Abstract: A patient securing overlay includes a sheet of fabric configured to support a patient's torso on a surgical table. The sheet of fabric includes friction enhancing elements applied to at least a portion of an upper surface. The sheet of fabric is attached near its side edges to two or more side flaps that extend laterally outward from the side edges of the sheet of fabric. Each of the side flaps is attached to the surgical table at two or more attachment points. A distance between adjacent attachment points is greater than a distance between an attachment point and the sheet of fabric in order to naturally create a favorable retaining force vector angle of less than 45° between the attachment point and the sheet of fabric.

Abstract: A convertible wheelchair system, between a wheelchair configuration and an all-terrain configuration, is provided. Embodiments include a central frame aligned along a central longitudinal axis, the central frame having a front and back bar parallel to each other and orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis, paired side bars aligned with the central longitudinal axis, and paired wheel cages, aligned with the central longitudinal axis and attached to the front and back bars, each wheel cage supporting an axle and a wheel mounted thereon. The system further includes a forward beam alignable with the central longitudinal axis, configured to support a forward wheel, and reversibly attached to the front bar. The convertible wheelchair is in the all-terrain configuration when the forward beam is attached to the frame, and the wheelchair configuration when the forward beam is detached from the frame, the central frame thereby standing without the forward beam.

Abstract: A convertible wheelchair system, between a wheelchair configuration and an all-terrain configuration, is provided. Embodiments include a central frame aligned along a central longitudinal axis, the central frame having a front and back bar parallel to each other and orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis, paired side bars aligned with the central longitudinal axis, and paired wheel cages, aligned with the central longitudinal axis and attached to the front and back bars, each wheel cage supporting an axle and a wheel mounted thereon. The system further includes a forward beam alignable with the central longitudinal axis, configured to support a forward wheel, and reversibly attached to the front bar. The convertible wheelchair is in the all-terrain configuration when the forward beam is attached to the frame, and the wheelchair configuration when the forward beam is detached from the frame, the central frame thereby standing without the forward beam.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems with at least one temperature-responsive valve assembly, and methods for feedback regulation of the hydrogen-producing region. The temperature-responsive valve assembly responds automatically to the temperature of a gas stream of interest to regulate the flow of a subject gas stream therethrough. In some embodiments, these streams are the same streams, while in others, they are different streams. The streams may include at least the reformate stream from a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly, the byproduct stream from a purification region, and the product gas stream from the purification region. In some embodiments, the subject gas stream may be the byproduct stream, which is in fluid communication for delivery as a combustible fuel stream for a burner or other heating assembly that produces an exhaust stream to heat the hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly.

Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems with at least one temperature-responsive valve assembly, and methods for feedback regulation of the hydrogen-producing region. The temperature-responsive valve assembly is adapted to automatically respond to the temperature of a gas stream of interest to regulate the flow of a subject gas stream therethrough. In some embodiments, these streams are the same streams, while in others, they are different streams. The streams may include at least the reformate stream from a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly, the byproduct stream from a purification region, and the product gas stream from the purification region. In some embodiments, the subject gas stream may be the byproduct stream, which is in fluid communication for delivery as a combustible fuel stream for a burner or other heating assembly that produces a heated exhaust stream to heat the hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing assembly.

Abstract: A non-aqueous, solvent-free formulation for producing clear, transparent, heat-resistant elements, suitable for use as lenses in optoelectronic devices, consists essentially of an acidic, nonpolymerizing acrylic resin; THFA, DMA, HEMA, HBA, or an equivalent polymerizable diluent in which the acrylic resin is dissolved; and a free-radical photoinitiator.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing cement clinker includes a rotary cement kiln having a feed end, a mid-kiln feed location, and a burning end. The rotary kiln is tilted downwardly from the feed end to the burning end so that material introduced into the feed end travels downwardly to the burning end. Heat is directed at the burning end of the rotary kiln. Raw feed material is introduced in the feed end of the rotary kiln. Calcined material having a particle diameter of up to 12 inches is introduced at the mid-kiln feed location. The mid-kiln feed location is arranged in a calcining zone of the rotary kiln.

Abstract: A free radical-curable epoxy composition comprises epoxy resin and a copolymerizable material including a monomer having amide, acrylamide, or hydroxyl functionality, and is advantageously devoid of any cationic catalyst ingredient.

Abstract: A non-aqueous, solvent-free formulation for producing clear, transparent, heat-resistant elements, suitable for use as lenses in optoelectronic devices, consists essentially of an acidic, nonpolymerizing acrylic resin; THFA, DMA, HEMA, HBA, or an equivalent polymerizable diluent in which the acrylic resin is dissolved; and a free-radical photoinitiator.

Abstract: Low-shrinkage positioning formulations include, in addition to the resin-forming composition, a filler comprised of fibrous and spherical elements, usually of glass, present in a defined ratio and amount. The resin formulation may desirably comprise epoxy resin and a copolymerizable monomer having amide, acrylamide, or hydroxyl functionality, and may advantageously be devoid of any cationic catalyst ingredient.

Abstract: A free radical-curable epoxy composition comprises epoxy resin and a copolymerizable material including a monomer having amide, acrylamide, or hydroxyl functionality, and is advantageously devoid of any cationic catalyst ingredient.

Abstract: Low-shrinkage positioning formulations include, in addition to the resin-forming composition, a filler comprised of fibrous and spherical elements, usually of glass, present in a defined ratio and amount. The resin formulation may desirably comprise epoxy resin and a copolymerizable monomer having amide, acrylamide, or hydroxyl functionality, and may advantageously be devoid of any cationic catalyst ingredient.

Abstract: A radiation-curable formulation employs an electrically conductive primary filler, comprised of elements of elongate form and having surfaces that reflect the actinic radiation to which the photoinitiator employed is responsive, and a secondary filler that is electrically semiconducting and is substantially transparent to the actinic radiation; silver-coated cylindrical fibers or rods will typically constitute the primary conductive filler. Solid deposits cured from the formulation may function, for example, as sealing elements, gaskets, solder joints, and coatings.

Abstract: A radiation-curable formulation employs an electrically conductive filler comprised of elements of elongate form, which elements have surfaces that reflect the actinic radiation to which the photoinitiator employed is responsive. Silver-coated cylindrical fibers or rods will typically constitute the conductive filler, and solid deposits cured from the formulation may function as, for example, sealing elements, gaskets, and solder-like joints. In certain preferred embodiments the formulation will include an active oxygen free radical-generating catalyst, the presence of which enhances curing even though the reaction conditions are such that normal thermal catalysis temperatures are not attained.

Abstract: A handlebar shock absorber for bicycles and the like comprises two pivotably coupled support members, one of which attaches to the bicycle handlebars while the other attaches to the steering fork. An offset link is pivotably mounted to one of the members so as to slidably engage the other member. A compression spring extends along the link and urges the handlebar support member to an upper, rest position. Shocks transmitted along the front fork of the bicycle are resiliently absorbed by rotation of the handlebar mounting member against the compression spring. The degree of compression of the spring may be changed for different riding courses. A hydraulic piston/cylinder combination coupled to the offset link adds to the shock absorbing capability of the device. A metering rod is adjustable in a piston orifice to enable a rider to adjust the shock absorber stiffness without dismounting.

Abstract: A tree freeze protection and irrigation system includes a support stand having a plurality of prongs and having a foot step positioned between two said prongs for driving the support stand into the earth adjacent to a tree. The support stand has a water line coupling for attaching a water line thereto and has a passageway therethrough. A rigid pipe is removably attached at one end to the support stand and coupled to the passageway through the support stand and extends in a generally vertical direction when the prongs are anchored in the earth. A spray head is attached on the other end of the rigid pipe for dispersion of the water over a tree. Tree attaching members are provided for attaching the rigid pipe to an adjacent tree so that a free protection and irrigation system can spray a liquid directly above and onto a tree like a shower nozzle. The rigid pipe may include a plurality of rigid pipe sections for varying the length of the rigid pipe in accordance with the height of the tree.

Abstract: A left ventricular assist device and method is utilized to relieve the hemodynamic burden on a diseased left ventricle in the heart of a patient by inserting a shunt having an impellar for effectuating a substantially non-turbulent, non-traumatic flow of blood either from the left atrium or the patient's venous system, directly into the patient's arterial system. The impellar shunt may be utilized in either a temporary or permanent implant setting.