Abstract: Reflective articles and related methods of manufacture are provided. These articles include a metallic layer extending across a non-tacky base layer. The base layer includes either a block copolymer or random copolymer with at least two polymeric components, one of which has a glass transition temperature of at least 50 degrees Celsius and the other of which has a glass transition temperature no greater than 20 degrees Celsius. These articles provide excellent optical clarity, non-corrosiveness, ultraviolet light stability, and resistance to outdoor weathering conditions compared to conventional reflective films.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a global directory service subsystem receiving a request for a software application to be temporarily registered with a message broker in accordance with a universal registration heuristic, authorizing, in response to the request and in accordance with permission information associated with the software application and maintained by the global directory service subsystem, the software application to be temporarily registered with the message broker; and dynamically updating, in response to the authorizing, software application registration data maintained by the global directory service subsystem to indicate that the software application is temporarily registered with the message broker. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: Methods for sealing a puncture communicating with a blood vessel are provided that include introducing a porous carrier formed from lyophilized hydrogel or other material into the puncture. The plug may include at least first and second hydrogel precursors and a pH adjusting agent carried by the porous carrier in an unreactive state prior to exposure to an aqueous physiological environment. Once exposed to bodily fluids, the carrier expands as the lyophilized material hydrates to enhance and facilitate rapid hemostasis of the puncture. When the plug is placed into the puncture, the natural wetting of the plug by bodily fluids (e.g., blood) causes the first and second precursors to react and cross-link into an adhesive or “sticky” hydrogel that aids in retaining the plug in place within the puncture.

Abstract: Described herein are shortenings with improved properties such as increased hardness, minimal trans fat, and reduced saturated fats. Methods for preparing the shortenings involve the use of one or more structural enhancers in a vegetable oil followed by processing and tempering the admixture. The shortenings can be used to produce food products with reduced saturated fats and increased hardness as well as minimal trans fats.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing a puncture through tissue to a blood vessel includes a cartridge including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a puncture, and a lumen extending therebetween. A bioabsorbable plug is disposed within the lumen adjacent the distal end, and an anchoring element is disposed within the lumen proximal to the plug. A pusher member is disposed within the lumen for deploying the plug and anchoring element out the distal end of the cartridge. The plug may be formed from lyophilized hydrogel and the anchoring element may be formed from air-dried hydrogel, the anchoring element hydrating slower than the plug when exposed to an aqueous environment. During use, the plug and anchoring element are delivered into the puncture, the plug is cinched against the vessel wall. Protrusions on the anchoring element engage tissue surrounding the puncture to prevent proximal movement of the plug.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a broker-based messaging system detecting a request provided by a software application for the software application to connect to any one of a plurality of brokers included in a cluster of brokers, dynamically identifying, in response to the request and in accordance with a connection distribution heuristic, a broker included in the cluster of brokers and that is available for connection to the software application, and attempting to establish a connection between the software application and the broker. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture through a vessel wall including an elongate tubular body, a balloon carried by the body, an outer tubular member carried over the tubular body, and a sealant carried by the tubular body adjacent the balloon. Retracting the outer tubular member exposes the sealant.

Abstract: A method for sealing a puncture through a vessel wall using a sealing device including an elongate tubular body, a balloon carried by the body, an outer tubular member carried over the elongate tubular body, and a sealant carried by the elongate tubular body adjacent the balloon. Retracting the outer tubular member exposes the sealant.

Abstract: A polymer is provided comprising a first pendant group selected from at least one of a perfluorinated ether group or a perfluoroalkanesulfonamido group, a second pendant group comprising an ammonium group, wherein the second pendant group is free of silicon, and a third pendant group comprising an ammonium group and a reactive silicon containing group. A composition comprising the polymer is provided. The polymer and composition are useful for protecting a substrate, for example, to render the substrate oil repellent, water repellent, or both, or to provide stain repellency to the substrate.

Abstract: A method for sealing a puncture through a vessel wall using a sealing device including an elongate tubular body, a balloon carried by the body, an outer tubular member carried over the elongate tubular body, and a sealant carried by the elongate tubular body adjacent the balloon. Retracting the outer tubular member exposes the sealant.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a puncture through a vessel wall including an elongate tubular body, a balloon carried by the body, an outer tubular member carried over the tubular body, and a sealant carried by the tubular body adjacent the balloon. Retracting the outer tubular member exposes the sealant.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for creating and using a common, generic, data/object model to represent information grids or lookup tables, such as a mortgage asset pricing information grid, mortgage asset re-pricing grid, and credit risk pricing grid. The common model allows a common software representation for logically different attributes.

Abstract: Compounds containing at least one perfluoropolyether segment and at least two oxalylamino groups as well as methods of making these compounds are described. The compounds can be polymeric materials or can be used in the preparation of various copolymeric materials by reaction with compounds having at least two primary or secondary amino groups.

Abstract: Copolymers containing at least one perfluoropolyether segment and at least one polydiorganosiloxane segments are described. The copolymers further contain multiple aminooxalylamino groups that link the various segments together. Methods of making the copolymers are also described.

Abstract: Copolymers containing at least one perfluoropolyether segment and multiple aminooxalylamino groups are described. Methods of making the copolymers are also described. The copolymers can be prepared by reacting an oxalylamino-containing compound and an amine compound having at least two primary amino groups, at least two secondary amino groups, or at least one primary amino group plus at least one secondary amino group.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing a puncture through tissue to a blood vessel includes a cartridge including a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion into a puncture, and a lumen extending therebetween. A bioabsorbable plug is disposed within the lumen adjacent the distal end, and an anchoring element is disposed within the lumen proximal to the plug. A pusher member is disposed within the lumen for deploying the plug and anchoring element out the distal end of the cartridge. The plug may be formed from lyophilized hydrogel and the anchoring element may be formed from air-dried hydrogel, the anchoring element hydrating slower than the plug when exposed to an aqueous environment. During use, the plug and anchoring element are delivered into the puncture, the plug is cinched against the vessel wall. Protrusions on the anchoring element engage tissue surrounding the puncture to prevent proximal movement of the plug.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for creating and using a common, generic, data/object model to represent information grids or lookup tables, such as a mortgage asset pricing information grid, mortgage asset re-pricing grid, and credit risk pricing grid. The common model allows a common software representation for logically different attributes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for creating and using a common, generic, data/object model to represent information grids or lookup tables, such as a mortgage asset pricing information grid, mortgage asset re-pricing grid, and credit risk pricing grid. The common model allows a common software representation for logically different attributes.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a global directory service subsystem receiving a request for a software application to be temporarily registered with a message broker in accordance with a universal registration heuristic, authorizing, in response to the request and in accordance with permission information associated with the software application and maintained by the global directory service subsystem, the software application to be temporarily registered with the message broker; and dynamically updating, in response to the authorizing, software application registration data maintained by the global directory service subsystem to indicate that the software application is temporarily registered with the message broker. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a message broker subsystem 1) attempting to deliver one or more messages intended for a recipient software application to the recipient software application, 2) determining that the recipient software application is in a fault state after failing to deliver the one or more messages to the recipient software application, 3) automatically performing a fail-over process on one or more other messages intended for the recipient software application in response to the determination that the recipient software application is in the fault state, and 4) continuing to attempt to deliver a message selected from the one or more messages to the recipient software application while automatically performing the fail-over process on the one or more other messages. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.