Abstract: An aqueous polymeric composition including an emulsion polymer including, as copolymerized units, from 0.5% to 25%, by weight based on the weight of the polymer, carbonyl-functional ethylenically-unsaturated monomer, and an autoxidizable material having less than 10%, by weight based on the weight of fatty acid residues therein, tri-unsaturated fatty acid residues; wherein the autoxidizable material is from 8% to 35% of the total weight of the polymer and the autoxidizable material; and wherein the polymeric composition is free from copolymerized-carbonyl-functional-monomer-reactive amine and hydrazine functional groups is provided. An aqueous coating composition including the aqueous polymeric composition, a method for improving the repaintability of an aqueous coating during drying, and a method for providing a coating are also provided.

Abstract: A ring laser gyroscope includes a first plasma shunt arranged to prevent the plasma from contacting a first mirror in the gain region and a second plasma shunt arranged to prevent the plasma from contacting a second mirror in the gain region. The first and second plasma shunts may comprise electrical conductors located in the respective mirror wells and arranged such that contact between the plasma and the electrical conductors quenches the plasma in the mirror wells and produces electrical currents that travels across the mirror wells. The electrical conductors may be formed as metallized strips arranged to extend across the mirror wells, or they may be formed from metal wires. The plasma shunts may alternatively comprise diversion passages formed in the frame and arranged such that the plasma fills the diversion passages and bypasses the mirrors.

Abstract: Nonionic associative thickeners are provided having a nonionic water soluble polymer backbone containing vinyl addition polymer. The nonionic water soluble polymer backbone has at least two pendant polymeric chains attached to the nonionic water soluble polymer backbone. The pendant polymeric chains have terminal chain segments containing polyoxypropylene units. The nonionic associative thickeners are useful for modifying the rheology of compositions including aqueous compositions, such as latex containing compositions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for assigning multiple technicians to turfs and to skills. One method allows a user to interface with an Integrated Dispatch System and assign multiple technicians to a turf. The turf designates a geographic area within a telecommunications network. The multiple technicians and the turf are displayed via a graphical user interface on a computer. Another method allows the user to assign multiple technicians to a skill. The skill describes a qualification for installing or for repairing elements of the telecommunications network. The multiple technicians and the skill(s) are displayed via the graphical user interface.

Abstract: An aqueous polymer emulsion comprising water and swollen multi-stage polymer is provided. The swollen multi-stage polymer has low dry bulk density, as measured by centrifugation. To achieve the low dry bulk density, the polymer is highly swollen in such a way that it does not subsequently collapse. The polymer is useful in paint and paper coatings.

Abstract: A device for coupling to other devices and unique identification thereof may include a body and a coupler. The coupler may be disposed on the body and may be operable to couple to a coupler of another device. The device may include a test circuit and a processor for recognizing other devices. The processor may be operable to determine the presence of a particular device within a chain of devices by controlling the inputs of the test circuit and monitoring the outputs of the test circuit. The device may include a circuit element for uniquely identifying the device when the device is coupled to one or more of the other devices.

Abstract: Nonionic associative thickeners are provided having a nonionic water soluble polymer backbone with at least two pendant polymeric chains attached to the nonionic water soluble polymer backbone. The pendant polymeric chains have terminal chain segments containing polyoxyalkylene units comprising 3 to 6 carbon atoms. The nonionic associative thickeners are useful for modifying the rheology of compositions including aqueous compositions, such as latex containing compositions.

Abstract: The use of a compound comprising formula (I), or a salt, ester, amide or prodrug thereof in the treatment of obesity and related disorders. The invention also relates to novel compounds within formula (I), to processes for preparing them and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. In formula (I): A is an optionally substituted thienyl moiety, Y is O, S, or NR2, R1 is a branched or unbranched alkyl (optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms), alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, reduced arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, reduced aryl, reduced heteroaryl, reduced heteroarylalkyl or a substituted derivative of any of the foregoing groups and R2 is hydrogen or a group as defined for R1.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for processing a radiographic image of a scanned object is disclosed. A pixel offset correction is performed in integer format on the radiographic image using saturation arithmetic to produce an image in integer format with any negative corrected values clipped to a value of zero. The resulting pixels are converted to floating point format and the converted pixels are multiplied by a gain factor. Optionally the resulting pixels are recursively averaged with previous results. The resulting pixels are converted to integer format and the converted pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. Non-functional pixel correction is performed in integer format and the resulting pixel values are clamped to a maximum value using saturation arithmetic. An optional processing path replaces the recursive average by a linear average. The resulting pixel values are optionally filtered to enhance features of interest.

Abstract: An ion implantation apparatus, system, and method are provided for connecting and disconnecting a workpiece holder from a scan arm. A twist head is provided, wherein an electrostatic chuck is operable to be mounted, wherein one or more rotating and non-rotating members associated with one or more of the twist head and electrostatic chuck have one or more dynamic electrical and fluid rotary connections associated therewith. The electrostatic chuck is further operable to be removed from the twist head without disconnecting the one or more dynamic fluid seals.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for backing up and/or restoring user-specific settings for one or more IP telecommunications terminals. A backup process is initiated through a user interface of the IP telecommunications terminal. A file name and a backup file are supplied from the telecommunication terminal during a backup process. The backup file is transferred to an HTTP server and the backup file is transferred to the IP telecommunications terminal or other terminals in response to an HTTP GET message received from an IP telecommunications terminal connected to the HTTP server. Accordingly, multiple users can enjoy customized user-interfaces at multiple locations and across multiple platforms.

Abstract: A link module suitable for use in a conveyor chain intended for travel along an intended direction on a given path. The module includes a first eye and a second eye adjacent the first eye. The eyes define a space therebetween. A roller assembly extends into the space and is detachably mounted between the first and second eyes.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing access to a telephone Application and an Information Application using a walk-up telecommunications terminal having an intuitive, context-sensitive interface configured to facilitate simple and intuitive usage by a user. An Idle Application is displayed on a display screen of the walk-up telecommunications terminal. A Startup Screen is then displayed on the display screen of the walk-up telecommunications terminal in response to a triggering event. The Phone Application is activated in response to a Phone Application event. An Information Application is activated in response to an Information Application event. The Phone Application is configured to take priority over the Information Application in the user interaction with the walk-up telecommunications terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for facilitating ionization of a gas medium of a laser gyroscope. The apparatus and method employ a solid state light emitting device as a start aid for the laser gyroscope. The solid state light emitting device has a wavelength at or below a threshold wavelength based on a work function of a cathode coating material to prompt ionization of a gas medium within the laser gyroscope.

Abstract: A device for conducting rail car inspections including an inspection module, an imaging module, a scanner module, a location module, a printer module and a communication module.

Abstract: A replaceable saw tooth for a rotary cutting machine. The saw tooth comprises more than two cutting edges on each of two opposed faces thereof. More specifically, the saw tooth may comprise a body having two cutting faces disposed opposite each other and spaced apart by at least four side faces which are each parallel to an opposite one of the side faces. The side faces are parallel to a central axis extending between the two cutting faces. Four cutting edges are defined between the side faces and each of the two cutting faces.

Abstract: A wireless position sensing device is provided for monitoring railyard equipment status. The device comprises a gravity sensing mechanism for sensing an angular displacement with respect to a substantially vertical line, and for generating a displacement signal upon sensing a change in angular displacement exceeding approximately 40 degrees. A processing mechanism, operatively coupled to the gravity sensing mechanism, receives the displacement signal. A radio frequency transmitter, responsive to the processing mechanism, transmits a data signal indicative of the angular displacement. The processing mechanism is programmed to activate the radio frequency transmitter upon receipt of the displacement signal. The gravity sensing mechanism is affixed, attached, or mechanically coupled to railyard equipment comprising at least one of a manually operated rail switch or a safety indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for indicating whether a coupler of a locomotive is in a coupled or uncoupled state is provided. The apparatus comprising: a sensor positioned on a portion of the coupler, wherein the sensor provides a real-time signal indicative of either a coupled or an uncoupled state of a coupler, wherein the signal is transmitted wirelessly by a transmitter in operable communication with the sensor. The method comprising: providing a signal indicative of the presence or proximity of a second coupler to the first coupler, the signal being provided by a sensor configured to provide the signal as the state of the coupler has changed; transmitting the signal wirelessly to a controller; processing the signal with a control algorithm resident upon the controller; and providing visually perceivable indication of the position of the coupler.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring trains in a railyard. These methods and systems detect an incoming train entering a geographic area defined by a railyard, store an entry time indicative of a time at which the incoming train entering the railyard was detected, detect the incoming train coming to a stop in a subyard of the railyard, store a stop time indicative of a time at which the incoming train came to a stop in the receiving subyard, calculate an incoming train latency time by subtracting the entry time from the stop time, and store the incoming train latency time as an incoming train latency time record.