Abstract: A flexible absorbent sheet material containing an acidic water-absorbing resin, a basic water-absorbing resin, and a plasticizer, and its method of manufacture, are disclosed. The sheets contain about 60% to 100% by weight of the acidic and basic water-absorbent resin and plasticizer. Ihe absorbent sheets have unexpected flexibility and structural integrity, while exhibiting exceptional water absorption and retention properties.

Abstract: A gaming method and device includes a game, at least one non-qualifying outcome in the game, and at least one qualifying outcome in the game, wherein a player qualifies for a multi-player tournament to be held in the future when the player achieves the at least one qualifying outcome.

Abstract: A dock leveling system adapted to be disposed in a pit is disclosed. A hinge member with a hinge pin receiving area and a hinge pin disposed in the hinge member defines a center of rotation. A deck that is rotatable about the hinge pin includes a curved portion with a constant radius and a center of curvature substantially similar to the center of the hinge pin. The curved portion defines an elevation that remains constant as the deck rotates about the hinge pin.

Abstract: A chemical processing system and method, the system comprising: a substrate chip including a reaction zone into which at least three different reagents are in use introduced; a reagent supply mechanism for supplying the at least three reagents to the reaction zone; and a detector for simultaneously detecting the reaction products.

Abstract: An expandable, elongate flexible conduit is provided for placement in a tubular body structure. An exemplary conduit includes a plurality of flexible longitudinal members defining in an unexpanded state a lumen, the members being radially expandable at preselected intervals to define a longitudinally oriented array of open-sided cages separated by less-expanded tubular segments, at least one of the open-sided cages having a diameter varying along its length and each of the open-sided cages having a maximum diameter larger than a diameter of the less-expanded tubular segments.

Abstract: Superabsorbent polymer particles having a particle size of about 38 to about 300 ?m and a median particle size of about 180 ?m or less are disclosed. The superabsorbent polymer particles comprise at least one unneutralized acidic water-absorbing resin and at least one unneutralized basic water-absorbing resin. One embodiment is multicomponent superabsorbent particles wherein each particle contains at least one microdomain of the acidic resin in contact with, or in close proximity to, at least one microdomain of the basic resin. Mixed bed of multicomponent superabsorbent gel particles with particles of a second unneutralized water-ab-sorbing resin, and mixed bed of particles of an unneutral-ized acidic water-absorbing resin and an unneutralized basic water-absorbing resin, also are disclosed. Improved diaper cores containing the small particle size superabsorbent polymer particles also are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns superabsorbent particles with a shell, wherein said shell comprises a cationic polymer crosslinked by the addition of crosslinker and adhered to hydrogel-forming polymer obtainable by applying a coating solution, containing both a cationic polymer and crosslinker, to hydrogel-forming polymer having a residual water content of less than 10 w %, their production and use.

Abstract: An emulator couplable to an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including a micro controller, a DMA controller, memory means and an ADC and the emulator being operable to read a block of data stored in a plurality of memory locations of the memory means and graphically to display a representation of at least a portion of the block of data. An integrated circuit including an ADC and reprogrammable non-volatile memory means, the ADC being arranged to read calibration values from the non-volatile memory means. An integrated circuit including a microcontroller, a DAC selected from a group consisting of a string DAC and a current source DAC and an operational amplifier coupled to the DAC output. An integrated circuit includes analog and digital circuitry, and has only two polysilicon layers on a C-MOS substrate.

Abstract: A system includes a controller and a network interface that provides access to laboratory logistics information. An operator may access the system through a graphical user interface that provides interactive geographic navigation of locations and services that may be used in the transportation of biological samples from a protocol participant's site to a central laboratory.

Abstract: An improved connector for flex shafts for a string trimmer is disclosed herein. The connector has an input area and a drive area, where the input area of the connector has a modified diamond shape with sloping sides. This diamond shape allows for easy and reliable connection of the driven working end.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including a DMA controller, an ADC having a plurality of conversion channels and address and data ports for connection to external memory means, the DMA controller being arranged to read a channel id from the memory means using the address and data port which channel id is representative of one of the said conversion channels, to pass the read channel id to the ADC, to cause the ADC to perform an analog-to-digital-conversion on the conversion channel represented by the channel id, to receive the conversion result from the ADC and to write the conversion result back to the memory means using the address and data ports.

Abstract: A latch assembly for double hung windows also permits each of the sashes to be tilted inwardly with respect to the window frame assembly. The window latch assembly includes a keeper which is recessed within a lower rail of the upper window sash, and a latch which is recessed in the upper rail of the lower window sash and positioned such that the latch and the keeper are selectively engaged upon rotation of a sweeper cam. The sweeper cam also engages a slide translatable between a first position engaging one of the side rails of the window frame assembly, and a second position, retracted within the lower window sash and release the upper edge of the window sash from the window frame assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to embodiments of devices for capturing obstructions within passageways. The devices disclosed herein may include a flexible tubular body forming multiple flexible members arranged in a helical pattern. These flexible members may be expandable to form one or more cages when the tubular body is expanded to an increased diameter state. The cages may be generally centered around the longitudinal axis of the tubular body between the two ends of the body. Also disclosed herein are methods for capturing obstructions within passageways, methods for obtaining tissue samples from body passages, and methods for making devices for capturing obstructions within passageways.

Abstract: A latch assembly for double hung windows also permits each of the sashes to be tilted inwardly with respect to the window frame assembly. The window latch assembly includes a keeper which is recessed within a lower rail of the upper window sash, and a latch which is recessed in the upper rail of the lower window sash and positioned such that the latch and the keeper are selectively engaged upon rotation of a sweeper cam. The sweeper cam also engages a slide translatable between a first position engaging one of the side rails of the window frame assembly, and a second position, retracted within the lower window sash and release the upper edge of the window sash from the window frame assembly.

Abstract: A device for use for quickly and safely exiting a structure, such as a burning building. The device of the invention comprises a generally rectangular body that is hollow and fits inside the stud spacing of a structure. The body is positioned below a window and secured to the structure. A flexible ladder is secured through the body to the studs of the structure with the flexible ladder being stored within the body. The ladder can be fabricated from chain, rope or other flexible material and has cross bars for ladder rungs. Spacers behind the rungs keep the rungs spaced out from the wall. A cover plate overlays most of the rectangular body leaving an opening in the rectangular body for the ladder to be moved from a storage position within the body to a use position. A trim cover closes the opening when the device is in the storage position.

Abstract: A data processor is provided with an embedded debugger. The debugging function is provided by the execution of a debugging program which is stored in reserved, non-volatile memory which is internal to the data processor. During the debug mode, the data processor allows the internal registers used during execution of a user program to be examined. Debug operation can be initiated via debug instruction which replaces an existing instruction in the user code, the replaced instruction being held in a special purpose register such that it can be executed on return from the debug mode. Single step operation of the data processor can be performed in debug mode and data and instructions can be exchanged with the data processor in debug mode, optionally via a single pin so as not to sacrifice any user resources.

Abstract: A data processor is provided in which an embedded emulator communicates with a control emulation system using a serial communications link involving one pin of the data processor package.

Abstract: A combination utensil tool with attachable utensils, such as forks, spoons, and knives which are easy to attach and detach from a common handle. The present invention comprises a built up contoured handle preferably having a raised rim on a first end and a downward extending lip on a second end. Attached to the first end of the handle is a shaft having a roller knife (or other type of knife) attached thereto. The roller knife enables the user to cut food with the use of one hand. Attached to the second end of the handle is either a spoon, fork or knife (collectively known as a utensil). The utensil comprises a shaft having a head and a notch. The shafts of the utensils are either straight or have an upward or downward angled bend in order to allow the user to eat with minimal wrist movement. The utensil is firmly coupled to the second end of the handle by a spring loaded release mechanism comprising a rod having a downward projection which permits the user to attach and detach several utensil to the handle.

Abstract: A cable foul sensor device for winches includes a flapper plate extending from a cover for the cable drum, and a sensing finger extending along the edge of the flapper plate to terminate above an upper layer of cable wound on the drum. The flapper plate is connected to a pivot member through which an adjustable set screw is mounted. A stationary housing for spring loaded switches is mounted on the cover and includes a contact plate which is depressed downward by the set screw of the pivot member to force the switches to the closed position to provide power for the drum. Upon fouling of the cable at the drum, the cable foul will displace the sensing finger and the flapper plate which will cause the pivot member to pivot away from the actuator plate, thereby permitting the spring loaded switches to bias in the open position to interrupt power to and lock the drum. An audio and/or visual signal is provided to indicate that a cable foul at the drum has occurred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for examining the electrochemical kinetics occurring at the surface of a galvanized steel cable undergoing fatigue in the presence of a corrosive environment allows the prediction of the corrosion life of the cable. In one embodiment, an apparatus for detecting localized corrosion in a cable is provided undergoing mechanical fatigue, comprising a weir cell containing an electrolyte and a reference electrode, one or more pulleys, and a motion control device. In other embodiments, methods for detecting and monitoring the electrochemical response of corrosion coupled to fatigue in a galvanized steel cable are provided wherein the potential between a reference electrode and a moveable cable under tension and undergoing fatigue are recorded and/or monitored. In further embodiments, a method and apparatus are provided for inspecting entire runs of cable for localized corrosion, zinc porosity, and corrosion inhibition efficiency.