Abstract: A secure ballot box includes a main compartment for receiving ballots, a case including a base and a cover supported by the main compartment, and a scanner supported within the base. The cover is coupled with the base and is moveable between a closed position enclosing the scanner and an open position exposing at least a portion of the scanner. The case and scanner are removable from the main compartment for easy transport. A sensor, operable to detect the height of the ballots collected within the main compartment, is coupled with the scanner to switch the scanner to an off mode such that additional ballots will not be accepted when the height of ballots within the main compartment reaches a predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an interactive intelligent toy comprising an intelligent element configured to resemble a person, animal, vehicle or other character and an environmental element configured to resemble a related environment, habitat or object. The intelligent element is adapted to perform certain preprogrammed actions upon coming into contact with or proximity to the environmental element. In one embodiment, the intelligent element is a motive component having a drive mechanism, a control mechanism and power source. The motive component is programmed to monitor and detect user and event inputs, and detect and decode embedded codes from an environmental element and perform predetermined actions or generate predetermined sounds in response. The motive component also engages with a coupling component and supplies the drive mechanism and power source for moving both the motive component and the coupling component.

Abstract: A system for supporting a banner includes a body defining an elongate passage (260, 260A) and a secure halyard passage (271, 271A), the elongate passage configured to receive at least one travelling weight (256, 256A) and having a longitudinal slot (261, 261A) extending substantially along the length of the elongate passage wherein, in use, the banner is attached through the slot to the at least one travelling weight. A housing (12) is positioned at an upper end of the halyard passage, the housing having a recess configured to receive a banner arm (14) wherein, in use, the banner is attached to the banner arm and retraction of a halyard (228) through the secure halyard passage causes the banner arm to be retracted into the recess and to be positioned in a predetermined laterally-extending orientation. The body may be a conduit (210) configured for attachment to a support surface. In another arrangement the body is a multi-function street pole (200A).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for detecting security features on paper ballots. The security features allow a ballot tabulator to distinguish between an authentic ballot and a counterfeit ballot that does not include the required security feature. One or more security sensors in the ballot tabulator are operable to detect the security feature on the ballot, and provide an output indicating the presence or absence of the security feature. The ballot tabulator preferably generates a visual alert and/or audio alert if the security sensor does not detect the security feature on the paper ballot.

Abstract: Novel bifunctional peptides useful in the treatment and/or diagnosis of EAE or MS. The peptides have a first peptide portion derived from an epitope of myelin proteolipid protein, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, or oligodendrocyte-specific peptide and a second peptide portion derived from CD11a (LFA-1 alpha subunit), CD18 (LFA-1 beta subunit), CD154 (CD40L), Fas-Ligand, or CTLA4. The carboxy and/or amino termini of the bifunctional peptides may be modified.

Abstract: A polyelectrolyte complex for the controlled release of an oil and gas field chemical selected from the group consisting of (a) a gel-forming or cross-linking agent, (b) a scale inhibitor, (c) a corrosion inhibitor, (d) an inhibitor of asphaltene or wax deposition, (e) a hydrogen sulfide scavenger, (f) a hydrate inhibitor, (g) a breaking agent, and a surfactant.

Abstract: A gallon paint can, brush, and scraper/wire brush holder for use with hollow D-rung ladders. The device includes an annular support member defining a recess into which a can, typically a standard one gallon paint can, or other container can be placed. The can, brush and scraper/wire brush are secured and prevented from falling through the recess of the ladder rung. Attached to the device is a rung insert member, comprising a smooth or ribbed tube with Neoprene washer inserts which can be inserted through the hollow rung in a snug fit, allowing the can to self-level by operation of gravity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a therapeutic device and method of administering precisely measured doses of a therapeutic substance via inhalation to pediatric and adult patients. More specifically, the invention relates to a therapeutic device and method of administering inhaled medication which delivers a controlled flow rate to a mouthpiece for administration of medicament to young children and adults with a diminished capacity, at a rate of about 25.8 L/minute to 30.2 L/minute.

Abstract: This invention relates to a predetermined bonus feature for use in conjunction with a designated underlying game of chance, wherein the individual game card and master game card or master bonus game card include symbols that predetermine and identify which player(s) is eligible to win the bonus prize upon the occurrence of another event. A predetermined winning bonus symbol on a master game card or master bonus game card made known prior to or after conclusion of play of the designated underlying game. Players who have a symbol on their individual game card that matches the predetermined winning bonus symbol know, in advance, that they are eligible to participate to win the bonus prize. The winner(s) of the designated underlying game will win the bonus prize if s/he is able to match a symbol on the individual game card with the winning bonus symbol.

Abstract: A ballot tabulation device and method for tabulating paper ballots that have been printed according to ballot style. In an exemplary embodiment, the ballot tabulation device includes an input device, such as a touch screen display, that enables a user to enter a precinct identification code for a paper ballot. The device also includes a scanner operable to scan the paper ballot, and a processing circuit operable to decode one or more voting selections marked on the paper ballot. The processing circuit is further operable to tabulate the decoded voting selections and include the tabulated voting selections within the vote tally associated with the precinct identification code. Other exemplary embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fabric for protecting a wearer thereof from an energy weapon. The fabric is made of a plurality of coupled strands. Each strand is made from at least two fibers, an electrically non-conductive fiber and an electrically conductive fiber. The electrically non-conductive fiber at least partially encloses the electrically conductive fiber.

Abstract: This invention provides a class of therapeutic compounds and methods for the treatment of mammals with physiological disorders, such as for example a frequently occurring type of essential hypertension, which are critically associated with the decreased binding of magnesium to the plasma membranes of their cells. These methods consist of administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a compound selected from a series of disubstituted trans, trans 1,3-butadienes, 1,3-disubstituted perhydrobutadienes, 1,2-disubstituted trans ethylenes and 1,2 disubstituted ethanes and disubstituted propanes, each of which embodies, in common, the unique structural feature essential for the biological activity of these compounds. This invention also provides for pharmaceutical formulations that employ these novel compounds.

Abstract: A corn milling process comprising fracturing corn kernels into relatively large particles, and passing the fractured particles between a pair of counter-rotating rollers, each of which presents fine corrugations of the type that normally characterizes the end of a differential corn milling process. The ratio of the roll speeds between the differential rollers is between approximately 1.1-1.4:1. The rollers are spaced apart a distance to grind the endosperm portion of the corn kernel particles while avoiding substantial penetration of the roller corrugations into the germ portion of the particles thereby separating the germ and endosperm portions without reducing the size of the germ.

Abstract: Oxidations of hydrocarbons, cycloalkanes and alkenes, arylalkanes, and a variety of other organic substrates are accomplished by cobalt-N-hydroxysuccinimide co-catalyzed reactions with dioxygen under unusually mild, near ambient conditions of temperature and pressure. The improved safety of the oxidation method and the high yields of product obtained make use of a unique combination of cobalt (II) complexes with N-hydroxysuccinimide. These autoxidation reactions do not have prolonged initiation times. Many of these reactions can be safely performed under normal chemical laboratory conditions and do not require specialized equipment or reagents.

Abstract: A banner raising apparatus is described for use with a halyard (228) for raising and lowering a banner. The apparatus is mounted to a generally vertical support surface (222) and comprises an upper halyard guide (220) mounted at an upper portion of the support surface and guiding the halyard travelling in a secure halyard passageway. A halyard fastener (218) is operable to releasably fasten the halyard exiting the secure halyard passageway adjacent a lower portion of the support surface, and a secure housing (212) is mounted externally of the support surface adjacent the lower portion, the secure housing configured to contain the halyard fastener and having sufficient internal volume to securely house the halyard of a raised banner. The secure housing is configured to enable access to the halyard. An elongate conduit defining the secure halyard passageway may be mounted externally to the support surface. The secure halyard passageway may be a secure internal cavity defined in the support surface.