Abstract: A force distribution apparatus and method are presented. Various embodiments of the disclosed apparatus include a plurality of layers configured and oriented to be deployed on a subject in a manner that disperses forces and lowers peak pressures experienced by the subject when resting on a surface, which tends to minimize risks of deformation and local ischemia. An innovative combination of novel construction methods, material selections, and sensors produce an apparatus that possesses an inherent three-dimensional shape despite being built from essentially flat components, while also retaining an ability to effectively distribute forces and reduce pressures. Further embodiments of the disclosed apparatus are adapted to detect and monitor motion and position of the subject, providing retrospective or real-time data for caregivers.

Abstract: A force distribution apparatus and method are presented. Various embodiments of the disclosed apparatus include a plurality of layers configured and oriented to be deployed on a subject in a manner that disperses forces and lowers peak pressures experienced by the subject when resting on a surface, which tends to minimize risks of deformation and local ischemia. An innovative combination of novel construction methods and material selections produce an apparatus that possesses an inherent three-dimensional shape despite being built from essentially flat components, while also retaining an ability to effectively distribute forces and reduce pressures.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a table within a first document. The method includes analyzing at least one of: a column heading in the table, a row heading in the table, and data in a cell in the table. The method includes determining, based on the analysis, that the table contains financial data classifiable according to a taxonomy. The method includes analyzing, by a classification component comprising at least one classification engine, at least one of a column heading in the table and a row heading in the table. The method includes generating, by the classification component, a classification suggestion for at least one element in the table, based on the analysis of the classification component.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polyether-amido-amine corn-pound, obtainable by a two-step reaction of a poly-etheramine with an alkyl acrylate and a polyalkyle-neimine, whereas the polyetheramine and the polyalkyleneimine have at least one primary or secondary amine group, in which the first step comprises the reaction of the polyetheramine with the alkyl acrylate and the second step comprises the reaction of the polyalkyleneimine with the product of the first step. The invention also relates to a method for synthesising a polyether-amido-amine compound by a two-step-reaction. Another object of this invention is a curable composition containing at least one polyether-amido-amine-compound of this invention and a method for coating the surface of a substrate or for binding at least two substrates together using such a curable composition.

Abstract: A voucher verification system is based on SMS message-based processing of voucher verifications by a central verification authority. Merchants may establish an account with the system and then register mobile communication devices and those of employees by sending an SMS-based registration request to the system. Once registered, the merchant and employees may verify the status of vouchers by sending SMS-base verification requests to the system. Verifications of voucher status are returned to the merchant mobile device via SMS messaging.

Abstract: A roofing repair system including a multi-part primer and a water-activated overcoat composition. The multi-part primer includes a first part including a hydroxyl-functional (meth)acrylic (co)polymer, and a second part including a mixture of a hydrophilic polyfunctional aliphatic polyisocyanate and a hydrophobic polyfunctional aliphatic polyisocyanate, wherein a molar ratio of hydroxyl functionality in the first part to isocyanate functionality in the second part is less than 1. The water-activated overcoat composition includes at least one compound selected from polyketimines having amino groups attached to secondary carbon atoms, polyenamines, and oxazolidines. In some exemplary embodiments, the volume ratio of the multi-part primer to the water-activated composition is from 5:1 to 7:1. In certain exemplary embodiments, the multi-part primer is substantially free of organic solvents.

Abstract: A voucher verification system is based on SMS message-based processing of voucher verifications by a central verification authority. Merchants may establish an account with the system and then register mobile communication devices and those of employees by sending an SMS-based registration request to the system. Once registered, the merchant and employees may verify the status of vouchers by sending SMS-base verification requests to the system. Verifications of voucher status are returned to the merchant mobile device via SMS messaging.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a table within a first document. The method includes analyzing at least one of: a column heading in the table, a row heading in the table, and data in a cell in the table. The method includes determining, based on the analysis, that the table contains financial data classifiable according to a taxonomy. The method includes analyzing, by a classification component comprising at least one classification engine, at least one of a column heading in the table and a row heading in the table. The method includes generating, by the classification component, a classification suggestion for at least one element in the table, based on the analysis of the classification component.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method of pre-delivery drug identification. The system and method is implemented where drugs are being administered, such as in a hospital or clinic, and identifies the drug being administered to the patient before the drug reaches the patient. The system and method may utilize a sensor used for other physiologic monitoring to identify the drug. After identification, the system and method is configured to cross-reference the identified drug with the patient's prescription and allergy information, and to prevent delivery to the patient, if necessary. The system and method also utilizes data collected from the patient with a physiological monitor or a ventilator sensor to further determine whether the drug is appropriate for the patient. The method and system may also include an override system for medical personnel. The method described may be carried out by a software application.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying an alarm condition on a patient monitor. A graphical user interface can include an alarm communication device that indicates a state of a physiological parameter. The alarm communication device can include a stable region, an intermediate region, and a critical region. At least one of the intermediate region and the critical region can represent the alarm condition. The graphical user interface can also include a tolerance control that adjusts at least one of a boundary and a width of at least one of the stable region, the intermediate region, and the critical region in order to adjust the alarm condition.

Abstract: System and method of monitoring a patient including acquiring a respiration waveform and an arterial pressure waveform and determining a window on the respiration waveform that represents end expiration and approximates an apnea condition. The method can include calculating a systolic pressure variation value, a delta up value, and a delta down value based on a portion of the arterial pressure waveform corresponding to the window on the respiration waveform. In some embodiments, the respiration waveform can be acquired without manual interruption of mechanical ventilation and the values can be calculated substantially continuously.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying an alarm condition on a patient monitor. A graphical user interface can include an alarm communication device that indicates a state of a physiological parameter. The alarm communication device can include a stable region, an intermediate region, and a critical region. At least one of the intermediate region and the critical region can represent the alarm condition. The graphical user interface can also include a tolerance control that adjusts at least one of a boundary and a width of at least one of the stable region, the intermediate region, and the critical region in order to adjust the alarm condition.

Abstract: A method of protecting from corrosion the junction between adjoining plastics coated, metal pipes, in a pipeline installation or the like, comprising roughening the exposed surface of the plastics coating on either side of the junction region, applying a primer over the abraded region of the plastics coating, allowing or causing the primer to cure or dry, and subsequently applying over the said junction region and over the regions primed with said primer, a protective top coat.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably clamping a substrate to a support platform, or other support means, at a face of the substrate is described. In one embodiment, a retractable clamp holds a substrate near its edges on a support platform when the clamp is in its fully extended position. One or more leaf springs are mounted to the clamp and apply force to the substrate at respective points in the event the substrate adheres to the clamp, thereby releasing the substrate from the clamp. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more activators are positioned in cooperative relationship to the leaf springs to cause the leaf springs to retract into recesses in the clamp when the clamp is extended against the substrate. In their retracted position, the leaf springs do not contact the substrate so as to minimize the generation of particle contamination and the chance of the release leaf springs themselves adhering to the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably clamping a substrate to a support platform, or other support system, at a face of the substrate is described. In one embodiment, a retractable clamp holds a substrate near its edges on a support platform when the clamp is in its fully extended position. One or more leaf springs are mounted to the clamp and apply force to the substrate at respective points in the event the substrate adheres to the clamp, thereby releasing the substrate from the clamp. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more activators are positioned in cooperative relationship to the leaf springs to cause the leaf springs to retract into recesses in the clamp when the clamp is extended against the substrate. In their retracted position, the leaf springs do not contact the substrate so as to minimize the generation of particle contamination and the chance of the release leaf springs themselves adhering to the substrate.

Abstract: Semiconductor wafers having patterns of steps and grooves defining microcircuit elements thereon are coated with metallic film by supporting the wafers individually adjacent a respective ring-shaped sputtering source in stationary relationship thereto. To effectuate such individual wafer processing on a continuous basis and preserve the evacuated argon environment, a vacuum chamber sputter coating apparatus is provided which has a number of work stations therein, at least one of which includes said ring-shaped sputtering source. Also included is a load lock, and an intermittently rotting vertical plate-like wafer carrier means therewithin positioned closely adjacent the chamber entrance, and carrying wafers in turn from the load lock to the work stations. The carrier includes apertures each accepting a wafer therewithin in an upright position, with the wafers edgewise resiliently supported by clip means, without the use of any externally-originating supports such as platens.

Abstract: Semiconductor wafers having patterns of steps and grooves defining microcircuit elements thereon are coated with metallic film by supporting the wafers individually adjacent a respective ring-shaped sputtering source in stationary relationship thereto. To effectuate such individual wafer processing on a continuous basis and preserve the evacuated argon environment, a vacuum chamber sputter coating apparatus is provided which has a number of work stations therein, at least one of which includes said ring-shaped sputtering source. Also included is a load lock; and an intermittently rotating vertical plate-like wafer carrier means therewithin positioned closely adjacent the chamber entrance, and carrying wafers in turn from the load lock to the work stations. The carrier includes apertures each accepting a wafer therewithin in an upright position, with the wafers edgewise resiliently supported by clip means, without the use of any externally-originating supports such as platens.

Abstract: A sputter coating module for a multifunction processing machine is provided in which the supporting mechanism for the workpiece can be isolated from the sputtering source, the pumps and other processing apparatus for cleaning without exposing the entire machine to atmosphere. The supporting mechanism which is rotatable from the horizontal to the vertical is hollow and mounted on hollow vacuum-sealed trunnions to allow passage of water, argon, and dry-nitrogen or air at atmospheric pressure into the interior of the supporting mechanism.

Abstract: Semiconductor wafers having patterns of steps and grooves defining microcircuit elements thereon are coated with metallic film by supporting the wafers individually adjacent a respective ring-shaped sputtering source in stationary relationship thereto. Within a short deposition time of approximately one minute, good uniformity of deposition across the main wafer plane is obtained by maintaining source-to-wafer spacing less than the diameter of the source, and an effective source diameter (D.sub.s) larger than the diameter of wafer (D.sub.w) with the coating being performed within an argon environment of 2 to 20 microns pressure. Good step coverage across all surfaces of steps and grooves is likewise obtained, and is further enhanced by confining the source-to-wafer spacing ranges to certain values within about 0.4 D.sub.s to 0.9 D.sub.s and the wafer diameter to certain values up to about 0.7 D.sub.s.

Abstract: A modular wafer processing system requires a gate valve of minimum thickness. A gate valve is provided in which the gate is an assymetric wedge on an assymetrically mounted drive shaft.