Abstract: An improved composition for and method of priming a concrete pump line is provided. The flowable composition comprises a solid particulate mixture and water, the particulate mixture being comprised of solvatable polymeric material preferably selected from a group consisting of polyacrylamide, polyacrylate and mixtures thereof; an organic complexing agent preferably of urea; and a buffering agent preferably of citric acid. The invention provides a flowable composition exhibiting improved coating and lubrication to the inner walls of a concrete line as it passes therethrough. The flowable composition mixes quickly with water to form a clear solution, hydrates quickly upon being mixed with water, and provides a composition for use in priming concrete pump lines that does not utilize cement or priming grout slurry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method capable of providing an estimated premium without extensive and repetitive questioning. The present invention utilizes unique assumptions to dramatically reduce the amount of information that must be provided by the customer. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes a mainframe computer system, an application server, and an external rules management system to interact with the customer via an attractive graphic user interface. Once logged onto the website of the present invention, the customer may choose to engage in a fast quote process which utilizes assumptions, driver information, and vehicle information to assess the risk associated with insuring the customer and then calculates an estimated cost to insure.

Abstract: A cleaning system adapted for cleaning a surface while maintaining the surface at a temperature up to the operating temperature of the surface is disclosed. The cleaning system includes a cleaning composition and a substrate. The cleaning composition is adapted to withstand a temperature up to the operating temperature of the surface. Also, the cleaning composition includes one or more solvents, one or more surfactants, and one or more alkalinity sources or one or more acidity sources. The substrate includes a material and is adapted to communicate the cleaning composition to the soiled surface. Also, the substrate is adapted to withstand a temperature up to the operating temperature of the surface and the cleaning composition at least during the communication of the cleaning composition.

Abstract: A method for attaching a proximity probe offset to an axis defining an extension cable. The method includes a sensing element; a cylindrical part molded with a moldable material; a recess configured in one of two opposing ends defining the cylindrical part to receive the sensing element; a first and a second ferrule each extending from opposing surfaces defining an exterior of the cylindrical part, a first axis defining the first and second ferrules being offset from a second axis defining the cylindrical part; and an extension cable operably attached to the sensing element via the first and second ferrules, the sensing element being disposed offset relative to the extension cable.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus having an annular-shaped cutting head and an impeller assembly coaxially mounted for rotation within the cutting head to deliver food products radially outward toward the cutting head. The cutting head has at least one knife extending radially inward toward the impeller assembly. The impeller assembly is equipped with paddles, each having a radially outer extremity adjacent the impeller assembly, a radially inner extremity, and a face therebetween facing the rotational direction of the impeller assembly. According to preferred aspects of the invention, removable posts radially extend from the radially outer extremity of each paddle, and/or the face of each paddle has grooves transverse to a radial of the impeller assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tire with a tread of a cap/base construction comprised of a two-ply (dual layered) tread cap rubber layer comprised of a combination of an outer tread cap layer and an inner tread cap layer together with an underlying tread base rubber layer which underlies the two-ply tread cap layer. The tread cap layer is of a lug and groove configuration with at least a portion of the grooves extending through the outer tread cap layer into the inner tread cap layer without extending to the tread base rubber layer. The outer tread cap rubber layer is comprised of a carbon black-rich rubber composition to promote dry traction for the tread running surface. The inner tread cap layer is comprised of a softer silica-rich rubber composition to promote wet traction for tread running surface as the outer tread cap layer wears away to expose the softer inner tread cap layer.

Abstract: A new nucleic acid molecule that is codon-optimized to expressbeta interferon in Escherichia coli with greater efficacy.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for using device status information to takeover control of devices assigned to a node. A first processing unit communicates with a second processing unit. The first processing unit uses a first device accessible to both the first and second processing units and the second processing unit uses a second device accessible to both the first and second processing units. The first processing unit receives status on the second device from the first device indicating whether the second device is available or unavailable. The first processing unit detects a failure of the second processing unit and determines from the received status on the second device whether the first device is available in response to detecting the failure of the second processing unit.

Abstract: An improved air filter having a frame that permits collapse and compression of the entire filter to save costs associated with transportation and for other advantageous reasons. The ends of the filter frame open to permit collapse of the frame to reduce the volume thereof. The filter frame is made of frame members at opposing frame ends, and each frame member has web panels that open for collapse of the frame, and close for construction of the useful frame. The web panels have legs on opposite lateral edges to form a channel in which filtration media is inserted, and four frame members are attached at opposing ends to form a rectangular frame. The web panels open by removing a temporary fastener, such as adhesive, or by other means.

Abstract: According to one aspect of invention, a locking apparatus for a device including a container that contains at least one article is provided. The locking apparatus includes a blocking element positionable with respect to at least a portion of the container, the blocking element being movable between a first position and a second position and configured to at least partially inhibit removal of articles from the container when in the second position and to permit removal of articles when in the first position. The locking apparatus also includes a lock that optionally locks the surface in the first position to inhibit movement of the blocking element into the second position.

Abstract: A method is suitable for processing a plurality of electronic documents designated for processing and delivery to a plurality of recipients, each recipient having a zip code associated therewith. Each electronic document is assigned a plurality of attributes, and the documents are sorted into one or more attribute groups based on the attributes, such that the electronic documents of each attribute group share at least one of the attributes. Output groups are then formed from the electronic documents of each attribute group based on the zip code associated with each electronic document, such that the electronic documents of each output group have similar zip codes. The output groups can then be routed to processing sites for processing the electronic documents to form physical documents for delivery to the recipients.

Abstract: A method can be used for processing electronic documents, each of which are assigned a plurality of attributes. The documents are sorted into one or more groups based on the attributes, such that the electronic documents of each group share at least one of the attributes. The attributes of the documents in each group are analyzed to determine an appropriate processing site for each group, and then the groups are each routed to their respective processing sites determined to be appropriate therefor.

Abstract: The invention is a UV sensitive composition that undergoes a color change upon exposure to a predetermined dosage of UV-C radiation. The UV-C sensitive composition comprises a halogenated polymer, such as polyvinylidene chloride, that produces an acid upon exposure to UV radiation, and a pH sensitive dye. Upon exposure to UV-C radiation, the halogenated polymer undergoes degradation and produces HCl. The pH sensitive dye changes color as a result in an increase in HCl in the system. The composition may also include an acid scavenging composition and/or a diluent to control the amount of HCl produced in the system. The amount of HCl liberated from UV-C exposure may be selectively controlled so that a color change may be produced at a desired UV-C dosage. In some embodiments, the composition may be used to indicate a UV-C dosage from about 100 to 1600 mJ/cm2.

Abstract: Biologically-active, interferon-beta 1b-polymer conjugate compositions are disclosed. The polymer portion is preferably a polyalkylene oxide polymer having a molecular weight of at least about 12 kDa. Methods of making and using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for parity data management receives a write command and write data from a computing device. The apparatus also builds a parity control structure corresponding to updating a redundant disk array with the write data and stores the parity control structure in a persistent memory buffer of the computing device. The apparatus also updates the redundant disk array with the write data in accordance with a parity control map and restores the RAID controller parity map from the parity control structure as part of a data recovery operation if updating the redundant disk array with the write data is interrupted by a RAID controller failure resulting in a loss of the RAID controller parity map. In certain embodiments, the parity control structure is a RAID controller parity map.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial tire has a chipper in place of a traditional apex, the chipper located between a carcass main portion and turnup portion. The chipper layer may be composed of a chopped carbon fiber and aramid composite reinforced elastomeric layer. The tire sidewalls have a radial height SH and a section width SW located within a range of 0.4 to 0.44 of the sidewall radial height SH measured from the bead core. The section width SW may further be located within a range of 0.1? to 0.3? inches from a radially outward end of the chipper layer in a radial direction. The tread may of a dual layer construction, having a radially inward first layer formed of a relatively low rolling resistance compound and a radially outward second layer formed of a compound containing silica.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method quickly backs up data in an emergency situation and reduces battery backup dependence. The apparatus may include a backup module and a dedicated computer readable storage device. The backup module interfaces with system memory and selectively transmits modified data to the storage device in response to a detected system failure. The dedicated storage device stores the modified data around the outer edge of a hard disk in order to increase write performance. The system may include the backup module, the storage device, a plurality of client devices, and a plurality of storage devices. The method includes storing modified and unmodified data, detecting a system failure, and transmitting modified data stored in a memory module to a dedicated computer readable backup device. Upon rebooting the device, the method may include restoring the modified data to the system memory and destaging the modified data to the plurality of storage devices.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for improving system reliability by managing switched drive networks. An off-network pool of storage devices is logically isolated from an array of storage devices. A detection module detects a failed storage device. A repositioning module logically repositions storage devices that are not performing operations. A rebuilding module may rebuild data from the failed storage device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing an encapsulated transducer to an interface cup for attachment with a machine includes an interface cup configured substantially as a cylinder defined by a cylinder wall and a bottom wall closing a bottom of the cylinder, the cylinder including a first bore corresponding to an inner diameter defined by the cylinder wall, the first bore corresponding to an outside diameter of the plastic encapsulated transducer; a second bore extending through opposing sides defining an exterior of the cylinder wall transverse to the first bore; an undercut in the first bore intersecting the second bore; a cylindrical overmold surrounding the interface cup having the plastic encapsulated transducer disposed in the first bore, wherein injection of plastic flows axially of the overmold toward the interface cup and circumferentially into the undercut via the second bore, forming a solid interference therebetween upon solidification restricting axial movement therebetween.