Abstract: A miniature microdrive system may be affixed to the skull and used to advance recording electrode bundles or injection cannula through the brain of freely moving test subjects, e.g., rodents. The microdrive may be constructed using a hybrid fabrication technique utilizing a printed circuit board and a small number of mechanical parts. The printed circuit board provides the base for both the electrical components and the mechanical components. The movement of a screw advances a shuttle that in turn moves an electrode bundle through the brain. Independently moving screws advance independent electrode bundles. The electrode wires are connected through the printed circuit board to a connector on the back of the board. Stainless steel cannulae are soldered to a grounding trace on the printed circuit board to guide the electrode bundle and provide a ground connection. With this system, multiple brain structures may be targeted simultaneously.

Abstract: Expandable microspheres formed by suspension polymerization using a shot growth method are provided. The microspheres are formed of a continuous, gas impermeable shell surrounding a blowing agent. The shell includes a first polymer layer formed from primary monomers and a second layer that includes a chemically reactive monomer or a high Tg monomer. To form the microspheres, the primary monomers are polymerized in a reaction vessel to an approximate 90% polymerization, at which time a secondary monomer that is either a monomer having a Tg of at least 85° C. or a chemically reactive monomer, is added to the reaction vessel to drive the polymerization reaction to completion. The outer layer thus contains either a larger amount of the high Tg monomer or a chemically reactive monomer that possesses the ability to covalently bond a cationic species. The microspheres may be used in papermaking processes to increase the paper bulk.

Abstract: Hollow thermoexpandable particles or microspheres are provided that contain hydrocarbon blowing agents and have a shell polymer that can be softened at the onset of the expansion temperature and solidified at a higher temperature (thermoset) in an expanded state. Preferably, the microspheres have a shell of thermally expandable and thermally crosslinkable polymer and a hollow interior that contains a hydrocarbon liquid that boils at a temperature below the heat activated crosslinking temperature of the polymer shell. The crosslinking of the shell polymer during or after expansion, which is heat activated at an elevated temperature, can solidify the shell polymer and, then, maintain the expanded volume of the microspheres. The thermoexpandable thermoset polymer particles are useful in insulation, packaging, for making foam materials such as polyurethane or polyisocyanurate rigid foams.

Abstract: A method and composition for making hybrid nanoparticles and use of such nanoparticles are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, the hybrid nanoparticles comprise a phase change material (PCM) and a metal layer encapsulating the phase change material. In another embodiment of the invention, the hybrid nanoparticles comprise a phase change material, a polymer layer encapsulating the phase change material, and an outer metal layer encapsulating the polymer layer. In another embodiment of the invention, the hybrid nanoparticles comprise an inner core of a PCM encapsulated by a polymer shell containing embedded nanoparticles that have a high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: An integrated payment system directed to the care of a subject and method of same is described herein. This system and method includes a care planner for accurately approximating the costs for the subject during the course of care, an insurance verifier and estimator that identifies the portion of the costs for the subject that is covered by the subjects insurance, wherein the approximated costs less the covered insurance leaves a subject payment, a discount planner that evaluates the application of at least one discount to the subject payment, and a payment planner that enables a payment arrangement for the subject for the subject payment less any applied discounts.

Abstract: A system dynamically displays graphic identifier information, such as corporate logos, and value information for financial instruments, such as recent trade information, on a video wall having several monitors arranged to form a larger display. The system has input ports to receive feeds with identifiers and corresponding values of financial instruments, a filter to extract the identifiers and corresponding values of the financial instruments, a memory to store the extracted information and a table associating the financial instrument identifiers with graphic symbols, and processors to form a display signal with the graphic symbols and values.

Abstract: Expandable microspheres formed by suspension polymerization using a shot growth method are provided. The microspheres are formed of a continuous, gas impermeable shell surrounding a blowing agent. The shell includes a first polymer layer formed from primary monomers and a second layer that includes a chemically reactive monomer or a high Tg monomer. To form the microspheres, the primary monomers are polymerized in a reaction vessel to an approximate 90% polymerization, at which time a secondary monomer that is either a monomer having a Tg of at least 85° C. or a chemically reactive monomer, is added to the reaction vessel to drive the polymerization reaction to completion. The outer layer thus contains either a larger amount of the high Tg monomer or a chemically reactive monomer that possesses the ability to covalently bond a cationic species. The microspheres may be used in papermaking processes to increase the paper bulk.

Abstract: An integrated payment system directed to the care of a subject and method of same is described herein. This system and method includes a care planner for accurately approximating the costs for the subject during the course of care, an insurance verifier and estimator that identifies the portion of the costs for the subject that is covered by the subjects insurance, wherein the approximated costs less the covered insurance leaves a subject payment, a discount planner that evaluates the application of at least one discount to the subject payment, and a payment planner that enables a payment arrangement for the subject for the subject payment less any applied discounts.

Abstract: A miniature microdrive system may be affixed to the skull and used to advance recording electrode bundles or injection cannula through the brain of freely moving test subjects, e.g., rodents. The microdrive may be constructed using a hybrid fabrication technique utilizing a printed circuit board and a small number of mechanical parts. The printed circuit board provides the base for both the electrical components and the mechanical components. The movement of a screw advances a shuttle that in turn moves an electrode bundle through the brain. Independently moving screws advance independent electrode bundles. The electrode wires are connected through the printed circuit board to a connector on the back of the board. Stainless steel cannulae are soldered to a grounding trace on the printed circuit board to guide the electrode bundle and provide a ground connection. With this system, multiple brain structures may be targeted simultaneously.

Abstract: A method and composition for making hybrid nanoparticles and use of such nanoparticles are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, the hybrid nanoparticles comprise a phase change material (PCM) and a metal layer encapsulating the phase change material. In another embodiment of the invention, the hybrid nanoparticles comprise a phase change material, a polymer layer encapsulating the phase change material, and an outer metal layer encapsulating the polymer layer. In another embodiment of the invention, the hybrid nanoparticles comprise an inner core of a PCM encapsulated by a polymer shell containing embedded nanoparticles that have a high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: Action toys and methods of assembling and using the toys. A first aspect the invention includes assembleable sectioned portions of background play scenes that are easily assembleable and rearrangeable into virtually endless diorama-like arrangements using a specialized connection system that allows any base and backdrop to be connected in multiple orientations. A second aspect of the invention includes specially designed and constructed figures usable with the background scenes. The figures include central body portions from which flexible limbs and head extend and features that allow the figures to free stand and to hold objects.

Abstract: Action toys and methods of assembling and using the toys. A first aspect the invention includes assembleable sectioned portions of background play scenes that are easily assembleable and rearrangeable into virtually endless diorama-like arrangements using a specialized connection system that allows any base and backdrop to be connected in multiple orientations. A second aspect of the invention includes specially designed and constructed figures usable with the background scenes. The figures include central body portions from which flexible limbs and head extend and features that allow the figures to free stand and to hold objects.

Abstract: Action toys and methods of assembling and using the toys. A first aspect the invention includes assembleable sectioned portions of background play scenes that are easily assembleable and rearrangeable into virtually endless diorama-like arrangements using a specialized connection system that allows any base and backdrop to be connected in multiple orientations. A second aspect of the invention includes specially designed and constructed figures usable with the background scenes. The figures include central body portions from which flexible limbs and head extend and features that allow the figures to free stand and to hold objects.

Abstract: An additive pump system for fire-fighting vehicles is automatically engaged when the water pump is engaged. Upon engagement of the water pump, the water pump communicates with a hydraulic pump to engage the hydraulic pump. Engagement of the hydraulic pump results in a rise in hydraulic pressure. A pressure switch is tripped when a pressure of a pre-determined set point is reached. The pressure switch communicates with a controller to indicate that sufficient pressure has been obtained. In response to the receiving the signal of sufficient hydraulic pressure, the controller signals the additive pump system to engage the additive pump system.

Abstract: Action toys and methods of assembling and using the toys. A first aspect the invention includes assembleable sectioned portions of background play scenes that are easily assembleable and rearrangeable into virtually endless diorama-like arrangements using a specialized connection system that allows any base and backdrop to be connected in multiple orientations. A second aspect of the invention includes specially designed and constructed figures usable with the background scenes. The figures include central body portions from which flexible limbs and head extend and features that allow the figures to free stand and to hold objects.

Abstract: A system dynamically displays graphic identifier information, such as corporate logos, and value information for financial instruments, such as recent trade information, on a video wall having several monitors arranged to form a larger display. The system has input ports to receive feeds with identifiers and corresponding values of financial instruments, a filter to extract the identifiers and corresponding values of the financial instruments, a memory to store the extracted information and a table associating the financial instrument identifiers with graphic symbols, and processors to form a display signal with the graphic symbols and values.

Abstract: A system dynamically displays graphic identifier information, such as corporate logos, and value information for financial instruments, such as recent trade information, on a video wall having several monitors arranged to form a larger display. The system has input ports to receive feeds with identifiers and corresponding values of financial instruments, a filter to extract the identifiers and corresponding values of the financial instruments, a memory to store the extracted information and a table associating the financial instrument identifiers with graphic symbols, and processors to form a display signal with the graphic symbols and values.

Abstract: Hollow thermoexpandable particles or microspheres are provided that contain hydrocarbon blowing agents and have a shell polymer that can be softened at the onset of the expansion temperature and solidified at a higher temperature (thermoset) in an expanded state. Preferably, the microspheres have a shell of thermally expandable and thermally crosslinkable polymer and a hollow interior that contains a hydrocarbon liquid that boils at a temperature below the heat activated crosslinking temperature of the polymer shell. The crosslinking of the shell polymer during or after expansion, which is heat activated at an elevated temperature, can solidify the shell polymer and, then, maintain the expanded volume of the microspheres. The thermoexpandable thermoset polymer particles are useful in insulation, packaging, for making foam materials such as polyurethane or polyisocyanurate rigid foams.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adhesive composition comprising: microgels of at least one acrylic polymer; and an interlinking polymer covalently bonding at least some of said microgels to each other through said interlinking polymer. In one embodiment, the adhesive further comprises at least one non-gelled polymer, said interlinking polymer covalently bonding at least some of said microgels to said non-gelled polymer. In one embodiment, the invention relates to an aqueous dispersion, comprising: water; microgels of at least one acrylic polymer dispersed in said water; and at least one interlinking polymer capable of covalently bonding said microgels to each other through said interlinking polymer. In one embodiment, the dispersion further comprises at least one non-gelled polymer, and the interlinking polymer is capable of covalently bonding said microgels to said non-gelled polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for computerized trading of options in which the number of contracts and the “bid and ask” data are displayed in a succession of windows maintained by an “electronic book.” Each window is open for 20 seconds. In the first 5 seconds after a window has closed, a specialist has exclusive access to the window to place trades and publish the executed trade data. After that, traders and brokerage agencies have access to the new window to place trades. The general public has access to the window to observe the trading process. All trades are made on a real time basis and in the order, by time, in which they are received by the electronic book. Trades are limited to a predetermined range within each window so as to maintain a stable and orderly market.