Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite prosthesis including a coated mesh having at least one opening through a first surface and a second surface of the coated mesh; the coated mesh comprising a mesh and a biocompatible coating substantially surrounding each filament of the mesh, wherein the biocompatible coating is formed by coating the mesh with a polyol prepolymer and curing the prepolymer, the prepolymer comprising a polyalkylene oxide polyol end capped with isocyanate, the polyalkylene oxide polyol having from about 70% to about 95% ethylene oxide groups and the remainder propylene oxide; and a barrier material comprising a biocompatible membrane constructed and arranged to cover at least one surface of the coated mesh, wherein the barrier material comprises a biologic material.

Abstract: The present invention relates novel flavin derivatives and other flavin derivatives, their use and compositions for use as riboswitch ligands and/or anti-infectives. The invention also provides method of making novel flavin derivatives.

Abstract: A new reversibly gelling polyurethane (RGP) polymer composition is described, as well as novel processes for its preparation, and its medical uses for filling spaces in tissue, or bulking tissue, or for restoring organ function. The novel RGP polymer forms a gel on standing, liquefies during shear and reversibly reforms a macroscopic gel on standing after being sheared. Methods of use include delivering the improved gel to a site on the body to fill voids or to augment local tissue bulk.

Abstract: A telecommunications service or application has associated with it a set of exceptions which, in effect, define a set of matchable inputs from a user and corresponding answer functions to be performed in the event of the particular input. An input user text message (50) is tested against a list (51) of exceptions sequentially until a match is found, and then the corresponding answer function is executed. The matching process, inter alia, divides the input text into one or more parts, and information derived from or associated with one part of the input text is used together with information derived from or associated with another part of the input text (or a part of a previous input text) to control the response of the system to the input text (such as the response to be provided to the (user). For example, attributes associated with different identified parts of the input text are cross-referenced to see if the different parts of the input text have any attributes in common.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating a defect in a spinal disc nuclear space, comprising: (a) creating an opening by open, percutaneous or laparoscopic techniques to access the defect in the nuclear space; (b) removing a desired amount of tissue from the nuclear space; (c) positioning a delivery catheter through the opening; (d) fluidically isolating the nuclear space by blocking the opening with a blocking component of the catheter; (e) delivering an in-situ curable liquid material through a lumen of the catheter to the nuclear space; and (f) maintaining the isolating until the liquid material has cured. Also disclosed are treatment systems and materials for prostheses.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing satellite network utilization is disclosed. The method includes delivering a message to a communication device in the satellite network where a confirmation is received from a satellite network gateway that a message is intended for the communication device, scheduling a notification for the communication device at a scheduled time, and at the scheduled time, instructing the satellite network gateway to send the notification to the communication device. The notification causes the communication device to request the message from the network gateway upon receipt of the notification by the communication device. Scheduling may be coordinated within an alert window time period of the communication device when it is listening for notifications. The start time of the alert window time period may be provided by an application gateway, that along with the communication device, receive network time data to remain synchronized.

Abstract: A lighting control system includes a plurality of luminaires each having a selectively powerable first light source and a selectively powerable second light source. The luminaires are powerable and controllable by a common AC power source. A signal receiving controller of each of the luminaires is electrically connected to the first light source and the second light source and selectively causes power to be routed to either the first light source or the second light source dependent on a control signal sent via the AC power source.

Abstract: A lighting control method includes steps for electrically powering a plurality of luminaires each having a selectively powerable first light source and a selectively powerable second light source. The luminaires are powerable and controllable by a common AC power source. A control pulse signal may sent via the AC power source to cause each of the luminaires to selectively route power to either the first light source or the second light source.

Abstract: A high pressure water injection humidifier includes a a high pressure pump driven by a stepper motor, which provides pressurized water to a plurality of exit nozzles, each exit nozzle having a precision orifice that atomizes the pressurized water into a mist, where the volume rate of the mist is dependent only on the motor speed and the diameter of the precision orifice. Proper nozzle flow can be determined by monitoring the torque of the stepper motor.

Abstract: A method for communicating video data between at least a first host and a second host comprises: identifying, at a server, an address of the first host, to which the second host may communicate video data, and a sequence number expected by a network security system coupled between the first host and the server; and communicating, from the second host to the first host, video data using the address of the first host and the sequence number expected. The method may further comprise: identifying, at the server, an address of the second host, to which the first host may communicate video data, and a second sequence number expected by a network security system coupled between the second host and the server; and communicating, from the first host to the second host, video data using the address of the second host and the second expected sequence number. The second host may be adapted to perform the act of communicating without use of an intermediate server.

Abstract: A method for communicating video data between at least a first host and a second host comprises: identifying, at a server, an address of the first host, to which the second host may communicate video data, and a sequence number expected by a network security system coupled between the first host and the server; and communicating, from the second host to the first host, video data using the address of the first host and the sequence number expected. The method may further comprise: identifying, at the server, an address of the second host, to which the first host may communicate video data, and a second sequence number expected by a network security system coupled between the second host and the server; and communicating, from the first host to the second host, video data using the address of the second host and the second expected sequence number. The second host may be adapted to perform the act of communicating without use of an intermediate server.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are spinal disc implants comprising a foam adapted to completely or partially replace a nucleus pulposus within a spinal disc cavity, the foam being a nonabsorbable, closed cell and having a Poisson ratio of less than 0.5. Also disclosed are methods of implanting a foam, either as an in-situ curable material or as a preformed foam.

Abstract: A telecommunications service or application has associated with it a set of exceptions which, in effect, define a set of matchable inputs from a user and corresponding (answer) functions to be performed in the event of the particular input. Each exception has defined for it a text string or strings that a text string derived from an input text message must match for the exception to be matched, and has associated with it a corresponding answer function for the exception. An input user text message (50) is tested against a list (51) of exceptions sequentially until a match is found, and then the corresponding answer function is executed. If no explicit match is found, then the system automatically executes a default answer function. The matched answer function may contain an SQL query (52), which causes an external access to a database (5).

Abstract: The invention provides a process wherein starch and/or a starch derivative can be gelatinised more efficiently by means a thermo mechanical treatment, when a carbohydrate polymer is used comprising aldehyde containing monomer units which comprise one or more aldehyde groups that are derived from one or more a primary alcohol groups. With this process a granulate or other semi-finished product can be obtained that can be shaped to produce an article that has excellent dimensional stability in water. The invention further provides a granulate, a shaped starch product, a food product or a blown starch film comprising such a carbohydrate polymer.

Abstract: A telecommunications services apparatus, in a mobile telecommunications network, comprises means (2) for receiving a MAP Send Routing Information for Short Message (SRI_SM message) originating from another network and operate to forward the SRI_SM message to a home location register (4), means for receiving a response from the home location register (4) to the SRI_SM message, means for temporarily storing information relating to the SRI_SM response and operable to pass said response on to a network address identified as the originating address, and means for receiving a MAP Mobile Terminated Forward Short Message (MT_Fwd_SM message) from the other network and operable to correlate the MT_Fwd_SM message with a previously-sent SRI_SM response using stored information.

Abstract: The invention provides a process wherein starch and/or a starch derivative can be gelatinized more efficiently by means a thermo mechanical treatment, when a carbohydrate polymer is used comprising aldehyde containing monomer units which comprise one or more aldehyde groups that are derived from one or more a primary alcohol groups. With this process a granulate or other semi-finished product can be obtained that can be shaped to produce an article that has excellent dimensional stability in water. The invention further provides a granulate, a shaped starch product, a food product or a blown starch film comprising such a carbohydrate polymer.

Abstract: A mobile telephone network (1) has associated with it an automated call response system (2) and an automated text message processing system (3), which are coupled to each other via a control link or path (4). The automated text message processing system (3) includes processing and intelligence to allow it to control the dialogue provided by the automated call response system (2) to a caller (5) on the basis of text messages that the automated text processing system (3) receives from the caller 5 during the call to the automated call response system (2). In this way, text messages sent by the caller 5 during the call- can control the voice dialogue provided for the call by the automated call response system (2) in real time.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating a defect in a spinal disc nuclear space, comprising: (a) creating an opening by open, percutaneous or laparoscopic techniques to access the defect in the nuclear space; (b) removing a desired amount of tissue from the nuclear space; (c) positioning a delivery catheter through the opening; (d) fluidically isolating the nuclear space by blocking the opening with a blocking component of the catheter; (e) delivering an in-situ curable liquid material through a lumen of the catheter to the nuclear space; and (f) maintaining the isolating until the liquid material has cured. Also disclosed are treatment systems and materials for prostheses.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a combination of an anionic polysaccharide having a preferred carboxyl content of 0.2-0.4 per monosaccharide unit and an aldehyde content of less than 0.5 aldehyde group per anionic acid group, and a cationic polymer, as a wet strength additive for papermaking.

Abstract: In a mobile telephone system, a call routing equipment such as an SMS Router (18) receives a routing information request signal (SRI_SM) indicative of a communication such as a text message intended for a mobile terminal (10), and returns a routing information response signal (False Response) indicative of the SMS Router (18) instead of being indicative of the intended mobile terminal (10). This allows processing (Copy sent via TCP/IP) of the resulting text message (MTForwardSM) by the SMS Router (18), such as archiving of the text message, sending the text message to an email address, and/or forwarding the text message to an alternative destination.