Abstract: Methods for improving the antibacterial characteristics of biomedical implants and related implants manufactured according to such methods. In some implementations, a biomedical implant comprising a silicon nitride ceramic material may be subjected to a surface roughening treatment so as to increase a surface roughness of at least a portion of the biomedical implant to a roughness profile having an arithmetic average of at least about 500 nm Ra. In some implementations, a coating may be applied to a biomedical implant. Such a coating may comprise a silicon nitride ceramic material, and may be applied instead of, or in addition to, the surface roughening treatment process.

Abstract: A method regulates a machine having a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and service brakes in a manner to reduce power transmission through the applied brakes. The method utilizes an unaltered torque-to-speed curve that relates the torque output to the speed output of the CVT. An under-run curve may be applied to the torque-to-speed curve and that corresponds to a target speed. The method may receive an operator input signal indicative of a braking event. In response, the method may shift the torque-to-speed curve to limit the output torque available. The method may also adjust the under-run curve in a manner that maintains correspondence with the target speed.

Abstract: A multi-sided framing tool includes a stud side with stud pockets, a nail side with nailing windows, and an intermediate side adjoining the stud and nail sides.

Abstract: Substrates for cell culture and tissue engineering bioreactors consisting of polymers that change their shape over time under stimulation by temperature change, hydration, degradation, or other means. A method of controlling cell culture using a biodegradable shape memory polymer, wherein shape changes can transfer stresses, strains, or both to adherent or otherwise connected cells such that the mechanical stimulus impacts cell development and the resulting properties of tissues.

Abstract: A propylene-alpha-olefin polymer that includes at least 50% by weight propylene, has a ratio of z average molecular weight (Mz) to number average molecular weight (Mw) (Mz/Mw) from greater than 20 to no greater than 50, and a ratio of Mz to weight average molecular weight (Mw) (Mz/Mw) of greater than 2.5, and exhibits a viscosity of no greater than 2,500 centipoise at 190° C., and a hot melt adhesive composition that includes the propylene-alpha-olefin polymer, a first wax consisting of a functionalized wax, and a second wax different from the first wax, the adhesive composition exhibiting a viscosity of no greater than 2,500 centipoise at 177° C.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition that includes a propylene-alpha-olefin polymer including at least 50 mole % propylene and has a ratio of z average molecular weight (Mz) to number average molecular weight (Mn) (Mz/Mn) from greater than 20 and no greater than 50, a ratio of Mz to weight average molecular weight (Mw) (Mz/Mw) from greater than 2.5 to no greater than 6, a crystallinity of at least 5%, and a viscosity of no greater than 2,500 centipoise at 190° C., and from 10% by weight to no greater than 30% by weight tackifying resin, the adhesive composition having a viscosity no greater than 10,000 centipoise at 149° C.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition that includes a non functionalized amorphous poly alpha olefin polymer, a second polymer selected from the group including polypropylene homopolymers, polypropylene copolymers and combinations there of, a functionalized wax and a second wax.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition that includes a non functionalized metallocene catalyzed polymer and a second polymer selected from the group including amorphous poly alpha olefins, uni-modal metallocene catalyzed polymers, hydrogenated styrenic block copolymers and combinations thereof and nonwoven and packaging articles including the same.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive composition that includes a first copolymer that includes the reaction product of a functionalized polyethylene, a propylene-alpha-olefin polymer that includes at least 50 mole % propylene and has a viscosity of no greater than 10,000 centipoise at 190° C., a ratio of z average molecular weight (Mz) to number average molecular weight (Mn) (Mz/Mn) of greater than 20, and a ratio of Mz to weight average molecular weight (Mw) (Mz/Mw) of greater than 3.0, and a free radical initiator.

Abstract: A multi-sided framing guide includes a stud side with stud pockets, a nail side with nailing windows, and an intermediate side adjoining the stud and nail sides.

Abstract: A multi-sided framing guide includes a stud side with stud pockets, a nail side with nailing windows, and an intermediate side adjoining the stud and nail sides.

Abstract: Substrates for cell culture and tissue engineering bioreactors consisting of polymers that change their shape over time under stimulation by temperature change, hydration, degradation, or other means. A method of controlling cell culture using a biodegradable shape memory polymer, wherein shape changes can transfer stresses, strains, or both to adherent or otherwise connected cells such that the mechanical stimulus impacts cell development and the resulting properties of tissues.

Abstract: A connector (M) includes a terminal fitting accommodation member (20), made of synthetic resin, which accommodates a plurality of terminal fittings (30) and a tube (10), produced separately from the terminal fitting accommodation member (20), a front end of which is mounted in a mounting hole (H) of a panel. The connector (M) is constructed by mounting the terminal fitting accommodation member (20) on the tube (10).

Abstract: A system and method for transferring credit accounts over a network include steps and means for receiving search criteria from a user, searching a credit account database for available credit accounts based on the search criteria, providing results of the searching to the user, the results including a summary of available credit accounts and a purchase price for each available credit account, receiving a selection of at least one of the available credit accounts from the user, calculating a total purchase price for the selected at least one of the available credit accounts, receiving a purchase request from the user corresponding to the selected at least one of the available credit accounts, providing an invoice to the user for the total purchase price, receiving a payment from the user in response to the invoice; and in response to the received payment, removing the selected credit accounts from the credit account database.

Abstract: A connector (M) includes a terminal fitting accommodation member (20), made of synthetic resin, which accommodates a plurality of terminal fittings (30) and a tube (10), produced separately from the terminal fitting accommodation member (20), a front end of which is mounted in a mounting hole (H) of a panel. The connector (M) is constructed by mounting the terminal fitting accommodation member (20) on the tube (10).

Abstract: A system is provided for comprehensive debt management. Debt is typically acquired in the form of portfolios from the issuers of debit (e.g., creditors, such as credit card banks), which are referenced herein as “primary issuers” of debt. The custodian of the present invention is the acquiring party and is referenced as the “secondary issuer” of debt. Such portfolios are normally expansive and may cover a very large geographically region, such as the state of Texas. The system can parse the debt and assign any portion thereof to collection agencies or even directly to individual collectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving debris such as chicken manure away from a wall including a frame assembly movable across a floor, a scraping member suspended from the frame assembly and a guide member connected to the scraping member. The scraping member is arranged for scraping debris away from the wall and causing movement of the scraping member and frame assembly toward the wall when the frame assembly is moved in a predetermined direction across the floor. The guide member causes movement of the scraping member away from the wall and around objects projecting out from the wall such as support beams.

Abstract: A computerized accounting technique is provided. A record of a first type of transaction is identified based upon a record of a second type of transaction. The first type of transaction is a different type of transaction than the second type of transaction. Data is added to the record of the second type transaction based upon the identity of the first type transaction. Based upon this added data, the record of the second type transaction is reconciled with another record representing the second type transaction.

Abstract: A three-axis antenna positioner has an X-Y over azimuth configuration, and includes an azimuth drive assembly, an X-axis drive assembly, and a Y-axis drive assembly. Each drive assembly is independently operable. The azimuth drive assembly imparts 540° azimuthal rotational motion to an antenna about an azimuth axis. The X-axis drive assembly rotates the antenna about a horizontal X-axis at elevation angles between ?90° and +90°. The Y-axis drive assembly rotates the antenna about a Y-axis at elevation complement angles between ?2° and +105°. The azimuth axis, the X-axis, and the Y-axis all intersect at a common intersection point, and are mutually orthogonal. A controller operates each drive assembly so as to minimize antenna tracking velocity and acceleration. Each drive assembly may include dual drives, and may be operated in a bias drive mode to substantially eliminate backlash.

Abstract: A controller is configured to operate an antenna positioner, which positions an antenna to track a moving object during a pass, in dual operational modes. The controller determines a maximum expected elevation angle during the pass. The controller de-activates the azimuth drive assembly and activates the x-axis drive assembly and the y-axis drive assembly, if the maximum expected elevation angle is greater than or equal to a predetermined angle. The controller de-activates the x-axis drive assembly, and activates the azimuth drive assembly and the y-axis drive assembly, if the maximum expected elevation angle is less than the predetermined angle.