Abstract: A climbing tree stand platform includes a platform member having a back member and a front member separated by a first side member and a second side member, a first arm and a second arm that each extend angularly upward from the platform toward the back member, and a securing member connected between the first arm and the second arm. A first elasticized member having a first end is connected to the platform member toward the first side member and a second elasticized member having a first end is connected to the platform member toward the second side member. The back member of the platform member may selectively engage an upright support or tree while the securing member selectively surrounds it, thereby providing cantilevered support for the platform member. The first elasticized member and the second elasticized member are operatively attachable to a second platform member. A climbing tree stand system is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide assistance for completion during address input. In one embodiment, a method includes automatically generating profiles for persons identified in messages, such as incoming and outgoing emails. Based on how the addresses of the persons are used in incoming and outgoing messages, the relevancy scores of the addresses are determined. When a user is typing an address, the profiles and the relevancy scores are used to identify and sort suggestions for the completion of the address input.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting the performance of an implanted device based on data including contextual information. Contextual information, including operational and performance data concerning the implanted device as well as the patient with the implanted device, is stored by a portable electronic device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device is adapted for battery operation and includes a personal digital assistant (PDA). The portable electronic device is adapted for use as an interface to conduct wireless communications with the implanted device. In one embodiment, the portable electronic device interfaces with a clinical programmer for use by a physician.

Abstract: A meeting effectiveness indicator provides information to participants of a meeting. The information includes messages that the meeting has gone off topic, and resources are being wasted. Participants within a room or local vicinity of the indicator used wired or wireless transmitters to send indications that the meeting is going off topic. Remote participants linked to a network also send indications via a network interface. Once a total number of indications reaches a warning threshold, the indicator warns the participants that the meeting is going off topic with a warning message. If additional indications are received, then the total number of indications will reach a tangent threshold, and the participants are alerted using a tangent message that the meeting is off topic.

Abstract: A communication assistance system provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscriber listings. The system includes a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of callers desiring to access the information corresponding to the subscriber listings and a database directory listing for storing information corresponding to each one of the subscriber listings. The information in the subscriber listings include a Rate Plan field associated with billing rates corresponding to each one of the subscribers such that when the system connects the caller to the subscriber, the system employs the Rate Plan Field to determine the billing amount charged to the caller so that the subscriber is not billed for the call.

Abstract: A system for cross-selling products and/or services across an enterprise comprising an enterprise-level decision engine and a plurality of line-of-business decision engines; wherein characteristics derived by the enterprise-level decision engine are used by the line-of business-level decision engines to generate cross-sell offer decisions; enterprise-level business rules and line-of-business-level business rules are managed independently of one another; a publish-subscribe message framework allows data to be published at an enterprise level and subscribed to by the line-of-business decision engines according to business rules established at the line-of-business level; the line-of-business decision engines generate cross-sell offer decisions; and the enterprise-level decision engine stores data to and retrieves data from an operational and an analytics data repository. A method of using the system described above to generate cross-sell offer decisions.

Abstract: An improved wick-holder for mounting a felt lubricating wick is provided with a passive inertia-activated pump mounted for submersion in the axle-cap lubricant-reservoir at a level that ensures that for all levels of the reservoir, the pump inlet is submerged in the lubricant of the reservoir. In a first embodiment, the passive inertia-activated pump takes the form of a piston-type pump, while in a second embodiment, the passive inertia-activated pump takes the form of a diaphragm pump. In either embodiment, the inlet of the passive inertia-activated pump is submersed in the lubricant-reservoir, and the output of the passive inertia-activated pump is directed to the surface-interface between the felt wick and the axle journal surface-area to increase the lubrication thereof over and above that which normally ensues owing to the conventional capillary action of the felt wick.

Abstract: A hydroalcoholic lotion is disclosed which comprises (a) a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 35:65 to 100:0, and (b) between at least 0.5% and 8% by weight thickener system comprised of at least one emulsifier present in at least 0.05% by weight wherein the composition in a polymer free state has a viscosity of at least 4,000 centipoise at 23 degrees C. and wherein the emulsifier is comprised of at least one hydrophobic group and at least one hydrophilic group. The hydroalcoholic composition is useful as a hand preparation such as a lotion or as a presurgical scrub replacement.

Abstract: The present invention provides inflatable porous implants, such as grafts, stent-grafts, and bladders, as well as methods and kits for drug delivery. In particular, the grafts and stent-grafts of the present invention provide for the delivery of a therapeutic agent into a flow conduit in the body. The inflatable porous implants provide for direct delivery of larger, more precise dosages of drugs over longer administration periods into the body. Moreover, these inflatable porous implants are often flexible when inserted and have a low profile delivery configuration for easy placement. The implants of the present invention further provide a mechanical or structural function in addition to drug delivery in a single integrated structure.

Abstract: A distributed manufacturing and distribution process for lottery tickets is disclosed. The manufacturing/vending system comprises a ticket manufacturing server and one or more vending devices located at remote sites. Each vending device is operatively coupled for communication with the server, normally via a network connection. Each vending devices is further equipped with blank media and printing means, so that a customer is able to purchase on-demand tickets from a vending device in communication with the server. Additionally, the vending devices may be configured as electronic aid to display the results of the purchased lottery tickets in entertaining ways to the customer.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides composite coatings for implantable or insertable medical devices. These composite coatings comprise (a) an inorganic portion and (b) a polymeric portion that comprises a poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) block.

Abstract: A block is provided for use in a wall structure. The block comprises a first block side which is configured to form a section of one side of the wall structure, a second block side which is configured to form a section of an opposite side of the wall structure, a plurality of ribs which are configured to receive a rib insert or a block corner insulation, and a stud component which is configured to accept a finishing material, wherein the stud component includes a recess portion.

Abstract: An assembly for providing haptic effects includes a panel adapted to be mated to another structure, a frame placed around and spaced apart from the panel, at least one flexible coupling to connect the panel to the frame, a display connected to the panel so as to be stationary with respect to the panel, and a touch screen assembly connected to the frame. The touch screen assembly is placed over the display.

Abstract: A car seat includes a seat member on which the child is transported and a separable base member that is mounted to the vehicle seat via the vehicle seat belt which is passed through side openings in the base member and trapped in a belt latch apparatus to secure the base member to the vehicle seat. The seat member is mounted on the base member in either a forward-facing orientation or a rear-facing orientation. The base member includes a pair of upper and lower recline slots that receive latch pins securing the seat member to the base member. A recline apparatus carried by the seat member engages a central control rack on the base member to lock the seat member in a selected recline position. In the rear-facing position, the seat member is positionable in different orientations to compensate for the angle at which the vehicle seat is formed.

Abstract: A composition having biocidal properties comprises pre-fabricated elastomeric particles, a biocidal agent, and an adhesive phase combining the elastomeric particles and the biocidal agent, wherein the pre-fabricated elastomeric particles and the adhesive phase are made of different materials, and wherein the biocidal agent is present in the adhesive phase but is substantially absent from the pre-fabricated elastomeric particles. Elastomeric compositions or products of this disclosure are useful to prevent communicable diseases resulting from bodily exposure to pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains.

Abstract: Systems and methods for probing a Raman signature of a sample with a resolution exceeding the diffraction limit are described. These systems, called GASSE (Gain Saturated Stimulated Emission) and iGASSE (interferometric GASSE), are detecting a Raman signal produced in a sample located at the focal spot of a Gaussian pump pulse. Two additional pulsed laser beams (Stokes beams), a central Stokes beam having a Gaussian beam profile and another Stokes beam having an annular beam profile, are also focused to the focal spot. The spatial and temporal phases of the laser pulses are adjusted to produce destructive interference over most of the temporal width of Stokes pulses, which causes emission from the central Stokes beam to narrow well below the diffraction limit. A two-dimensional image of the sample is produced by scanning the combined beams across the sample. The system may find applications in biomedical and semiconductor technology.

Abstract: A guide rail includes a base rail with at least one finger extending from a first portion of the base rail, and at least one finger extending from a second portion of the base rail. A race insert is mounted against the fingers. A first race way is associated with the at least one finger extending from the first portion of the base rail. A second race way is associated with the at least one finger extending from the second portion of the base rail. The first and second race ways have different load transmission directions. The load transmission direction of the first race way is non-parallel to the at least one finger extending from the first portion of the base rail. The load transmission direction of the second race way is non-parallel to the at least one finger extending from the second portion of the base rail.

Abstract: A visibly-coded medication label and an associated method, apparatus and computer program product for providing a visibly-coded medication label are provided. A label having an attachment portion and an informational portion may be provided. The informational portion includes a plurality of regions having different visible indicia, such as different colors. Information may be imprinted upon the informational portion that is related to the medication with which the label is to be associated. At least one region that has visible indicia representative of the associated medication may be identified. At least one of the regions other than the region that has been identified to have visible indicia representative of the associated medication may then be overprinted and at least partially obscured. However, the region that has been identified to have visible indicia representative of the associated medication remains visible following the overprinting.

Abstract: An apparatus for locking an inner telescoping member into a desired position within an outer telescoping member or sleeve. A locking mechanism is carried by the inner telescoping member and includes locking pins supported for motion between respective retracted positions and respective extended positions engaging detents in the outer telescoping member. A synchronizing ring is operatively connected to the locking pins such that synchronizing ring rotation moves the locking pins between the locking pins' respective retracted and extended positions.