Abstract: A printing system includes: a plurality of unitary objects each having a unique identification code, a plurality of fixtures arranged on a base, and a printer controller. Each unitary object includes a uniquely-shaped three-dimensional body fixed to a plate by a connection mechanism. Each fixture includes: a fixture block defining a printing opening; and a plate guide defined in the fixture block and configured to receive the plate. A target region of the three-dimensional body is aligned within the printing opening of the fixture block when the plate is fixed within the plate guide. The printer controller is configured to: detect the unique identification code of each unitary object; and control an ink dispenser to print a unique topographical design on each aligned target region of each three-dimensional body, the unique topographical design being associated with the detected unique identification code.

Abstract: A method of enhancing sperm fertility is described herein. The method includes contacting sperm with hydroxyurea. A composition is disclosed that includes sperm, hydroxyurea, and a buffer. Methods, kits, and compositions for enhancing sperm fertility are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of treating water to promote the health of aquatic organisms are described. The method may include introducing pulverized kaolin into the water. The pulverized kaolin may have a particle size distribution such that at least 30% by weight of the particles pass through a 60 mesh screen. For example, the pulverized kaolin may be in the form of a dry powder having a d50 diameter less than 300 ?m. The pulverized kaolin may remain dispersed or suspended in the water without dispersants and/or surfactants, e.g., to reduce the amount of at least one pathogenic microorganism present in the water and/or to reduce or prevent exposure of aquatic organisms to the pathogenic microorganism(s).

Abstract: Methods of treating water to promote the health of aquatic organisms are described. The method may include introducing pulverized kaolin into the water. The pulverized kaolin may have a particle size distribution such that at least 30% by weight of the particles pass through a 60 mesh screen. For example, the pulverized kaolin may be in the form of a dry powder having a d50 diameter less than 300 ?m. The pulverized kaolin may remain dispersed or suspended in the water without dispersants and/or surfactants, e.g., to reduce the amount of at least one pathogenic microorganism present in the water and/or to reduce or prevent exposure of aquatic organisms to the pathogenic microorganism(s).

Abstract: Compositions of clay materials intercalated with urea and/or another material or combination of materials are discussed. For example, the composition may comprise from about 20% to about 65% by weight intercalated urea, with respect to the total weight of the composition. Intercalation may be achieved, for example, by grinding the clay particles with one or more other materials, such that the other material(s) are intercalated into the clay particles. The composition may be formed into pills formulated for controlled release of urea, e.g., for fertilizing soil.

Abstract: A coating composition may include kaolin having a shape factor less than about 70 and calcium carbonate, wherein less than about 90% by weight and greater than about 60% by weight of particles of the calcium carbonate have an equivalent spherical diameter (esd) less than 2 microns. The coating composition may include a thickener present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.9% by active dry weight of the composition. A coating composition may include kaolin having a shape factor less than about 70 and calcium carbonate having a mean particle size (d50) of at least about 2.4 microns and a steepness factor of at least about 30. The coating composition may be a paper basecoat composition or a paperboard basecoat composition. A paper or paperboard product may include the coating composition on at least one surface of the paper product or paperboard product.

Abstract: This disclosure describes antimicrobial compositions containing a clay, an aluminum compound and optionally a transition metal compound, in which a pH of the antimicrobial composition is less than or equal to 5, and an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the antimicrobial composition ranges from about 300 mV to about 800 mV. Other embodiments described herein include methods of producing and using the antimicrobial compositions.

Abstract: A coating composition may include kaolin having a shape factor less than about 70 and calcium carbonate, wherein less than about 90% by weight and greater than about 60% by weight of particles of the calcium carbonate have an equivalent spherical diameter (esd) less than 2 microns. The coating composition may include a thickener present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.9% by active dry weight of the composition. A coating composition may include kaolin having a shape factor less than about 70 and calcium carbonate having a mean particle size (d50) of at least about 2.4 microns and a steepness factor of at least about 30. The coating composition may be a paper basecoat composition or a paperboard basecoat composition. A paper or paperboard product may include the coating composition on at least one surface of the paper product or paperboard product.

Abstract: A coating composition may include kaolin having a shape factor less than about 70 and calcium carbonate, wherein less than about 90% by weight and greater than about 60% by weight of particles of the calcium carbonate have an equivalent spherical diameter (esd) less than 2 microns. The coating composition may include a thickener present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.9% by active dry weight of the composition. A coating composition may include kaolin having a shape factor less than about 70 and calcium carbonate having a mean particle size (d50) of at least about 2.4 microns and a steepness factor of at least about 30. The coating composition may be a paper basecoat composition or a paperboard basecoat composition. A paper or paperboard product may include the coating composition on at least one surface of the paper product or paperboard product.

Abstract: A composition comprising an inorganic particulate material adapted to convert a biomass material into hydrolysis products is provided. The inorganic particulate material comprises at least 0.1 wt. % of at least one impurity in its crystal structure based on the total weight of the inorganic particulate material. Methods of convert a biomass material into hydrolysis products using the compositions comprising an inorganic particulate material are also provided.

Abstract: A coating composition may include kaolin having a shape factor less than about 70 and calcium carbonate, wherein less than about 90% by weight and greater than about 60% by weight of particles of the calcium carbonate have an equivalent spherical diameter (esd) less than 2 microns. The coating composition may include a thickener present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.9% by active dry weight of the composition. A coating composition may include kaolin having a shape factor less than about 70 and calcium carbonate having a mean particle size (d50) of at least about 2.4 microns and a steepness factor of at least about 30. The coating composition may be a paper basecoat composition or a paperboard basecoat composition. A paper or paperboard product may include the coating composition on at least one surface of the paper product or paperboard product.

Abstract: A method, implemented by a software-controlled computer device and/or by dedicated hardware, for probing an electrically conductive target material, e.g. molten metal or semiconductor material, in a metallurgical vessel. In the method, a measurement signal is acquired from a sensor, which is inserted into the target material, during a relative displacement between the electrically conductive target material and the sensor, the measurement signal being indicative of electrical conductivity in the vicinity of the sensor. The measurement signal is generated to represent momentary changes in an electromagnetic field around the sensor, which is created by operating at least one coil in the sensor. Based on the measurement signal, a signal profile is generated to be indicative of the electrical conductivity as a function of the relative movement. The method enables a probing of the internal distribution of the target material in the vessel at any level of detail.

Abstract: A pigment composition may include an inorganic particulate material, a multivalent metal salt, and a non ionic dispersant. A substrate may be coated with an aqueous coating composition including the pigment composition. The substrate may be a paper product.

Abstract: A coating composition may include kaolin having a shape factor less than about 70 and calcium carbonate, wherein less than about 90% by weight and greater than about 60% by weight of particles of the calcium carbonate have an equivalent spherical diameter (esd) less than 2 microns. The coating composition may include a thickener present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 0.9% by active dry weight of the composition. A coating composition may include kaolin having a shape factor less than about 70 and calcium carbonate having a mean particle size (d50) of at least about 2.4 microns and a steepness factor of at least about 30. The coating composition may be a paper basecoat composition or a paperboard basecoat composition. A paper or paperboard product may include the coating composition on at least one surface of the paper product or paperboard product.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manipulate a window during a drag-and-drop operation. In one aspect of the invention, a method to manipulate a window includes: receiving input of dragging an item to a first window in a first state in which the first window is not completely accessible on a first screen; and bringing the first window from the first state to a second state in which the first window is more accessible or completely accessible on the first screen before the item is dropped. In one example according to this aspect, the first window is brought to the second state in response to a first determination that the first window contains a target location for the item. The first determination is in response to a predetermined input which is one of: a) a determination that the item has hovered around a location in the first window for a predetermined amount of time; and b) an input of pressing a key while the item is being dragged in the first window.

Abstract: There is provided a method of enabling media bypass for a media gateway in a telecommunications network which includes a plurality of media gateways via which a signaling path for transfer of signaling information for setup of a communication session between endpoint devices can be established and via which a media path for transfer of media data between the endpoint devices during the communication session can be established.

Abstract: An adjustable template for defining outer peripheral dimensions of a door comprises first and second side elements (5,6), each of which comprises an outer telescoping member (8) and an inner telescoping member (9). The first and second side elements (5,6) are coupled together by upper and lower linkage mechanisms (10,11) so that the first and second side elements (5,6) are operable between an inoperable state illustrated in FIG. 1 and an operable state illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 whereby the first and second side elements (5,6) define the width dimensions of the opening in which the door is to be located from the top of the opening to the bottom of the opening. The inner telescoping members (9) are urged outwardly of the outer telescoping members (8) so that the first and second side elements (5,6) extend from the saddle or floor of the opening of the door to the upper edge of the opening of the doorway.

Abstract: A method, implemented by a software-controlled computer device and/or by dedicated hardware, for probing an electrically conductive target material, e.g. molten metal or semiconductor material, in a metallurgical vessel. In the method, a measurement signal is acquired from a sensor, which is inserted into the target material, during a relative displacement between the electrically conductive target material and the sensor, the measurement signal being indicative of electrical conductivity in the vicinity of the sensor. The measurement signal is generated to represent momentary changes in an electromagnetic field around the sensor, which is created by operating at least one coil in the sensor. Based on the measurement signal, a signal profile is generated to be indicative of the electrical conductivity as a function of the relative movement. The method enables a probing of the internal distribution of the target material in the vessel at any level of detail.

Abstract: A method of operation of an electric turbocompounding system for a reciprocating engine comprises the steps of retrieving from the engine ECU data pertaining to engine condition, retrieving from a set of turbine efficiency data an optimum turbogenerator speed at the engine condition, setting a desired turbogenerator set speed based on the engine condition and on a speed at which turbine efficiency is deemed to be optimum, measuring an output voltage of the turbogenerator, comparing the measured voltage with a pre-determined voltage range and where the measured voltage falls outside of the pre-determined voltage range, adjusting the turbogenerator set speed to reduce or increase the output voltage to within the pre-determined voltage range.

Abstract: There is provided a method of enabling media bypass for a media gateway in a telecommunications network which includes a plurality of media gateways via which a signaling path for transfer of signaling information for setup of a communication session between endpoint devices can be established and via which a media path for transfer of media data between the endpoint devices during the communication session can be established.