Abstract: A chlorinated polyolefin composition suitable for use in the manufacture of crosslinked, thermoset, flame-retardant articles such as jackets for electrical or fiber optic cables and heat-shrinkable tubing for protection of cable connectors and splices. The composition is thermosetting and moisture curable and comprises a chlorinated polyolefin such as chlorinated polyethylene or chlorosulfonated polyethylene and a non-chlorinated polyolefin which contains moisture crosslinkable silane groups. The non-chlorinated polyolefin preferably comprises polyethylene or a copolymer thereof. Exposure of the composition to moisture causes the formation of intermolecular crosslinks between molecules of the non-chlorinated polyolefin. The compositions can be formed by blending the non-chlorinated polyolefin with a silanated non-chlorinated polyolefin or by silane-grafting a blend of the chlorinated polyolefin and the non-chlorinated polyolefin.

Abstract: The American legal system, judges and lawyers are continually researching an ever-expanding body of past judicial opinions, or case law, for the ones most relevant to resolution of new disputes. To facilitate these searches, some companies collect and publish the judicial opinions of courts across the United States in both paper and electronic forms, with some of the cases containing references to prior cases from other courts that have previously ruled on all or part of the same dispute. Identifying the prior cases is problematic, because, for example, conventional computer text-matching not only suggests too many non-prior cases, but also misses too many actual prior cases. Accordingly, the present inventors devised systems, methods, and software that generally facilitate identification of one or more documents that are related to a given document, and particularly facilitate identification of prior cases for a given case.

Abstract: An article suitable for use as an insulating or coating material comprises a radiation-crosslinked composition comprising a polyethylene, a polypropylene and optionally an ethylene-propylene elastomer. The polyethylene component is selected from high density polyethylene (HDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE) and linear medium density polyethylene (LMDPE) and the polypropylene component is either a homopolymer or copolymer. The composition is predominantly based on the polyethylene component and contains the polyethylene component in an amount of at least 50 percent by weight. The article is radiation-crosslinked to a sufficient degree that it possesses thermoset properties, such that when the article is heated to a temperature above the crystalline melting point of the polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer, it is softened but does not become liquid.

Abstract: The disclosed system, device and method for providing a substantially leak-proof tube/manifold seal generally includes a partially deformable polymeric ferrule (100), a retaining ring (110) and a nut (130) configured to drive and deform the ferrule (100) against a receiving manifold surface (144). Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve tube seal seating and/or engagement. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally allow for the use of tube coupling hardware (e.g., ferrules) that would otherwise need to be reworked, replaced or discarded.

Abstract: To reduce cost and improve accuracy, the inventors devised systems, methods, and software to aid classification of text, such as headnotes and other documents, to target classes in a target classification system. For example, one system computes composite scores based on: similarity of input text to text assigned to each of the target classes; similarity of non-target classes assigned to the input text and target classes; probability of a target class given a set of one or more non-target classes assigned to the input text; and/or probability of the input text given text assigned to the target classes. The exemplary system then evaluates the composite scores using class-specific decision criteria, such as thresholds, ultimately assigning or recommending assignment of the input text to one or more of the target classes. The exemplary system is particularly suitable for classification systems having thousands of classes.

Abstract: To reduce cost and improve accuracy, the inventors devised systems, methods, and software to aid classification of text, such as headnotes and other documents, to target classes in a target classification system. For example, one system computes composite scores based on: similarity of input text to text assigned to each of the target classes; similarity of non-target classes assigned to the input text and target classes; probability of a target class given a set of one or more non-target classes assigned to the input text; and/or probability of the input text given text assigned to the target classes. The exemplary system then evaluates the composite scores using class-specific decision criteria, such as thresholds, ultimately assigning or recommending assignment of the input text to one or more of the target classes. The exemplary system is particularly suitable for classification systems having thousands of classes.

Abstract: To facilitate legal research, companies, such as Thomson West provide subscription-based online information-retrieval systems. Seeking to improve these and related IR systems, the present inventors recognized researchers often overlook some types of documents, such as legal encyclopedias and treatises that may be useful to them. Accordingly, the present inventors devised systems, methods, and software that automatically search for other types of documents not specifically targeted by user queries. One exemplary system automatically submits a user query for legal opinions to first and second databases, with the first storing legal opinions and the second storing non-opinion documents, such as headnotes from the West Key Number System, articles from American Law Reports, and/or articles from American Jurisprudence.

Abstract: The present invention describes rhodamine compounds particularly well-suited for pre-labeling a protein that is then subjected to two-dimensional electrophoresis. Isomeric purification and synthesis of a dye having net neutral charge or no charge precludes interference with isoelectric electrophoretic separation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a children's exercise and activity apparatus for providing cognitive development activities for small children and exercise functionality. The apparatus includes an activity table adapted for receiving one or more children's activity items, a seat for supporting a child above the floor, a connecting beam for connecting the seat to the activity table, and one or more legs connected to and depending downwardly from the seat to the floor to support the seat and prevent the seat from tipping over when a child is supported therein. The seat has a pair of leg openings that allow the child to touch the floor with its legs, and the connecting beam is rotatably connected to the activity table so that the child in the seat can travel in an orbital path around the activity table.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for the production of compacted granular potassium chloride with improved handling qualities. A binding ingredient such as sodium hexametaphosphate is blended with the potassium chloride feed material in advance of compaction. The product of this apparatus and method has improved handling, storage, strength and other qualities over compacted granular potassium produced using prior art methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of producing a molded article from a composition comprising a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer, wherein the molded article has a residual vinyl aromatic monomer content of less than 0.05 per 100 parts syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer comprising molding a composition of a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer having a residual vinyl aromatic monomer content of less than 0.3 parts per 100 parts syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer, at a temperature of from 265° C. to 305° C. to produce a molded article; and heat treating the molded article at a temperature of 210° C. to 230° C. for at least 2 minutes to thermally initiate free radical polymerization of the residual monomer.

Abstract: A crosslinked, predominantly polypropylene-based article comprises a silane-modified ethylene-based polyolefin, at least 50 percent by weight of a non silane-modified polypropylene, and a silane condensation catalyst. The article is moisture crosslinked to a sufficient degree that it possesses thermoset properties such that, when the article is heated to a temperature above the crystalline melting point of the non silane-modified polypropylene, it is softened but does not become liquid. The article preferably comprises a heat-shrinkable sleeve for a high-temperature transmission pipeline.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of producing a molded article from a composition comprising a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer, wherein the molded article has a residual vinyl aromatic monomer content of less than 0.05 per 100 parts syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer comprising molding a composition of a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer having a residual vinyl aromatic monomer content of less than 0.3 parts per 100 parts syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer, at a temperature of from 265° C. to 305° C. to produce a molded article; and heat treating the molded article at a temperature of 210° C. to 230° C. for at least 2 minutes to thermally initiate free radical polymerization of the residual monomer.

Abstract: A density profiler for measuring a density profile of a medium including at least two liquids and gaseous phases includes an axially distributed source array providing at least 10 collimated ionising radiation beams; an axially distributed radiation detector array, each detector associated in use with one of the beams and producing an output signal in response to incident radiation; and an analysor for the detector output signals to determine the density of the medium traversed by the beams of radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule and the protein encoded thereby absence of which is associated with oral and other cancers and lack of neurogenesis. The invention also provides antibodies and the use of these products as therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents in gene therapy and/or tissue repair.

Abstract: To reduce cost and improve accuracy, the inventors devised systems, methods, and software to aid classification of text, such as headnotes and other documents, to target classes in a target classification system. For example, one system computes composite scores based on: similarity of input text to text assigned to each of the target classes; similarity of non-target classes assigned to the input text and target classes; probability of a target class given a set of one or more non-target classes assigned to the input text; and/or probability of the input text given text assigned to the target classes. The exemplary system then evaluates the composite scores using class-specific decision criteria, such as thresholds, ultimately assigning or recommending assignment of the input text to one or more of the target classes. The exemplary system is particularly suitable for classification systems having thousands of classes.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable article suitable for use as an insulating or coating material comprises a crosslinked composition of a polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer and an ethylene-propylene elastomer. The article is formed by a process comprising: i) creating a blend of the polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer and the ethylene-propylene elastomer by melt mixing; ii) melt processing the blend produced in i) to produce a melt processed material; iii) crosslinking the melt processed material produced in ii) by exposing it to radiation to produce a crosslinked material; iv) stretching the crosslinked material at a first temperature close to or above its softening or melting point and subsequently cooling it to a second temperature below its softening or melting point, to thereby freeze the crosslinked material in its stretched form. Subsequent heating of the article close to or above its softening point or crystalline melting point results in recovery of the pre-stretched dimensions of the article.

Abstract: A hydrophilic therapeutic agent is prepared in storage-stable form, suitable for administration to a patient. The agent is formulated with a hydrophobically-derivatized carbohydrate, making use of ion-pair formation to form a solution of the agent and carbohydrate.