A process is disclosed for producing tertiary alcohols by radical addition of secondary alcohols to alkenes. The reaction is carried out as a continuous process in the presence of an organic peroxide as a radical initiator and during a mean contact time of the reaction mixture of up to a maximum of 1 hour.

A system includes a system time counter associated with a micro controller and a secure clock module having a real time clock and an elapsed time counter. The system synchronizes operation between the secure clock module and the system time counter. The synchronized time entered into the system time counter is utilized in the operation of the system. The real time clock time can be caused to be entered into the elapsed time counter at certain point in the operation of the system. The relationship of the time provide enhanced systems security.

An apparatus for measuring a time interval between a start signal edge and a stop signal edge provides a stable clock signal as input to a delay line formed by a series of similar logic gates. The output signal of the last gate of the series is phase locked to the clock signal by adjusting a bias signal controlling the switching speed of all gates. The clock signal and the output signal of each gate form a set of phase distributed periodic timing signals applied to a start time measurement unit (TMU) and a similar stop TMU. The start TMU counts edges of one of the timing signals occurring between an edge of an arming signal and the start signal edge and generates output data representing a time delay between the arming signal and the start signal edge. The data represents the start delay as a whole and fractional number of clock signal periods by conveying the counter output and by indicating which of the timing signals had an edge most closely following the start signal edge. The stop TMU similarly produces output data indicating a whole an fractional number of clock cycles occurring between the arming signal and the stop signal edge. The delay represented by the start TMU output data is subtracted from the delay represented by the stop TMU output data to determine the interval between the start and stop signal edges.

A first circuit having a first coil electrically charges a second circuit having a second coil through electromagnetic coupling of the two coils. When data signals are to be transferred between the first and second circuits, signal transfer is started only after the second circuit has been charged for a predetermined period of time. The position relationship between the coils is also detected, and a charging/transfer selector changes a duty ratio between charge transfer and data transfer in accordance with the detected result. The charge is transferred in an intermittent manner, and the charging rate is adjusted according to the difference between the voltage of a secondary battery observed during a charging phase and the voltage of the secondary battery observed a certain time after interruption of the charging phase, or vice versa.

A portable self contained light generating device which is powered by a flow of granular material falling under the influence of gravity to impinge upon and cause a paddle wheel to rotate thereby turning a small generator producing electricity to power one or more light emitting diodes for illumination. The device equipped with a multi-position power/illumination control switch and in some embodiments also provided with a battery providing supplemental power.

Smoking cessation lighter is configured for lighting cigarettes for a smoker, and learning software is provided for monitoring smoking behavior of a smoker during a first data collection period and guiding a smoker's smoking cessation by directing the smoker when the smoker is to smoke a cigarette based on data collected during the first data collection period. The learning software monitors user behavior and collects data during use of the lighter by the smoker after the initial data collection period in order to analyze and further guide the smoker based on the smoker's cheating behavior, the smoker's behavior of lighting a cigarette for a friend, and the smoker's behavior of skipping use of the lighter at a time when the smoker has been directed to light a cigarette by the lighter.

For a plurality of input/output (I/O) operations waiting to assemble complete data tracks from data segments, a process, separate from a process responsible for the data assembly into the complete data tracks, is initiated for waking a predetermined number of the waiting I/O operations.

A heterogeneous memory system includes a main memory arrangement, a first-level cache, and a memory management unit (MMU). The first-level cache includes an SRAM arrangement and a DRAM arrangement. The MMU is configured and arranged to read first data from the main memory arrangement in response to a stored first value associated with the first data and indicative of a start time. The MMU selects one of the SRAM arrangement or the DRAM arrangement for storage of the first data and stores the first data in the selected one of the SRAM arrangement or DRAM arrangement. The MMU reads second data from one of the SRAM arrangement or DRAM arrangement and writes the data to the main memory arrangement in response to a stored second value associated with the second data and indicative of a duration.

A memory system includes a volatile first storing unit, a nonvolatile second storing unit, and a controller. The controller performs data transfer, stores management information including a storage position of the data stored in the second storing unit into the first storing unit, and performs data management while updating the management information. The second storing unit has a management information storage area for storing management information storage information including management information in a latest state and a storage position of the management information. The storage position information is read by the controller during a startup operation of the memory system and includes a second pointer indicating a storage position of management information in a latest state in the management information storage area and a first pointer indicating a storage position of the second pointer. The first pointer is stored in a fixed area in the second storing unit and the second pointer is stored in an area excluding the fixed area in the second storing unit.

Various systems and methods are described for configuring a logical data storage container. In one embodiment, an instruction to perform an operation to modify an attribute of the logical data storage container that is an abstraction of a plurality of pertinent storage containers is received. A translated instruction to perform a sub-operation associated with the operation is transmitted to each of a number of the plurality of pertinent storage containers. A level of success of the performing of the operation on the logical data storage container is detected based on a comparison of a threshold value to a level of success of the performing of the sub-operation on each of the number of the plurality of pertinent storage containers. A report of the detected level of success is communicated.

A prefetch optimizer tool for an information handling system (IHS) may improve effective memory access time by controlling both hardware prefetch operations and software prefetch operations. The prefetch optimizer tool selectively disables prefetch instructions in an instruction sequence of interest within an application. The tool measures execution times of the instruction sequence of interest when different prefetch instructions are disabled. The tool may hold hardware prefetch depth constant while cycling through disabling different prefetch instructions and taking corresponding execution time measurements. Alternatively, for each disabled prefetch instruction in the instruction sequence of interest, the tool may cycle through different hardware prefetch depths and take corresponding execution time measurements at each hardware prefetch depth. The tool selects a combination of hardware prefetch depth and prefetch instruction disablement that may improve the execution time in comparison with a baseline execution time.

The present invention relates to the use of at least one sulfonic acid for recovering glycerol resulting from a reaction crude from transesterification of glycerides, in particular of triglycerides of vegetable and/or animal origin. The invention also relates to a process for purifying glycerol obtained as a by-product of triglyceride transesterification during the preparation of fatty acids, fatty esters and/or fatty acid salts, and also to a combined process for preparing, on the one hand, fatty acids, fatty esters and/or fatty acid salts and, on the other hand, glycerol, from triglycerides, using at least one sulfonic acid.

According to one embodiment, an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition includes any of the compounds (A) of general formula (I) below that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, generates an acid and a resin (B) whose rate of dissolution into an alkali developer is increased by the action of an acid. (The characters used in general formula (I) have the meanings mentioned in the description.)

Methods of producing terephthalic acid are described. The methods involve using a substantially pure p-toluic acid stream. The substantially pure p-toluic acid stream, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid and optionally a carboxylic acid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent are contacted to produce a product comprising terephthalic acid.

Bio-based terephthalic acid (bio-TPA), bio-based dimethyl terephthalate (bio-DMT), and bio-based polyesters, which are produced from a biomass containing a terpene or terpenoid, such as limonene are described, as well as the process of making these products. The bio-based polyesters include poly(alkylene terephthalate)s such as bio-based poly(ethylene terephthalate) (bio-PET), bio-based poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (bio-PTT), bio-based poly(butylene terephthalate) (bio-PBT), and bio-based poly(cyclohexylene dimethyl terephthalate) (bio-PCT).

A method for producing acrylic acid and/or an ester thereof from a raw material composition containing hydroxypropionic acid and/or an ester thereof, the method including the steps of: (a) evaporating the raw material composition; and (b) dehydrating the evaporated raw material composition by contact with a dehydration catalyst, wherein the total amount of hydroxypropionic acid and/or an ester thereof supplied in the step (b) is controlled to be 70% by mass or more based on 100% by mass of the total amount of hydroxypropionic acid and/or an ester thereof supplied in the step (a).

A method of making modified carbon materials for use in fabricating fuel cell components. The modified carbon may comprise pendant fluorocarbon groups bonded covalently bonded thereto. In one embodiment, a mixture is formed and comprises carbon material suitable for use in a fuel cell component, an organic solvent, a compound having the general formula I—R wherein R is a fluorocarbon, and a reductant.

A production process of a fluorosulfuric acid aromatic-ring ester according to the present invention includes reaction of an aromatic-ring hydroxyl compound with sulfuryl fluoride (SO2F2) in the presence of a tertiary amine except pyridine and methylpyridine. The sulfuryl fluoride, used as the reactant in the production process according to the present invention, is widely adapted as a fumigant and is easily available on a large scale. Further, the target compound can be obtained rapidly with a high yield under moderate reaction conditions in the production process according to the present invention. In this way, all of the prior art problems can be solved in the production process according to the present invention. The production process according to the present invention is thus particularly useful for industrial production of the fluorosulfuric acid aromatic-ring ester.

Various embodiments of the present invention generally disclose systems and processes for the conversion of a feed stream comprising at least one C8 aromatic into a product stream comprising isophthalic acid and purified terephthalic acid (IPA/TA).

Disclosed is a process for the production and purification of glycolic acid or glycolic acid derivatives by the carbonylation of aqueous formaldehyde. The water in the hydrocarboxylation zone is reduced via reaction with the ester bonds in a recycle stream comprising glycolic acid oligomers and/or methyl glycolate oligomers.

The present invention provides a resin capable of contributing greatly to solve environmental problems and problems related to exhaustion of fossil fuel resources and having physical properties suited for practical use. The polyester according to the present invention has a diol and a dicarboxylic acid as constituent components and has an amount of terminal acid of 50 equivalents/metric ton or less.

Disclosed herein are methods and reagents for determining the responsiveness of cancer to an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting treatment. The detection of these mutations will allow for the administration of gefitinib, erlotinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors to those patients most likely to respond to the drug.

This invention provides cellulose ester interpolymers, and methods of oxidizing cellulose interpolymers and cellulose ester interpolymers. The invention also provides routes to access carboxylated cellulose ester derivatives with high acid numbers wherein the carboxyl group is attached directly to the cellulose backbone by a carbon-carbon bond. Through functionalization of an intermediate aldehyde, the corresponding cationic or zwitterionic cellulose ester derivatives can also be accessed. The interpolymers of the present invention have a number of end-use applications, for example, as binder resins in various types of coating compositions and as drug delivery agents.

This invention provides cellulose ester interpolymers, and methods of oxidizing cellulose interpolymers and cellulose ester interpolymers. The invention also provides routes to access carboxylated cellulose ester derivatives with high acid numbers wherein the carboxyl group is attached directly to the cellulose backbone by a carbon-carbon bond. Through functionalization of an intermediate aldehyde, the corresponding cationic or zwitterionic cellulose ester derivatives can also be accessed. The interpolymers of the present invention have a number of end-use applications, for example, as binder resins in various types of coating compositions and as drug delivery agents.

This invention provides cellulose ester interpolymers, and methods of oxidizing cellulose interpolymers and cellulose ester interpolymers. The invention also provides routes to access carboxylated cellulose ester derivatives with high acid numbers wherein the carboxyl group is attached directly to the cellulose backbone by a carbon-carbon bond. Through functionalization of an intermediate aldehyde, the corresponding cationic or zwitterionic cellulose ester derivatives can also be accessed. The interpolymers of the present invention have a number of end-use applications, for example, as binder resins in various types of coating compositions and as drug delivery agents.

A power-saving network management server, which is coupled to a network system including a network device and manages a state of power to the network device, wherein the power-saving network management server is configured to: store network configuration information and task allocation information; determine starting or stopping of the power supply to the port of the network device based on the updated network configuration information and task allocation information; store a determination result of the starting or stopping of the power supply to the port as a port determination result; and control the power supply to the port of the network device based on the port determination result.

A method and apparatus for power-efficiency management in a virtualized cluster system. The virtualized cluster system includes a front-end physical host and at least one back-end physical host, and each of the at least one back-end physical host comprises at least one virtual machine and a virtual machine manager. Flow characteristics of the virtualized cluster system are detected at a regular time cycle, then a power-efficiency management policy is generated for each of the at least one back-end physical host based on the detected flow characteristics, and finally the power-efficiency management policies are performed. The method can detect the real-time flow characteristics of the virtualized cluster system and make the power-efficiency management policies thereupon to control the power consumption of the system and perform admission control on the whole flow, thereby realizing optimal power saving while meeting the quality of service requirements.

A multi-cluster processing system and a method of operating a multi-cluster processing system are provided. The multi-cluster processing system includes: a first cluster including a plurality of first-type cores: a second cluster including a plurality of second-type cores; and a control unit configured to monitor loads of the first-type cores and the second-type cores, wherein when utilization of at least one of enabled first-type cores exceeds a predetermined threshold utilization of each of the first-type cores, the control unit enables at least one of disabled first-type cores in a first mode, and the control unit enables at least one of the disabled second-type cores and disables the first cluster in a second mode, wherein an amount of computation per unit of time of each of the second-type cores is greater than an amount of computation per unit of time of each of the first-type cores.

According to an embodiment, a control system includes a detector, an estimating unit, a determining unit, and a controller. The detector detects an idle state. The estimating unit estimates an idle period. When the idle state is detected, the determining unit determines whether a first power consumption when writeback of data which needs to be written back to a main storage device is performed and supply of power to a cache memory is stopped, is larger than a second power consumption when writeback of the data is not performed and supply of power is continued for the idle period. The controller stops the supply of power to the cache memory when the first power consumption is determined to be smaller than the second power consumption and continues the supply of power when the first power consumption is determined to be larger than the second power consumption.

Arrangements for restarting data transmission on a serial low-power inter-chip media bus (SLIMbus) are presented. A clock signal may be provided in an active mode to a component communicatively coupled with the SLIMbus. Immediately prior to the clock signal in the active mode being provided, the clock signal may have been in a paused mode. While the clock signal was in the paused mode at least until the clock signal is provided in the active mode, the data line may have been inactive (e.g., a toggle on the data line may not have been present). Frame synchronization data for a frame may be transmitted. The frame synchronization data for the frame, as received by the component, may not match expected frame synchronization data. Payload data may be transmitted as part of the frame to the component, wherein the payload data is expected to be read properly by the component.

A method is provided to process data so that the data can be externally stored with minimized risk of information leakage. A framework (virtual execution framework) based on virtual machines (VMs) is utilized as a substitute for a trusted institution. Encryption of consolidated data can reduce risk of information leakage and enhance security. Since the virtual execution framework can control connection and direction of communication, financial institutions are allowed to apply encryption to data on their own, which makes the data further appropriate for external storage. By allowing financial institutions to apply their own decryption, it is possible to prevent one of two financial institutions from retrieving externally stored data into the external execution framework without intervention of the other. Additionally, associated acting subjects can be provided with freedom depending on the degree of information leakage risk.

A system is disclosed comprising multiple sets of client computers each client computer having installed thereon an application program The application program comprising client computer specific log-in information, a database system coupled to the set of client computers via a network. The database system having a log-in component for logging-in the client computers, and being partitioned into multiple relational databases each one of which is assigned to one set of the sets of client computers. Each database further storing encrypted data items, each data item being encrypted with one of the user or user-group specific cryptographic keys, the key identifier of the cryptographic key with which one of the data items is encrypted being stored in the database as an attribute of the one of the encrypted data items. The log-in component comprising assignment information indicative of the assignment of the databases to the set of client computers.

Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating cardiovascular treatment options for a patient. One method includes creating a three-dimensional model representing a portion of the patient's heart based on patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart or vasculature; and for a plurality of treatment options for the patient's heart or vasculature, modifying at least one of the three-dimensional model and a reduced order model based on the three-dimensional model. The method also includes determining, for each of the plurality of treatment options, a value of a blood flow characteristic, by solving at least one of the modified three-dimensional model and the modified reduced order model; and identifying one of the plurality of treatment options that solves a function of at least one of: the determined blood flow characteristics of the patient's heart or vasculature, and one or more costs of each of the plurality of treatment options.

The disclosed embodiments relate to pulse oximetry. An exemplary pulse oximeter comprises a probe that is adapted to be attached to a body part of a patient to create a signal indicative of an oxygen saturation of blood of the patient, and a processor that is adapted to receive the signal produced by the probe, to calculate an SPO2 value based on the signal, to detect a plurality of pattern types of SPO2 indicative of pathophysiologic events, and to produce an output indicative of a detected one of the plurality of pattern types.

The present application provides Ag/AgCl based reference electrodes having an extended lifetime that are suitable for use in long term amperometric sensors. Electrochemical sensors equipped with reference electrodes described herein demonstrate considerable stability and extended lifetime in a variety of conditions.

MRI compatible localization and/or guidance systems for facilitating placement of an interventional therapy and/or device in vivo include: (a) a mount adapted for fixation to a patient; (b) a targeting cannula with a lumen configured to attach to the mount so as to be able to controllably translate in at least three dimensions; and (c) an elongate probe configured to snugly slidably advance and retract in the targeting cannula lumen, the elongate probe comprising at least one of a stimulation or recording electrode. In operation, the targeting cannula can be aligned with a first trajectory and positionally adjusted to provide a desired internal access path to a target location with a corresponding trajectory for the elongate probe. Automated systems for determining an MR scan plane associated with a trajectory and for determining mount adjustments are also described.

A procedure and system for determining and placing spinal implants or prostheses includes measuring a change in position of vertebrae at an affected level of a patient's spine from a first position where the patient reports greatest pain at the affected level, to a second position where the patient reports least pain at the affected level. Spinal implants or prostheses are selected so as to urge the affected level of the spine toward the second position and away from the first position when the implants are placed at the affected level. In one embodiment, an implant device is formed by one or more inflatable balloons that are placed at determined locations inside a disc space at the affected level. When the balloons are inflated, vertebrae above and below the balloons are urged toward the second position and away from the first position at the affected level.

Apparatus and methods are described including acquiring a first set of extraluminal images of a lumen, using an extraluminal imaging device. At least one of the first set of images is designated as a roadmap image. While an endoluminal device is being moved through the lumen, a second set of extraluminal images is acquired. A plurality of features that are visible within images belonging to the second set of extraluminal images are identified. In response to the identified features in the images belonging to the second set of extraluminal images, a plurality of local calibration factors associated with respective portions of the roadmap image are determined. Other applications are also described.

The invention relates to improved process for the preparation of fesoterodine and its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, specifically fesoterodine fumarate of formula (1). The invention relates to solid state forms of a novel salt of fesoterodine and process for the preparation thereof. The invention also relates to highly pure fesoterodine fumarate substantially free of impurity X at RRT 1.37. The invention also provides solid particles of pure fesoterodine fumarate wherein 90 volume-percent of the particles (D90) have a size of higher than 200 microns.

A method for continuously preparing a carboxylic acid ester is disclosed. In the method of the present invention, a vertical reactor is filled with a solid catalyst, a carboxylic acid and an alcohol are introduced into a lower part of the vertical reactor, esterification is performed to form an esterized mixture, the esterized mixture is output from an upper part of the vertical reactor, and distillation is performed to isolate the carboxylic acid ester. The method of the present invention is simple, easily controlled and environmental friendly, and has significantly high conversion rate and selectivity.

A process for preparing an ester of formula (I): R3CH2—(CR1R2)n—CH2—O—CO—(CR1R2)n—CH2R3 (I) wherein n is 1-3 and R1 and R2 are each, independently, a hydrogen atom or a carbon-linked organic group and R3 is a carbon-linked organic group, is provided by hydrogenation of a certain lactone, carboxylic acid or its ester reactant.

A chemically amplified resist composition comprising a base polymer and an amine quencher in the form of a β-alanine, γ-aminobutyric acid, 5-aminovaleric acid, 6-aminocaproic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid. 8-aminooctanoic acid or 9-aminononanoic acid derivative having an unsubstituted carboxyl group has a high contrast of alkaline dissolution in rate before and after exposure and forms a pattern of good profile at a high resolution, minimal roughness and wide DOF.

A negative pattern is formed by coating a resist composition comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having a tertiary ester type acid labile group having a plurality of methyl or ethyl groups on alicycle and an acid generator onto a substrate, prebaking, exposing to high-energy radiation, baking, and developing in an organic solvent developer so that the unexposed region of resist film is dissolved away and the exposed region of resist film is not dissolved. The resist composition exhibits a high dissolution contrast during organic solvent development and forms a fine hole or trench pattern of dimensional uniformity.

The subject of the present invention are novel esters of (acyloxymethyl)acrylamide, a pharmaceutical composition containing them and their use in the production of drugs for the prophylaxis or treatment of oncogenic diseases and diseases connected with increased cell proliferation.

A feed additive includes at least one of p-thymol, a salt derivative and an ester derivative thereof for animals.

The present invention generally relates to a condensed process for producing terephthalic acid and terephthalic esters from a dialkyl cyclohexane-2,5-dione-1,4-dicarboxylate; a chemoselective process for preparing a substantially bicyclic-lactone-free dialkyl cyclohexane-2,5-diol-1,4-dicarboxylate; and compositions of matter prepared thereby.

The invention relates to the production of 2-octylacrylate of high purity and in good yield using ethyl titanate in solution in 2-octanol or 2-octyl titanate as a transesterification catalyst.

A resist composition which can form a very fine resist pattern with excellent lithography properties, a new polymeric compound useful for the resist composition, and a compound useful as a monomer for the polymeric compound. The resist composition contains a polymeric compound containing a structural unit (a0) represented by general formula (a0) shown below. In the formula (a0), A is an anion represented by the general formula (1) or (2).

A polyimide demonstrates low coefficient of hygroscopic expansion and low water absorption coefficient when used as an insulation film. The polyimide is derived from a tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride containing ester group expressed by the general formula below, and a polyester imide precursor: wherein R is independent and represents a straight or branched-chain alkyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms or straight or branched-chain alkoxyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms, n is an integer of 0 to 4, and m is an integer of 2 to 4, but wherein, if m =2, n is an integer of 1 to 4.

The present invention provides therapeutically active compounds and compositions as receptor antagonists and methods of use thereof. In one aspect, the compounds are useful in modulating pain, inflammation and acute phase reactions by inhibiting the PGE2 receptors including PGE2 EP1, EP2 and EP4 receptors.