Abstract: An injectable resorbable bone graft material, and methods of using the same, provide increased compressive strength after injection in a bone defect. The bone graft material is made from calcium sulfate hemihydrate having a thick stubby rod-like crystalline structure and low water-carrying capacity.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improved liquefaction of a lignocellulosic biomass. The methods include reacting a lignocellulosic biomass slurry at mild conditions for a short period to produce a first reaction mixture having a reduced viscosity as compared to the lignocellulosic biomass slurry and that is substantially free of levulinic acid and hydroxymethylfurfural. The methods further include separating the first reaction mixture into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction, the solid fraction having a majority of lignin from the lignocellulosic biomass slurry and the liquid fraction having a majority of hemicellulose and greater than about 30% by weight of cellulose from the lignocellulosic biomass slurry. The method advantageously prevents or eliminates the formation of tar and/or char.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improved liquefaction of a lignocellulosic biomass. The methods include reacting a lignocellulosic biomass slurry at mild conditions for a short period to produce a first reaction mixture having a reduced viscosity as compared to the lignocellulosic biomass slurry and that is substantially free of levulinic acid and hydroxymethylfurfural. The methods further include separating the first reaction mixture into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction, the solid fraction having a majority of lignin from the lignocellulosic biomass slurry and the liquid fraction having a majority of hemicellulose and greater than about 30% by weight of cellulose from the lignocellulosic biomass slurry. The method advantageously prevents or eliminates the formation of tar and/or char.

Abstract: An animal litter system can include a housing unit and a removable cartridge containing litter. The housing unit can include housing walls, a floor, and a lid at least partially enclosing an interior volume. An interior wall can be disposed in the housing unit and can divide the interior volume into first and second compartments. A first passageway can be defined by a housing wall to provide access between the first compartment and outside of the housing unit. A second passageway can be defined by the interior wall to provide access between the first and second compartments. The removable cartridge can be disposed in the second compartment and can include a plurality of cartridge walls and a bottom at least partially enclosing an interior volume. Each of the plurality of cartridge walls and the bottom of the removable cartridge can independently include a plastic, cellulosic fibers, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a concrete curing blanket including a film layer, a differential hydrophobic/hydrophillic layer and a gel layer interposed therebetween.

Abstract: An animal skull having a nasal cavity, a brain cavity, and a pair of eye sockets, and a lighting harness including at least four lighting elements, wherein at least one lighting element is operatively arranged within each one of the nasal and brain cavities, and the eye sockets.

Abstract: The invention provides a particulate composition adapted for forming a bone graft substitute cement upon mixing with an aqueous solution, including i) a calcium sulfate hemihydrate powder having a bimodal particle distribution and a median particle size of about 5 to about 20 microns, wherein the calcium sulfate hemihydrate is present at a concentration of at least about 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the particulate composition; ii) a monocalcium phosphate monohydrate powder; and iii) a ?-tricalcium phosphate powder having a median particle size of less than about 20 microns. Bone graft substitute cements made therefrom, a bone graft substitute kit comprising the particulate composition, methods of making and using the particulate composition, and articles made from the bone graft substitute cement are also provided.

Abstract: An illuminated assembly, comprising a skull of an animal having a nasal cavity, a brain cavity, and a pair of eye sockets, and a lighting harness comprising at least four lighting elements, wherein at least one lighting element is operatively arranged within the nasal cavity, at least one lighting element is operatively arranged within the brain cavity, and at least one lighting element is operatively arranged within each of the eye sockets.

Abstract: The invention provides a particulate composition adapted for forming a bone graft substitute cement upon mixing with an aqueous solution, including i) a calcium sulfate hemihydrate powder having a bimodal particle distribution and a median particle size of about 5 to about 20 microns, wherein the calcium sulfate hemihydrate is present at a concentration of at least about 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the particulate composition; ii) a monocalcium phosphate monohydrate powder; and iii) a ?-tricalcium phosphate powder having a median particle size of less than about 20 microns. Bone graft substitute cements made therefrom, a bone graft substitute kit comprising the particulate composition, methods of making and using the particulate composition, and articles made from the bone graft substitute cement are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a particulate composition adapted for forming a bone graft substitute cement upon mixing with an aqueous solution, including i) a calcium sulfate hemihydrate powder having a bimodal particle distribution and a median particle size of about 5 to about 20 microns, wherein the calcium sulfate hemihydrate is present at a concentration of at least about 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the particulate composition; ii) a monocalcium phosphate monohydrate powder; and iii) a ?-tricalcium phosphate powder having a median particle size of less than about 20 microns. Bone graft substitute cements made therefrom, a bone graft substitute kit comprising the particulate composition, methods of making and using the particulate composition, and articles made from the bone graft substitute cement are also provided.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus is provided that includes a lighting harness having a harness power cord. Disposed internal to the harness power cord are pairs of electrical leads for providing electrical power to LED's. The harness power cord is plugged into a switch. There is also a power source cord having a first power cord source end that is plugged into the switch and the power source cord has a second power cord source end that is connected to a transformer. The transformer is capable of being plugged into a wall receptacle. The lighting harness is disposed internal to the skull of an animal such that the LED's are capable of illuminating the skull when supplied with electric power via the lighting harness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radiant barrier including a first reflective layer, a second reflective layer and a support interposed therebetween. The reflective layers and the support essentially do not define a pocket. The support has sufficient rigidity such that, when bowed, said support develops an outward force that is sufficient to maintain the radiant barrier in an installed position, for example between roofing rafters.

Abstract: An embodiment configured according to principles of the invention includes a plate defining a hexagon having a base parallel with joint between concrete slabs. Another embodiment includes a hexagon-shaped plate having a first portion and a second portion, and a form having a slot configured to closely receive the second portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a particulate composition adapted for forming a bone graft substitute cement upon mixing with an aqueous solution, including i) a calcium sulfate hemihydrate powder having a bimodal particle distribution and a median particle size of about 5 to about 20 microns, wherein the calcium sulfate hemihydrate is present at a concentration of at least about 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the particulate composition; ii) a monocalcium phosphate monohydrate powder; and iii) a ?-tricalcium phosphate powder having a median particle size of less than about 20 microns. Bone graft substitute cements made therefrom, a bone graft substitute kit comprising the particulate composition, methods of making and using the particulate composition, and articles made from the bone graft substitute cement are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a particulate composition adapted for forming a bone graft substitute cement upon mixing with an aqueous solution, including i) a calcium sulfate hemihydrate powder having a bimodal particle distribution and a median particle size of about 5 to about 20 microns, wherein the calcium sulfate hemihydrate is present at a concentration of at least about 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the particulate composition; ii) a monocalcium phosphate monohydrate powder; and iii) a ?-tricalcium phosphate powder having a median particle size of less than about 20 microns. Bone graft substitute cements made therefrom, a bone graft substitute kit comprising the particulate composition, methods of making and using the particulate composition, and articles made from the bone graft substitute cement are also provided.

Abstract: An orthopedic prosthesis comprising a first component having a soft metal bearing surface and a second component having a hard metal bearing surface, in particular a hip prosthesis comprising a spherical bearing member, a femoral stem, and a modular neck configured for interposition between the spherical bearing member and the stem, together with an acetabular implant having a concave bearing surface configured for articulation with the spherical bearing member. One of the spherical bearing member and the concave bearing surface comprises a soft metal bearing surface, the soft metal bearing surface having a hardness of at least about 20 Rc, while the other one of the spherical bearing member and the concave bearing surface comprises a hard metal bearing surface, the hard metal bearing surface having a hardness greater than the soft metal bearing surface by at least about 15 Rc.

Abstract: The invention provides a particulate composition adapted for forming a bone graft substitute cement upon mixing with an aqueous solution, including i) a calcium sulfate hemihydrate powder having a bimodal particle distribution and a median particle size of about 5 to about 20 microns, wherein the calcium sulfate hemihydrate is present at a concentration of at least about 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the particulate composition; ii) a monocalcium phosphate monohydrate powder; and iii) a ?-tricalcium phosphate powder having a median particle size of less than about 20 microns. Bone graft substitute cements made therefrom, a bone graft substitute kit comprising the particulate composition, methods of making and using the particulate composition, and articles made from the bone graft substitute cement are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a particulate composition adapted for forming a bone graft substitute cement upon mixing with an aqueous solution, including i) a calcium sulfate hemihydrate powder having a bimodal particle distribution and a median particle size of about 5 to about 20 microns, wherein the calcium sulfate hemihydrate is present at a concentration of at least about 70 weight percent based on the total weight of the particulate composition; ii) a monocalcium phosphate monohydrate powder; and iii) a ?-tricalcium phosphate powder having a median particle size of less than about 20 microns. Bone graft substitute cements made therefrom, a bone graft substitute kit comprising the particulate composition, methods of making and using the particulate composition, and articles made from the bone graft substitute cement are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a concrete curing blanket including an impervious layer, an absorbent layer and an acrylic glue configured to adhere to the impervious layer and absorbent layer while immersed in water during at least a prescribed period for curing concrete with an adherence strength that equals or exceeds an internal strength of the absorbent layer. Methods of making and curing concrete with same also are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a concrete curing blanket including an impervious layer, an absorbent layer and a responsive layer between the impervious layer and the absorbent layer that exhibits a response corresponding to one or more conditions related to curing concrete. Methods of making and curing concrete with same also are disclosed.