Abstract: An internal bone fixation device that includes a support frame that is strong but able to absorb compressive forces and that surrounds a porous architecture that helps facilitate bone fusion.

Abstract: A method of conducting a verifiable transfer of data over a network comprising generating a batch of data sets (18) at a secure database (14), each of the data sets comprising an identifier (22) and an indexed array of digital symbols, and transferring an encrypted version (30) from the secure database to a public database (28). The method, which may be performed in an environment like an on-line lottery, further comprises selecting one of the data sets of the batch and removing the selected data set from the batch and transferring the digital symbol associated with a user-selected index of the indexed array of digital symbols of the selected data set from the secure database to the user-operated device. Finally, the method comprises transferring a decryption key from the secure database to the public database and reproducing the batch of data sets at the public database.

Abstract: A heavy duty hydraulic positioner has headstock and tailstock carriages to support large and heavy work pieces to be processed in a manufacturing operation, such as robotic welding. Each carriage is independently movable along a column, and has a hard stop associated with each pre-program workpiece position, thereby providing accurate repeatability. Repeatability is further enhanced by linear, noncontact absolute encoders for the elevation axes of the headstock and tailstock, and rotary, noncontact absolute encoders for the rotary axes of the headstock and tailstock.

Abstract: Methods of cleaning equipment such as hand tools dirtied by bituminous mixture. A biodiesel emulsion comprising biodiesel, water and emulsifier(s), is applied to the surface of the equipment for a period of time (e.g., at least about 15 minutes) and optionally agitated. The biodiesel emulsion produces cleaning properties comparable to straight biodiesel, at a cost reduction, due to the replacement of biodiesel with water.

Abstract: A method of conducting a verifiable transfer of data over a network comprising generating a batch of data sets (18) at a secure database (14), each of the data sets comprising an identifier (22) and an indexed array of digital symbols, and transferring an encrypted version (30) from the secure database to a public database (28). The method, which may be performed in an environment like an on-line lottery, further comprises selecting one of the data sets of the batch and removing the selected data set from the batch and transferring the digital symbol associated with a user-selected index of the indexed array of digital symbols of the selected data set from the secure database to the user-operated device. Finally, the method comprises transferring a decryption key from the secure database to the public database and reproducing the batch of data sets at the public database.

Abstract: Methods of cleaning equipment such as hand tools dirtied by bituminous mixture. A biodiesel emulsion comprising biodiesel, water and emulsifier(s), is applied to the surface of the equipment for a period of time (e.g., at least about 15 minutes) and optionally agitated. The biodiesel emulsion produces cleaning properties comparable to straight biodiesel, at a cost reduction, due to the replacement of biodiesel with water.

Abstract: Methods of cleaning equipment such as hand tools dirtied by bituminous mixture. A biodiesel emulsion comprising biodiesel, water and emulsifier(s), is applied to the surface of the equipment for a period of time (e.g., at least about 15 minutes) and optionally agitated. The biodiesel emulsion produces cleaning properties comparable to straight biodiesel, at a cost reduction, due to the replacement of biodiesel with water.

Abstract: Cold-in-place asphalt recycling is disclosed. A foamed asphalt may be produced by injecting water and optionally compressed air into a hot asphalt stream. A lubricating surfactant may be added to the hot asphalt stream to improve performance. The foamed asphalt may be mixed with reclaimed material to provide a uniformly coated paving material that can compacted to a desired density.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionally dry warm mix asphalt binder composition modified with lubricating agents or additives that can be mixed with aggregate and compacted at temperatures substantially below asphalt binder compositions that do not contain the disclosed lubricating additives.

Abstract: The invention provides a bituminous composition, a process for preparing a bituminous paving composition and process for bituminous paving having lower mixing, paving, and compaction temperatures than for conventional hot-mix paving while retaining sufficient performance characteristics of conventional hot-mix paving. The inventive paving process comprises the steps of injecting a foamable solution comprising a lubricating substance into a heated, asphalt binder to provide a heated, foamed mixture; adding the heated, foamed mixture to a suitable, heated aggregate; further mixing the heated, foamed mixture and heated aggregate to coat the heated aggregate with the heated, foamed, asphalt binder to form a heated paving material; supplying the heated paving material to a paving machine; applying the heated paving material by the paving machine to a surface to be paved; and compacting the applied paving material to form a paved surface.

Abstract: Bituminous paving mixtures containing lubricating agents or additives may be prepared at hot mix temperatures and cooled, paved and compacted at temperatures 10-55° C. lower than the hot mix temperatures. The increased temperature range between the hot mix temperatures and the paving and compacting temperatures is facilitated by the improved compacting properties of the paving mixture when it includes the lubricating agents or additives.

Abstract: The invention provides a bituminous composition, a process for preparing a bituminous paving composition and process for bituminous paving having lower mixing, paving, and compaction temperatures than for conventional hot-mix paving while retaining sufficient performance characteristics of conventional hot-mix paving. The inventive paving process comprises the steps of injecting a heated foamable solution comprising a lubricating substance into a heated, asphalt binder to provide a heated, foamed mixture; adding the heated, foamed mixture to a suitable, heated aggregate; further mixing the heated, foamed mixture and heated aggregate to coat the heated aggregate with the heated, foamed, asphalt binder to form a heated paving material; supplying the heated paving material to a paving machine; applying the heated paving material by the paving machine to a surface to be paved; and compacting the applied paving material to form a paved surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a bituminous composition, a process for preparing a bituminous paving composition and process for bituminous paving having lower mixing, paving, and compaction temperatures than for conventional hot-mix paving while retaining sufficient performance characteristics of conventional hot-mix paving. The inventive paving process comprises the steps of injecting a foamable solution comprising a lubricating substance into a heated, asphalt binder to provide a heated, foamed mixture; adding the heated, foamed mixture to a suitable, heated aggregate; further mixing the heated, foamed mixture and heated aggregate to coat the heated aggregate with the heated, foamed, asphalt binder to form a heated paving material; supplying the heated paving material to a paving machine; applying the heated paving material by the paving machine to a surface to be paved; and compacting the applied paving material to form a paved surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a bituminous composition, a process for preparing a bituminous paving composition and process for bituminous paving having lower mixing, paving, and compaction temperatures than for conventional hot-mix paving while retaining sufficient performance characteristics of conventional hot-mix paving. The inventive paving process comprises the steps of injecting an aqueous solution comprising a lubricating substance into a heated, asphalt binder to provide a heated, foamed mixture; adding the heated, foamed mixture to a suitable, heated aggregate; further mixing the heated, foamed mixture and heated aggregate to coat the heated aggregate with the heated, foamed, asphalt binder to form a heated paving material; supplying the heated paving material to a paving machine; applying the heated paving material by the paving machine to a surface to be paved; and compacting the applied paving material to form a paved surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionally dry warm mix asphalt binder composition modified with lubricating agents or additives that can be mixed with aggregate and compacted at temperatures substantially below asphalt binder compositions that do not contain the disclosed lubricating additives.

Abstract: Bituminous paving mixtures containing lubricating agents or additives may be prepared at hot mix temperatures and cooled, paved and compacted at temperatures 10-55 Celsius degrees lower than the hot mix temperatures. The increased temperature range between the hot mix temperatures and the paving and compacting temperatures is facilitated by the improved compacting properties of the paving mixture when it includes the lubricating agents or additives.

Abstract: An auction is effected with two levels of participation. A winning ticket is established and the auction object is awarded to the winning ticket. In addition, certain tickets are selected as payback tickets which receive back either the amount paid for the ticket or at least the mean entry fee, which is the average paid for all tickets. The winning ticket is awarded randomly, but the individual tickets in the “drawing” are weighted according to the entry fee paid for the given ticket. The payback tickets are determined according to another criterion, for example the time of purchase or a match between the actual fee paid for the ticket and the mean entry fee.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionally dry warm mix asphalt binder composition modified with lubricating agents or additives that can be mixed with aggregate and compacted at temperatures substantially below asphalt binder compositions that do not contain the disclosed lubricating additives.

Abstract: Cold-in-place asphalt recycling is disclosed. A foamed asphalt may be produced by injecting water and optionally compressed air into a hot asphalt stream. A lubricating surfactant may be added to the hot asphalt stream to improve performance. The foamed asphalt may be mixed with reclaimed material to provide a uniformly coated paving material that can compacted to a desired density.

Abstract: The invention provides a bituminous composition, a process for preparing a bituminous paving composition and process for bituminous paving having lower mixing, paving, and compaction temperatures than for conventional hot-mix paving while retaining sufficient performance characteristics of conventional hot-mix paving. The inventive paving process comprises the steps of injecting an aqueous solution comprising a lubricating substance into a heated, asphalt binder to provide a heated, foamed mixture; adding the heated, foamed mixture to a suitable, heated aggregate; further mixing the heated, foamed mixture and heated aggregate to coat the heated aggregate with the heated, foamed, asphalt binder to form a heated paving material; supplying the heated paving material to a paving machine; applying the heated paving material by the paving machine to a surface to be paved; and compacting the applied paving material to form a paved surface.