Abstract: The invention relates to tall oil fatty acid compositions having low sulfur content, as well as methods of using and making the same.

Abstract: A thermal cover device for a coffee press featuring an elongated panel for wrapping around the coffee press, wherein a first attachment means is disposed on the panel for securing the panel around the coffee press and a first slot disposed in the side of the panel sized to accommodate a handle of the coffee press; and a circular top panel adapted to be attached to a top of the coffee press, wherein a second slot is disposed in the circular panel for accommodating a lid handle disposed the top of the coffee press; wherein the panel and top panel are constructed from a first batting layer and a second batting layer sandwiched between outer layers, wherein an insulation layer is sandwiched between the first batting layer and the second batting layer, the insulation layer is constructed from an EagleShield™ insulation component.

Abstract: A method for an automated call distribution system to re-associate a caller with a queue position previously established in an on-hold queue. The method includes receiving a first incoming call from a caller and assigning the caller to a position in an on-hold queue when the caller is placed on-hold by the automated call distribution system. A placeholder for the caller may then be assigned in the on-hold queue when the caller disconnects with the automated call distribution system. The placeholder corresponds to the position of the caller in the on-hold queue and is associated with a caller identifier. The method further includes receiving a second incoming call from the caller and associating the second incoming call with the caller identifier. It is then determined that the caller is associated with the placeholder. The caller is placed back into the on-hold queue at the position of the placeholder.

Abstract: The invention includes methods and systems for use with a redemption campaign of an issuer implemented via a real-time redemption network (“RRN”), with RRN being connected to a credit/debit transaction network, and implemented via a mobile message system for an account of a cardholder having a mobile device connected to the mobile messaging system. The cardholder receives marketing engagements of a redemption campaign via a cardholder mobile device based on an approved credit/debit card transaction and having a points account associated with the card.

Abstract: The present invention is designed to develop research protocols for clinical trials. The invention also can track and enhance subject compliance with a research protocol. The invention further provides evaluability data related to subject performance in the clinical trial. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, a portable electronic device is used to query and collect data from the subject.

Abstract: A method for separating carriers from a solution, the carriers being adapted to have biomolecules, such as DNA, RNA, proteins, polypeptides or carbohydrates attached thereto. The method includes the steps of introducing a tubular member (13) into a receptacle which holds a solution containing the carriers immersing an end portion of the tubular member in the solution attracting and holding the carriers to the end portion and removing the tubular member together with the held carriers from the solution. The attracting and holding step includes the step of providing an under-pressure within the tubular member so as to attract and hold the carriers to a filter (25) being disposed in the end portion of the tubular member. The invention also relates to an apparatus (10) performing such a method.

Abstract: The present invention is designed to develop research protocols for clinical trials. The invention also can track and enhance subject compliance with a research protocol. The invention further provides evaluability data related to subject performance in the clinical trial. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, a portable electronic device is used to query and collect data from the subject.

Abstract: A luer lock connector is disclosed. The luer lock connector includes a connector body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a gripping portion between the distal end and the proximal end. A substantially flexible material is disposed on at least the outer surface of the gripping portion of the connector body. An intravenous line is coupled to the distal end of the connector body. A luer connector fitting is disposed on the proximal end of the body, the luer connector having an outer diameter less than a maximum exterior thickness of the gripping portion of the connector body.

Abstract: A head support assembly includes a base configured to be removably secured to an MRI scanner gantry, a head support frame attached to the base, and a longitudinally extending head coil apparatus adjustably secured to the head support frame. The head support frame includes a pair of elongated arms that extend outwardly in adjacent, spaced-apart, substantially co-planar relationship to form an area for receiving the head of a patient. Each arm includes a respective free end, and a head engagement rod is adjustably associated with each respective arm free end. The head engagement rods are configured to engage a patients head within the head support frame. One or more additional head engagement rods may extend outwardly from the head support frame between the pair of arms.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for communicating Fibre Channel frames between distinct fabrics. A proxy zone is established in each fabric with a physically present local device and a remote fabric device. A router creates a proxy device in each fabric for every device not physically connected to the fabric. The proxy devices appear to be directly attached to the router. The router handles all address translations between proxy and physical addresses. When multiple routers are encountered, the ingress router does all address translation. No routing or encapsulation headers are used except when routing between two routers. The source ID and the originator exchange identifier are stored at the egress router for all link requests that require special handling. When replies pass through that router, the destination ID and originator exchange identifier are compared with the stored information. On a match, the reply is specially handled.

Abstract: The present invention is designed to develop research protocols for clinical trials. The invention also can track and enhance subject compliance with a research protocol. The invention further provides evaluability data related to subject performance in the clinical trial. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, a portable electronic device is used to query and collect data from the subject.

Abstract: A maintenance system for a printhead, the system having a sled; a wiper module supported by the sled, the wiper module comprising a rotatable shaft and a porous material about the shaft; a lift mechanism for lifting the wiper module from the sled to position the porous material against the printhead; a rotation mechanism for rotating the shaft so that the porous material rotates against the printhead, the porous material being configured to absorb fluid from the printhead during the rotation; and a sliding mechanism for sliding the sled relative to the printhead so that the rotating porous material is wiped across the printhead.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for communicating Fibre Channel frames between distinct fabrics. A proxy zone is established in each fabric with a physically present local device and a remote fabric device. A router creates a proxy device in each fabric for every device not physically connected to the fabric. The proxy devices appear to be directly attached to the router. The router handles all address translations between proxy and physical addresses. When multiple routers are encountered, the ingress router does all address translation. No routing or encapsulation headers are used except when routing between two routers. The source ID and the originator exchange identifier are stored at the egress router for all link requests that require special handling. When replies pass through that router, the destination ID and originator exchange identifier are compared with the stored information. On a match, the reply is specially handled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preconditioning a magnetic recording disk is provided in which two substantially identical, but opposing, pancake coils are disposed generally parallel to one another with a gap therebetween into which a disk to be preconditioned is inserted. A large pulse of current is delivered to the coils to generate a magnetic field that is sufficiently strong to precondition the disk. The radial fields of each respective pancake coil add together in the gap where the disk is located, and the field presets both the data layer and the hard bias layer of the SUL. Outside of the gap region, the fields cancel one another such that there are essentially no perpendicular fields due to the symmetry of the coils, such that there is very little net residual perpendicular magnetization when the disk is removed from the gap. An electrical circuit for producing the current pulse is provided. An aluminum support structure provides thermal management and magnetic flux conductivity for the system.

Abstract: An image display device including a plurality of laser light sources arranged to produce angularly offset beams of light, and scanning optics configured to raster scan the angularly offset beams of light simultaneously across separate parallel lines of pixels of a display surface to form an image, wherein each beam of light scans substantially the entire display surface.

Abstract: A reconfigurable projection-screen system. The projection-screen system includes a flexible screen and a frame assembly. The flexible screen includes a screen perimeter and a viewing region interior the screen perimeter. The frame assembly includes a plurality of frame members, where at least some of the plurality of frame members include a screen perimeter engaging portion. The plurality of frame members are selectively arrangeable in at least an assembled viewing configuration and a disassembled configuration. In the assembled viewing configuration the plurality of screen perimeter engaging portions extend the screen perimeter and hold the viewing region substantially flat. In the disassembled configuration the plurality of screen perimeter engaging portions allow the viewing region to fold.

Abstract: A computer system having a host computer and multiple terminals. The host computer (including any peripheral hubs or the like) has groups of at least three I/O ports (preferably USB ports) where the I/O ports of a single group are supposed to be used to connect I/O devices associated with a single terminal. When connecting up a new terminal, after a user connects two I/O devices into a group and affirmatively indicates, by user input, that these belong to the same terminal, then further devices subsequently connected into the same group of I/O ports will be automatically assigned to the terminal previously indicated by the user. Also, a computer system where multiple operating systems are respectively used to control multiple displays. A video output module creates a master frame display including display data for (at least) the displays of all of the operating systems. The master frame display is split into portions respectively corresponding to each operating system.

Abstract: Implantable pulse generators and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) systems are provided. The implantable pulse generator comprises telemetry circuitry configured for wirelessly receiving programming signals from an external programmer, and a plurality of bi-directional current sources configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of electrodes. The implantable pulse generator further comprises control circuitry configured for directing the bi-directional current sources to output current pulses of a selected amplitude and polarity to the electrodes in accordance with the programming signals. The SCS system may comprise a plurality of electrodes, an external programmer configured for transmitting programming signals, and the afore-described implantable pulse generator as described above.

Abstract: A rear projection display device is provided. In an embodiment, the display device includes a laminate screen including a microstructure lamina having a non-planar input surface, a substantially planar output surface and a first index of refraction. The laminate screen further may include a diffusion screen lamina having a substantially planar input surface, an output surface and a second index of refraction. The diffusion screen lamina may be in optical communication with the microstructure lamina. Moreover, the planar output surface of the microstructure lamina and the planar input surface of the diffusion screen lamina may be in facing relationship.

Abstract: A laser system. The laser system includes a first laser device configured to emit a first laser beam, a second laser device configured to emit a second laser beam, and a third laser device configured to emit a third laser beam. The laser system also includes a laser combiner configured to receive the first, second, and third laser beams and output the first, second, and third laser beams with less separation downstream of the laser combiner than upstream of the laser combiner.