Abstract: Provided is a treated platy substrate, a method of making it, and methods of using it. The substrate can be synthetic mica, optionally comprising metal-oxide layers. The treated platy substrate is useful in cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: Blending an electrically active, anodically coloring, electrochromic polymer with a non-electrochromic, non-electrically conductive binder polymer greatly enhances the performance of the anodically coloring, electrochromic polymer in an electrochromic device over time. In addition to improved physical characteristics of the blend, e.g., film build, durability etc, the coloristic properties, including color space and color strength, of the device comprising the blend are more durable than when using the neat polymer, and in certain instances, the color space and color intensity provided by the blend is superior to that available from the neat polymer.

Abstract: Provided is a treated platy substrate, a method of making it, and methods of using it. The substrate can be synthetic mica, optionally comprising metal-oxide layers. The treated platy substrate is useful in cosmetic compositions.

Abstract: Firearm supporting devices (e.g., firearm vises), methods of assembling firearm supporting devices, and methods of packaging firearm supporting devices are disclosed herein. One aspect is directed to a firearm supporting device for supporting a firearm having a first section and a second section spaced apart from the first section. In one such embodiment, a firearm supporting device includes a base, a first support for carrying the first section of the firearm, and a second support for carrying the second section of the firearm. The base includes a first portion and a second portion configured to be attached to the first portion. The first portion is fixed relative to the second portion when the first and second portions are attached. The first support is configured to project from the first portion of the base. The second support is configured to project from the second portion of the base.

Abstract: Bipods and mounting devices for attaching to and supporting firearms, more specifically, bipods which allow independent tension-adjustable movement around two axes. For example, the bipod assembly can be tension-adjusted with a first cam lock for cant movement and can be tension-adjusted with a second cam lock for pivotal movement. Accordingly, independently tension-adjustable and lockable pivot and cam adjustments are provided by this bipod assembly.

Abstract: Electrically active, cathodically coloring electrochromic polymers are blended with a non-electrochromic, non-electrically conductive binder polymer to provide an electrochomic composition with greatly enhanced performance in an electrochromic device over time. It is also found that blending an electrochromic polymer with a non-coloring electroactive material allows for greater design in preparing electrochromic devices as it enables the use of a higher amount of typically low coloring anodic materials due to increased need for charge balancing.

Abstract: Modular shooting rests and associated assemblies are disclosed herein. One embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to a shooting rest assembly for supporting a firearm. The shooting rest assembly can include a first base portion and a second base portion. The first base portion has an exterior surface, an inner surface, and a bottom surface defining a bottom surface plane. The first base portion also includes an inner volume defined, at least in part, by the inner surface and the bottom surface plane. The second base portion is engaged with the first base portion in a configuration selected from (a) a first shooting rest arrangement, and (b) a second shooting rest arrangement. In the first shooting rest arrangement, the second base portion is received at least approximately completely within the inner volume of the first base portion in a nested configuration.

Abstract: Electrically active, cathodically coloring electrochromic polymers are blended with a non-electrochromic, non-electrically conductive binder polymer to provide an electrochomic composition with greatly enhanced performance in an electrochromic device over time. It is also found that blending an electrochromic polymer with a non-coloring electroactive material allows for greater design in preparing electrochromic devices as it enables the use of a higher amount of typically low coloring anodic materials due to increased need for charge balancing.

Abstract: Modular shooting rests and associated assemblies are disclosed herein. One embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to a shooting rest assembly for supporting a firearm. The shooting rest assembly can include a first base portion and a second base portion. The first base portion has an exterior surface, an inner surface, and a bottom surface defining a bottom surface plane. The first base portion also includes an inner volume defined, at least in part, by the inner surface and the bottom surface plane. The second base portion is engaged with the first base portion in a configuration selected from (a) a first shooting rest arrangement, and (b) a second shooting rest arrangement. In the first shooting rest arrangement, the second base portion is received at least approximately completely within the inner volume of the first base portion in a nested configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, which are stabilized against degradation and yellowing during exposure to ultraviolet light by the presence of certain nitroxyl, hydroxyl amine and hydroxyl amine salt additives, a method of stabilizing the compositions by the addition of said additives, to the use of such compositions as media in electroactive devices such as electrochromic and electrophoteric devices, and the electroactive devices comprised of these media.

Abstract: Blending an electrically active, anodically coloring, electrochromic polymer with a non-electrochromic, non-electrically conductive binder polymer greatly enhances the performance of the anodically coloring, electrochromic polymer in an electrochromic device over time. In addition to improved physical characteristics of the blend, e.g., film build, durability etc, the coloristic properties, including color space and color strength, of the device comprising the blend are more durable than when using the neat polymer, and in certain instances, the color space and color intensity provided by the blend is superior to that available from the neat polymer.

Abstract: An ink jet recording media system is described which comprises at least one coating layer that comprises a zwitterionic copolymer or cooligomer, which copolymer or cooligomer comprises monomer units derived from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of the zwitterionic monomers and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of the hydroxy functional monomers and etherified hydroxy functional monomers. The media system exhibits fast dry times, excellent image quality, low levels of glycol smear, low color coalescence and excellent light fastness.

Abstract: An ink jet recording media system is described which comprises at least one coating layer that comprises a zwitterionic polymer or oligomer. The media system exhibits excellent light fastness as well as good dry time and good image-forming properties.

Abstract: An ink jet recording media system is described which comprises at least one coating layer that comprises a zwitterionic copolymer or cooligomer, which copolymer or cooligomer comprises monomer units derived from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of the zwitterionic monomers and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of the hydroxy functional monomers and etherified hydroxy functional monomers. The media system exhibits fast dry times, excellent image quality, low levels of glycol smear, low color coalescence and excellent light fastness.

Abstract: The subject of debt and home mortgage financing play a critical role in consumer finance, yet its treatment within the framework of personalized financial planning has lagged in relation to breadth and complexity of debt instruments that are commonly available in the marketplace. Consumers require a decision support system to make informed choices related to debt financing. A strategic decision framework and a set of tools to properly assess consumer debt are lacking. Monte Carlo simulation, risk tolerance, and statistical methods are frequently in other areas of consumer finance, particularly the investment field. Similar methods have application in the debt domain.

Abstract: Modular shooting rests and associated assemblies are disclosed herein. One embodiment of the disclosure, for example, is directed to a shooting rest assembly for supporting a firearm. The shooting rest assembly can include a first base portion and a second base portion. The first base portion has an exterior surface, an inner surface, and a bottom surface defining a bottom surface plane. The first base portion also includes an inner volume defined, at least in part, by the inner surface and the bottom surface plane. The second base portion is engaged with the first base portion in a configuration selected from (a) a first shooting rest arrangement, and (b) a second shooting rest arrangement. In the first shooting rest arrangement, the second base portion is received at least approximately completely within the inner volume of the first base portion in a nested configuration.

Abstract: An ink jet recording media system is described which comprises at least one coating layer that comprises a zwitterionic copolymer or cooligomer, which copolymer or cooligomer comprises monomer units derived from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of the zwitterionic monomers and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of the hydroxy functional monomers and etherified hydroxy functional monomers. The media system exhibits fast dry times, excellent image quality, low levels of glycol smear, low color coalescence and excellent light fastness.

Abstract: This invention is a method for incorporating additives into a polymeric materials such as coatings and plastics, which comprises treating the polymeric material with light prior to applying a removable coating of a composition comprising the additives to the surface of the polymeric material and allowing the coating to remain in contact with the polymeric material for a time sufficient to allow the additives to diffuse into the polymeric material.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, which are stabilized against degradation and yellowing during exposure to ultraviolet light by the presence of certain nitroxyl, hydroxyl amine and hydroxyl amine salt additives, a method of stabilizing the compositions by the addition of said additives, to the use of such compositions as media in electroactive devices such as electrochromic and electrophoteric devices, and the electroactive devices comprised of these media.