Abstract: Disclosed are a roll-to-roll printing system and method in which a large number of micro-nozzles are formed directly in a printing roll, and thus ink supplied to the central portion of the roll can be formed into micro-inkjets by inducing an electrostatic field, and furthermore, as a result of the formation of the micro-inkjets, a micro-sized pattern significantly smaller than that achievable by a prior pattern formation method can be printed on a print medium, and in addition, the relative speed of the print medium relative to the roll can be maintained at a speed close to “0” so as to improve the resolution, integration density and precision of the printed pattern. According to the present invention, a large amount of micro-nozzles are formed directly in a printing roll, and thus ink supplied to the central portion of the roll can be formed into micro-inkjets by inducing an electrostatic field.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a lottery game at a retail establishment wherein players purchase goods or services involve a player placing a wager that is a function of the purchase price of the goods or services purchased at the retail establishment. A lottery draw is conducted at the time of purchase of the goods or services, or at a later time, wherein the probability of winning the draw is a function of the amount of the wager. For a winning draw, the player is awarded a prize that is a function of the purchase price of the goods or services.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for conveying substrates through a vapor deposition system includes a first carriage rail and a second carriage rail disposed at an opposite side of the conveyor assembly. The first and second carriage rails include a plurality of roller positions spaced longitudinally therealong. The carriage rails further include a pair of wheels at each of the roller positions, with the wheels spaced apart so as to define a cradle at the respective roller position. At least one of the wheels at each roller position on is drive wheel. A plurality of rollers extend between the first and second carriage rails. The rollers have ends that drop into the cradles at the roller positions such that the rollers are removable from the carriage rails by being lifted out of the cradles at the roller positions.

Abstract: An absorbent article incorporates a material having a base layer of a generally fluid permeable material and at least two strips or regions of elastomeric material attached to the base layer material with a space therebetween such that a center region of the base layer material is bordered on at least two sides by composite regions of the elastomeric materials and the base layer material. The center region of base layer material remains generally non-elastic and the composite regions are stretchable in at least a first direction as a result of tensioning and necking-in the base layer material prior to attaching the elastomeric materials. The material may be incorporated as a bodyside liner in the absorbent article.

Abstract: A pain management system for the infusion of drug to a wound site includes a pump connected to medical tubing which is connected to an improved infusion catheter for providing uniform delivery of fluid throughout an anatomical region. The infusion catheter is inserted into the body of a patient al a pierce site, spaced from an incision site, and extended to the wound site. The pump causes the drug to flow through the medical tubing, through the infusion catheter and to the wound site. In accordance with one embodiment of the catheter, the catheter comprises an elongated tube with a plurality of exit holes along an infusion section of the catheter, and an elongated flexible porous member residing within the tube and forming an annular space between the tube and the member. In accordance with other embodiments, the catheter includes a tube having a plurality of exit holes in a side wall of the tube. The exit holes may combine to form a flow-restricting orifice of the catheter.

Abstract: A film that is biodegradable and water-sensitive (e.g., water-soluble, water-dispersible, etc.) in that it loses its integrity over time in the presence of water is provided. The film contains a biodegradable polyester, starch, water-soluble polymer, and plasticizer. The desired water-sensitive attributes of film may be achieved in the present invention by selectively controlling a variety of aspects of the film construction, such as the nature of the components employed, the relative amount of each component, the manner in which the film is formed, and so forth.

Abstract: A biodegradable and renewable film that may be employed in a wide variety of applications is provided. The film is formed from a thermoplastic composition that contains at least one starch and at least one plant protein. Even at a high renewable material content, the present inventors have discovered that films may be readily formed from plant proteins and starches by selectively controlling the individual amount of the starch and plant proteins, the nature of the starch and plant proteins, and other components used in the film. Balancing the amount of starches and plant proteins within a certain range, for instance, can reduce the likelihood of plant protein aggregation and enhance the ability of the composition to be melt processed. The composition also contains at least one plasticizer that improves the thermoplastic nature of the protein and starch components. The selection of the plasticizer may also help reduce the tendency of the plant protein to aggregate during melt processing.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for providing improved signal radiation from an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) endpoint module. A two-part coupler is provided, with one part thereof affixed to a printed circuit board (PCB) which hosts components of an endpoint module including a transmitter to which, via the two-part coupler, various antenna may be selectively connected to improve signal radiation from the module. The antenna coupling system provides a selection of various antennae including some directly connected to a component of the two-part coupler and others connected remotely to the two-part coupler by way of a cable.

Abstract: Breachable product container 10 is formed by first lamina 10B and opposed second lamina 10C selectively pressed together. Perimeter seal 10S extends around the perimeter of the container. Product chamber 12P and inflatable breaching bubble 12 are between the selectively pressed opposed laminae, within the perimeter seal. Product 16 is contained within the product chamber. Inner divider 14D extends between the product chamber and the breaching bubble. Transfer passage 14 through the inner divider permits inflation of the breaching bubble in response to moderate pressure applied to the product chamber during an extended inflation period. Breaching edge 12E forms part of the perimeter seal around the breaching bubble. The breaching edge provides an edge breach by separating the opposed laminae along the breaching edge in response to substantial pressure applied to the breaching bubble during a brief breaching period.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for detecting wear in a screening arrangement is disclosed. The system, method, and apparatus can include a sensor that is configured to provide a notification signal when a surface of a screen panel has worn to a threshold level. The threshold level can be based at least in part on the amount of wear that requires replacement of a screen panel to prevent breakthrough or contamination. The notification signal provided by the sensor can be used to identify which screen panel or region of screen panels has been worn to the threshold level so that the screen panels can be replaced in a timely manner. The sensor may be coupled to a conductor embedded in one of the screen panels that is altered when a screen panel has worn to a threshold level, triggering the sensor to provide the notification signal.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a protein arginine methyltransferase inhibitor is provided. The inhibitor comprises an amino acid peptide joined to a chloroacetamidine warhead.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methodologies for detecting inversion tamper, removal tamper, and taps using a three-axes accelerometer sensor in a utility meter environment. Inversion tamper is detected upon power up if the acceleration value along Y axis is greater than or equal to some small positive threshold. Removal tamper is detected if the average acceleration change of both Y and Z axes is greater than or equal to the removal threshold. A tap is detected if the average acceleration change along the X axis is greater than or equal to the tap threshold. The initial acceleration values are set upon power up. Removal tamper detection and tap detection are distinguished using a moving average filter. Tap detection uses timing constraints to avoid false tap detections.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device for transdermal delivery of a fluid to a patient. The device comprises an envelope that may be applied to a patient's skin. The envelope comprises at least one diffusion layer coupled to at least one impermeable layer such that at least a chamber is defined therebetween. Other embodiments include internal diffusion layers, and thus possess additional chambers, as well. In one arrangement, an adhesive boundary layer permits the device to be removably secured to a patient and inhibits radial migration of fluid beyond the periphery of the device. In another arrangement, preferably, an anti-microbial layer is provided to inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and corresponding methodology for providing a base support, such as including concrete, and used such as for a wind-driven generator. Precast concrete cylinders are stacked in place upon a platform that may be partially precast and partially cast in place during assembly and supported, in certain embodiments, by plural concrete legs, the other ends of which are supported on a unitary or subdivided concrete foundation. In other embodiments, the platform may be supported by ribbed concrete panels. The concrete cylinders are glued together using an epoxy and then secured by an internal vertical post tension system extending from the platform to the upper most cylinder. Different types of concrete are used between upper and lower sections of the stacked cylinders. The lower section uses reinforced concrete while the upper section used ultra high performance fiber reinforced concrete.

Abstract: In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for determining an inhibitor of acetylcholine-activated potassium channel is described. The method includes incubating a cardiac cell in a solution comprising a test compound. The method further includes adding a muscarine (M2) receptor agonist to the cardiac cell in the solution and monitoring the cardiac cell for a change in membrane potential. A statistically insignificant change in the membrane potential following addition of the muscarine (M2) receptor to the solution signifies that the test compound is a K+ channel blocker that inhibits opening of the acetylcholine-activated potassium channel.

Abstract: Absorbent articles having a pouch for the collection of bodily waste are generally disclosed. The pouch can generally be located on or within the wearer contacting surface of an absorbent article. The pouch can have an opening ready to receive the bodily waste or can include a pouch opening mechanism. Additionally, a pouch closing mechanism can be included within the absorbent article to close the opening of the pouch upon collection of the bodily waste.

Abstract: There is provided a self-generating bidet that can perform power-generation using water supplied to the bidet or a water tank. The self-generating bidet, injecting water through a nozzle part, includes a water inlet into which water is introduced; a generator generating power through the water introduced by the water inlet; a charging unit storing electricity generated from the generator; and a nozzle passage part provided between the generator and the nozzle part to supply the water passing through the generator to the nozzle part. The self-generating bidet further includes a controller controlling the generator to be driven by opening a passage of the nozzle passage part in order to allow the water to be discharged through the nozzle part when a voltage of the charging unit is lower than a predetermined reference voltage.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for hydrolysis of a chemical hydride is provided. The method includes adding a chemical hydride to a reaction chamber and exposing the chemical hydride in the reaction chamber to a temperature of at least about 100° C. in the presence of water and in the absence of an acid or a heterogeneous catalyst, wherein the chemical hydride undergoes hydrolysis to form hydrogen gas and a byproduct material.

Abstract: A transportation system and a method for transporting a rotor blade under a height-restricting obstacle defining a clearance height are disclosed. The method includes transporting a first end of the rotor blade under the height-restricting obstacle. A transportation vehicle is configured to transport the rotor blade, the transportation vehicle including a bed on which the rotor blade is disposed. The method further includes moving a second end of the rotor blade from a raised position to a lowered position relative to the bed, the second end in the lowered position having a height less than or equal to the clearance height, and transporting the second end of the rotor blade under the height-restricting obstacle.

Abstract: A system for monitoring wear on a brake pad of a wind turbine is disclosed. The system may include a brake assembly having a brake pad and a moveable component. The brake pad may be configured to engage a friction surface of the wind turbine. The movable component may be configured to move relative to the friction surface as the brake pad wears. Additionally, the system may include a sensor at least partially mounted within the brake assembly. The sensor may be configured to detect a position of the movable component relative to the sensor or a position of the friction surface relative to the sensor.