Abstract: The present invention describes polymer comprising one or more C3 to C40 olefins and having a Mw of 100,000 or less and a Dot T-Peel of 1 Newton or more. The polymer may have a branching index (g?) of 0.95 or less measured at the Mz of the polymer, and a heat of fusion of 1 to 70 J/g. Also described are polymers of homopolypropylene or a copolymer of propylene and up to 5 mole % ethylene having: an isotactic run length of 1 to 30 as determined by Carbon 13 NMR and a percent of r dyad of greater than 20%, preferably from 20 to 70% as determined by Carbon 13 NMR. Also described are methods of making these and other polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer blend prepared by the process of combining under polymerization conditions: (A) a first catalyst capable of producing a first crystalline polymer having an Mw of 100,000 or less, (B) a second catalyst capable of preparing a second amorphous polymer having an Mw of 100,000 or less and differing in chemical or physical properties from the first polymer under equivalent polymerization conditions, (C) a cocatalyst, activator, scavenger, or combination thereof, and (D) one or more olefins; wherein the polymer blend is formed in-situ, comprises crystalline polymer segments and amorphous polymer segments, and has an Mw of 100,000 or less.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adhesive comprising a polymer composition comprising at least 50 mol % of one or more C3 to C40 olefins where the polymer composition has (a) a Dot T-Peel of 1 Newton or more on Kraft paper; (b) an Mw of at least 7000 to 80,000; (c) a branching index (g?) of from 0.4 to 0.90 measured at the Mz of the polymer composition; (d) a heat of fusion of 1 to 70 J/g; and (e) a heptane insoluble fraction of 70 weight % or less, based upon the weight of the polymer composition, where the heptane insoluble fraction has branching index g? of 0.9 or less as measured at the Mz of the polymer composition.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods and computer program products for reducing the ancillary medical costs of an insurance network with a plurality of physicians participating therein. Computer implemented methods can include, for example, establishing an communication network between a healthcare consultation group and the insurance network, and accessing data associated with the plurality of physicians via the communication network. Embodiments can further include, for example, identifying, in a computer process, physicians who have engaged in ancillary medical procedures that are not preferred by the insurance network, and modifying behaviors of these physicians to reduce the ancillary medical costs of the insurance network.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods are provided for managing and optimizing the profitability of an insurance network with a plurality of physicians in a healthcare practice participating therein. Exemplary computer implemented methods can include, for example, comparing data received via a communications network for each of the plurality of physicians in the healthcare practice with one or more preferred ancillary medical procedures of the insurance network to thereby identify at least one of the plurality of physicians in the healthcare practice who engages in ancillary medical procedures that are not preferred by the insurance network.

Abstract: A chromatographic device for use in multi-dimensional GC is described having a gas flow channel means having an inlet and an outlet, and including a first length of tube defining a first stage and a second length of tube defining a second stage; wherein each of the first length of tube defining a first stage and second length of tube defining a second stage is microfabricated in the plane of a planar substrate layer such that each length of tube comprises a bore defining a closed curve in cross section. A GC assembly further comprising modulator, injector and detector and a method of fabrication of device and assembly are described. A method of analysing multi-dimensional GC data is described.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for graphically displaying media buying options (4) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a cost attribute and an exposure attribute for each media buying option and displaying a plot (1) of available media buying options (4), wherein the media buying options (4) are plotted against a first axis (1B) corresponding to said cost attribute and a second axis (1A) corresponding to said exposure attribute. In another embodiment the method includes calculating or retrieving from memory two or three attributes of each media buying option (4) to be displayed and graphically plotting in a plot (1) each media buying option (4) against said two or three attributes, wherein at least one of said attributes is an exposure attribute and updating the plot when a variable affecting the value of the exposure attribute of one or more media buying options (4) is changed.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods are provided for managing and optimizing the profitability of a plurality of physicians in a healthcare practice participating in an insurance network. Exemplary computer implemented methods can include, for example, comparing via one or more computers current ancillary medical procedures used by each of the plurality of physicians with one or more preferred ancillary medical procedures of the insurance network to thereby identify at least one of the plurality of physicians in the healthcare practice who engages in ancillary medical procedures that are not preferred by the insurance network. Such exemplary computer implemented methods can also include, for example, modifying the ancillary medical cost management behavior of the at least one of the plurality of physicians and distributing a predetermined percentage of savings attributed to the modified ancillary medical cost management behavior of the at least one of the plurality of physicians.

Abstract: The device holder with magnetic retainer is a holder that removably attaches to a garment by magnetic attraction. The holder typically holds a portable electronic device and includes a frame having a recess that receives the portable electronic device therein. The back portion of the frame retains a first magnetic member. A second magnetic member is designed to be positioned underneath a garment, such as a back of a shirt sleeve, so that a portion of the garment is positioned between the first and second magnetic members to attach the device to the garment. Front and rear peripheral edges of the device holder form a cord receiving channel that excess cord of the electronic device can be wrapped around, thereby facilitating neat storage of the excess cord.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for managing respiratory secretions and fluids in sections of artificial airways. In an embodiment of the invention, a respiratory secretion retention (RSR) device configured to fluidly connect to an artificial airway can be provided. The device can include a housing that defines a passageway for the flow of respiratory gases with at least two chambers coupled to the housing. The chambers are configured to retain exhaled respiratory particulate and liquid. The respiratory secretion retention device further includes a patient port coupled to the housing that is in fluid communication with the artificial airway and a repositionable barrier configured to isolate at least one of the two chambers from the passageway.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods are provided for managing and optimizing the profitability of an insurance network with a plurality of physicians in a healthcare practice participating therein. Exemplary computer implemented methods can include, for example, comparing data received via a communications network for each of the plurality of physicians in the healthcare practice with one or more preferred ancillary medical procedures of the insurance network to thereby identify at least one of the plurality of physicians in the healthcare practice who engages in ancillary medical procedures that are not preferred by the insurance network.

Abstract: A novel and non-obvious apparatus, system, and method for managing respiratory secretions and fluids in sections of artificial airways. In an embodiment of the invention, a respiratory secretion retention (RSR) device configured to fluidly connect to an artificial airway can be provided. The respiratory secretion retention (RSR) device can include a housing that defines a passageway for the flow of respiratory gases, a chamber defined by the housing with a portion of the chamber configured to retain exhaled respiratory particulate and liquid, a patient side port coupled with the housing, which is in fluid communication with an artificial airway and at least one access port coupled with the housing were the at least one access port includes a control valve. In an aspect of this embodiment, the housing further can include an instillation port.

Abstract: A process for creating an edited video media, utilising a computer software system, which comprises the steps of, (a) obtaining some raw video footage, and uploading the footage into the computer software system, if necessary converting the raw video into digital form; (b) cataloguing the raw video footage in a database on the computer; (c) having an operator edit the raw video footage, following a predetermined and standard procedure to create a plurality of video clips; (d) having an operator edit the video clips, following a predetermined and standard procedure to create a plurality of selected shorter segments showing the highlights from at least some of the clips from step (c), and combined as another clip; (e) having an operator add a musical sound track, to the clips of steps (c) and (d); and (f) assembling the clips into a movie, adding standard titles before each clip, and a possibly a standard menu that indexes each clip.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to article comprising 1) a functionalized component, 2) tackifier, and 3) an olefin polymer comprising one or more C3 to C40 olefins, optionally one or more diolefins, and less than 5 mole % of ethylene having a Dot T-Peel of 1 Newton or more, a branching index (g?) of 0.95 or less measured at the Mz of the polymer; and an Mw of 100,000 or less; where the functional component is selected from the group consisting of functionalized polymers, functionalized oligomers and beta nucleating agents; and where the Gardner color of the adhesive does not change by more than 7 Gardner units when the adhesive has been heat aged at 180° C. for 48 hours as compared to the Gardner color of the unaged composition.

Abstract: A novel and non-obvious apparatus, system, and method for managing respiratory secretions and fluids in sections of artificial airways. In an embodiment of the invention, a respiratory secretion retention (RSR) device configured to connect to an artificial airway can be provided. The respiratory secretion retention (RSR) device can include a housing that defines a passageway for the flow of respiratory gases, a chamber that is defined by the housing, where a portion of the chamber is configured to retain exhaled respiratory particulate and liquid, and at least one element configured to provide for repositioning at least a portion of the housing with respect to the artificial airway. In an aspect of this embodiment, the at least a portion of the housing can be repositioned with respect to the artificial airway without opening the artificial airway to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to article comprising 1) a functionalized component, 2) tackifier, and 3) an olefin polymer comprising one or more C3 to C40 olefins, optionally one or more diolefins, and less than 5 mole % of ethylene having a Dot T-Peel of 1 Newton or more, a branching index (g?) of 0.95 or less measured at the Mz of the polymer; and an Mw of 100,000 or less; where the functional component is selected from the group consisting of functionalized polymers, functionalized oligomers and beta nucleating agents; and where the Gardner color of the adhesive does not change by more than 7 Gardner units when the adhesive has been heat aged at 180° C. for 48 hours as compared to the Gardner color of the unaged composition.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that enables a media gateway controller to optimize the selection of a media gateway from which to acquire call-related resources, in a multi-gateway environment. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the controller sets a high utilization threshold and a low utilization threshold for each media gateway it controls, for the purpose of receiving a notification when a threshold is crossed. As resources are utilized, removed from service, or become available for use, the media gateway recalculates the resource utilization of one or more predetermined resources and notifies the controller if a threshold for a particular resource has been crossed. The controller, in turn, uses the current threshold states as part of the selection of media gateway to serve one or more subsequent calls. The disclosed method can increase the probability of selecting a media gateway with sufficient resources for a successful call completion on the first attempt.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that enables accelerating the removal from service of a signal processor at a media gateway. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the media gateway receives an indication to remove one of its digital signal processors from service. Instead of waiting for all of the calls that are using the signal processor to come to an end, the media gateway proactively moves the packet streams from the signal processor to one or more other signal processors resident at the gateway. Advantageously, an effort is made to avoid having to inform the corresponding media gateway controller of the move, thereby minimizing any discontinuity in each moved packet stream.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for optimizing profits for healthcare practices and insurance networks. The methods and systems include modifying physician's cost management behavior to enhance profitability of healthcare practices and insurance networks by identifying physicians that are not profitable because of cost management behavior and providing intervention to change the management behavior of the physician.

Abstract: Insulation materials suited to high temperature applications, such as the insulation of furnaces, are formed from a mixture of pitch carbon fibers, such as isotropic pitch carbon fibers, and a binder comprising a solution of sugar in water. The sugar solution is preferably at a concentration of from 20-60% sucrose to yield a low density material having high flexural strength and low thermal conductivity when carbonized to a temperature of about 1800° C.