Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying unexpected cards in a card-handling device are disclosed. The method comprises providing a card-handling device, wherein the card-handling device comprises a card storage area, an output end for the manual removal of cards, a processor with associated memory, and a card recognition system capable of reading at least a rank of a card, wherein the associated memory has a data file of a set of expected card values, reading a value of a card, comparing the read card value to the set of expected card values, and when the card value is not an expected card value, generating an error signal indicative of a card not belonging to the set.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for variable contribution multiple progressive jackpot games are disclosed. A variable contribution rate is determined as a function of a wager level. A contribution amount is determined by multiplying each wager by its corresponding contribution rate. The contribution amount is then added to at least two jackpot meters.

Abstract: The aspiration catheters, systems and methods include a catheter having an elongated body with a cross-section having a flat side and a curve near the distal end. The first side of the cross-section can contact a first side of a delivery lumen in a first orientation, and a second side of the cross-section contacts the first side of the delivery lumen in a second orientation rotated 180° from the first orientation. The curve can be directed 90° relative to a normal of the flat side. The systems and methods can utilize two catheters, and a key joint formed with the two catheters which can rotationally fix the catheters with respect to each other, and the first and second catheters each include at least one pre-formed curve near the distal end. The two catheters can be moved proximally and distally for positioning in the right and left bronchi.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition containing a stabilized solvent ketone, ester, or glycol liquid concentrate of at least one N-alkyl thiophosphoric triamide and at least one surfactant. The invention also relates to methods of using the composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition containing a concentrate of at least one N-alkyl thiophosphoric triamide and at least one surfactant. The invention also relates to methods of using the composition.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing homestyle egg product portions on a commercial scale is described. The apparatus includes a plurality of moving heated pockets, and a plurality of mixers. Each heated pocket is capable of holding an egg product portion, and each mixer is capable of stirring an egg product portion held in a heated pocket to yield a stirred egg product portion. The apparatus can further include a plurality of groupers. Each grouper is capable of gathering stirred egg product portions held in a moving heated pocket. Methods for producing homestyle egg product portions on a commercial scale are also described.

Abstract: A method of using a catheter system which includes inserting a first distal end portion of an outer catheter into a first body lumen, coupling a first key joint component on an inner catheter with a second key joint component on a proximal end portion of the outer catheter to fix a rotational orientation of the inner catheter relative to a rotational orientation of the outer catheter about a longitudinal axis of the first body lumen, wherein the second key joint component runs along a partial length of the outer catheter, and wherein a distal end portion of the inner catheter includes a pre-formed bend that extends at a non-zero angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the first body lumen, and advancing the distal end portion of the inner catheter through a lumen of the outer catheter, away from the distal end portion of the outer catheter, and into a second body lumen, the second body lumen branching from the first body lumen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for variable contribution multiple progressive jackpot games are disclosed. A variable contribution rate is determined as a function of a wager level. A contribution amount is determined by multiplying each wager by its corresponding contribution rate. The contribution amount is then added to at least two jackpot meters.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. Also disclosed is a tissue graft or implant comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. The composition and/or tissue graft or implant of the invention is usable in combination with seeded cells, a tissue growth factor, and/or a chemotactic gent to attract a desired cell.

Abstract: A light emitting apparatus comprises: an LED-based light source; a spherical, spheroidal, or toroidal diffuser generating a Lambertian light intensity distribution output at any point on the diffuser surface responsive to illumination inside the diffuser; and a base including a base connector. The LED based light source, the diffuser, and the base are secured together as a unitary LED lamp installable in a lighting socket by connecting the base connector with the lighting socket. The diffuser is shaped and arranged respective to the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to conform with an isolux surface of the LED based light source. The base is operatively connected with the LED based light source in the unitary LED lamp to electrically power the LED based light source using electrical power received at the base connector.

Abstract: There is provided herein an electrical robotic system for locating, cleaning, and repairing holidays within coated pipe that are proximate to a girth weld. In a preferred arrangement, a robotic train will be placed in the pipeline that will perform the functions of holiday location, cleaning/preparation of the surface containing the holiday, and repair thereof, in a single run through the pipeline.

Abstract: A system for projecting changeable electronic content across multiple display surfaces. The system includes display surfaces arranged at a non-zero angle with respect to one another, such as three orthogonal display surfaces in the corner of a rectangular shaped product container. Changeable electronic content, including video and digital still images, is converted such that, when the projector receives and projects the content to the multiple display surfaces, the content is displayed undistorted to a viewer.

Abstract: A transparent display booth for displaying products and providing product-related information. The display booth includes a bottom panel, a back panel, a transparent front plate opposite the back panel, and a transparent display device located co-extensive with the front plate. The bottom and back panels have reflective inner surfaces. The transparent display device can electronically display product-related information, and products located in an interior of the display booth are viewable through the transparent display device to showcase the products and offer them for sale. Multiple transparent display booths can be combined to form a networked retail system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for error correction in a parallel RIP environment. The system is operable to receive a print job comprising logical pages, to separate the logical pages into segments, to distribute the segments to parallel RIPs for interpretation and rasterization, and to transmit the segments to a serial RIP for interpretation. The system is further operable to determine that a parallel RIP has encountered a dependency error that prevents the parallel RIP from rasterizing one of the segments, and to instruct the serial RIP to rasterize the one segment responsive to detecting the dependency error.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure encompasses methods for determining a protein kinase or phosphatase activity in a biological sample, comprising: contacting in a reaction mix a first test sample and a fluorescently-labeled peptide substrate capable of being modified by a protein phosphatase or a protein kinase, contacting the reaction mix with a TiO2 matrix, thereby partitioning fluorescently-labeled phosphorylated peptide from fluorescently-labeled dephosphorylated peptide; and determining the fluorescence of the fluorescently-labeled dephosphorylated peptide, thereby determining a protein kinase or phosphatase activity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. Also disclosed is a tissue graft or implant comprising a matrix suitable for implantation in humans, comprising defatted, shredded, allogeneic human muscle tissue that has been combined with an aqueous carrier and dried in a predetermined shape. The composition and/or tissue graft or implant of the invention is usable in combination with seeded cells, a tissue growth factor, and/or a chemotactic agent to attract a desired cell.