Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for an improved coating for medical devices. Provided is a biofunctional coating composition comprising at least one binding domain that has binding specificity for a surface material of a medical device, and at least one binding domain that has binding specificity for cells of endothelial cell lineage. Methods for coating a surface of a medical device, and for manufacturing of a medical device, comprise contacting the surface to be coated with the biofunctional coating material in an amount effective to form a coating, and may further comprise contacting the coated surface with cells of endothelial cell lineage to bind the cells of endothelial cell lineage to the coated surface.

Abstract: A system for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. The system includes two or more groups of elongated heaters. The group includes two or more heaters placed in two or more openings in the formation. The heaters in the group are electrically coupled below the surface of the formation. The openings include at least partially uncased wellbores in a hydrocarbon layer of the formation. The groups are electrically configured such that current flow through the formation between at least two groups is inhibited. The heaters are configured to provide heat to the formation.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for an improved coating for medical devices. Provided is an interfacial biomaterial or biofunctional coating composition comprising at least one binding domain that has bind specificity for a surface material of a medical device, and at least one binding domain that has binding specificity for an antimicrobial composition. Methods for coating a surface of a medical device, and for manufacturing of a medical device, comprise contacting the surface to be coated with the biofunctional coating material in an amount effective to form a coating.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a reactor system comprising at least one reactor wherein makeup water for said system is preheated by water/steam exiting said reactor. In a preferred embodiment the system comprises plural reactors and the invention provides for each reactor to independently achieve isothermal operating conditions.

Abstract: An agency payment system for transactions covered by a virtual market control entity between participants. The system determines all payments required to be made by each virtual market control entity participant on a given day. It nets all of each of the participant's required payments to be made with the payments received by the virtual market control entity on the previous day due to each participant to obtain a net cash movement, either from the virtual market control entity to the participant's account or from the participant's account to the virtual market control entity. It transfers between the participant's account and the virtual market control entity's account and each participant's account the net cash movements to the virtual market control entity's account. It then transfers between the virtual market control entity's account and each participant's account the net cash movements to the participant's account.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved coating for surfaces of medical implants. The coating comprises at least one interfacial biomaterial (IFBM) which is comprised of at least one binding module that binds to the surface of an implant or implant-related material (“implant module”) and at least one binding module that selectively binds to a target analyte or that is designed to have a desired effect (“analyte module”). The modules are connected by a linker. In some embodiments, the IFBM coating acts to promote the recognition and attachment of target analytes to surface of the device. The IFBM coating improves the performance of implanted medical devices, for example, by promoting osteointegration of the implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for an improved coating for medical devices. The coating is an interfacial biomaterial (“IFBM”) which comprises at least one binding module that binds to the surface of a device (“surface-binding module”) and at least one binding module that performs another function (“affector module”) and which acts to inhibit biofilm formation.

Abstract: A paired basis swap risk and credit mitigation system and collateral minimization system. In swaps used to hedge forward contracts a system authority interposes itself and forms paired basis swaps with each of the paired swap participants and itself together with a Swaption to allow it to maintain a level book in the event of a default by any counterparty. In the event of a default the system authority has the ability to either terminate a swap and pay the non-defaulting counterparty an agreed upon termination payment, terminate the non-defaulting counterparty's swap and exercise the swaption to substitute a correlated swap with appropriate correlated termination payment; or substitute a new counterparty with an identical swap as the paired swap participant. Paired basis swap control through delivery can be enabled to continue the risk and credit mitigation benefits of the system.

Abstract: A mechanical human figure standing in a golf putting posture, having a lower stationary assembly of feet, legs, and spine, and having an upper pivoting assembly of shoulders and arms. The arms are fixed relative to the shoulders. A golf club is fixed to the lower ends of the arms in a golf putting grip. The upper assembly is attached to the spine on a pivot axle extending forward and upward from the top of the spine between the shoulders. The club head pivots in a circular swing arc tangent to the ground. A golf ball and a stroke guide are placed on the ground in front of the robot. Two laser sources on the pivoting assembly illuminate two aspects of a proper stroke on the ground and on the guide. The arms are lifted manually into a backswing and released, striking the ball and demonstrating the guide.

Abstract: A golf putting guide that is placed on the ground between a golfer and a golf ball. It has a vertical front surface facing the ball that is part of the elliptical vertical projection of a desired swing circle of the club head. The heel of the club head slides along the front surface of the guide in putting practice, guiding the club head in a planar swing circle that is centered between the golfer's shoulders. The top surface of the guide is marked with a series of club face alignment lines extending backward from the top front edge of the guide. Each of these lines is perpendicular to a line tangent to the elliptical top front edge of the guide. These lines visually guide the alignment of the club head as it moves along the front surface of the guide so the club rotates only on a single axis.

Abstract: A triangular guide placed horizontally on the ground between a golfer and a golf ball (11), having a base side (1) parallel to the desired trajectory line (14) for the ball, and left and right sides (4, 5) attached to the base side, converging to a front apex (6) pointing toward the ball. A golfer stands with the thighs, shoulders, and hips aligned with the base of the guide. On the back-swing, the golfer aligns the left forearm with the right side of the guide. On the follow-through, the golfer, aligns the right forearm with the left side of the guide. Labels on the guide remind the golfer of the use of the guide, and of certain aspects of the swing. A ball position indicator (20) may be attached to the practice aid to provide practice in ball placement relative to the golfer.

Abstract: A practice golf club that is short for carrying in luggage, but is weighted to a standard D3 swing weight. It has a shaft with first and second ends, with a first grip on the first end, a second grip on the second end, and a head projecting transversely from the second end for visual alignment of the club. It has a laser beam projecting from the second end of the shaft along the axis of the shaft. The golfer grips the first end of the shaft and swings the practice club, causing the laser to trace a line on the floor that provides feedback about the lower part of the swing. The golfer grips the second end of the shaft and swings the practice club, causing the laser to trace a line on the floor that provides feedback about the upper part of the swing. The golfer places the club horizontally across the thighs and observes the laser dot near a target to square the address stance.

Abstract: A flat horizontal platform (2) mounted on a base (1) by a central board (4) between the two. The central board (4) is attached to the platform, and is bracketed by retainer boards (3a, 3b) attached to the base. A golfer stands on the platform addressing a ball in front of the platform. The platform tilts left or right about the respective left or right side of the center board if the golfer's center of weight shifts beyond the respective left or right side of the enter board. A clicker between the base and platform on the back-swing side, alerts the golfer to an improper weight shift toward the back-swing, providing feedback during training to eliminate this stroke motion error.

Abstract: An elongated clicker (1) attached to a base (2). The base is rigid enough to distribute the pressure of the clicker on the wrist via padding (11). It is made of a lightweight material such as molded plastic, and is attached to the wrist by an adjustable strap (6). The clicker has a slidable adjustment block (12) which distributes and positions the pressure of the clicker on the back of the hand for optimum comfort and selectable clicker timing.

Abstract: A remote closing operator is positioned within a circuit breaker enclosure to allow remote operation of the circuit breaker operating mechanism to close the circuit breaker contacts. A closing solenoid and associated logic circuit controls the state of the contact closing springs. The solenoid is energized to initially release the contact closing springs and is later prevented from operation upon any further attempt to release the contact closing springs after the contacts are closed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit breaker is described having shunt trip capability along with automatic overcurrent protection through the circuit breaker trip unit and shunt trip module. The shunt trip module further provides auxiliary power to the trip unit and allows the trip unit microprocessor to report and record the shunt trip operation.

Abstract: An exhaust fumes distribution system for use within a structure adjacent to a space in which a vehicle having an engine coupled to a vertically oriented, open ended, exhaust stack is to be located to discharge exhaust fumes out of the structure. The system comprises an blower, an elongated, hollow guide tube having a slot extending the length thereof. The guide tube includes a pair of sealing members located along the slot for forming a sealed interface through which the exhaust stack is arranged to enter, so that fumes from the stack are carried down the guide tube and vented out of the structure by the blower. The sealing members are of generally C-shape in cross section so that peripheral portions thereof abut along the length of the slot to form the sealed interface.

Abstract: An exhaust fumes distribution system for use within a structure adjacent to a space in which a vehicle having an engine coupled to a vertically oriented, open ended, exhaust stack is to be located to discharge exhaust fumes out of the structure. The system comprises an actuatable blower, an elongated guide tube, a collapsible conduit, and a wireless transmitter and receiver. The guide tube has a hollow interior and a slot extending therealong and is mounted horizontally above the space so that the slot extends from a first position adjacent an entrance to the structure to a second, remote position. The collapsible conduit is located within the guide tube and is coupled to the blower. The conduit has an end portion including an inlet opening and is biased into an extended position within the guide tube so that the inlet opening is located adjacent the first position to receive the open end of the stack through the slot.

Abstract: An exhaust distribution system for a building to automatically attach/detach to a vertical exhaust stack of a vehicle located within the building. The system includes an elongate track for guiding movement of a trolley therealong from a first position adjacent the entrance of the building to a second remote position at which the vehicle is to be parked. The trolley supports one end, e.g., a mouth, of a flexible hose and includes a guiding device to orient the hose's mouth with respect to the exhaust stack to receive the exhaust fumes therefrom. An assembly automatically biases the trolley to the first position on the track. The system also includes a blower, a pressure responsive sensor, and a solenoid controlled damper to automatically vent the exhaust fumes out of the building whenever the pressure in the hose exceeds a predetermined level, e.g., a pressure level which would exist if the vehicle's motor was running.