Abstract: A ball marking device 10 comprising a device body including a ball holder 18 defining a ball receiving area and a pen holder 20 extending from the ball holder 18 for releasably retaining a pen 14 for marking the ball 11.

Abstract: Armor comprising a container (2) containing a liquid (6), said container having a threat-facing wall (11) and at least one shock-reflecting layer (5) of material contained within the container (2), the shock-reflecting layer (5) having a shock impedance differing from the liquid (6) and being positioned at an angle to the threat-facing wall (11) whereby to reflect shock waves (8) created in the liquid by passage of a projectile (1) through the liquid back towards the projectile (1) and across the trajectory of the projectile whereby to induce tumbling of the projectile within the liquid.

Abstract: An improved separator for separating lumber in a stack of a plurality of layers has a primary profile for minimizing the contact area and maximizing airflow between the separator and the adjacent boards and a secondary profile for improving frictional resistance between the separator and the adjacent boards. The primary profile comprises a plurality of grooves and a plurality of ridges formed therebetween. The secondary profile comprises a plurality of depressions on the ridges.

Abstract: Armour comprising a container (2) containing a liquid (6), said container having a threat-facing wall (11) and at least one shock-reflecting layer (5) of material contained within the container (2), the shock-reflecting layer (5) having a shock impedance differing from the liquid (6) and being positioned at an angle to the threat-facing wall (11) whereby to reflect shock waves (8) created in the liquid by passage of a projectile (1) through the liquid back towards the projectile (1) and across the trajectory of the projectile whereby to induce tumbling of the projectile within the liquid.

Abstract: A process for coating a glass article of manufacture may include providing a glass article at an initial temperature of above about 105° C., and depositing a coating onto a surface of said glass article. The coating may include an adhesion promoter and a compounded polymer that includes a copolymer of an ?-olefin and an ?,?-unsaturated carboxylic acid and a wax. The process may include heating said glass article to a temperature above said initial temperature sufficient to promote adhesion of said coating to said glass article. Glass articles having the coating adhered to the glass article are also described.

Abstract: An improved separator for separating lumber in a stack of a plurality of layers has a primary profile for minimizing the contact area and maximizing airflow between the separator and the adjacent boards and a secondary profile for improving frictional resistance between the separator and the adjacent boards. The primary profile comprises a plurality of grooves and a plurality of ridges formed therebetween. The secondary profile comprises a plurality of depressions on the ridges.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for integrating a steam methane reformer to produce hydrogen that is used for converting acetic acid and/or ethyl acetate to ethanol. The process may use a methane-containing stream obtained from a stranded natural gas or associated gas source. The process water from the hydrogenation reaction is used to saturate the methane-containing stream. The process water comprises water and oxygenates, wherein the maximum amount of oxygenates is less than or equal to 10 wt. %. Processes for integrating fuel sources, steam and electricity are also disclosed.

Abstract: A patient bed drive mechanism, under control of a processor, is capable of continuously moving a patient bed through the a TOF-PET detector array having a stationary field of view (FOV) for a distance in excess of the physical extent of an axis of the array FOV. A direct memory access (DMA) rebinner card is coupled to the detector array to receive therefrom a stream of TOF-PET coincidence event data during the extent of movement of the bed. Image projection data are generated in real time from the acquired stream of TOF-PET coincidence event data via the DMA card.

Abstract: A circuit for operating an amperometric sensor having a reference electrode, a counter electrode and a work electrode. The circuit comprises an amplifier having a positive input and a negative input and an output. The positive input is coupled to a reference voltage source, and the negative input and the output are coupled together via a negative feedback loop. The circuit includes means for coupling the amperometric sensor into said negative feedback loop of the amplifier wherein, in a first configuration, the counter electrode is coupled to said output and the reference electrode is coupled to said negative input and, in a second configuration, the work electrode is coupled to said output and the reference electrode is coupled to said negative input.

Abstract: A patient bed drive mechanism, under control of a processor, is capable of continuously moving a patient bed through the a TOF-PET detector array having a stationary field of view (FOV) for a distance in excess of the physical extent of an axis of the array FOV. A direct memory access (DMA) rebinner card is coupled to the detector array to receive therefrom a stream of TOF-PET coincidence event data during the extent of movement of the bed. Image projection data are generated in real time from the acquired stream of TOF-PET coincidence event data via the DMA card.

Abstract: A circuit for operating an amperometric sensor having a reference electrode, a counter electrode and a work electrode. The circuit comprises an amplifier having a positive input and a negative input and an output. The positive input is coupled to a reference voltage source, and the negative input and the output are coupled together via a negative feedback loop. The circuit includes means for coupling the amperometric sensor into said negative feedback loop of the amplifier wherein, in a first configuration, the counter electrode is coupled to said output and the reference electrode is coupled to said negative input and, in a second configuration, the work electrode is coupled to said output and the reference electrode is coupled to said negative input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits Calculator. A user inputs data for prescriptions to be purchased by a prospective insured for a plan period. The prescription data includes a quantity, a days supply, and a number of fills. The data for each prescription the user enters is used to calculate anticipated out-of-pocket costs for the prescriptions for one or more pharmacy benefits plans available to the prospective insured. The cost data is presented to the user in a way that illustrates how out-of-pocket costs will vary over the course of a plan period. The user may view costs for alternative drugs and alternatives sources of drugs. The user may vary and expand the presentation of the cost data to better understand the available plan benefits. The invention helps prospective insureds decide among alternative Medicare Part D pharmacy benefits plans offered by one or more insurance companies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a Medicare Part D Pharmacy Benefits Calculator. A user inputs data for prescriptions to be purchased by a prospective insured for a plan period. The prescription data includes a quantity, a days supply, and a number of fills. The data for each prescription the user enters is used to calculate anticipated out-of-pocket costs for the prescriptions for one or more pharmacy benefits plans available to the prospective insured. The cost data is presented to the user in a way that illustrates how out-of-pocket costs will vary over the course of a plan period. The user may view costs for alternative drugs and alternatives sources of drugs. The user may vary and expand the presentation of the cost data to better understand the available plan benefits. The invention helps prospective insureds decide among alternative Medicare Part D pharmacy benefits plans offered by one or more insurance companies.

Abstract: An article for holding a liquefied sample for the quantification of biological material in the sample includes a device having a reaction chamber enclosing a volume therein, the reaction chamber having an upper opening through which a liquefied sample can be poured and a plurality of discrete non-permeable compartments, each of the compartments having an upper rim and being configured and dimensioned to hold separate aliquots of a liquefied sample therein; and a gasket lid removably secured to the top of the device, the gasket lid being configured and dimensioned for sealing the upper rim of each compartment to prevent liquid communication between the compartments.

Abstract: Methods for the detection and/or quantification of a biological material in a sample. The method includes the steps of liquefying the sample (if necessary) and pouring the liquefied sample into the incubation vessel. The incubation vessel has a generally flat horizontal surface and the surface is divided into at least one incubation site. Each incubation site is adapted to hold an aliquot of liquid and is sized and shaped, and formed of a suitable material, to hold the aliquot within the well by surface tension. Any excess liquid from the liquefied sample is poured from the surface of the incubation vessel. The method then involves incubating that incubation vessel until the presence or absence of the biological material is determined. The presence of air bubbles can be dramatically reduced by the presence of a surface acting agent in the liquid sample deposited on the device surface.

Abstract: A method for making storage-stable glyoxalated inter-copolymers with higher and adjustable charge density suitable for use as a strengthening agent for paper. The glyoxalated inter-copolymers can be used to enhance the strength of paper, particularly recycled paper and mechanical printing paper.

Abstract: A redundant architecture for a brake-by-wire system is provided.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a blend of two or more paper strengthening agents have improved stability compared with previously known paper strengthening agents. One component is a polymeric paper strengthening agent, preferably a wet strengthening agent. The other component is a stabilized glyoxalated polyacrylamide prepared by (1) reacting a first portion of glyoxal with a polyacrylamide having pendant amide groups to form a first reaction mixture comprising glyoxalated polyacrylamide; (2) adding an acid to the first reaction mixture to form a second reaction mixture having a reduced pH and comprising the glyoxalated polyacrylamide; and (3) adding a second portion of glyoxal to the second reaction mixture to form the stabilized glyoxalated polyacrylamide. If desired, an aldehyde scavenger can be included in one or more of step (1), step (2), step (3), or the stabilized glyoxalated polyacrylamide. Such compositions can be used to enhance the strength of paper, particularly the wet strength of paper.

Abstract: Aldehyde scavengers which are adducts of choline or a choline salt and an optionally substituted acrylamide monomer can be used to stabilize glyoxalated polyacrylamide compositions and to provide supplementary cationic charges for the polymer backbone.

Abstract: A system and method for healthcare process re-engineering including a managed care non-hospital referral process. One embodiment includes a healthcare workflow manager, which manages the healthcare process and management of relevant healthcare data. Further, various embodiments utilize an electronic identifier “smartcard” for healthcare management or other electronic identifier fulfilling the same purpose of patient identification and access to appropriate database records.