Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for training boxers, combat sports participants or martial artists comprising a cylindrical housing insertable into a polymeric sleeve, the cylindrical housing comprising a plurality of sensors, a power supply, and other components including a display and induction power transfer unit. One or more software routines stored in a computer readable medium and accessible to the system shall comprise the method of converting the data from the accelerometers and other sensors to displayable data.

Abstract: Containers are provided that include a body structure having a top end that defines an opening, a sealed base end, and a sidewall structure extending between the top and base ends, in which the sidewall structure has an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface defining an interior space, and a protective coating that includes a diamond-like carbon on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall structure. Methods for enhancing the mechanical strength of containers are also provided.

Abstract: A cargo securing assembly includes a bracket is mountable to a cargo trailer. A rod is provided and the rod is rotatably coupled to the bracket. The rod has a slot therein and a cargo strap can be extended therethrough. The rod is rotatable in a first direction to wrap the cargo strap around the rod and a second direction to unwrap the cargo strap from the rod. A nut is coupled to the rod and the nut has a plurality of rectilinear apertures extending therethrough. A pole is provided that has a squared end which is insertable into a respective one of the apertures. Thus, the pole is inhibited from rotating in the respective aperture to inhibit a user from being injured by the pole rotating when the user is tightening the cargo strap.

Abstract: Methods of increasing the tolerance of a plant to an herbicide and seeds for carrying out these methods are provided herein. The methods include treating the seeds of the plant with an insecticide prior to planting. The insecticide treatment makes the resulting plant more resistant to herbicides and in particular to post-emergence herbicides as compared to untreated seeds. The plants suitably do not have complete natural or complete engineered resistance to the herbicide. The treated seeds are then planted in a field and the herbicide is applied to the field. The resulting plants growing from the treated seeds have increased tolerance to the herbicide as compared to plants grown from seeds not treated with the insecticide.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for producing silicone medical devices, in particular, silicone contact lenses, having consistent mechanical properties in a cost-effective manner. The invention is also related to a silicone medical device, especially a soft silicone contact lens.

Abstract: Beverages comprising rare sugars and sweetness enhancers are provided herein, wherein the sweetness enhancers are present at or below the sweetness recognition threshold concentration. Also provided are methods for improving the sweetness of a beverage comprising rare sugars by adding a sweetness enhancer in a concentration at or below its sweetness recognition threshold. Beverages comprising natural high potency sweeteners and rare sugars with sugar-like characteristics are also provided, wherein the natural high potency sweetener and rare sugars are present in particular weight ratios.

Abstract: The invention is related to azetidinium-containing copolymers and vinylic monomers and their uses in formation of non-silicone hydrogel coatings on silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: Containers are provided that include a body structure having a top end that defines an opening, a sealed base end, and a sidewall structure extending between the top and base ends, in which the sidewall structure has an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface defining an interior space, and a protective coating that includes a diamond-like carbon on at least a portion of the exterior surface of the sidewall structure. Methods for enhancing the mechanical strength of containers are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antimicrobial surface, in particular a surface functionalised with a peptide comprising an antimicrobial moiety. The invention comprises a surface functionalised with a peptide comprising an antimicrobial moiety and a binder moiety, wherein the peptide is immobilized on the surface by electrostatic interactions between the binder moiety and the surface. Further provided is a medical device, a peptide and a method for the immobilization of a peptide.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating structural integrity by predicting failure and corresponding consequences for different components in a respective structure using geospatial data for criteria related to the structure components and multiple weights assigned to each respective criterion. The integrity of the structure is maintained by inspecting, repairing and/or replacing one or more components in the structure based on the predicted structural failure and its corresponding consequence.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for producing silicone medical devices, in particular, silicone contact lenses, having consistent mechanical properties in a cost-effective manner. The invention is also related to a silicone medical device, especially a soft silicone contact lens.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for producing silicone medical devices, in particular, silicone contact lenses, having consistent mechanical properties in a cost-effective manner. The invention is also related to a silicone medical device, especially a soft silicone contact lens.

Abstract: The invention is related to azetidinium-containing copolymers and vinylic monomers and their uses in formation of non-silicone hydrogel coatings on silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: The invention is related to azetidinium-containing copolymers and vinylic monomers and their uses in formation of non-silicone hydrogel coatings on silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: A playing card wagering game has a player hand compete against a dealer hand according to rank or count of the player hand and dealer hand. At least one player places a first wager on the card wagering game and a second wager on at least one side bet event. The player hand and dealer hand are completed with playing cards. Relative rank or relative count of the player hand and dealer hand are determined. The first wager is resolved based upon the determined relative rank or relative count by determining if the dealer hand wins or the player hand wins, thereby also determining a losing hand. The second wager is resolved according to rules that comprise comparing rank or count of the losing hand to a pay table, preferably only the losing rank of either the player or dealer hand.

Abstract: The invention provide a class of water-processable polymerizable prepolymers which comprises (1) siloxane-containing monomeric units derived at least one siloxane containing monomer having one hydrophilic group or chain and/or polysiloxane-containing crosslinking units derived from at least one hydrophilized polysiloxane or chain-extended polysiloxane crosslinker; (2) hydrophilic monomeric units derived from one or more hydrophilic vinylic monomers; and (3) from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of polymerizable units each having a pendant or terminal, ethylenically-unsaturated group and free of any polysiloxane segment. The prepolymer comprises from about 20% to about 50% by weight of silicone relative to the total weight of the prepolymer and has a high water solubility or dispersibility of at least about 5% by weight in water and suitable for making silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Abstract: Beverages comprising rare sugars and sweetness enhancers are provided herein, wherein the sweetness enhancers are present at or below the sweetness recognition threshold concentration. Also provided are methods for improving the sweetness of a beverage comprising rare sugars by adding a sweetness enhancer in a concentration at or below its sweetness recognition threshold. Beverages comprising natural high potency sweeteners and rare sugars with sugar-like characteristics are also provided, wherein the natural high potency sweetener and rare sugars are present in particular weight ratios.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method for producing silicone medical devices, in particular, silicone contact lenses, having consistent mechanical properties in a cost-effective manner. The invention is also related to a silicone medical device, especially a soft silicone contact lens.

Abstract: Beverages comprising rare sugars and sweetness enhancers are provided herein, wherein the sweetness enhancers are present at or below the sweetness recognition threshold concentration. Also provided are methods for improving the sweetness of a beverage comprising rare sugars by adding a sweetness enhancer in a concentration at or below its sweetness recognition threshold. Beverages comprising natural high potency sweeteners and rare sugars with sugar-like characteristics are also provided, wherein the natural high potency sweetener and rare sugars are present in particular weight ratios.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antimicrobial surface, in particular a surface functionalised with a peptide comprising an antimicrobial moiety. The invention comprises a surface functionalised with a peptide comprising an antimicrobial moiety and a binder moiety, wherein the peptide is immobilized on the surface by electrostatic interactions between the binder moiety and the surface. Further provided is a medical device, a peptide and a method for the immobilization of a peptide.