Abstract: The present invention is an implantable medical device comprising (i) a base coat layer having an inner and outer surface, the inner surface of the base coat layer contacting the implantable medical device; (ii) a top-coat layer of a hydrophilic polymer chemically crosslinked and covalently bonded to the outer surface of the base coat layer, the hydrophilic polymer comprising an anionic polyelectrolyte; and (iii) an amount of a hydrophilic cationic drug agent added to the top-coat layer sufficient to provide an effective dosage of the drug agent for delivery to a patient, whereby the hydrophilic cationic drug agent is initially adsorbed into the anionic polyelectrolyte of the top-coat layer and the hydrophilic cationic drug agent having a release rate after the medical device is implanted within a patient's body.

Abstract: A modular wind turbine system and a method of use thereof are provided. The system comprises: a mounting frame; a fixed toroidal support structure attached to the mounting frame, the toroidal support structure having a concave portion and a convex portion; a wind turbine located proximal to the concave portion of the toroidal support structure, wherein the wind turbine travels about at least a portion of the concave portion of the toroidal support structure; and a first baffle, wherein the first baffle extends about the portion of the concave portion of the toroidal support structure about which the first turbine travels, wherein the baffle surrounds a portion of the wind turbine opposite the fixed toroidal support structure, and wherein the baffle includes at least one component selectively variably adjustable so as to vary the force, direction, or disruption of flow of fluid thereby, relative to the wind turbine.

Abstract: A modular wind turbine system and a method of use thereof are provided. The system comprises: a mounting frame; a fixed toroidal support structure attached to the mounting frame, the toroidal support structure having a concave portion and a convex portion; a wind turbine located proximal to the concave portion of the toroidal support structure, wherein the wind turbine travels about at least a portion of the concave portion of the toroidal support structure; and a first baffle, wherein the first baffle extends about the portion of the concave portion of the toroidal support structure about which the first turbine travels, wherein the baffle surrounds a portion of the wind turbine opposite the fixed toroidal support structure, and wherein the baffle includes at least one component selectively variably adjustable so as to vary the force, direction, or disruption of flow of fluid thereby, relative to the wind turbine.

Abstract: The present invention is an implantable medical device comprising (i) a base coat layer having an inner and outer surface, the inner surface of the base coat layer contacting the implantable medical device; (ii) a top-coat layer of a hydrophilic polymer chemically crosslinked and covalently bonded to the outer surface of the base coat layer, the hydrophilic polymer comprising an anionic polyelectrolyte; and (iii) an amount of a hydrophilic cationic drug agent added to the top-coat layer sufficient to provide an effective dosage of the drug agent for delivery to a patient, whereby the hydrophilic cationic drug agent is initially adsorbed into the anionic polyelectrolyte of the top-coat layer and the hydrophilic cationic drug agent having a release rate after the medical device is implanted within a patient's body.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for leveraging social networking information with a messaging client are disclosed. In one aspect, a messaging client (e.g., email client), or an application designed to be closely integrated with an email client, analyzes a message to identify a sender, and then generates a query including information identifying the sender that is forwarded to a social networking application to be processed. The social networking application returns information about the sender (e.g., from a social networking profile), that can be viewed by a user of the messaging client, thereby providing additional information about the sender of a particular message.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for executing a search in a social networking application is disclosed. In one aspect, a social networking application facilitates the initiation of a search, based on user-provided search criteria. In addition, the social networking application generates a list of persons to recommend to the searcher, for forwarding the search criteria. For example, persons in the list are identified, according to various algorithms, as being likely to know a person satisfying said search criteria. Furthermore, the social networking application facilitates the selection of one or more persons from the list, thereby enabling the user to quickly forward the search to the selected persons.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for identifying a potential reference is disclosed. In one embodiment, a user interface (UI) object (e.g., a one-click reference search button) is provided, for example, on a web page displayed at a user's client device. When selected, the UI object causes a reference search query to be generated. The search query identifies the user performing the search, and a target person for whom the user would like a reference. The search query is communicated to, and processed by, a social networking system (e.g., through an API function call). In turn, the social networking system returns information about potential references to the client.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the reputation of a member of a social networking system is disclosed. Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, one or more attributes associated with a social networking profile of a member of a social network are analyzed. Based on the analysis, a ranking, rating or score is assigned to a particular category of reputation. When requested, the ranking, rating or score is displayed to a user of the social network.

Abstract: Biocompatible, lubricious, highly durable coatings for medical devices are formed from a highly adherent base coat and a hydrophilic top-coat which is chemically grafted to the base coat. The base coat includes an aqueous acrylic emulsion polymer, having one or more monomers having alkyl groups of varying number. The monomers are combined such that the “Equivalent Alkyl Number”, essentially a weighted average number of carbon atoms, for the resulting polymer or copolymer, is in a range of about 3.5-4.5. The coating is prepared without using any organic solvents, and thus the final product contains no residue of such solvents. The coated products display an unmatched combination of adhesion, abrasion resistance, water resistance, biocompatibility, and lubricity.

Abstract: Biocompatible, lubricious, highly durable coatings for medical devices are formed from a highly adherent base coat and a hydrophilic top-coat which is chemically grafted to the base coat. The base coat includes an aqueous acrylic emulsion polymer, having one or more monomers having alkyl groups of varying number. The monomers are combined such that the “Equivalent Alkyl Number”, essentially a weighted average number of carbon atoms, for the resulting polymer or copolymer, is in a range of about 3.5-4.5. The coating is prepared without using any organic solvents, and thus the final product contains no residue of such solvents. The coated products display an unmatched combination of adhesion, abrasion resistance, water resistance, biocompatibility, and lubricity.

Abstract: Polymer blends of at least one polar polymer are prepared by admixture with a poly(vinyl alcohol) and a (meth)acrylate copolymer also containing vinyl amide and/or unsaturated acid units. The ternary compositions have attractive processing and performance properties.

Abstract: Acrylic light pipe as described in Bigley et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,406,641 and 5,485,541, has adequate thermal stability for many purposes. It has been found that improved thermal stability, as reflected in color formation, can be imparted by adjusting the polymerization conditions to produce the uncured core polymer of the core/clad construction with a much reduced terminal vinyl content, preferably below 0.5 vinyl groups/1000 monomer units.

Abstract: Polymers containing a high percentage of vinyl alcohol units may be blended with copolymers of alkyl methacrylates and unsaturated organic acids and processed into sheet, film, fiber and other objects which exhibit an useful balance of barrier and strength properties.