Abstract: A process for making a high molecular weight poly(hydroxy acid) polymer having good thermal stability and a weight average molecular weight of >100,000 by GPC. The process includes mixing glycolic acid and/or lactic acid, and a diol or di-acid initiator, and at least one multifunctional initiator to form a liquid monomer mixture in an agitated polycondensation reactor. Polycondensing to form a liquid reaction mixture comprising a pre-polymer having a weight average molecular weight of >10,000 by GPC, and greater than 80% by mole hydroxyl or carboxyl end-group termination, then crystallizing to form a first solid reaction mixture. Then solid state polycondensing the solid reaction mixture to form a solid reaction mixture having a moisture level less than 50 ppm by weight. Then mixing the solid reaction mixture with an appropriate reactive coupling agent in a melting and mixing extruder to couple and form the reaction mixture and form the poly(hydroxy acid) polymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for producing carbon fibers utilizing a salt of an organic cation containing C?N imine group, and carbon fibers produced by such process.

Abstract: A process for making a high molecular weight poly(hydroxy acid) polymer having good thermal stability and a weight average molecular weight of >100,000 by GPC. The process includes mixing glycolic acid and/or lactic acid, and a diol or di-acid initiator, and at least one multifunctional initiator to form a liquid monomer mixture in an agitated polycondensation reactor. Polycondensing to form a liquid reaction mixture comprising a pre-polymer having a weight average molecular weight of >10,000 by GPC, and greater than 80% by mole hydroxyl or carboxyl end-group termination, then crystallizing to form a first solid reaction mixture. Then solid state polycondensing the solid reaction mixture to form a solid reaction mixture having a moisture level less than 50 ppm by weight. Then mixing the solid reaction mixture with an appropriate reactive coupling agent in a melting and mixing extruder to couple and form the reaction mixture and form the poly(hydroxy acid) polymer.

Abstract: Compositions of high molecular weight poly(hydroxy acid) polymer having good thermal stability and a weight average molecular weight of >100,000 by GPC. The compositions include one or more chain-terminator compounds/impurities which may be incorporated into the polymer and rendered harmless by the presence of appropriate amounts of bi-functional and multi-functional polymerization initiators. A process including first mixing glycolic acid and/or lactic acid (with chain-terminators), and a diol or di-acid initiator, and at least one multifunctional initiator to form a liquid monomer mixture in an agitated polycondensation reactor. Next, polycondensing to form a liquid reaction mixture comprising a pre-polymer having a weight average molecular weight of >10,000 by GPC, and greater than 80% by mole hydroxyl or carboxyl end-group termination, then crystallizing to form a first solid reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems, devices and methods for disinfection of space and equipment. In particular, the present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods, such as rolling enclosures, which use light sources, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, and more specifically UV-C light, to disinfect larger scale equipment or spaces. Systems and methods of the present disclosure are particularly useful in medical facilities for treating medical equipment or spaces, where the prevalence of pathogens requires frequent disinfecting.

Abstract: A method of mapping subsurface fracture geometry below a surface of the ground includes two independently powered systems, namely a plurality of sensors distributed through a hole in the subsurface and a downhole tool to facilitate reception and transmission of signal data from the plurality of sensors. The sensors are distributed into fissures within formations that have been hydraulically fractured. The sensors send signal data to the downhole tool for transmission to a unit on the surface. The signal data permits for the mapping of the fissures within the fractured formations.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a proxy for a network obtains a traffic flow. The proxy determines whether a security policy in a whitelist for the traffic flow is active. If it is determined that the security policy for the traffic flow is active, the proxy selectively decrypts the traffic flow to produce one or more traffic flow attributes and, based on the one or more traffic flow attributes, determines whether the traffic flow is potentially malicious.

Abstract: A lock assembly including a lock mechanism, a guide, a strike plate and an alignment track. The lock mechanism includes a lock bolt transitionable between an unlocked orientation and a locked orientation. The guide is carried by the lock bolt and travels along a path that is both parallel and perpendicular to the strike plate as the lock bolt transitions between the unlocked orientation and locked orientation. The strike plate includes a strike plate opening through which the lock bolt passes when transitioning from the unlocked orientation to the locked orientation. The alignment track engages the guide for laterally aligning the lock bolt within the strike plate opening in a direction generally orthogonal to a plane in which the lock bolt travels when transitioning from the unlocked orientation to the locked orientation. Methods of operation and door assemblies including the lock assembly are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems, devices and methods for disinfection of space and equipment. In particular, the present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods, such as rolling enclosures, which use light sources, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, and more specifically UV-C light, to disinfect larger scale equipment or spaces. Systems and methods of the present disclosure are particularly useful in medical facilities for treating medical equipment or spaces, where the prevalence of pathogens requires frequent disinfecting.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a proxy for a network obtains a traffic flow. The proxy determines whether a security policy in a whitelist for the traffic flow is active. If it is determined that the security policy for the traffic flow is active, the proxy selectively decrypts the traffic flow to produce one or more traffic flow attributes and, based on the one or more traffic flow attributes, determines whether the traffic flow is potentially malicious.

Abstract: A belt includes an inside belt surface, a belt coating layer provided on the inside belt surface and a plurality of belt teeth in the belt coating layer. A belt adjustment system and a belt fabrication method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application includes embodiments for a belt adjustment system. The belt adjustment system can be configured to engage a belt comprising a plurality of belt teeth. The belt engagement system can include a buckle portion that includes a belt clamp configured to couple the belt to the buckle, a lever pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, and a belt-engaging tab, the tooth-engaging tab positionable between a tooth-engaging position and a tooth-disengaging position responsive to the position of the lever on. The belt adjustment system can include a tool housing having a first wall and a second wall that form a slot. A tool comprising a distal end and a proximal end can be coupled to the tool housing, the tool positionable within the slot between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems, devices and methods for disinfection of space and equipment. In particular, the present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods, such as rolling enclosures, which use light sources, such as ultraviolet (UV) light, and more specifically UV-C light, to disinfect larger scale equipment or spaces. Systems and methods of the present disclosure are particularly useful in medical facilities for treating medical equipment or spaces, where the prevalence of pathogens requires frequent disinfecting.

Abstract: A multi-panel door or window apparatus is provided. The apparatus has at least first and second panels that are foldable relative to one another. An automatic latch arrangement is provided that automatically actuates a shootbolt to engage a track of the apparatus as the first and second panels transition towards a co-planar relationship. Methods of latching the apparatus are provided as well. The automatic latch arrangement independent of the door or window apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A belt includes an inside belt surface, a belt coating layer provided on the inside belt surface and a plurality of belt teeth in the belt coating layer. A belt adjustment system and a belt fabrication method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present application includes embodiments for a belt adjustment system. The belt adjustment system can be configured to engage a belt comprising a plurality of belt teeth. The belt engagement system can include a buckle portion that includes a belt clamp configured to couple the belt to the buckle, a lever pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, and a belt-engaging tab, the tooth-engaging tab positionable between a tooth-engaging position and a tooth-disengaging position responsive to the position of the lever on. The belt adjustment system can include a tool housing having a first wall and a second wall that form a slot. A tool comprising a distal end and a proximal end can be coupled to the tool housing, the tool positionable within the slot between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: Methods for in-situ reservoir investigation by borehole seismic methods are provided using receiver(s) and a downhole source. The downhole source may be a microseismic event, and may be located relative to the receiver(s) in any configuration. The downhole source may also be a controlled source that is positioned in a reverse vertical seismic profile (RVSP) geometry with respect to the receiver(s). The methods may involve locating the receiver(s) in a first well (which may have any orientation, including vertical or horizontal), and locating the source in a monitoring well (which may have any orientation, including vertical or horizontal), such that the source in the monitoring well is positioned at a greater depth in the formation than the receivers in the first well.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices and methods to separate and concentrate target species. In some embodiments, a punctuated continuous microchannel or parallel processing (array-based) separations are provided, the microchannel having a plurality of sequential, constrictive insulating features to form a plurality of reservoirs including a first, second and third reservoir, and a plurality of constricted passageways including a first constricted passageway that connects the first reservoir to the second reservoir and a second constricted passageway that connects the second reservoir to the third reservoir. A voltage is applied to the microchannel to create different electrical fields and/or different dielectrophoresis (DEP) gradients at each of the plurality of constricted passageways in order to separate species that have differing ratios of electrokinetic mobility to dielectrophoretic mobility.