Abstract: A downhole tool string, comprising a tool string bore and a drill bit located at the bottom of the tool string. The drill bit comprises a body intermediate a shank and a working surface. The working surface may comprise a substantially coaxial rotationally isolated jack element with a portion of the jack element extending out of an opening formed in the working surface to engage a subterranean formation. The tool string may comprise a driving mechanism adapted to rotate the jack. The clutch assembly disposed within the tool string bore may comprise a first end in communication with the jack element and second end in communication with the driving mechanism.

Abstract: A portable filter and filter system. The filter has a filter housing defining a liquid channel from an inlet to an outlet. The portable filter includes a liquid filter located in the filter housing, a mouthpiece mechanically associated with the dispensing end of the filter housing, and a liquid receiving means connected to the receiving end of the filter housing. The device can include a pre-filter assembly of which the liquid receiving means is a part. The liquid receiving means can include multiple connection members to receive liquid from a variety of liquid sources. The filter can be combined with a liquid container to form a portable filter system. The container can be a flexible bladder having a strap to connect the filtration device to the bladder.

Abstract: A powder inhaler includes a container for storing powdered medicament. A metering member has a dosing recess and is moveable between a filling position in which the dosing recess is in alignment with an opening of the container, and an inhalation position in which it is in alignment with an inhalation channel. A mouthpiece is in communication with the inhalation channel for enabling inhalation of the dose of powdered medicament when in the inhalation position. A protective member provided between the metering member and the inhalation channel is moveable between a closed position in which the protective member covers the dosing recess, thereby preventing powdered medicament contained in the dosing recess from entering the inhalation channel, and an open position in which the protective member does not cover the dosing recess, thereby exposing the dosing recess to the inhalation channel for enabling inhalation of the dose of the powdered medicament.

Abstract: An input shaft rotates at variable rotation rates and is driven by a variable source of energy or power such as by the propeller of a wind-driven electrical generator. The input shaft is connected to a clutch which is connected to an output shaft and which is operable to rotate the output shaft at a preselected or constant rotation rate. The clutch has a first rotor which electromagnetically interacts with a second rotor to create a torque to cause the second rotor to rotate. The interaction of the first rotor and the second rotor may be varied electrically or mechanically to vary the torque and in turn the rotation rate of the second shaft. The shaft is preferably connected to a synchronous generator; and the rotation rate of the output shaft is controlled so that the generator supplies power at an essentially constant rotation rate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an animal training device having a pair of collapsible electrodes and an electronic whistle, which includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter includes an electrode collapse switch for generating a signal used to collapse or erect the electrodes, an electronic whistle switch for generating a signal causing an electronic whistle to be blown, a transmission control unit for performing control on an electronic whistle unit such that a whistle is blown, a wireless transmission unit for transmitting a wireless signal in response to the control signal of the transmission control unit, and the electronic whistle unit. The receiver includes a wireless reception unit, a reception control unit for performing control such that the electrodes are collapsed or erected, a high voltage generation, an electrode driving unit for collapsing or erecting the electrodes, and the left and right electrodes.

Abstract: A tourniquet for restricting a flow of blood in a body part is presented. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the tourniquet comprises a first elongated member, and a second elongated member in slidable engagement with the first elongated member. In addition, the tourniquet includes a tensioning mechanism connected to the second elongated member, wherein a compressive force is applied to the body part upon applying a tensile force to the second elongated member using the tensioning mechanism. The tourniquet is suited for emergency use, and may be applied by using only one hand. Thus, the tourniquet may be applied, manipulated and tightened by the wearer, even if the wearer is limited to the use of a single hand.

Abstract: An aquatic light emitting device comprising a plurality of point light emitting units and a plurality of linear light emitting units is disclosed. The point light emitting unit comprises a floating member, a light source part, and a power supply part. The floating member includes a hollow body which has an internal space isolated from the outside so as to give buoyancy, one or more junction portions formed on an outer surface thereof, and has a light inlet opening formed on an upper part, and a string connected to a lower surface of the hollow body. The light source part is attached to the upper surface of the floating member, has an isolated internal space with light outlet openings provided at the upper and lower surfaces thereof, and a light source and a light source control circuit contained in the isolated internal space. The power supply part is located on the upper surface of the light source part and includes a solar cell.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a degradation assembly comprises a shank with a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end being adapted for attachment to a driving mechanism, with a shield rotatably attached to the forward end of the shank. The shield comprises an underside adapted for rotatable attachment to the shank and an impact tip disposed on an end opposing the underside. A seal is disposed intermediate the shield and the shank.

Abstract: The disclosed system and method for providing financial collaboration networks generally includes a data processing system adapted to permit a plurality of group collaborators to perform financial transactions with a plurality of users or network participants. Representative embodiments of the present invention generally provide web-based financial collaboration systems that may be adapted to permit a plurality of borrowers, for example, to negotiate more favorable terms with a lender for subsequent loans made to the borrower members of the collaborative group.

Abstract: Disclosed are a Pichia pastoris-derived translation elongation factor (TEF) promoter, a recombinant expression vector carrying the promoter and a heterologous protein encoding base sequence operably linked to the promoter, and a host cell transfected or transformed with the recombinant expression vector. Also, a method is provided for producing a heterologous protein. The method comprises culturing the host cell to express the Pichia pastoris-derived TEF promoter and isolating the promoter from the culture. The TEF promoter can be utilized for the mass production of heterologous proteins without the need for inducers.

Abstract: Produced natural gas containing carbon dioxide is dehydrated and chilled to liquefy the carbon dioxide and then fractionated to produce a waste stream of liquid carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas liquids may be first separated and removed before fractionation. After fractionation, the waste stream is pressurized and transmitted to a remote injection well for injection either for disposal of the waste stream and preferably to urge hydrocarbons toward the producing well. A hydrocarbon stream proceeds from fractionation to a methanol absorber system which removes carbon dioxide gas. The hydrocarbon stream is thereafter separated into at least hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen and helium. Some of the nitrogen is reintroduced into a fractionation tower to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons. A methanol recovery system is provided to recover and reuse the methanol. The hydrocarbons are sold as natural gas and the helium is recovered and sold. Excess nitrogen is vented.

Abstract: A method of notification in a virtual receptionist system. The method begins by determining that a guest has arrived. The guest is determined without active participation from the guest. An alert is activated for each greeter in a plurality of greeters designated to greet guests. It is determined whether any greeter has acknowledged a corresponding alert. Thereafter, alerts corresponding to each greeter are de-activated when there is an acknowledgment.

Abstract: Magnesium oxychloride cement is formed by mixing a magnesium chloride (MgCl2) brine solution with a magnesium oxide (MgO) composition in a selected stoichiometric ratio of MgCl2, MgO, and H2O that forms the 5 phase magnesium oxychloride cement composition. Although Sorel cements formed from the mixture of MgCl2, MgO can form a variety of compounds, the inventive systems and methods provide for controlling the cement kinetics to form the five phase magnesium oxychloride cement composition and results in an improved and stable cement composition. Various fillers can be optionally added to form preferred cement materials for uses as diverse such as road stripping, fire-proofing, fire barriers, cement repair, and mortar.

Abstract: The invention generally describes a method an apparatus for removing dry or dead skin from an area to be exfoliated. More particularly, the invention provides a skin removal device having a flexible screen member and a first border member attached to the perimeter of the screen member and a method for using the same. The flexible screen member's surface has an abrasive coating and plurality of holes throughout the device used to exfoliate and remove dry or dead skin from the targeted area. The flexible screen member is placed over the targeted area and moved so that the dry or dead skin is removed from the area and passed through the flexible screen member to the surface not contacting the area.

Abstract: Eyewear includes a left temple and a right temple. Each of the temples has a cavity sized to receive an audio device such as a BlueTooth transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote device like a cell phone or a digital sound device. The BlueTooth transceiver may be placed in the cavity of either temple with the other temple cavity covered with a cover plate. An earphone may be connected to the BlueTooth transceiver through a receptacle. The earphone delivers the audible sound to the user's ear. The receptacle of the BlueTooth transceiver to which the earphone connects is also configured to receive the connector from a charger to charge a rechargeable battery in the BlueTooth transceiver. The eyewear may also be configured with cover plates over the cavity in both of the temples or with an audio device in both cavities to provide audible signals to both ears of the user.

Abstract: A method of processing financial articles of trade is provided. The method includes collecting real time data from a plurality of liquidity destinations in trading at least one of securities, commodities, options, futures and derivatives, the real time data including information on submitted transactions of financial articles of trade. The real time data collected from the plurality of liquidity destinations is aggregated. The real time data is streamed in a standardized form. User criteria are established to identify relevant portions of the streamed real time data. The streamed real time data is analyzed according to the user criteria. The analyzed real time data is consolidated into a computer data base.

Abstract: Bridge circuit for echo suppression for a reception signal of a communication device connected to a transmission line, to which can be supplied a reception signal received via the transmission line and a transmission signal to be transmitted by the communication device via the transmission line. The bridge circuit is designed such that on balancing the bridge circuit, the reception signal there can be tapped echo-compensated with a transmission signal part generated by the transmission signal being suppressed. To balance the bridge circuit a variable simulation device is provided to simulate at least one circuit section of at least one bridge branch and connect with the at least one bridge branch. By such an arrangement, the signal level in the simulation device may be reduced so far that this can be designed as an integrated circuit and to be programmable.

Abstract: An implantable spool is used for spooling the excess wiring associated with a lead that extends between at least one electrode and a pulse generator of an electrical stimulation implant system. The present invention also has application to providing a spool for coiling tubing of an implantable drug delivery system. Embodiments of the invention include a method of implanting an implantable system in a body, wherein the implantable system includes a source unit and an elongated member. A method of assembling an implantable system is also described.

Abstract: A low-profile rod connector is disclosed that includes two substantially conical surfaces that allows two rods to be secured together. The device is easily manipulated and occupies very little space. The connector allows for the rods to be oriented at a number of different positions prior to securing the rods in a final orientation. Medical implants utilizing the present invention include surgical implants for spine stabilization. One particular application comprises securing the shaft of a pedicle screw to a spinal rod. In such application, since the connector is relatively small, displacement and disruption to nearby tissue is minimized. The connector also has application to external fixation systems which are conducted exterior of the skin surface, as well as other mechanical devices.