Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for medical monitoring physiological characteristics values such as blood glucose levels for the treatment of diabetes, are presented. The apparatuses and methods provide dynamic glucose monitoring functions that perform predictive analysis to anticipate harmful conditions, such as glucose crash and hyperglycemic incidents for a patient. The dynamic functions can also be used to maximize athletic performance and warn of inadequate nocturnal basal rate. Other aspects include advanced alarm and reminder functions, as well as advanced data presentation tools to further facilitate convenient and efficient management of various physiological conditions.

Abstract: The application describes materials derived from keratin proteins in combination with polymers, either as intimate mixtures with water soluble polymers, or as chemically bound copolymers. The keratin protein is a specific keratin protein fraction, and is preferably intact, s-sulfonated and from the intermediate filament protein family. The application also describes the process for production of these materials.

Abstract: A computerized locking system for storage of bicycles and accessories includes: plurality of receiving bays to releasably secure the bicycles; a plurality of equipment storage units; a support surface for the receiving bays and the equipment storage units; and a computerized access box. The access box controls the locking and releasing of the bicycle and the storage unit.

Abstract: A sealing assembly for a liquid conveying system includes a first structure defining an aperture, such as a pipe receiving aperture. A second structure, such as a pipe is received in the aperture. And an annular seal is disposed within the aperture for radially sealing between the first structure and the second structure. The seal includes an outer radial portion embedded in the first structure and an inner radial portion in sealing engagement with the second structure. The inner radial portion defines an internal cavity containing a substantially incompressible fluid or gel that is movable within the cavity to provide a dynamic seal with the second structure.

Abstract: One embodiment of a clipboard characterized by a flat plate with a spring loaded center clip and 3 or more top flanges used for engaging various surfaces. The clipboard is designed to be hung and removed from various surfaces quickly and easily.

Abstract: The invention relates to a would care product that provides a biochemical environment around a wound to promote wound healing. The wound care product includes a keratin protein fraction material in which the protein fraction is intact, is from the intermediate filament protein family or the high sulfur protein family and in which the protein fraction is S-sulfonated. The invention also described a method of making a wound care product.

Abstract: A propulsion thrust control system and method for controlling thrust in a rocket motor includes configuring valves of an energized rocket motor to an initial total valve area according to a total thrust command. The total thrust command is converted into a commanded propellant mass flow discharge rate. A varying total valve area is computed from an error between the commanded propellant mass flow discharge rate and a calculated propellant mass flow discharge rate. The valves are reconfigured according to a distribution of the varying total valve area. The propulsion system includes a pressure vessel with valves and a controller for regulating the valve area according to a propellant mass flow discharge rate from the pressure vessel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing inserts, such as lift inserts and step inserts, in cast members. The inserts have breakaway tabs mounted in receiving slots in either a reusable holder or disk-shaped member. The assembled insert and holder are inserted through a collar on the outer jacket of a mold assembly and a locking pin passes through cooperating openings in the holder and collar to retain the lift insert/holder in place during the casting operation. The disk-shaped member is fixed to a jacket of the mold assembly. The breakaway tabs break away from the insert when the cast member is separated from the mold assembly, the breakaway tabs being discarded and the holder (disk-shaped member) being reusable many times for subsequent casting operations. The slots, in one embodiment, have a locking shoulder to lock the tabs in their slots. In another embodiment, a cam surface on the tabs lock the tabs in the slots.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various tools and devices for use in spinal surgery. In one embodiment, a spinal guide device is provided having a guide member with a positioning element that is adapted to engage a portion of a vertebra to position the guide member relative to the vertebra. The guide member can also include a retractor guide that is adapted to guide a retractor therethrough to retract tissue adjacent to the distal end of the guide member. Various tissue retractors, bone preparation tools, and spinal implants are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gasket assembly includes a one-piece gasket that has a mounting end, for mounting in an opening of an associated enclosure body, and a pipe engaging end, for receiving an associated pipe. An intermediate section is located between the mounting end and the pipe engaging end. A clamp assembly is used on the pipe engaging end of the gasket. The clamp assembly is looped to assume an annular configuration. A retaining member, of one piece with the gasket, extends from a wall of the gasket, for retaining the clamp assembly to the gasket in a transport position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various tools and devices for use in spinal surgery. In one embodiment, a spinal guide device is provided having a guide member with a positioning element that is adapted to engage a portion of a vertebra to position the guide member relative to the vertebra. The guide member can also include a retractor guide that is adapted to guide a retractor therethrough to retract tissue adjacent to the distal end of the guide member. Various tissue retractors, bone preparation tools, and spinal implants are also disclosed.

Abstract: A horse-drawn carriage 50 comprises a wheeled chassis 58, a boom 40 for drawing the carriage and a linkage mechanism 46, 51-56 which connects the boom 40 to the chassis 58. The boom has a seat 45 for a rider. The linkage mechanism 46, 51-56 permits movement between the chassis 58 and the boom 40 and includes a shock absorber 55 which acts between the chassis 58 and the boom 40. The linkage mechanism can permit rotational movement of the chassis with respect to the boom 40. A harness arrangement comprises a hitch 12 for coupling to the boom, the hitch being mounted to the harness such that the hitch can move in a direction substantially aligned with, or parallel to, the horse's back with tensioning means 34, 35 restricting movement of the hitch. The harness arrangement can reduce jolting to both the horse and the rider, resulting in a smoother drive.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for analyzing information gathered by multiple analytical techniques. In one aspect, a method includes receiving analytical information, gathered by multiple analytical techniques, regarding a sample, receiving expectations regarding a sample parameter, and estimating a value of the sample parameter based on the analytical information and the expectations regarding the sample parameter.

Abstract: In one example, a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system comprises a magnetic resonance imaging assembly defining a gap region, a transmitting coil proximate the gap region, and at least one test coil separate from the transmitting coil. The at least one coil is mechanically coupled to the assembly during imaging and the at least one test coil is selectively electrically coupled to the assembly to collect test data. The at least one coil may be coupled to a test fixture coupled to the assembly. The test fixture may be deployable from a first position to a second position for collection of test data. The at least one coil may comprise a first test coil and a second test coil. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A relationship graph representing a social network connecting multiple entities is created and maintained as nodes and edges. Data received for an entity is used to create a new node. A strength of relationship value is calculated for each relationship between the new entity and an entity represented by an existing node and assigned to an edge is created to represent each relationship. Data received for an existing node causes the node to be updated, and the strength of relationship values for each of its relationships to be recalculated and assigned to the appropriate edge. More than one node may exist for an entity and conflicts among the data of the multiple nodes are reconciled. The received data may be extracted from data sources owned by a user in accordance with privacy criteria for the user, or may result from processing data in the relationship graph.

Abstract: Soluble keratin derivatives are disclosed. The soluble keratin derivatives may include a soluble keratin protein having at least one substituted chemical group at a lysine group, terminal amine group and/or hydroxyl amino acid group of a soluble keratin protein. Soluble keratin derivatives may be formed by succinylation or quaternisation, or by reaction with fatty acid derivatives. The soluble keratin derivatives may be used in personal care formulations, and may also comprise mixtures of several different soluble keratin derivatives.

Abstract: The invention relates to a porous keratin construct material comprising keratin protein for use in wound healing applications. The porous keratin construct is capable of bio-absorbing into a wound to promote wound healing. The rate at which the construct bio-absorbs into the wound may be controlled altered by controlling the degree of disulfide cross-linking between the keratin proteins in the porous keratin construct. The invention is also related to a method of making the porous keratin construct.

Abstract: A relationship graph of nodes representing entities and edges representing relationships among the entities is searched to find a match on search criteria, such as an individual or a company. Paths through the relationship graph to the match are identified and a relevance value is associated with each path. A node in each path is specified as a connector for the path. The connectors and relevance values may be displayed to allow a choice of paths. If more than one match is found, a selection may be made by a user. Additionally, any matches may be filtered according to privacy rules.

Abstract: A test fixture for testing and monitoring electromagnetic characteristics of a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) system preferably comprises a body portion having a first longitudinal axis and a first coil supported by the body portion. A longitudinal member is preferably connected to the body portion. A second coil is supported by the longitudinal member. The longitudinal member has a second longitudinal axis transverse to the first longitudinal axis. A container for containing a test substance is supported by the longitudinal member within the second coil. The second coil is preferably a transceiver and the test substance is a material capable of emitting a magnetic resonance signal. The longitudinal member is preferably pivotally connected to the body portion and the body portion is preferably telescoping so that the test fixture may be stored in a compact position. Preferably, the test fixture is stored in the gap region in an MRI system.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for configuring host settings to specify encryption and a key label referencing a key encrypting key to use to encrypt an encryption key provided to a storage drive to use to encrypt data from the host. User settings are received to configure a data class having data attributes with encryption settings. The data class is stored with the received user encryption settings. A job is received indicating a data set to store to a removable storage medium. A data class is determined having data class attributes matching data attributes of the data set indicated in the job. A determination is made from the determined data class whether to encrypt the data.