Abstract: Alkaline electrochemical cells having extended service life and acceptable gassing and corrosion properties are disclosed. An amphoteric surfactant can be incorporated into the gelled anode mixture of an alkaline electrochemical cell, optionally with an organic phosphate ester surfactant or a sulfonic acid type organic surfactant or both. Zinc particles having a defined distribution of particle sizes can also be incorporated into a zinc anode. The electrolyte included, in the anode mixture can have a reduced hydroxide concentration.

Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a dirt inlet, a handle, at least a first cleaning stage comprising a plurality of cyclones in parallel and a plurality of dirt collection chambers that are emptied concurrently wherein the plurality of cyclones and the plurality of dirt collection chambers are removable as a unit from the surface cleaning apparatus, and an air flow motor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a storing and mixing apparatus is provided and includes a container having a reservoir, a neck, and a seal protrusion extending toward the longitudinal center of the container. The apparatus further includes a cap having a compartment with an off-center funnel part that extends toward an inner surface of the neck and ends in a dispenser opening that engages or disengages with the seal protrusion upon actuation of the cap between a first position and a second position of the dispenser opening relative to the seal protrusion. A method of using such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of butenes and derivatives thereof from aqueous ethanol, optionally obtained from a fermentation broth. The butenes thus produced find use as intermediates for the production of polyethylenes and for the production of other known, useful materials.

Abstract: A prosthesis deployment device having a elongate catheter body and a trigger wire guide concentric about the elongate catheter body where the trigger wire guide comprises three trigger wire lumens separate and apart from a guide wire lumen, with three trigger wires being at least partially disposed in the three trigger wire lumens and configured to engage a portion of a prosthesis to retain the prosthesis adjacent to the trigger wire guide.

Abstract: A storage minimization technique for direct anonymous attestation (DAA) keys is presented. In one embodiment, the method includes deriving a random portion of a (DAA) private key from a device's fuse key, computing a point on an elliptical curve from the derived random portion and a master private key, and storing only one coordinate of the point in fuses within the device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An improved liner that may be placed in a cooking apparatus, such as a slow cooker, to form and maintain a barrier between the slow cooker and food contained therein. The liner includes a securing band attached around the perimeter of the open top end of the liner and that engages an outside of the slow cooker to form a secure and snug fit of the liner to the slow cooker. The securing band may include an elastic band and/or a heat shrink band. The securing band holds the liner in place when the liner is placed within a container of the slow cooker and the top portion is folded over the rim of the slow cooker. This reduces and/or eliminates the problem of the liner settling or falling back into the slow cooker or the food contained therein. In addition, the liner may include a shaped or contoured bottom edge to further enhance the performance of the liner.

Abstract: Compositions of nanoparticles functionalized with at least one zwitterionic moiety, methods for making a plurality of nanoparticles, and methods of their use as diagnostic agents are provided. The nanoparticles have characteristics that result in minimal retention of the particles in the body compared to other nanoparticles. The nanoparticle comprises a core, having a core surface essentially free of silica, and a shell attached to the core surface. The shell comprises at least one silane-functionalized zwitterionic moiety.

Abstract: Compositions of nanoparticles functionalized with at least one zwitterionic moiety, methods for making a plurality of nanoparticles, and methods of their use as diagnostic agents are provided. The nanoparticles have characteristics that result in minimal retention of the particles in the body compared to other nanoparticles. The nanoparticle comprises a core, having a core surface essentially free of silica, and a shell attached to the core surface. The shell comprises at least one silane-functionalized zwitterionic moiety.

Abstract: A dental implant has a plurality of tiers each having a non-circular outline. Each tier has maximum dimensions of its respective outline along two transverse axes. The maximum dimensions of a given tier are smaller than the maximum dimensions of an adjacent tier. Accordingly, the tiers taper generally from a larger outline to a smaller outline in a vertical direction from a top well to an opposing bottom of the implant. An abutment may be received on the implant.

Abstract: Compositions of nanoparticles functionalized with at least one zwitterionic moiety, methods for making a plurality of nanoparticles, and methods of their use as diagnostic agents are provided. The nanoparticles have characteristics that result in minimal retention of the particles in the body compared to other nanoparticles. The nanoparticle comprises a core, having a core surface essentially free of silica, and a shell attached to the core surface. The shell comprises at least one silane-functionalized zwitterionic moiety.

Abstract: A method forms a non-circular socket in a jawbone of a patient for receiving a dental implant. A pilot hole is formed in the jawbone. A framework having one or more sets of opposing drill points configured to rotate along axes that are transverse to a vertical axis is directed along the pilot hole. The framework produces the non-circular socket, which may have a series of tiers. A dental implant is inserted into the socket. The dental implant may have a series of tiered sections shaped so that each tiered section conforms to a respective one of the tiers in the socket. An abutment may be securely fastened to the dental implant.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing dihydronepetalactone using mixtures comprising both trans-cis nepetalactone and cis-trans nepetalactone. A reaction mixture comprising trans-cis nepetalactone and cis-trans nepetalactone is first contacted with hydrogen in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst under conditions that optimise the preferential conversion of trans-cis nepetalactone to dihydronepetalactone. Cis-trans nepetalactone is subsequently converted to dihydronepetalactone by contact with hydrogen in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for system resource augmentation are provided. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) internal system resource is monitored. A plurality of communication links are established between the WTRU and an external system resource. The plurality of communication links are used to augment the internal system resource with the external system resource.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating session ticket includes a ticketing authority server. The ticketing authority server receives a ticket generation request and information about a client node. It identifies a master session ticket associated in a storage element with the client node. The ticketing authority server then generates a derivative session ticket for the client node and associates the derivative session ticket with the master session ticket. Finally, the ticketing authority server stores information about the client node and the derivative session ticket in the storage element.

Abstract: An electrical utility meter system measures residential energy consumption and automatically communicates this information to a host computer via the Internet. The host computer can then be accessed by the end utility customer or other authorized entities. This Internet or web based system offers two-way communication capability to support meter reconfiguration. This system is comprised of two major elements, a hardware unit and database software. The hardware unit includes a printed circuit card that is retrofitted into a form 2S single-phase residential meters. The unit measures residential energy consumption in predefined intervals, stores the measurements, and communicates at predefined times to a host database server. The unit can accommodate various wired or wireless communication technologies through a simple communications port.

Abstract: In the field of protection from ionising alpha particle radiation there is a need for a low cost, reliable, maintenance free, and self-contained detector that can monitor continuously over a plurality of time periods the levels of airborne alpha particle radiation. The detector operates by measuring the charge created by alpha particle decay between electrodes in an enclosure. Detectors may be linked together to monitor several parts of a building or a large area for applications such as civil emergencies and earthquake warning.

Abstract: Hydrotalcite/metal carbonate combinations are partially or fully thermally decomposed to provide catalysts useful for the conversion of ethanol and methanol to a reaction product comprising isobutanol.

Abstract: An exemplary method is implemented by a wireless mobile device that transmits and receives text-based messages. Public records are stored in a public contact database in the mobile device, the public records containing public contact information for persons. Public contact information contained in a public record corresponding to a person selected by a public user is displayed upon the request of any public user of the device. Private records are stored in a private contact database in the mobile device, the private records containing private contact information for persons. Upon a valid password being received by the device from a private user, access to the private contact information is provided to the private user. In response to the receipt of a request from the private user, private contact information for a selected person from a corresponding private record is displayed on the screen of the mobile device.

Abstract: A garage door opener having a secondary power source. The garage door opener includes a drive unit and an opening mechanism. The drive unit is configured to be coupled to an external AC power source and to a removable battery pack that provides DC power. The drive unit includes a power unit, a motor coupled to the power unit, and a drive mechanism coupled to the motor. The opening mechanism is coupled to the drive mechanism and configured to open and close a garage door. When AC power is not available, the power unit uses the DC power to operate the garage door opener.