Abstract: Cement paste compositions including modified cellulose nanomaterials such as modified cellulose nanocrystals and modified cellulose nanofibers, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the cement paste compositions include from about 0.005 volume % to about 1.5 volume % modified cellulose nanomaterial.

Abstract: Surgical staplers and methods of their use are provided. In one embodiment, a surgical stapler includes a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a handle extending from the proximal end of the tubular shaft, a head assembly extending from the distal end of the tubular shaft, and an insertion guide configured to extend through the head assembly. The insertion guide includes an expandable member configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration and a camera configured to be positioned at least partially within the expandable member.

Abstract: A method of determining moisture content in an emulsified asphalt-aggregate system is disclosed. The method includes: placing a first electrode in an emulsified asphalt-aggregate system (Mixture) at a first depth, placing a second electrode in the Mixture at a second depth, applying an alternating current (AC) signal between the first electrode and the second electrode, measuring impedance, determining the frequency which yields the minimum measured impedance, recording the minimum measured impedance, repeating the above steps at a predetermined time interval until the recorded minimum impedance is about 10 times of the first recorded minimum impedance, and alerting a user that the Mixture has sufficiently cured.

Abstract: A method of determining moisture content in an emulsified asphalt-aggregate system is disclosed. The method includes: placing a first electrode in an emulsified asphalt-aggregate system (Mixture) at a first depth, placing a second electrode in the Mixture at a second depth, applying an alternating current (AC) signal between the first electrode and the second electrode, measuring impedance, determining the frequency which yields the minimum measured impedance, recording the minimum measured impedance, repeating the above steps at a predetermined time interval until the recorded minimum impedance is about 10 times of the first recorded minimum impedance, and alerting a user that the Mixture has sufficiently cured.

Abstract: The invention provides a new bioorthogonal deprotection method for preparing heterocyclic compounds by bond cleavage using palladium. The methods have general application in the field of biological synthetic chemistry. Compounds, such as prodrugs, which are useful in such methods are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a computer implemented method for preparing a clip of one or more of a video or an audio content, comprising the steps of a) receiving an input from a user indicating a desire by the user to create a clip of the content; b) identifying of the media content and a specific time within the content the user is watching or listening to based on the digital content of the content or a digital signal associated with the content having identification information; c) creating the clip based on the specific time with a start and an end point; and d) delivering the clip (final clip) to the user. The identification can be carried out by an Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) program using one or more of pre-processed video and audio in the library as a reference for identification.

Abstract: The invention provides a cement paste composition comprising cement, cellulose nanocrystals, and optionally water. The cellulose nanocrystals can be present in an amount sufficient and effective to increase the flexural strength of cured cement prepared from the cement paste composition. The cellulose nanocrystals can also be present in an amount sufficient and effective to increase the workability of a cement paste prepared from the cement paste composition. The invention further provides a water reducing additive that reduces the amount of water required for desired workability of a cement composition. Use of the presence of the cellulose nanocrystals also results in an increased degree of hydration and cumulative heat evolution in comparison to a corresponding composition without the cellulose nanoparticles, thereby resulting in a higher total cure of the cement paste composition upon curing.

Abstract: A method of treating porous material, such as cement or concrete. In this method, fatty acid alkyl esters having 16 to 22 carbon atoms are provided. Polystyrene is dissolved in the fatty acid alkyl esters to thereby form a blend composition. The blend composition is then applied to a cementitious material, which effectively seals the cementitious material and protects it. In another embodiment, a cementitious material prepared in accordance with the method just described is disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a new bioorthogonal deprotection method for preparing heterocyclic compounds by bond cleavage using palladium. The methods have general application in the field of biological synthetic chemistry. Compounds, such as prodrugs, which are useful in such methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a cement paste composition comprising cement, cellulose nanocrystals, and optionally water. The cellulose nanocrystals can be present in an amount sufficient and effective to increase the flexural strength of cured cement prepared from the cement paste composition. The cellulose nanocrystals can also be present in an amount sufficient and effective to increase the workability of a cement paste prepared from the cement paste composition. The invention further provides a water reducing additive that reduces the amount of water required for desired workability of a cement composition. Use of the presence of the cellulose nanocrystals also results in an increased degree of hydration and cumulative heat evolution in comparison to a corresponding composition without the cellulose nanoparticles, thereby resulting in a higher total cure of the cement paste composition upon curing.

Abstract: A method of treating porous material, such as cement or concrete. In this method, fatty acid alkyl esters having 16 to 22 carbon atoms are provided. Polystyrene is dissolved in the fatty acid alkyl esters to thereby form a blend composition. The blend composition is then applied to a cementitious material, which effectively seals the cementitious material and protects it. In another embodiment, a cementitious material prepared in accordance with the method just described is disclosed.

Abstract: A non-aqueous blend composition for treating a porous material comprising triacylglycerides obtained from vegetable oils and containing a fatty acid component and a polystyrene dissolved in the triacylglycerides to form a blend composition, the polystyrene component being present in the blend composition in an amount of from about 1% to about 40% by weight of the fatty acid component.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding RFID tags includes the steps of encoding a first set of the RFID tag device bit positions with bits having a one-to-one correspondence with elements of a set of types of protective equipment, encoding a second set of the RFID tag device bit positions with bits having a one-to-one correspondence with elements of a set of types of hazardous environments, communicating the status of bit settings of the first set of bit positions and bit settings of the second set of bit positions to a person, such that the person becomes aware of the requirement for appropriate protective equipment with respect to specific hazardous environments.

Abstract: An article identification apparatus in the form of a member securely located on the article and having the capability of broadcasting a discrete electronic digital signature to a wireless mobile communication device which in turn includes the capability of preparing various editable data files documenting or relating to an event relating to use of the article wherein each such editable file includes the discrete digital signature of the article. The article may comprise a handcuff assembly, and the event may be the arrest of a prisoner upon which the handcuff assembly is used.

Abstract: A non-aqueous blend composition for treating a porous material comprising triacylglycerides obtained from vegetable oils and containing a fatty acid component and a polystyrene dissolved in the triacylglycerides to form a blend composition, the polystyrene component being present in the blend composition in an amount of from about 1% to about 40% by weight of the fatty acid component.

Abstract: A non-aqueous blend composition for treating a porous material comprising triacylglycerides obtained, from vegetable oils and containing a fatty acid component and a polystyrene dissolved in the triacylglycerides to form a blend composition, the polystyrene component being present in the blend composition in an amount of from about 1% to about 40% by weight of the fatty acid component.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing pressure is provided comprising a housing, electronics, a pressure sensor and a secondary seal. The housing comprises an interior bore and a first end, with the interior bore forming an opening at the first end. The electronics may be disposed in the interior bore. The pressure sensor is mounted at the first end of the interior bore. The pressure sensor may be operatively connected to send signals to the electronics in response to external fluid pressure. The pressure sensor may, at least in part, form a primary seal at the first end of the interior bore. The secondary seal may be disposed in the interior bore in between the pressure sensor and the electronics. The secondary seal may be configured to act as a backup seal to the primary seal. The secondary seal provides an added degree of safety from high pressure pipeline contents.

Abstract: A non-aqueous blend composition for treating a porous material comprising triacylglycerides obtained, from vegetable oils and containing a fatty acid component and a polystyrene dissolved in the triacylglycerides to form a blend composition, the polystyrene component being present in the blend composition in an amount of from about 1% to about 40% by weight of the fatty acid component.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing pressure is provided comprising a housing, electronics, a pressure sensor and a secondary seal. The housing comprises an interior bore and a first end, with the interior bore forming an opening at the first end. The electronics may be disposed in the interior bore. The pressure sensor is mounted at the first end of the interior bore. The pressure sensor may be operatively connected to send signals to the electronics in response to external fluid pressure. The pressure sensor may, at least in part, form a primary seal at the first end of the interior bore. The secondary seal may be disposed in the interior bore in between the pressure sensor and the electronics. The secondary seal may be configured to act as a backup seal to the primary seal. The secondary seal provides an added degree of safety from high pressure pipeline contents.

Abstract: There is a variety of media that may be inserted into a reading or writing device, such as CD's, USB drives, floppy disks, memory sticks, and many other devices. Media is inserted into a media reading or writing device that is in communication with a computer or network device. Upon insertion of the media, a number of metadata regarding that media is available to the computer. The trustworthy calculator is typically a plug-in software module that processes each piece of volume metadata and applies a weighed score, resulting in a Trustworthy Factor. A scoring matrix denotes ranges of values of the Trustworthy Factor into a Level of Trust Zone. Based on the Level of Trust Zone, appropriate action handlers may direct the computer to disallow the mounting of the media, may require specific authentication action to take place prior to allowing a mount of the media, or may indicate that the media may be mounted without further authentication.