Abstract: A weed or insect terminating device features a container having a valve port, a heating element, a valve core, and a biasing mechanism forcing the valve core into an extended position. An axial passage in the valve core extends through only a distal end of the valve core. A lateral passage intersects the axial passage and opens radially from the valve core. A proximal seal is provided between the valve core and valve port at a location between a proximal end of the valve core and the opening of the lateral passage. The proximal seal withdraws from sealed contact with the port in a retracted state of the valve core, while a distal seal remains intact. Heated water from the container can be dispensed through the valve port only via the lateral and axial passages of the valve core, and only when made accessible by retraction of the valve core.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a base including a width having a first length dimension and a depth having a second length dimension and a columnar pedestal extending vertically from the base, the pedestal including a width having a third length dimension and a depth having a fourth length dimension, the first length dimension being greater than the third length dimension, the second length dimension being greater than the fourth length dimension. The gaming machine also includes a game cabinet including a gaming display including at least one of a single video display panel, a plurality of video display panels, and a combination of mechanical reels and one or more video display panels and a mating flange configured to releasably mount to a complementary pedestal flange positioned at an upper edge of the pedestal. The gaming machine further includes one or more mating plugs.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a base, a columnar pedestal extending vertically from the base, and a button deck adjustably coupled to the pedestal. The button deck includes an upper surface including a transparent touchscreen element, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, and a button deck body extending therebetween. At least one of the lower surface and the body include one or more transparent display elements, the one or more transparent display elements are configured to generate images of gaming machine control actuators viewable on the upper surface. The transparent touchscreen element is configured to receive touches and gestures indicating control inputs. The gaming machine also includes a player tracking card reader positioned within the button deck and accessible through a slot in a front edge of the button deck, the player tracking card reader communicatively coupled to a player tracking display area of the gaming machine.

Abstract: A system for executing a plurality of transactions comprises a first processor and a memory. The first processor is configured to execute a first transaction comprising: providing a plurality of indications to make a plurality of first changes to a plurality of first records of a database; and committing the first transaction by updating the status of the first transaction in a transaction table while not providing an indication to update the status of the first records from pending. The memory is coupled to the first processor and configured to store the transaction table.

Abstract: A series of small explosive charges are used to preferentially crack the casing of a warhead to provide for a controlled fragmentation of the warhead. During detonation of the warhead's explosive fill, the casing will break early in the process along pre-determined lines resulting in very large fragments that are projected towards the ground and away from innocent civilians. A fragmentation control collar which contacts these charges can be fitted on the outside of existing warheads. An annular liner within the warhead aids in the controlled fragmentation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new process for the preparation of 2R,3S-N-isobutyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-4-phenylbutyl)-p-nitrobenzenesulfonylamide hydrochloride, wherein this compound is prepared directly from the chloromethylalcohol. Importantly, the process of the present invention results in higher yields of 2R,3S-N-isobutyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-4-phenylbutyl)-p-nitrobenzenesulfonylamide hydrochloride without sacrificing its purity. The processes of the present invention can be used to prepare not only the 2R,3S-derivative, but also the 2S,3S-, 2S,2R- and the 2R,3R-derivatives.

Abstract: A series of small explosive charges are used to preferentially crack the casing of a warhead to provide for a controlled fragmentation of the warhead. During detonation of the warhead's explosive fill, the casing will break early in the process along pre-determined lines resulting in very large fragments that are projected towards the ground and away from innocent civilians. A fragmentation control collar which contacts these charges can be fitted on the outside of existing warheads. An annular liner within the warhead aids in the controlled fragmentation.

Abstract: A powder-coated glass panel in which print (5) on the back (4) of a transparent polyester coating (2) carried by a glass sheet (1), is covered by an epoxy coating (6), and the longitudinal margin (9) of metal foil (7) covering the edges of the panel overlaps onto the back of the coating (6) to relieve thermal stress in the sheet (1). Heat to melt and cure the powders forming the coatings (2, 6) and to cure the printing ink (5) is applied through the sheet (1) from infra-red lamps (22) mounted within an internally-reflective trough (23). The frequency of the radiation is varied from high to low during heating. A double-glazed spandrel unit includes the panel (31) mounted with spacing behind a facing-sheet (32), and with metal foil (34) covering the edges of the unit and overlapping marginally (37) onto the back (38) of the panel (31) for thermal-stress relief.

Abstract: Apparatus for killing unwanted vegetation using heated water comprises a refillable compressed air tank, a refillable water tank, a shut-off valve operably installed on a connection conduit between the compressed air tank and the water tank for select opening and closing of the conduit to respectively allow and prevent flow between the tanks, a flexible hose connected to the water tank, an applicator wand connected to the flexible hose opposite the water tank and comprising a rigid delivery conduit terminating at a discharge end of the applicator wand and a normally closed control valve on the applicator wand to selectively and temporarily open to control discharge of heated water from the water tank under air pressure from the air tank.

Abstract: A method for modifying a tissue specimen includes providing a specimen modifying apparatus configured to modify the specimen to thereby prevent seeding from the specimen. The specimen modifying apparatus is inserted through an opening in tissue and positioned adjacent the tissue specimen to be modified. The tissue modifying apparatus is activated to modify the tissue specimen to thereby inhibit seeding from the tissue specimen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new process for the preparation of 2R,3S-N-isobutyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-4-phenylbutyl)-p-nitrobenzenesulfonylamide hydrochloride, wherein this compound is prepared directly from the chloromethylalcohol. Importantly, the process of the present invention results in higher yields of 2R,35-N-isobutyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-4-phenylbutyl)-p-nitrobenzenesulfonylamide hydrochloride without sacrificing its purity. The processes of the present invention can be used to prepare not only the 2R,3S-derivative, but also the 2S,3S-, 2S,2R- and the 2R,3R-derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new process for the preparation of 2R,3S-N-isobutyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-4-phenylbuty1)-p-nitrobenzenesulfonylamide hydrochloride, wherein this compound is prepared directly from the chloromethylalcohol. Importantly, the process of the present invention results in higher yields of 2R,3S-N-isobutyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-4-phenylbutyl)-p-nitrobenzenesulfonylamide hydrochloride without sacrificing its purity. The processes of the present invention can be used to prepare not only the 2R,3S-derivative, but also the 2S,3S-, 2S,2R- and the 2R,3R-derivatives.

Abstract: A surgical access assembly configured and dimensioned for positioning within an intercostal space defined between a patient's adjacent ribs to facilitate passage of a surgical instrument into an internal work site. The surgical access assembly includes a body portion that may be either partially or wholly formed from a resilient material such that the surgical access assembly is resiliently deformable to facilitate conformity with the intercostal space in order to minimize the application of force to the patient's tissue upon insertion and removal of the access assembly and manipulation of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new process for the preparation of 2S,3S—N-isobutyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-4-phenylbutyl)-p-nitrobenzenesulfonylamide hydrochloride, wherein this compound is prepared directly from the chloromethylalcohol. Importantly, the process of the present invention results in higher yields of 2S,3S—N-isobutyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-4-phenylbutyl)-p-nitrobenzenesulfonylamide hydrochloride without sacrificing its purity. The processes of the present invention can be used to prepare not only the 2S,3S-derivative, but also the 2R,3S-, 2S,2R- and the 2R,3R-derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new process for the preparation of 2S,3S-N-isobutyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-4-phenylbutyl)-p-nitrobenzenesulfonylamide hydrochloride, wherein this compound is prepared directly from the chloromethylalcohol. Importantly, the process of the present invention results in higher yields of 2S,3S-N-isobutyl-N-(2-hydroxy-3-amino-4-phenylbutyl)-p-nitrobenzenesulfonylamide hydrochloride without sacrificing its purity. The processes of the present invention can be used to prepare not only the 2S,3S-derivative, but also the 2R,3S-, 2S,2R- and the 2R,3R-derivatives.

Abstract: The method involves (a) modelling how an entity generates another entity to form a risk chain, the risk chain being a series of two or more entities that each model a discrete part of how a threat leads to damage to the system, each entity being described as a population of elements distributed in a parameter or parameters; and (b) controlling the physical system by using results of the modelling. Implementations provide a method for calculating the likelihood and characteristics of security breaches as a function of the measured security threats and the countermeasures deployed.

Abstract: Foaming of a resinous backing (2) to a glass sheet (1) is frustrated at the interface (3) with the glass by maintaining the glass sheet (1) cool during formation of the foam. The degree of foaming is nil at the interface (3) to effect a strong bond there, and increases progressively through the thickness of the foam body (2) away from the interface (3). The foam body (2) is backed by glass-fibre cloth (4) that is impregnated with the resin from which the foaming gas has been vented so as to bond the cloth (4) to the body (2) and to an outer aluminium foil (5). The glass sheet (3) may be a mirror, and may be replaced by a glass laminate (20;23) that includes a fused-powder coating (22;25) with or without an aluminium foil backing.