Abstract: A process suitable for managing activation of market influencers while minimizing degradation of influencer impact is provided. In particular, the present invention relates to a process that determines an optimal amount of marketing activities to maximize effectiveness while avoiding damaging or degradation of influencer impact quantities providing the marketing activities. Specifically, the present invention provides a system and process for optimizing an amount of content presented to potential customers by incentivized influential entities or users. The optimization of the content is structured to “activate” the influential entities or users to provide as much content as possible to achieve the biggest impact from the user's social network before diminishing returns begin to take effect on the impact of the influential entities or users.

Abstract: A medical pump with a closed loop stroke feedback system and method, for use with a pumping chamber, for example in a cassette, is disclosed. The pump includes a pumping element that intermittently pressurizes a pumping chamber during a pumping cycle. A pressure sensor detects the pressure exerted by the pumping element on the pumping chamber. A position sensor detects the position of the pumping element. A processing unit processes pressure data from the pressure sensor and position data from the position sensor to determine a calculated stroke volume of the pump for a pump cycle, and to adjust a stroke frequency of the pump to compensate for variation in the stroke volume.

Abstract: A medical pump with an improved continuity low flow delivery system and method for use with a pumping chamber, for example in a cassette, is disclosed. The pump includes a pump drive for exerting a force on the pumping chamber and a sensor for sensing the force/pressure exerted by the pump drive on the pumping chamber. The pump drive position sensor senses the position of the pump drive. The medical pump also includes a processing unit and a memory having a programming code adapted to calculate the rate of change of the sensed force/pressure values and determine whether the rate of change of the sensed force/pressure values meets a rate of change threshold. Once the rate of change threshold is met, the programming code is adapted to calculate a remaining pump drive travel value for determining how much farther the pump drive should travel before the end of an effective pump cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer software for screening and assisting in screening biological specimens. Images of a biological specimen are obtained, and image data is generated from the images. Objects of interest (OOI) are identified from the image data. The OOIs are assigned to each of a plurality of fields of interest (FOIs), at least partially based on the assignment of OOIs to other FOIs. For example, OOIs that have not previously been assigned to other FOIs can be assigned to a selected FOI. In this manner, the OOIs can be grouped within the FOIs to maximize the number of OOIs included within FOIs, or alternatively, to minimize the number of FOIs required to include all of the OOIs. Once assignment of the OOIs is complete, a field of view (FOV) can be scanned relative to each FOI in order to present the OOIs to a technician, such as a cytotechnologist.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer software for screening and assisting in screening biological specimens. Images of a biological specimen are obtained, and image data is generated from the images. Objects of interest (OOI) are identified from the image data. The OOIs are assigned to each of a plurality of fields of interest (FOIs), at least partially based on the assignment of OOIs to other FOIs. For example, OOIs that have not previously been assigned to other FOIs can be assigned to a selected FOI. In this manner, the OOIs can be grouped within the FOIs to maximize the number of OOIs included within FOIs, or alternatively, to minimize the number of FOIs required to include all of the OOIs. Once assignment of the OOIs is complete, a field of view (FOV) can be scanned relative to each FOI in order to present the OOIs to a technician, such as a cytotechnologist.

Abstract: A method of modifying an inorganic material which evolves gases and/or vapors at a temperature which is detrimental to the processing temperature of polymer or paper systems so that the modified material can be used as a fire retardant additive with that polymer or paper system. The method comprises the steps of: (1) providing a first material; (2) treating the first material to remove the portion which evolves gas which is detrimental to the processing of the polymer or paper system; and (3) combining a second material with the first material to create a modified material which does not evolve gas at a temperature which is detrimental to the processing of the paper or polymer system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a catalyst composition for the destruction of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The process includes the step of contacting the VOCs with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst which is a metal-exchanged, metal-impregnated aluminosilicate zeolite with at least one exchanged metal in the zeolite being selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Fe, Mo, Mn, Pd, and Pt, and at least one impregnated metal in the zeolite being selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Pd and Pt, and wherein the difference between the exchanged metal and the impregnated metal varies the temperature necessary to promote oxidation of the compounds and for a contact time sufficient to oxidize the compounds. The process reaction temperature can vary from about 100.degree. C. to about 650.degree. C. and the contact time can vary from about 0.01 to 20 seconds. Preferredly, the reaction temperature is from about 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A process and a sorbent/catalyst composition are described for the oxidation of volatile organic compounds. The process uses the steps of adsorbing a volatile organic compound in a first segment of a sorbent/catalyst bed at an adsorption temperature, followed by sequential heating of an opposed second segment of a sorbent/catalyst bed, downstream of the first segment, from an initial temperature to an oxidation temperature, desorbing the volatile organic compound from the first segment of the bed by heating, and cooling of the first and second segments of the bed respectively. The sorbent/catalyst contains an adsorption segment, e.g., metal oxides, unexchanged zeolites, carbon and polymeric resins, etc., and a catalytic segment for the subsequent catalytic oxidation of the compounds.

Abstract: A new class of metal-exchanged, metal-impregnated zeolite catalysts has been prepared for the oxidation of halogenated organics including chlorinated, fluorinated and chloro/fluoro hydrocarbons. These catalysts are supported or unsupported, comprising from 0 weight percent, hereinafter wt.%, to about 95 wt. % of a binder, from about 10 wt. % to about 95 wt. % of a metal-exchanged zeolite, and from about 0.2 wt. % to about 12 wt. % of an impregnating metal compound, said percentage being calculated as the metal loading on an oxide basis, where the metal in the metal-exchanged zeolite can be selected from the representative and illustrative group consisting of V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Fe, Mo, and Mn and the impregnating metal compound can be selected from the representative and illustrative group consisting of compounds of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Mo, Pd, and Pt.

Abstract: New alkali metal salt vanadium oxide catalysts have been prepared for the oxidation of chlorinated hydrocarbons. The new catalyst can be supported or unsupported and show excellent activity, selectivity, and resistance to common sulfur containing poisons. The new catalyst can have composition ranging from 1:0.05 alkali metal salt to vanadium ratio to 1:5 alkali metal salt to vanadium ratio. The catalyst operates at moderate temperature from about 300.degree. C. to 600.degree. C. with no apparent loss of vanadium.