the lower end, and a first spool piece valve disposed in the throughbore. The first spool piece valve is configured to control the flow of fluids through the throughbore of the spool piece. The upper end of the spool body is releasably connected to the lower end of the spool piece, and the first throughbore of the spool body is coaxially aligned with and in fluid communication with the throughbore of the spool piece.

Abstract: A method for controlling hydrocarbons flowing from a subsea structure comprises lowering an adapter from the surface to a subsea structure. The adapter has a through bore extending between an upper connector having a first connector profile and a lower connector having a second connector profile that is different than the first connector profile. In addition, the method comprises coupling the lower connector of the adapter to the subsea structure. Further, the method comprises lowering a containment cap from the surface to the adapter. Still further, the method comprises coupling the containment cap to the upper connector of the adapter.