Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a substance comprising a direct analysis in real time apparatus; a neutral excluder; a mass spectrometer; and a vessel in. The apparatus may also comprise a separator, a gas, an alcohol, a filter, and a pump. The apparatus may also comprise electrodes in communication with the direct analysis in real time apparatus and the neutral excluder. A method for detecting a substance comprising contacting the substance with a direct analysis in real time apparatus ion stream; forming an ion and a neutral particle; flowing the ion and the neutral particle into a neutral excluder; contacting the ion and the neutral particle with a gas; and flowing the ion into a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An inflatable balloon is supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including a generally cylindrical barrel section forming a working surface, and generally conical end sections that do not form a part of the working surface. The balloon further includes at least one radiopaque identifier for indicating the relative position of the working surface, said identifier being provided on at least one of the conical end sections of the balloon so as to define the extent of the working surface. Related aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An inflatable balloon is supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including a generally cylindrical barrel section forming a working surface, and generally conical end sections that do not form a part of the working surface. The balloon further includes at least one radiopaque identifier for indicating the relative position of the working surface, said identifier being provided on at least one of the conical end sections of the balloon so as to define the extent of the working surface. Related aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An inflatable balloon is supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including a generally cylindrical barrel section forming a working surface, and generally conical end sections that do not form a part of the working surface. The balloon further includes at least one radiopaque identifier for indicating the relative position of the working surface, said identifier being provided on at least one of the conical end sections of the balloon so as to define the extent of the working surface. Related aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a digestible pet chew includes combining ingredients including a leavening agent and an acid to form a mixture having about 16 to 32% moisture, adding the mixture to a barrel of an injection molding machine, and plasticizing the mixture with heat and pressure to form a plasticized material. The plasticized material is then injected into a chilled mold and cooled in the mold for a time sufficient to form a skin surrounding a center portion. The mold is then released to allow the center portion to expand to form a pet chew having an outer skin and an expanded center.

Abstract: A protection system for an electrical apparatus is disclosed. The protection system includes a baffle assembly and a coating for electrical elements exposed to arc gases. The baffle assembly includes a number of generally planar sidewalls, each sidewall including a first edge surface, a second edge surface, and a third edge surface. The sidewalls are disposed in a spaced, generally parallel configuration defining a number of channels. A first end wall is sealingly coupled to each sidewall first edge. A second end wall is sealingly coupled to each sidewall second edge. A third end wall is sealingly coupled to each sidewall third edge. The terminals of an electrical apparatus are disposed in an aligned set with one set of terminals in each channel. The channels are structured to limit the flow of arc gases across adjacent sets of terminals.

Abstract: A cold-set, injection-molded digestible pet chew includes an outer skin layer having a tough, chewy texture and an expanded center being surrounded by the outer skin layer. The outer skin layer and the expanded center being are formed by injecting a plasticized mixture into a chilled mold and cooling in the mold for about 10-60 seconds followed by releasing the mold to allow the center to expand to form a digestible pet chew. The plasticized mixture includes protein, starch, 0.1-2.5% encapsulated leavening agent, acid, and 5-15% of a humectant. The encapsulated leavening agent reacts with the acid to form the expanded center within the outer skin layer. Further, the pet chew has a water activity of 0.60 or below such that the expanded center remains expanded.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An inflatable balloon is supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including a generally cylindrical barrel section forming a working surface, and generally conical end sections that do not form a part of the working surface. The balloon further includes at least one radiopaque identifier for indicating the relative position of the working surface, said identifier being provided on at least one of the conical end sections of the balloon so as to define the extent of the working surface. Related aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An inflatable balloon is supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including a generally cylindrical barrel section forming a working surface, and generally conical end sections that do not form a part of the working surface. The balloon further includes at least one radiopaque identifier for indicating the relative position of the working surface, said identifier being provided on at least one of the conical end sections of the balloon so as to define the extent of the working surface. Related aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A protection system for an electrical apparatus is disclosed. The protection system includes a baffle assembly and a coating for electrical elements exposed to arc gases. The baffle assembly includes a number of generally planar sidewalls, each sidewall including a first edge surface, a second edge surface, and a third edge surface. The sidewalls are disposed in a spaced, generally parallel configuration defining a number of channels. A first end wall is sealingly coupled to each sidewall first edge. A second end wall is sealingly coupled to each sidewall second edge. A third end wall is sealingly coupled to each sidewall third edge. The terminals of an electrical apparatus are disposed in an aligned set with one set of terminals in each channel. The channels are structured to limit the flow of arc gases across adjacent sets of terminals.

Abstract: A computer-implemented biometric identity verification method including the steps of storing a database of registered users, including data identifying profile attributes of each registered user and a respective plurality of stored biometric signatures, each stored biometric signature associated with a corresponding one or more of the profile attributes. A predicted biometric signature is derived for a requesting user when it is determined that a period of time has elapsed since the requesting user's stored biometric signature was last updated, by adapting the stored biometric signature based on biometric variances derived from a biometric peer group of registered users with at least one profile attribute in common with the requesting user. The predicted biometric signature is used to verify the identity of the requesting user.

Abstract: A protection system for an electrical apparatus is disclosed. The protection system includes a baffle assembly and a coating for electrical elements exposed to arc gasses. The baffle assembly includes a number of generally planar sidewalls, each sidewall including a first edge surface, a second edge surface, and a third edge surface. The sidewalls are disposed in a spaced, generally parallel configuration defining a number of channels. A first end wall, is sealingly coupled to each sidewall first edge. A second end wall is sealingly coupled to each sidewall second edge. A third end wall is sealingly coupled to each sidewall third edge. The terminals of an electrical apparatus are disposed in an aligned set with one set of terminals in each channel. The channels are structured to limit the flow of arc gasses across adjacent sets of terminals.

Abstract: A protection system for an electrical apparatus is disclosed. The protection system includes a baffle assembly and a coating for electrical elements exposed to arc gasses. The baffle assembly includes a number of generally planar sidewalls, each sidewall including a first edge surface, a second edge surface, and a third edge surface. The sidewalls are disposed in a spaced, generally parallel configuration defining a number of channels. A first end wall, is sealingly coupled to each sidewall first edge. A second end wall is sealingly coupled to each sidewall second edge. A third end wall is sealingly coupled to each sidewall third edge. The terminals of an electrical apparatus are disposed in an aligned set with one set of terminals in each channel. The channels are structured to limit the flow of arc gasses across adjacent sets of terminals.

Abstract: An array structure includes a plurality of containers arranged in a predetermined pattern. Each container of the plurality of containers has a maximum outer dimension that is less than about 1 cm, and each container of the plurality of containers has a substantially predetermined porosity.

Abstract: An exhaust gas heat energy recovery and pollution control system for a marine vessel is disclosed. The system includes (a) an exhaust gas boiler that receives exhaust gases from a gas or fuel oil-burning internal combustion engine, (b) a variable capacity wet scrubbing system that sprays a mixture into the exhaust gases, (c) two or more condensing heat exchangers that receive exhaust gases, (d) a variable flow and variable pressure exhaust gas mover that facilitates movement of the exhaust gases, (e) a liquid collection and treatment system that collects liquid condensate, (f) one or more heat sinks to receive thermal energy from exhaust gases, (g) an interconnecting fluid conduit that allows for movement of exhaust gases, and (h) a control system communicatively coupled with a plurality of sensors, actuators, and external interfaces.

Abstract: An exhaust gas heat energy recovery and pollution control system for a marine vessel is disclosed. The system includes (a) an exhaust gas boiler that receives exhaust gases from a gas or fuel oil-burning internal combustion engine, (b) a variable capacity wet scrubbing system that sprays a mixture into the exhaust gases, (c) two or more condensing heat exchangers that receive exhaust gases, (d) a variable flow and variable pressure exhaust gas mover that facilitates movement of the exhaust gases, (e) a liquid collection and treatment system that collects liquid condensate, (f) one or more heat sinks to receive thermal energy from exhaust gases, (g) an interconnecting fluid conduit that allows for movement of exhaust gases, and (h) a control system communicatively coupled with a plurality of sensors, actuators, and external interfaces.

Abstract: A method for forming a digestible pet chew includes combining ingredients including a leavening agent and an acid to form a mixture having about 16 to 32% moisture, adding the mixture to a barrel of an injection molding machine, and plasticizing the mixture with heat and pressure to form a plasticized material. The plasticized material is then injected into a chilled mold and cooled in the mold for a time sufficient to form a skin surrounding a center portion. The mold is then released to allow the center portion to expand to form a pet chew having an outer skin and an expanded center.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises an elongated, tubular shaft extending in a longitudinal direction, said shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. An inflatable balloon is supported along the distal end of the shaft, the balloon when inflated including a generally cylindrical barrel section forming a working surface, and generally conical end sections that do not form a part of the working surface. The balloon further includes at least one radiopaque identifier for indicating the relative position of the working surface, said identifier being provided on at least one of the conical end sections of the balloon so as to define the extent of the working surface. Related aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for secured succession of a user account to an authorized successor, including a database storing data identifying a registered successor for an account and associated data defining a biometric signature of the registered successor, a verification module configured to verify the identity of the registered successor based on the biometric signature, and an account transfer module configured to receive an instruction to transfer the account to the registered successor, and to transfer the account to the registered successor after verification of the identity of the successor by the verification module.

Abstract: A computer-implemented biometric identity verification method including the steps of storing a database of registered users, including data identifying profile attributes of each registered user and a respective plurality of stored biometric signatures, each stored biometric signature associated with a corresponding one or more of the profile attributes. A predicted biometric signature is derived for a requesting user when it is determined that a period of time has elapsed since the requesting user's stored biometric signature was last updated, by adapting the stored biometric signature based on biometric variances derived from a biometric peer group of registered users with at least one profile attribute in common with the requesting user. The predicted biometric signature is used to verify the identity of the requesting user.