Abstract: A mechanical fastener is disclosed that includes a thermoplastic backing and multiple, upstanding fastening elements that have a post with a proximal end attached to the thermoplastic backing and a distal end comprising a cap larger in area than a cross-sectional area of the post. The basis weight of the mechanical fastener is in a range from 25 grams per square meter to 75 grams per square meter, and the height of the multiple, upstanding fastening elements is up to 300 micrometers. Fastening systems and disposable absorbent articles including the mechanical fastener are also disclosed.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell electrode (100) comprising a nanostructured catalyst support layer (102) having first and second generally opposed major sides (103,104). The first side (103) comprises nanostructured elements (106) comprising support whiskers (108) projecting away from the first side (103). The support whiskers (108) have a first nanoscopic electrocatalyst layer (110) thereon, and a second nanoscopic electrocatalyst layer (112) on the second side (104) comprising a precious metal alloy. Electrochemical cell electrodes (100) described herein are useful, for example, as a fuel cell catalyst electrode for a fuel cell.

Abstract: A reticulated thermoplastic film includes a backing with openings and discrete elements protruding from the first major surface. There are two discrete elements aligned in a first direction abutting opposite ends of any given opening. In a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, there is one discrete element between the given opening and an adjacent opening aligned in the second direction. Each portion of the backing around the given opening is plastically deformed in its lengthwise direction and typically has higher stretch-induced molecular orientation at its edge adjacent the given opening than at its midpoint. The openings are often retractable. A method of making a reticulated thermoplastic film is also disclosed. The method includes stretching a thermoplastic backing with a plurality of discrete elements in the first direction. Subsequently stretching the backing in the second direction forms a tear in the backing between two adjacent discrete elements.

Abstract: A projection system includes a projection screen defining a shape and a projector configured to project an image onto the projection screen. The projector may project a static or dynamic image that has substantially the same shape as the projection screen or otherwise block portions of the projected image that are projected outside of the projection screen with the aid of a physical mask.

Abstract: Methods of recovering butanol, and preferably increasing the rate and/or yield of its production, from the fermentation of material derived from the digestion of non-cellulosic biomass.

Abstract: A compression connector and assembly include an elongated, interiorly hollow tube, and at least one tubular sleeve, the tube including a first material exhibiting a first axial extrusion rate and the sleeve including a second material exhibiting a second axial extrusion rate, wherein the sleeve wall thickness is selected such that, when inserted into the tube and subjected to mechanical compression in a direction substantially orthogonal to the tube's exterior surface, deforms so that the first and second materials extrude axially at substantially the same rate. In some exemplary embodiments, the sleeve wall thickness may be selected to be thin, or the sleeve may include a multiplicity of axially spaced-apart corrugations formed in at least one exterior or interior surface. The assembly may include stranded composite wires, optionally with a tape covering only a portion of the composite wires. A method of making the compression connector is also described.

Abstract: Methods for recognizing a virtual tooth surface, defining a virtual tooth coordinate system, and simulating a collision between virtual teeth are provided. Methods include receiving input data specifying a point on the rendered surface model associated with a tooth, deriving a perimeter on the surface model of the tooth, and analyzing the surface model along a plurality of paths outwardly extending from points on the perimeter. Methods also include receiving point input data, receiving axis input data that defines first and second axes associated with the virtual tooth, computing a substantially normal vector for a portion of the tooth surface surrounding the point, and computing a coordinate system. Methods also include receiving permissible movement input data directed to permissible movement of a first virtual tooth, bringing the first virtual tooth into contact with a second virtual tooth, and displaying data resulting from the simulation.

Abstract: Presently described are methods of making an article via electrostatic deposition of particles, abrasive grains and articles, as well as a method of repairing a painted surface. The abrasive grain comprises a plurality of abrasive particles having a median primary particle size of less than 75 microns, and discrete hydrophobic nanoparticles.

Abstract: Provided are a fastening member and a fastening piece for which an unpleasant texture and an incongruous appearance are significantly reduced, and that bring about an integrated feeling with the main body of a disposable article for wearing. A fastening segment includes a hook fastener and a base sheet. A hook height H1 of a hook is set to 45 ?m to 150 ?m, and a hook sheet thickness T2 is set to 45 ?m to 75 ?m. When in an L*a*b* color coordinate system, a color difference of L* is ?L*, a color difference of a* is ?a*, and a color difference of b* is ?b*, a color difference ?E between the hook fastener and the base sheet calculated using the ?L*, the ?a* and the ?b*, is less than 5.5.

Abstract: A lightguide functioning as a luminaire. The luminaire includes at least one solid state light source, such as an LED, and a lightguide configured to receive light from the solid state light source. Light from the light source is coupled into the lightguide and transported within it by total internal reflection until the light exits the lightguide. A shape of the lightguide causes and directs extraction of the light, and can also be used to create a particular pattern of the extracted light. Such shapes include linear wedges and twisted wedges. Optical films can be included on the light input and output surfaces of the lightguide.

Abstract: A medical device including an array of microneedles and a coating disposed on or within the microneedles and a method of making such a device are disclosed. The coating includes a peptide therapeutic agent and an amino acid. A method of stabilizing a peptide therapeutic agent with an amino acid on an array of microneedles is also disclosed. In some cases, the peptide therapeutic agent and the amino acid either both have a net positive charge or both have a net negative charge. In some cases, the peptide therapeutic agent is histidine.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for creating and manipulating software notes representative of physical notes. For example, techniques are described for recognizing physical notes present within a physical environment, capturing information therefrom and creating corresponding digital representations of the physical notes, referred to herein as digital notes or software-based notes. At least some aspects of the present disclosure feature system and methods for note recognition using color classification. The system receives a visual representation of a scene having one or more notes, where each note has a color. The system generates indicators indicative of color classes of pixels in the visual representation. The system further determines a general boundary of one of the notes based on the indicators.

Abstract: A nonwoven abrasive wheel comprising one or more layers of a nonwoven fiber web, a plurality of super abrasive particles having a Vickers hardness greater than 40 GPa, a polyurethane binder adhering the plurality of super abrasive particles to the nonwoven fibers and adhering the layers of the nonwoven fiber web to each other, and wherein the nonwoven abrasive wheel comprises a Flexural Modulus from 4.0 to 128.0 lb/inch of thickness per inch of displacement.

Abstract: A warming device for perioperative use includes a clinical garment and a convective thermal blanket supported on an inside surface of the clinical garment. A mechanism may be provided to releasably attach the thermal blanket to the clinical garment.

Abstract: Light redirecting film is disclosed. The light redirecting film includes a first major surface that includes a plurality of first microstructures that extend along a first direction. The light redirecting film also includes a second major surface that is opposite to the first major surface and includes a plurality of second microstructures. The second major surface has an optical haze that is in a range from about 4% to about 20% and an optical clarity that is in a range from about 20% to about 60%. The light redirecting film has an average effective transmission that is not less than about 1.55.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastening net. The method includes providing a net having strands of polymer and open areas between the strands of polymer and molding a portion of the polymer in the strands of the net into upstanding posts to form the mechanical fastening net. A mechanical fastening net that includes a polymeric backing, a plurality of openings in the polymeric backing, and upstanding posts on at least one of the first or second major surface of the polymeric backing is also disclosed. The polymeric backing has a range of thicknesses ranging from minimum to maximum thickness, and for at least a portion of the polymeric backing, the minimum thickness of the polymeric backing is where it abuts one of the openings.

Abstract: A filter medium comprises: a) 55 to 80 percent by weight of activated carbon particles having a D50 of 70 to 130 micrometers and a D10 of 25 to 50 micrometers; b) 5 to 20 percent by weight of first catalytic activated carbon particles having a D50 in a range of 20 to 40 micrometers and a D10 of 2 to 20 micrometers; and c) 10 to 30 percent by weight of a thermoplastic binder that binds at least the activated carbon particles and the catalytic activated carbon particles into a porous unitary body, wherein the percent by weight of components a)-c) is based upon a total weight of components a)-c). A water filtration system including the filter medium is also disclosed.

Abstract: A delineator includes a delineator body, a positioning member, and a reflective sheet. The delineator body and the positioning member include mounting features adapted to mate with each other at a plurality of positions corresponding to different positions of the positioning member on the delineator body. By selecting one of the different positions of the positioning member on the delineator body, the user can select a visibility configuration of the delineator. In some cases the reflective sheet may be bonded to the positioning member, so that the reflective sheet is positioned at a particular place on the delineator and visible to an observer when the positioning member is mounted in the selected position. In other cases the reflective sheet may be bonded to the delineator body, and the positioning member may cover one portion of the reflective sheet and leave another portion of the reflective sheet exposed to an observer.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive device that includes a touch surface circuit that facilitates a change in a coupling capacitance in response to a capacitance-altering touches occurring at the touch surface. The device includes a sense circuit that provides a signal, in response thereto, having transient portions for characterizing positive-going transitions towards an upper signal level and negative-going transitions towards a lower signal level. An amplification circuit is then used for amplifying and processing the signals, in response to the time-varying input parameters. The amplification circuit adjusts the gain for the transient portions relative to gain for portions of the response signals between the transient portions, and thereby suppresses RF interference, such as in the form of signal odd and/or even harmonics, to provide a noise filtered output for determining positions of capacitance-altering touches on the touch surface.