Abstract: Film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials are produced from soluble S-sulfonated keratins. Once formed, the films, fibres, foams or adhesives are treated to modify the properties of the materials, in particular to improve the wet strength of the materials. Treatments used include removal of the S-sulfonate group by treatment with a reducing agent, treatment with an acid or treatment with a common protein crosslinking agent or treatment with a reduced form of keratin or keratin protein. The films are made by solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins, the foam made by freeze-drying a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins and the fibres made by extruding a solution of a S-sulfonated keratin protein.

Abstract: Film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials are produced from soluble S-sulfonated keratins. Once formed, the films, fibres, foams or adhesives are treated to modify the properties of the materials, in particular to improve the wet strength of the materials. Treatments used include removal of the S-sulfonate group by treatment with a reducing agent, treatment with an acid or treatment with a common protein crosslinking agent or treatment with a reduced form of keratin or keratin protein. The films are made by solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins, the foam made by freeze-drying a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins and the fibres made by extruding a solution of a S-sulfonated keratin protein.

Abstract: A porous keratin construct for use in wound healing is disclosed. The porous keratin construct may be used standing alone or in combination with a synthetic foam backing layer. Either the porous keratin construct or the porous keratin construct and synthetic foam combination may be used in a wound therapy such as negative pressure wound therapy.

Abstract: Film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials are produced from soluble S-sulfonated keratins. Once formed, the films, fibres, foams or adhesives are treated to modify the properties of the materials, in particular to improve the wet strength of the materials. Treatments used include removal of the S-sulfonate group by treatment with a reducing agent, treatment with an acid or treatment with a common protein crosslinking agent or treatment with a reduced form of keratin or keratin protein. The films are made by solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins, the foam made by freeze-drying a solution of S-sulfonated keratin proteins and the fibres made by extruding a solution of a S-sulfonated keratin protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a material for use as bone void filler comprising soluble keratin protein. The material may be in the form of a putty, gel or emulsion. Additional components may be added to the material to improve handling characteristics and bone enhancement capabilities. The material may be formulated to serve as a suitable carrier for demineralized bone matrix. This invention also describes methods for making the material.

Abstract: A latch is disclosed that can releasably secure a door or panel in a closed position. The latch includes a rotary pawl, a pawl catch, an actuating member, a pivotally movable handle, and a gear train for moving the pawl to provide compression in response to the movement of the handle to the closed position.

Abstract: A method for the production of a hydrogen-containing gas composition, such as a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide (H2:CO) in the synthesis gas can be well-controlled to yield a ratio that is adequate for the synthesis of useful products such as methane or methanol, without the need to remove carbon oxides from the gas stream to adjust the ratio.

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 manifold adaptor plate useful as a gasket having liquid pathways which permit passing of a filtrate, a feed and a retentate wherein admixture of the filtrate with the feed or the retentate is prevented is provided and is formed of an elastomeric layer, a rigid intermediate layer and a polymer layer. The elastomeric layer functions as a gasket and is bonded to the polymeric layer through the liquid pathways of the intermediate plate. An elastomer layer may be formed on both layers as well and optionally a second polymer layer between the intermediate layer and the second elastomer layer may also be used.

Abstract: A gearbox is placed between two clock domains to allow data to be transferred from one domain to the other. Although the two domains may operate at the same clock frequency, typically one domain has a faster clock speed than the other. The gearbox is disposed between the two clock domains to control timing of data transfer from one to the other, by selecting a pattern which identifies when data is made transparent for the transfer. The gearbox allows a number of clock ratios to be selected, so that a particular clock ratio between the two domains may be readily selected in the gearbox for the data transfer.

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 discard rack moves and reads suit and rank of individual cards. The cards are provided to a card infeed area and moved to a card collection area. Both suit and rank of each card is read in the card infeed area or between the card infeed area and the card collection area. The discard rack comprises a) a card infeed area with card moving elements that move only a bottom card from a set of cards in the card infeed area, b) a card collection area that receives cards from the card moving area in the same sense as cards are received in the card infeed area, c) an image capture device that captures data from a card while the card is between the card infeed area and the card collection area, d) preferably a communication port to send out captured data to a processor, and e) an elevator that lowers to maintain a level at which cards are received in the card collection area.

Abstract: A memory controller includes a plurality of channel control circuits. Each of the plurality of channel control circuits is coupled to a respective one of a plurality of channels which are coupled to a memory system. The plurality of channel control circuits are coupled to receive an indication of whether or not the plurality of channels are ganged. Data is transferred for a first command on each of the plurality of channels responsive to the indication indicating that the plurality of channels are ganged. Responsive to the indication indicating that the plurality of channels are not ganged, data is transferred for the first command on a selected channel of the plurality of channels. In some embodiments, the memory controller may be integrated with one or more processors.

Abstract: A card verification station moves and reads suit and rank of individual cards. The cards are provided to a card in-feed area and moved individually to a card collection area. A device may comprise a) a card in-feed area with card moving elements that move only a bottom card from a set of cards in the card in-feed area, b) a card collection area that receives cards from the card moving area in the same order as cards are received in the card in-feed area, c) an image capture device that captures data from a card while the card is between the card in-feed area and the card collection area, d) a processor capable of controlling the operation of the card verification station, and e) an elevator that lowers to maintain a level at which cards are received in the card collection area. A method of verifying a group of playing cards is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a biocompatible material derived from keratin that is useful for many aspects of medical treatment of bone. The keratin material is preferably S-sulfonated and enriched in intermediate filament proteins of high molecular weight. The keratin material may be porous for use as a bone replacement and augmentation product but also provided is the use of dense keratin materials in bone treatment for use as an internal fixation appliance in the treatment of bone fractures and bone regeneration, and a method for preparing the keratin material for use in the preservation, restoration and development of form and function of bone.

Abstract: A gasket assembly includes a one-piece gasket that has a mounting end, for mounting to 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 mounting element is of one piece with one of the mounting end, the pipe engaging end and the intermediate section. A clamping member is used with the gasket. The clamping member is looped to assume an annular configuration. A retaining member extends through an aperture located in the mounting element and through the clamping member for retaining the clamping member to the gasket in a transport position of the gasket assembly.

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: A first-in, first-out (FIFO) unit switches between strobe sources. The FIFO uses a multiplexer to switch between two or more strobes so that different data strobes may be used with the FIFO to strobe in the data. In one implementation, the FIFO uses four data latches to strobe in data bits and output a pair of data bits onto the internal bus each half clock cycle.

Abstract: A mouthpiece for a brass wind musical instrument is composed solely of a colored polymer material. Its size and shape may be determined by computer coordinate measurements from a conventional metal mouthpiece. The color is chosen to suit the particular purpose of the musician playing the instrument, such as to match the uniforms of a marching band. The mouthpiece is fabricated by injection molding to substantially the desired size and shape. A secondary machining process removes imperfections such as flashings and gate blushes. Alternately, a blank may be injected molded, and the blank machined in a primary machining operation to the desired size, shape, and surface texture. The mouthpiece may also be manufactured by machining a bar of polymer material. The mouthpiece functions in the identical manner as prior metal mouthpieces, but it is much more comfortable to play in cold and hot environments, and it is less costly and more rugged than metal mouthpieces.

Abstract: The use of corticotroph-derived glycoprotein hormone (CGH) to potentiate glucocorticoid action and to reduce glucocorticoid-induced adrenocortical suppression is described. CGH can be co-administered with glucocorticoids to enable a lower dosage of glucocorticoids to be used and to prevent or reduce glucocorticoid-induced side-effects. The invention additionally provides methods for the use of CGH as a replacement for glucocorticoids, or for treatment of a broad range of inflammatory states. Further provided are methods for purification of recombinant CGH.