Abstract: Disclosed are a maleimide-?-alkylstyrene-based, heat-resistant bulk tetrapolymer and a preparation process thereof. More specifically, disclosed are a bulk tetrapolymer, comprising 5-60 wt % of an N-substituted maleimide monomer, 10-70 wt % of an ?-alkylstyrene monomer, 5-50 wt % of an unsaturated nitrile monomer and 3-50 wt % of an aromatic vinyl monomer, as well as a continuous bulk polymerization process for preparing the same. The disclosed bulk tetrapolymer has a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 70,000-300,000 and a glass transition temperature of 150-200° C., shows excellent high-temperature thermal stability and heat resistance and a remarkably low melt viscosity, and thus is excellent not only in processability, but also in productivity, processability, moldability and blendability, when it is blended with other resins. Also, the continuous bulk polymerization process is equipped with a devolatilizer and enables the bulk tetrapolymer to be produced at low cost and high efficiency.

Abstract: A system and method of transferring information comprising an input module configured to receive an access parameter from an entity authorized to provide the access parameter, an access module configured to access a first database or a second database and communicate information from the first database to the second database wherein the information is configured to perform an authorized function. The function can be authorized bill payment. The information to be transferred can include financial information, and can include account information.

Abstract: A system for manipulating energy transferred by members defining a joint. The system includes a first attachment structure configured to be attached to a first member of the joint and a second attachment structure configured to be attached to a second member of the joint. There is also an adjustable energy absorbing device attached to the first attachment structure and second attachment structure, wherein adjusting the energy absorbing device changes the load manipulating characteristics of the energy absorbing device.

Abstract: Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies.

Abstract: A resin molding mold 20 with a cavity 21 has a resin injection port 29a from which a molding resin 25 is injected toward the cavity 21, and an air release port 30a from which air from the cavity 21 is released during resin injection. Not only the resin injection port 29a but also the air release port 30a is formed in a top surface portion 21a of the cavity 21. Thus, even if a resin burr remains in the resin injection port 29a or the air release port 30a, it can be prevented from adhering to an external terminal 4A provided on a front surface portion 2a of the substrate 2.

Abstract: Devices and methods for accurately determining the size of an ostium of a patient and in particular sinus ostium. Methods for measuring a target ostium comprise inserting the distal end portion of an ostium measuring device into a patient, locating the target ostium with the measuring device, positioning the distal end portion of the measuring device appropriately adjacent to or into the target ostium and determining the diameter(s) of the target ostium by comparing the length, diameter and/or the circumference of the portion of the distal end portion of the measuring device adjacent to or within the target ostium.

Abstract: A structure including a grating and a semiconductor nanocrystal layer on the grating, can be a laser. The semiconductor nanocrystal layer can include a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals including a Group II-VI compound, the nanocrystals being distributed in a metal oxide matrix. The grating can have a periodicity from 200 nm to 500 nm.

Abstract: The method, system and computer program product for verifying financial data provides tracking and reporting of the reconciliation and approval process by providing a hierarchical list of users responsible for verification of at least a portion of the financial data and automatically notifying the users responsible for the reconciliation and approval, based upon the hierarchical list, of their duties regarding the account. If the certifier and approver do not certify and/or approve the financial data within a specified timeframe, their supervisors, based upon the hierarchical list, will be automatically notified. In addition, any certification and approval of the financial data is recorded, which permits instantaneous reporting regarding the status of the certification and approval process. Moreover, outstanding issues associated with the financial data may be recorded and tracked, and the appropriate user(s) may be notified of the issue if it is without resolution after a specified timeframe.

Abstract: The system provides the capability of identifying the presence and location of network devices. During start-up, a device sends its MAC address out on the network. A local switch collects MAC and IP addresses for the devices connected to it. Periodically, the switch transmits raw Ethernet frames, USB packets, or TCP packets containing tables of devices and associated MAC/IP addresses. When a device receives information about another device, the device may attempt communication with that device. First, a verification procedure is used to validate the devices. Subsequently, communication is possible between the devices.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an overcurrent from passing through a switching element 1 during overcurrent protection and reduce power consumption during standby while detecting an output voltage immediately after power-on and achieving soft start control without being restricted by time.

Abstract: An embedded web server is disclosed. In one embodiment, a casino gaming system comprises a back end system having one or more servers. One or more gaming machines are operatively connected to the back end system via a network connection and one or more gaming devices operatively connected to at least one gaming machine. The gaming device includes an embedded web server and a web browser in communication with the web server, delivers a management user interface to the web browser for accessing the gaming device.

Abstract: A suctioning and irrigating sinus balloon catheter is provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities and choana. The catheter has a number of fluid carrying conduits to provide irrigation, suction and inflation/deflation to the distally mounted balloon. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, choana or sinus to be excised. Some catheters can be hand bendable by the surgeon. Some catheters provide the capability of threading an endoscope through one of the conduits. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, choana, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them.

Abstract: A circuit board in which end faces (36a) of wires are located in positions withdrawn from the end in a joint region of a first board (31a), end faces (36b) of wires are located in positions withdrawn from the end in a joint region of a second board (31b), a gap (W) between the end faces (36a) of the wires of the first board (31a) and the end faces (36b) of the wires of the second board (31b) is filled with a conductor (16A), and the first board (31a) and the second board (31b) are jointed by means of a resin.

Abstract: A method for determining the effect of a plurality of culture conditions on a cell, comprising the steps of: a) providing a first set of groups of cell units each comprising one or more cells, and exposing said groups to desired culture conditions; (b) pooling two or more of said groups to form at least one second pool; (c) subdividing the second pool to create a further set of groups of cell units; (d) exposing said further groups to desired culture conditions; (e) optionally, repeating steps (b)-(d) iteratively as required; and (f) optionally assessing the effect on a given cell unit of the culture conditions to which it has been exposed.

Abstract: An enhanced mechanical gaming system (10) utilizes a touch panel (40) as a user control device for mechanical assemblies and game play features which provides users with the enhanced flexibility and interactivity of a video gaming device in a mechanical gaming device environment. The enhanced mechanical gaming system (10) includes a gaming machine assembly (20), a touch sensor assembly (30) incorporating a substantially transparent touch panel (40), a touch panel controller (50), and touch panel software (60). The gaming machine assembly is a standard gaming machine assembly that has been modified to utilize touch-panel components. The touch panel (40) and the sensor assembly (30) produce touch data when activated, and provide viewing of mechanical assemblies behind the touch panel (40). The touch panel controller (50) acts to control and interpret the touch panel (40).

Abstract: A light emitting device can have a layered structure and include a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals. The layers of the device can be covalently bonded to each other. The device can include continuous chain of covalent bonds extending from the first electrode to the second electrode.

Abstract: A method for mass-production butchering of a chuck roll of beef includes: sectioning the chuck roll anterior to and generally parallel to the first rib to separate a neck portion thereof from a remainder thereof; sectioning the remainder into a first portion and a second portion substantially along a natural seam, the first portion comprising rhomboideus, spinalis dorsi, and serratus ventralis muscles, and the second portion comprising multifidus dorsi, complexus, and longissimus dorsi muscles; sectioning the first portion to substantially remove the rhomboideus and the spinalis dorsi therefrom, leaving a denuded serratus ventralis; sectioning the serratus ventralis into a first set of separate portions. The method may further include: sectioning the second portion into a second set of separate portions, each separate portion in the second set including the multifidus dorsi, complexus, and longissimus dorsi muscles.

Abstract: A loss limit system and method automatically tracks a player's entry and cash play, and does not allow them to play more than an allotted dollar amount during a given time frame or lose more than the established limit. Typically, excursions of play sessions are set up by day. Play is tracked at gaming machines and locked from all other play during card in at a machine. No other play is allowed at gaming machines, auto table rating systems or open table ratings, purchase of tokens, unless buy-in has not reached the loss limit for the session. At rollover, players are allowed to play again until they meet the same criteria for loss limit.

Abstract: Binding an analyte can cause a change in fluorescence emission of a sensor. The change in fluorescence can be related to the amount of analyte present. The sensor can include a semiconductor nanocrystal linked to a fluorescent moiety. Upon excitation, the fluorescent moiety can transfer energy to the semiconductor nanocrystal, or vice versa.

Abstract: A system for manipulating energy transferred by members defining a joint. The system includes a first attachment structure configured to be attached to a first member of the joint and a second attachment structure configured to be attached to a second member of the joint. There is also an adjustable energy absorbing device attached to the first attachment structure and second attachment structure, wherein adjusting the energy absorbing device changes the load manipulating characteristics of the energy absorbing device.