Abstract: The present disclosure describes a novel interchangeable flip-flop/sandal footwear that is capable of interconversion between a flip-flop and a sandal by movement of a heel and/or forefoot band between a first stored position and a second in-use position. In the first stored position, the heel and/or forefoot band is movably stored adjacent to the heel portion of the sole. In the second in use position, the heel and/or forefoot band is placed on the user's foot as described herein. In one embodiment, the flip-flop/sandal comprises a sole, a forefoot cover, at least one of a heel band and a forefoot band, each of which being capable of movement between a first stored and a second in-use position, at least one central member rotatably secured and received by the sole, said central member being in removable communication with the heel band and/or forefoot band and at least one void or indentation in the sole to rotatably receive and secure the central member.

Abstract: The invention provides biaryl meta-pyrimidine compounds having the general structure (A). The pyrimidine compounds of the invention are capable of inhibiting kinases, such as members of the Jak kinase family, and various other specific receptor and non-receptor kinases.

Abstract: An organ perfusion apparatus and method monitor, sustain and/or restore viability of organs and preserve organs for storage and/or transport. Other apparatus include an organ transporter, an organ cassette and an organ diagnostic device. The method includes perfusing the organ at hypothermic and/or normothermic temperatures, preferably after hypothermic organ flushing for organ transport and/or storage. The method can be practiced with prior or subsequent static or perfusion hypothermic exposure of the organ. Organ viability is restored by restoring high energy nucleotide (e.g., ATP) levels by perfusing the organ with a medical fluid, such as an oxygenated cross-linked hemoglobin-based bicarbonate medical fluid, at normothermic temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catalyst system for synthesizing rubbery polymers, such as styrene-butadiene rubber, that can be utilized in tire tread rubbers. The catalyst system, in one embodiment, includes an organolithium compound and a potassium alkyl borohydride or potassium alkyl aluminum hydride defined by: (R)3A?(H)K+, wherein A is boron or aluminum, H is hydrogen, K is potassium, and R, which is the same or different, is either H, a C1-C10 alkyl, a C3-C10 cycloalkyl, phenyl, or phenyl substituted C1-C10 alkyl, or a C3-C10 cycloalkyl, with the proviso that at least one R is a C1-C10 alkyl, and further wherein any two R's may optionally be part of a carbocyclic ring. The rubbery polymers can have low to medium vinyl microstructure content, i.e., from about 10% to about 40%, and are useful in tire tread rubber compounds which can exhibit improved wear and tear characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to insulate a vessel includes placing a plurality of shells on all sides of the vessel without providing a direct energy pathway from outer walls of the vessel to the inner walls of the vessel; placing the shells under a vacuum; cryogenically cooling the shells to a cryogenic temperature; and while under vacuum, allowing the shell temperature to rise from the cryogenic temperature to ambient temperature.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to methods, compositions, and kits for diagnosing autoimmune chronic urticaria. For example, in certain embodiments, such methods generally comprise detecting the presence of auto-antibodies to cell-surface IgE receptors or cell-bound IgE in a patient.

Abstract: Each instruction thread in a SMT processor is associated with a software assigned base input processing priority. Unless some predefined event or circumstance occurs with an instruction being processed or to be processed, the base input processing priorities of the respective threads are used to determine the interleave frequency between the threads according to some instruction interleave rule. However, upon the occurrence of some predefined event or circumstance in the processor related to a particular instruction thread, the base input processing priority of one or more instruction threads is adjusted to produce one more adjusted priority values. The instruction interleave rule is then enforced according to the adjusted priority value or values together with any base input processing priority values that have not been subject to adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thick film conductor composition comprised of (a) aluminum-containing powder; (b) one or more glass frit compositions; dispersed in (c) organic medium wherein at least one of said glass frit compositions has a softening point of less than 400° C.

Abstract: A blind rivet assembly is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a blind rivet has ends that are received within countersinks in one or more workpieces and a mandrel head is completely pulled through the rivet without being severed from a mandrel stem. A further aspect of the present invention includes a mandrel with one or more ribs located on an outwardly tapering shoulder.

Abstract: The DNA Sampling Hook is a significant improvement on a method of obtaining a tissue sample from a live fish in situ from an aquatic environment. A tissue sample taken from a live fish can be used for DNA analyses, which can identify the species of fish, as well as the unique individual fish. Taking a small tissue sample without bringing the fish to the surface is important as it allows for observing the fish community without harming the individual fish by inducing barotrauma or other stresses associated with bringing a fish up from depth, which can be lethal to the animal. These tissue samples are obtained by hook and line methods and do not capture or traumatize the fish resulting in a non-lethal and non-destructive method of observing fish individuals and species. The DNA Sampling Hook is specifically designed to virtually eliminate a condition called double bites, in which more than one individual fish gives up tissue to the same hook.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to complexes of a radionuclide with various heteroaryl ligands, e.g., imidazolyl and pyridyl ligands, and their use in radiopharmaceuticals for a variety of clinical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Another aspect of the invention relates to imidazolyl and pyridyl ligands that form a portion of the aforementioned complexes. Methods for the preparation of the radionuclide complexes are also described. Another aspect of the invention relates to imidazolyl and pyridyl ligands based on derivatized lysine, alanine and bis-amino acids for conjugation to small peptides by solid phase synthetic methods. Additionally, the invention relates to methods for imaging regions of a mammal using the complexes of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to the simultaneous treatment of the internal and external surfaces of turbine blades or vanes. In particular it provides a process for coating an external and an internal surface of a turbine blade or vane with aluminium and chromium, respectively, at substantially the same time. The process comprises the following steps (i) and (ii) in either order: (i) applying to the external surface an aluminising compound comprising aluminium, a moderator, an energiser and a diluent; and (ii) applying to the internal surface a chromising compound comprising chromium, an energiser and a diluent. These steps are followed by (iii) heating the turbine blade or vane to form an aluminium layer on the external surface and a chromium layer on the internal surface. The invention also provides a suitable aluminising compound and a chromising compound per se.

Abstract: A method is provided for a host node in a computer network to determine its coordinates in a d-dimensional network space, comprising discovering an address of a peer node in the network, measuring network latency between the host node and the peer node, determining whether network latency has been measured for at least d+1 peer nodes, where, if network latency has not been measured for at least d+1 peer nodes, estimating the network coordinates of the host node, and where, if network latency has been measured for at least d+1 peer nodes, calculating the network coordinates of the host node using d+1 measured latencies.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method of manufacturing a textured surface may include providing a first thermally stable sheet, printing a pattern of material on the first sheet to form a three-dimensional textured surface, and curing the material, then using said first sheet to impart negative texture into Tedlar faced epoxy composite blanket, which is in turn used to impart texture into a decorative laminate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for purifying a protein complex and the components comprising the complex from a cell, a cell or tissue lysate or a whole organism by employing a combined set of affinity tags of high affinity, specificity and ease of elution. The method involves using a protein or a peptide modified to contain one or more affinity tags separated by one or more specific protease cleavage sites to isolate any interacting proteins or fragments thereof. Specifically exemplified is a method employing a modified bait containing AviTag or GST and a removal tag of His6 hexapeptide positioned proximal to the bait such that any excess bait can be efficiently removed from the purified complex yielding enriched interacting proteins prior to subjecting the complex for further identification of individual components. The identification of the proteins or fragments thereof contained in the protein complex will provide new targets for the identification of new pharmaceuticals and diagnostic tools.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for a radio communication system having a multiplicity of mobile transceiver units selectively in communication with a plurality of base transceiver units which, in turn, communicate with one or more host computers for storage and manipulation of data collected by bar code scanners or other collection means associated with the mobile transceiver units. A network controller and an adapter which has a simulcast and sequential mode provide selective interface between host computers and base transceivers. A scheme for routing data through the communication system is also disclosed wherein the intermediate base stations are organized into an optimal spanning-tree network to control the routing of data to and from the RF terminals and the host computer efficiently and dynamically.

Abstract: The present invention features a garbage caddy comprising (a) a four-sided enclosure formed by a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, (b) a base disposed within the enclosure and attached thereto, the base having a top side and a bottom side, and (c) a first wheel removably and rotatably mounted to a side of the first side, and a second wheel removably and rotatably mounted to a side of the third side. The first side and third side extend downwardly from the bottom side of the base to form a set of skis. The top side of the base has at least one slot 118a for snugly holding a trash receptacle 200.

Abstract: A warehousing system includes a container for storing at least one item, a first electronic (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID)) module associated with the first container, and a controller which wirelessly communicates with first electronic module, for directing a transfer of said at least one item to and/or from said first container. The inventive system may include, for example, a hybrid retail/warehouse system which includes a facility having a shelving area, and a picking area adjacent to the shelving area, and a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification device includes an integrated circuit including a receiver, a transmitter, and a microprocessor. The receiver and transmitter together define an active transponder. The integrated circuit is preferably a monolithic single die integrated circuit including the receiver, the transmitter, and the microprocessor. Because the device includes an active transponder, instead of a transponder which relies on magnetic coupling for power, the device has a much greater range.