Abstract: The filling of a syringe can be performed at a faster rate using a filling sequence which expels air from the fill tube before filling the syringe. A similar method is used when changing contrast containers during a filling sequence to ensure that all the air is expelled from the fill tube before filling resumes with the new contrast container. Additionally, by including a contrast container holder that is affixed to an injector head and holds the container near the syringe tip, the filling sequence can be accomplished without requiring the operator to hold the contrast container during the sequence.

Abstract: The filling of a syringe can be performed at a faster rate using a filling sequence which expels air from the fill tube before filling the syringe. A similar method is used when changing contrast containers during a filling sequence to ensure that all the air is expelled from the fill tube before filling resumes with the new contrast container. Additionally, by including a contrast container holder that is affixed to an injector head and holds the container near the syringe tip, the filling sequence can be accomplished without requiring the operator to hold the contrast container during the sequence.

Abstract: The filling of a syringe can be performed at a faster rate using a filling sequence which expels air from the fill tube before filling the syringe. A similar method is used when changing contrast containers during a filling sequence to ensure that all the air is expelled from the fill tube before filling resumes with the new contrast container. Additionally, by including a contrast container holder that is affixed to an injector head and holds the container near the syringe tip, the filling sequence can be accomplished without requiring the operator to hold the contrast container during the sequence.

Abstract: Enabling a content publisher and a receiving user to control access to content updates based on user relationships. The content publisher and the receiving user may assign a relationship degree, relationship category, and/or relationship rating to each other and to other users. The content publisher and/or receiving user also specify a required relationship that is needed to access or accept a content update. The content publisher and receiving user may further specify acceptable types of content updates, such as blog entries, product reviews, photos, and the like that are accessible or acceptable. Upon logon or other event, a summary of content updates is provided to each receiving user that meets each content publisher's required relationship, and the content updates are delivered according to a selected delivery method from those content publishers that meet the relationship requirements of the receiving users. Delivery includes email, instant message, RSS feeds, and the like.

Abstract: Enabling an unauthenticated user to access content associated with an authenticated user as though the unauthenticated user had a selected user relationship with the authenticated user. The user relationship may comprise a relationship degree, a relationship category, a relationship rating, and/or the like. An invitation to join an electronic service, such as an online social network, is sent to the unauthenticated user at an address known to the authenticated user. The invitation includes a time-limited token, such as a URL, that includes an invitation identifier, which relates the invitation to the authenticated user content. The token may be encrypted in the invitation. The unauthenticated user returns the token as a request to preview the authenticated user content without first becoming an authenticated user of the electronic service. If the token is still valid, access is granted. The unauthenticated user may also request to establish a connection with the authenticated user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards managing a view of a social network user's personal information based, in part, on user-defined criteria. The user-defined criteria may be applied towards a user's relationship with each prospective viewer. The user-defined criteria may include degrees of separation between members of the social network, a relationship to the prospective viewer, as well as criteria based, in part, on activities, such as dating, employment, hobbies, and the like. The user-defined criteria may also be based on a group membership, a strength of a relationship, and the like. Such user-defined relationship criteria may then be mapped against various categories of information associated with social network user to provide customized views of the social network user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards seeding a user's contacts for their online social network. The invention is arranged to automatically recommend to the user a set of seed contacts that the user may employ to invite to join their social network. The set of seed contacts may be harvested from the user's existing portal activities, as well as other sources. In one embodiment, the invention analyzes portal activity, such as email exchanges with the user, and the like, to determine a frequency of contact with the user. Other sources may include but not be limited to emails, names within an address book of the user, names within an address book of another person, a buddy list, an instant messaging list, an activity, a mailing list, an online discussion group, a membership in a category, chat group, and the like.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards making a user's online portal information available to members of an online social network. Portal information can include information entered by the user and information determined based on the user's online behaviors, such as frequenting a Web site, sending spam messages, and the like. The online social network enables multiple degrees of relationships among members of the online social network. At least a portion of the portal information is made accessible to at least some of the members of the online social network who have a relationship to the user. The relationship can be through a public activity available to all members and/or through a user-defined category of members, such as family, friends, business contacts, and the like. The portal information can be used to determine which relationships will be established and/or which information will be available to members.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards communicating a message within a social network based, in part, on user-defined criteria. The user-defined criteria may be applied towards filtering outgoing and/or incoming messages. The user-defined criteria may include degrees of separation between members of the social network, a relationship to the prospective recipient, as well as criteria based, in part, on activities, such as dating, employment, hobbies, and the like. The user-defined criteria may also be based on a group membership, a strength of a relationship, and the like. Such user-defined relationship criteria may then be employed to determine to whom a message may be sent, as well from whom a message may be received.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are directed towards enabling information filtering using measures of an affinity of a relationship between subscribers of an online portal system. The affinity of a relationship may be determined based, in part, on the tracking of various online behaviors of and between subscribers of the portal system. Any of a variety of behaviors may be tracked, including message communications between subscribers, participation in instant messaging groups, purchases, activities, categories, and so forth. Such behaviors may be employed to determine a level of trust (or affinity) between subscribers of the portal system. This affinity measurement may be used to filter various information, including, but not limited to, product recommendations, ratings, polling queries, advertising, social network communications, personal ads, search results, and the like. Moreover, this affinity measurement may also be employed to perform message spam detection.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rheology of aqueous systems, particularly for those intended for underground use, includes injecting an aqueous fluid containing a surfactant gelling agent into the system. The surfactant gelling agents are, for example, fatty aliphatic amidoamine oxides, salts of an alkoxylated monoamine with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, and salts of an alkyldiamine with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid. The surfactant gelling agents can be adsorbed onto particulate supports to facilitate delivery of the gelling agent. The additives may be incorporated in the viscoelastic fluid to tailor its use in hydraulic fluids, drilling muds, fracture fluids, and in applications such as permeability modification, gravel packing, cementing, and the like.

Abstract: Biocidal preservatives for use especially in preventing rotting and deterioration of wood include quaternary ammonium compounds which preferably have a fatty aliphatic substituent on the quaternary nitrogen atom. Especially preferred are cocoalkyl substituents. Other substituents can include alkoxy groups, arenes, and heterocyclic groups with or without ring substitutions, for example. The quaternary ammonium compound can also contain an amine nitrogen and can be complexed with copper.

Abstract: Engine deposits are reduced by adding an effective deposit-controlling amount of an esteramine to hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: A system and method for aiding physically-impaired persons in moving between different positions employs a longitudinally-extending elongate track, an upper body support assembly movably mounted on the track, and a motor for driving the support assembly along the track. The support assembly, which preferably comprises a handgrip extending transversely from the track, can be placed adjacent a toilet, chair, bathtub or bed to aid a disabled person in rising or seating himself. Preferably, the support assembly is selectively detachable from the track and transferable matingly to another such track or tracks located elsewhere for similar purposes, or to a similar but longer track located alongside a stairway or level surface such as a hallway.

Abstract: An .alpha.-aminonitrile compound derived from the reaction, in the presence of a cyanide source of (1) a bisulfite adduct of a carbonyl compound selected from the group consisting of an aldehyde and a ketone with (2) a fatty alkyl alkylene diamine containing two reactible amino functionalities which is of the formula RNHR.sub.1 NH.sub.2, where R is fatty alkyl and R.sub.1 is lower alkylene of up to six carbon atoms.

Abstract: .alpha.-aminonitrile compounds derived from a fatty alkyl alkylene diamine containing two reactible amino functionalities are disclosed which are of the formula ##STR1## where R is C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 fatty alkyl, R.sub.1 is alkylene, R.sub.2 is alkyl, and R.sub.3 is alkyl or hydrogen.

Abstract: .alpha.-aminonitrile compounds derived from a fatty alkyl alkylene diamine containing two reactible amino functionalities are disclosed which are of the formula ##STR1## where R is C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 fatty alkyl, R.sub.1 is alkylene, R.sub.2 is aryl, and R.sub.3 is alkyl, aryl, or hydrogen.

Abstract: .alpha.-aminonitrile compounds derived from a fatty alkyl alkylene diamine containing two reactible amino functionalities are disclosed which are of the formula ##STR1## where R is C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 fatty alkyl, R.sub.1 is alkylene, R.sub.2 is aryl, and R.sub.3 is aryl or hydrogen.

Abstract: A tow cable includes a high density, high damping core of a material such as lead, surrounded by a layer of helically wrapped or braided strength fibers of a material such as steel, or alternatively, of aramid fibers. Over this is provided a layer of a resilient, deformable thermoplastic material such as polyurethane, to provide for movement of the subsequent data-bearer layer under strain, so that no strain is applied to the data-bearer themselves. Around this layer is provided a layer of helically wrapped (or braided) power and data bearers, the bearers including coaxial cables, twisted pairs, and fiber optic bearers. To ensure water-blocking, this layer may be enclosed in an extrusion of thermoplastic material, such as polyurethane. Around this is wrapped or braided a layer of protective fiber, of material such as steel or aramid fiber, and over this, in a roughly trochoidal cross-section, is extruded an outer layer of thermoplastic material, such as polyurethane.

Abstract: A method for controlling the rheology of aqueous systems, particularly for those intended for underground use, includes injecting an aqueous fluid containing a surfactant gelling agent into the system. The surfactant gelling agents are, for example, fatty aliphatic amidoamine oxides, salts of an alkoxylated monoamine with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid, and salts of an alkyldiamine with an aromatic dicarboxylic acid. The surfactant gelling agents can be absorbed onto particulate supports to facilitate delivery of the gelling agent. The additives may be incorporated in the viscoelastic fluid to tailor its use in hydraulic fluids, drilling muds, fracture fluids, and in applications such as permeability modification, gravel packing, cementing, and the like.