Abstract: Devices and methods for monitoring internal physiological parameters of animals. Such a device and method makes use of a housing configured for implantation in an animal, and at least first and second arms pivotally coupled to the housing to have a collapsed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the first and second arms are alongside the housing and approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis in the collapsed configuration, expanded outward away from the housing and not parallel to the longitudinal axis in the deployed configuration, and biased toward the deployed configuration. Sensors are associated with the housing for collecting physiological parameters of the animal. The device is further equipped with a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting outputs of the sensors to a receiver while the housing is implanted internally within the animal and the receiver is located externally of the animal.

Abstract: Systems and methods that include a metallic panel having an upper surface for contacting an animal and a lower surface, at least one metallic cooling element thermally contacting the lower surface of the metallic panel and having an internal passage therein, and a coolant supply that flows a coolant through the internal passage of the cooling element. Flow of the coolant through the cooling element reduces the temperature of the upper surface of the metallic panel and thereby reduces the body temperature of the animal when the animal is in contact with the metallic panel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling an animal are provided to actively cool an animal relative to ambient environmental temperature. The systems include a metallic panel having an upper surface for contacting the animal and a lower surface, at least one metallic cooling element thermally contacting the lower surface of the metallic panel and having an internal passage therein, and means for flowing a coolant through the internal passage of the cooling element. Flow of the coolant through the cooling element reduces the temperature of the upper surface of the metallic panel and thereby reduces the body temperature of the animal when the animal is in contact with the metallic panel.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for guiding a user through the planning of an income stream includes one or more user input fields for receiving data from the user, where the data relates to user preferences regarding the income stream. Additionally, the graphical user interface includes at least one graph region for graphically displaying to the user the likelihood that the user will achieve a desired outcome based on the data provided to the user input fields. The graphical user interface thus assists the user in making informed decisions regarding his or her retirement goals and the necessary investments he or she must make in order to meet those goals.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and apparatus for retirement income planning. One embodiment of a method for planning an income stream includes receiving personal data relating to an individual, where the personal data includes the value of the individual's projected income and the value of the individual's projected expenses. The difference between the projected expenses and the projected income is then calculated, and an annuity is purchased in substantially real time from among a plurality of annuities presented in an auction-style format, where the annuity provides a sum to offset the calculated difference.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and apparatus for retirement income planning. One embodiment of a method for defining an income stream for an individual includes allocating, in response to receiving lifestyle or personal preferences from the individual, equity belonging to the individual among one or more investments and defining a determinable income stream payable to the individual over the lifetime of the individual in accordance with the allocations of equity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and apparatus for retirement income planning. One embodiment of a method for planning an income stream includes receiving personal data relating to an individual, where the personal data includes the value of the individual's projected income and the value of the individual's projected expenses. The difference between the projected expenses and the projected income is then calculated, and an annuity is purchased in substantially real time from among a plurality of annuities presented in an auction-style format, where the annuity provides a sum to offset the calculated difference.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a graphical user interface for retirement income planning. One embodiment of a graphical user interface for guiding a user through the planning of an income stream includes one or more user input fields for receiving data from the user, where the data relates to user preferences regarding the income stream. Additionally, the graphical user interface includes at least one graph region for graphically displaying to the user the likelihood that the user will achieve a desired outcome based on the data provided to the user input fields. The graphical user interface thus assists the user in making informed decisions regarding his or her retirement goals and the necessary investments he or she must make in order to meet those goals.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing organic and inorganic contaminants from solid media such as drill cuttings, tank bottoms or contaminated soils. The process is conducted in at least one thermal screw conveyor which provides two or more separate temperature zones which can be operated as one or more of low temperature thermal desorption, high temperature thermal desorption and pyrolysis. Preferably the process is conducted in three interconnected thermal screw conveyors which each provide a separate temperature zone. The process is conducted such that the solid media in each of the temperature zones is held under a vacuum. Direct and indirect heating of the solid media in each of the temperature zones is provided. In the pyrolysis zone, an organic binder may be added to encapsulate inorganic contaminants such as metals.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for removing organic and inorganic contaminants from solid media such as drill cuttings, tank bottoms or contaminated soils. The process is conducted in at least one thermal screw conveyor which provides two or more separate temperature zones which can be operated as one or more of low temperature thermal desorption, high temperature thermal desorption and pyrolysis. Preferably the process is conducted in three interconnected thermal screw conveyors which each provide a separate temperature zone. The process is conducted such that the solid media in each of the temperature zones is held under a vacuum. Direct and indirect heating of the solid media in each of the temperature zones is provided. In the pyrolysis zone, an organic binder may be added to encapsulate inorganic contaminants such as metals.