Abstract: A device (100) for creating a tunnel through soft tissue, comprises an elongated insertion member including a lumen extending therethrough to a distal opening, the elongated insertion member being sized to he inserted into the body via an opening of no more than 35 mm diameter and a tunneling member (108) received in the lumen for movement between an insertion configuration in which a tissue penetrating distal tip is received within the lumen and a tunneling configuration in which the distal tip extends distally from the distal opening by a desired distance in combination with a handle (104) coupled to a proximal end of the insertion member, the handle remaining outside the body and including a first actuator (106) for moving the tunneling member between the insertion and tunneling configurations.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the identification and isolation of novel MHC class II epitopes derived from the cancer antigen, NY ESO-1. The novel MHC class II epitopes from NY-EsO-1 are recognized by CD4+ T lymphocytes in an HLA class II restricted manner, in particular HLA-DR or HLA-DP restricted. The products of the gene are promising candidates for immunotherapeutic strategies for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of patients with cancer.

Abstract: A central transaction server in electronic commerce card authorization system enables the electronic commerce card association to manage and monitor the authentication system. The central transaction server acts as an intermediary for all communications between the access control server used for authentication. If any portion of the authentication system fails, the central transaction server compensates by providing appropriate responses to other portions of the system. The centralized transaction server translates all incoming traffic into a format compatible with the intended recipient, enabling portions of the system to be upgraded without breaking compatibility with the non-upgraded portions. The centralized transaction server also enables the integration of formally separate portions of the authentication system into a single unit.

Abstract: A method for improving the oxidation stability of an ashless hydraulic fluid or an ashless paper machine oil, comprising: a. selecting a base oil having greater than 90 wt % saturates, less than 10 wt % aromatics, a base oil viscosity index greater than 120, less than 0.03 wt % sulfur, a sequential number of carbon atoms, greater than 35 wt % total molecules with cycloparaffinic functionality, and a ratio of molecules with monocycloparaffinic functionality to molecules with multicycloparaffinic functionality greater than 2.1; and b. replacing a portion of an original base oil in the ashless oil with the selected base oil to produce an improved ashless lubricating oil; wherein the improved ashless lubricating oil has a result in the rotary pressure vessel oxidation test that is at least 50 minutes greater than the result in the rotary pressure oxidation test of the ashless hydraulic fluid or ashless paper machine oil.

Abstract: A sectioning device for use in dividing an engine part into sections for rating is provided. The sectioning device has a plurality of sectioners that are slidingly engaged in grooves of two separate plates, held together by at least a fastener. In operation, the sectioners can be adjusted to accommodate engine parts of different sizes, with minimal damages and losses of engine deposits in the rating process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for identifying target individuals who possess certain characteristics statistically indicative of their ability to influence others in their decision making regarding consumer goods, consumer products, political issues or candidates, financial matters, investments, real estate, insurance, travel and leisure, by non-limiting example. The subject invention encompasses not only the identification of a key group of individuals in a population more likely to affect the decision making of others in the population (“Influentials” as discussed below), but also includes the identification of additional (“non-Influential”) informational data common to Influential individuals, as well as the application of this additional informational data to other populations. The advantage of employing this additional informational data to ascertain Influentials is that this data can be publicly available data (such as, for example, from the U.S.

Abstract: A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst which has, been deactivated comprising the steps of contacting the used chloroaluminate ionic liquid catalyst and hydrogen with a metal hydrogenation catalyst in a reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the ionic liquid catalyst is described. In one embodiment, hydrogenation is conducted in the presence of a hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new crystalline molecular sieve SSZ-75 prepared using a tetramethylene-1,4-bis-(N-methylpyrrolidinium) dication as a structure-directing agent, and its use in catalysts for hydrocarbon conversion reactions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved herbicidal composition including (a) an effective amount of an herbicidal cyclohexanedione oxime compound or agriculturally acceptable salt thereof; (b) one or more esters of a fatty acid; (c) a salt of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid; (d) at least one nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene plant oils and polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters; and (e) optionally an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent. The present invention also provides a method for controlling the growth of vegetation, by applying to the vegetation the composition of the present invention.

Abstract: A finished lubricant having a kinematic viscosity at 40° C. between about 90 and 1700 cSt that passes the TORT B rust test, comprising a highly paraffinic base oil and a solubility improver having an aniline point less than 50° C. A finished lubricant that passes the TORT B rust test, comprising a Fischer-Tropsch wax, oligomerized olefins, or mixture thereof; and a solubility improver. A process for making a lubricant, comprising blending together: a) a mixture of amine phosphates, b) an alkenyl succinic compound, and c) a highly paraffinic lubricating base oil.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing a catalyst component for manufacturing ethylene polymer and co-polymer. The present invention provides a process for synthesizing catalyst component (A), comprising forming a complex by contacting the solid intermediate (B) with an aluminum compound represented by formula X3-nAl(OY)n, and alkyl metal (C), wherein X is halide, Y is a hydrocarbon group or chelating carbonyl group, and wherein 1 is less than or equal to n which is less than or equal to 3, and then contacting the complex with titanium halide having formula TiX4 wherein X is halide. Solid intermediate (B) is formed by reacting magnesium metal with alkyl halide in the presence of alkoxy aluminum represented by formula Al(ORa)3, silicon halide represented by formula SiX4 and alkoxy silane represented by formula Si(ORb)4, wherein Ra and Rb are an aromatic or aliphatic alkyl group and wherein X is halide.

Abstract: Adhesive composition for tapes, labels and bandages to be used at temperatures of +5° C.

Abstract: It has been found that basalt particles, when combined with a resin binder and a reinforcing material, such as fiberglass, provide unexpected strength, fire-resistance, radiation impermeability, and projectile shielding for ballistic armor/shields, fire-resistant building panels, construction blocks and protective coatings on substrates. The armor panels can be worn, as in a bullet-proof vest, or can be used as a shield to protect a vehicle, aircraft or other structures as projectile penetration-resistant and fire and radiation resistant materials.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and materials involved in producing tobacco plants having reduced levels of conversion of nicotine to nornicotine. In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to mutations in a nicotine demethylase gene, tobacco plants comprising mutations in a nicotine demethylase gene, and tobacco compositions and products thereof. In other embodiments, the invention is directed toward nicotine demethylase RNA interference, tobacco plants comprising a nicotine demethylase RNA interference transgene, and tobacco compositions and products thereof.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems for charging a battery in a power management unit include a power regulator having an input power supply and a processor that regulates a charging rate of the battery based on measured parameters of the power regulator and the battery. The processor is programmed to perform exemplary methods that include receiving an output voltage signal and a battery temperature signal from the power regulator, and comparing the output voltage to a first threshold to determine a charge level of the battery. An exemplary method includes selecting a charging mode based on the comparison, and sending a first control signal to the power regulator to adjust a charging rate of the battery based on the battery temperature.

Abstract: This invention is related to heteroatom containing diamondoids (i.e., “heterodiamondoids”) which are compounds having a diamondoid nucleus in which one or more of the diamondoid nucleus carbons has been substitutionally replaced with a noncarbon atom. These heteroatom substituents impart desirable properties to the diamondoid. In addition, the heterodiamondoids are functionalized affording compounds carrying one or more functional groups covalently pendant therefrom. This invention is further related to polymerizable functionalized heterodiamondoids. In a preferred aspect of this invention the diamondoid nuclei are triamantane and higher diamondoid nuclei. In another preferred aspect, the heteroatoms are selected to give rise to diamondoid materials which can serve as n- and p-type materials in electronic devices can serve as optically active materials.

Abstract: A flexible spending account system can be implemented according to one embodiment of the invention so as to automatically substantiate purchases made at a retailer merchant. For example, according to one embodiment of the invention, a method of authorizing products for purchase can be implemented by determining via a computer that a product requested for purchase at a point of sale by a consumer matches a qualified product category under the flexible spending account, sending an authorization request message for requesting use of said flexible spending account of said consumer, wherein said authorization request message comprises a total purchase amount field and a first qualified amount field for a first type of qualified items.

Abstract: A method of comparing voice samples to reduce false alarms by receiving a first voice sample, generating a model of the first voice sample, reordering the first voice sample, generating a model of the reordered first voice sample; receiving a second voice sample; generating a model of the second voice sample; reordering the second voice sample, generating a model of the reordered second voice sample, comparing at least one pairings of the models, and determining if the first voice sample matches the second voice sample if the model comparisons are within a user-definable threshold.