Abstract: Surfactants useful for enhancing the electrical conduction of electrodes attached to the surface of a patient. The surfactants are also useful in transport of materials in and out of the body of a patient (animal or human) and in the measurement of disease states. Typical surfactants particularly useful in the invention are broadly represented by protein/fatty acid based compounds. The protein/fatty acid compounds may be lipopolypeptides. In some embodiments the lipopolypeptides may be acyl peptides. Typical acyl peptides are Lamepon S™, MayTein C™ and MayTein CT™.

Abstract: The concept of a barrier coating is applicable to any structure that requires repetitive paint removal. In principle, the coating is applied between a corrosion protective primer and protective topcoat for the purpose of encapsulating the corrosion resistant properties of the primer/surface treatment and allowing for a selective removal of the topcoat using acceptable mechanical coatings removal techniques. The 5-part coating system can be used on any type of structure that requires routine maintenance or repainting to preserve the integrity and/or appearance of the structure. Benefits associated with the concept of barrier coating include a significant reduction in the costs and manpower required to remove and reapply primer and topcoat systems from air- and land-based transportation vehicles, storage buildings, bridges and miscellaneous other structural applications.

Abstract: Surfactants useful for enhancing the electrical conduction of electrodes attached to the surface of a patient. The surfactants are also useful in transport of materials in and out of the body of a patient (animal or human) and in the measurement of disease states. Typical surfactants particularly useful in the invention are broadly represented by protein/fatty acid based compounds. The protein/fatty acid compounds may be lipopolypeptides. In some embodiments the lipopolypeptides may be acyl peptides. Typical acyl peptides are Lamepon S™, MayTein C™ and MayTein CT™.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for segmenting a plurality of Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices connected to a common root hub into clusters. The devices may be segmented based on the connection topology. Such a segmentation may be performed without user intervention to define the clusters by designating a particular port(s) of USB hubs as expansion ports such that a USB hub connected to an expansion port starts a new cluster and may act as a cluster root hub. Devices connected to a cluster root hub may be considered in the same cluster if there is no intervening cluster root hub.

Abstract: An intumescent coating system and method therefor is disclosed for thermally protecting a substrate having a surface exposed to fire conditions. The coating system of the present invention is provided as having a having a first film layer which forms a rigid carbonific char foam having toughness and rigidity, and a second film layer which forms an insulative carbonific char foam having insulation properties. The two foam components may be separately provided in a laminate-type arrangement as, respectively, an inner coating layer coated and cured on the surface of the substrate to form an inner film layer, and an outer coating layer coated and cured on the inner film layer to form an outer film layer.

Abstract: An intumescent coating system and method therefor is disclosed for thermally protecting a substrate having a surface exposed to fire conditions. The coating system of the present invention is provided as having a first component which forms a rigid carbonific char foam having toughness and rigidity, and a second component which forms an insulative carbonific char foam having a density about half the density of the rigid carbonific foam to give insulation properties. The two foam components may be separately provided in a laminate-type arrangement as, respectively, an inner coating layer coated and cured on the surface of the substrate to form an inner film layer, and an outer coating layer coated and cured on the inner film layer to form an outer film layer. Alternatively, the two foams may be provided as being formed from components blended to comprise a single coating layer which is coated and cured on the surface of the substrate to form a film layer.

Abstract: An intumescent coating system and method therefor is disclosed for thermally protecting a substrate having a surface exposed to a flame environment. The coating system of the present invention is provided as having a having a first component which forms a rigid carbonific char foam having toughness and rigidity, and a second component which forms an insulative carbonific char foam having a density about half the density of the rigid carbonific foam to give insulation properties. The two foam components may be separately provided in a laminate-type arrangement as, respectively, an inner coating layer coated and cured on the surface of the substrate to form an inner film layer, and an outer coating layer coated and cured on the inner film layer to form an outer film layer. Alternatively, the two foams may be provided as being formed from components blended to comprise a single coating layer which is coated and cured on the surface of the substrate to form a film layer.

Abstract: An intumescent coating system and method therefor is disclosed for thermally protecting a substrate having a surface exposed to a flame environment. The coating system of the present invention is provided as having a having a first component which forms a rigid carbonific char foam having toughness and rigidity, and a second component which forms an insulative carbonific char foam having a density about half the density of the rigid carbonific foam to give insulation properties. The two foam components may be separately provided in a laminate-type arrangement as, respectively, an inner coating layer coated and cured on the surface of the substrate to form an inner film layer, and an outer coating layer coated and cured on the inner film layer to form an outer film layer. Alternatively, the two foams may be provided as being formed from components blended to comprise a single coating layer which is coated and cured on the surface of the substrate to form a film layer.

Abstract: A protective mat for use with pressure-actuated switching devices having a moisture-resistant, isolated switching chamber protected by a puncture-resistant, protective layer which disperses forces applied to the mat.

Abstract: A protective mat for use with pressure-actuated switching devices having a moisture-resistant, isolated switching chamber protected by a puncture-resistant, protective layer which disperses forces applied to the mat.

Abstract: A ventilation system for use with devices which produce airborne impurities, particularly cooking grills, deep fat fryers and the like. A first blower supplies untempered makeup air. A first plenum, which includes a first perforated wall having a plurality of openings therein, supplies air from the first blower, via a duct, into space beneath an upper front portion of a hood. A second plenum, which includes a second perforated wall having a plurality of apertures therein, supplies air from the first blower, via a duct, into space beneath the hood to cool air and impurities, which may include flue gas, moving upwardly in space adjacent the second perforated wall, the apertures in the second perforated wall being positioned to discharge air substantially horizontally into this space. A second blower is provided for exhausting air and impurities from the hood via a duct and an exhaust plenum.

Abstract: Compositions comprising 50-75% w/w of lime, 20-30% w/w of fluorspar (CaF.sub.2), and up to 20% w/w of ground aluminum, and methods to desulphurize molten ferrous metals, notably molten steels, by adding said compositions to molten ferrous metals in the ladle, but more preferably, by injecting the composition in particulate form into the molten body of ferrous metals, e.g., molten steels.

Abstract: A power driven oscillating sifter oscillated by a motor driven crank arm with the sifter having a pair of end plates and a central baffle all secured to the shaft. A perforated semi-cylindrical sifter panel is detachably secured to the end panels by means of inturned flanges on the end panels. The sifter panel has a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs for agitating the material to be sifted and openings are provided in the baffle and the lower end wall to permit the exit of materials which will not pass through the perforations of the sifter panel.