Abstract: A mild surfactant composition for use in personal care and/or detergent compositions. The composition comprises a surfactant which is mild and/or non-irritating to skin. The mild surfactant is the reaction product of (a) an epoxidised carboxylic acid ester; and (b) a compound including at least one reactive alcohol and/or amino functional group. The components (a) and (b) are suitably obtained from renewable sources. A use of such surfactants in mild surfactant compositions is also provided.

Abstract: A dispersion comprising a solid particulate component such as a pigment, a dispersing agent and one or more solvents is disclosed. The dispersing agent comprises a reaction product of (a) an epoxidised carboxylic acid ester; (b) a compound including at least one reactive alcohol and/or amino functional group; and (c) a derivatising agent. Such a dispersion shows excellent long-term stability. A method of producing such a dispersion having long-term stability, and a use of the dispersing agent to provide a dispersion having long-term stability are also described.

Abstract: Headless compression screws are described. The headless compression screws include first and second ends coupled by a shaft, a first threaded portion positioned proximate the first end that surrounds the shaft and includes s first threads spaced apart from one another at a constant pitch, and a second threaded portion proximate the second end that surrounds the shaft and includes second threads. The second threads are spaced apart from one another at a variable pitch, such that distances between adjacent threads of the second threaded portion decrease as distance from the second end decreases. Methods of reducing a fracture using headless compression screws are also described.

Abstract: Implementations described herein include headless compression screws and corresponding systems. The headless compression screw has a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis from an insertion end to a driving end. The shaft includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from proximate the insertion end to a first intermediate point and includes a first thread extending along at least a portion thereof that has a constant pitch. The second portion extends from proximate the driving end to a second intermediate point and includes a thread extending along at least a portion thereof that has a variable pitch that decreases from a first value proximate the second intermediate point to a second value proximate the driving end. Methods of reducing a fracture using headless compression screws are also described.

Abstract: An aerodynamic resistance reduction system for a vehicle is provided and includes a pair of vertical panels pivotally attached to a rear end adjacent to rear vertical edges of a vehicle, a first horizontal panel assembly pivotally attached to a top end to each of the pair of vertical panels and pivotally attached to the rear end adjacent to a top horizontal edge of the vehicle, and a second horizontal panel assembly pivotally attached adjacent to an inside surface of each of the pair of side panels, the second horizontal panel assembly being disposed between the first horizontal panel assembly and a lower edge of the rear end of the vehicle.

Abstract: An aerodynamic resistance reduction system for a vehicle is provided and includes a pair of vertical panels pivotally attached to a rear end adjacent to rear vertical edges of a vehicle, a first horizontal panel assembly pivotally attached to a top end to each of the pair of vertical panels and pivotally attached to the rear end adjacent to a top horizontal edge of the vehicle, and a second horizontal panel assembly pivotally attached adjacent to an inside surface of each of the pair of side panels, the second horizontal panel assembly being disposed between the first horizontal panel assembly and a lower edge of the rear end of the vehicle.

Abstract: Headless compression screws are described. The headless compression screws include first and second ends coupled by a shaft, a first threaded portion positioned proximate the first end that surrounds the shaft and includes s first threads spaced apart from one another at a constant pitch, and a second threaded portion proximate the second end that surrounds the shaft and includes second threads. The second threads are spaced apart from one another at a variable pitch, such that distances between adjacent threads of the second threaded portion decrease as distance from the second end decreases. Methods of reducing a fracture using headless compression screws are also described.

Abstract: Implementations described herein include headless compression screws and corresponding systems. The headless compression screw has a shaft extending along a longitudinal axis from an insertion end to a driving end. The shaft includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from proximate the insertion end to a first intermediate point and includes a first thread extending along at least a portion thereof that has a constant pitch. The second portion extends from proximate the driving end to a second intermediate point and includes a thread extending along at least a portion thereof that has a variable pitch that decreases from a first value proximate the second intermediate point to a second value proximate the driving end. Methods of reducing a fracture using headless compression screws are also described.

Abstract: An aerodynamic resistance reduction system for a vehicle is provided and includes a pair of vertical panels pivotally attached to a rear end adjacent to rear vertical edges of a vehicle, a first horizontal panel assembly pivotally attached to a top end to each of the pair of vertical panels and pivotally attached to the rear end adjacent to a top horizontal edge of the vehicle, and a second horizontal panel assembly pivotally attached adjacent to an inside surface of each of the pair of side panels, the second horizontal panel assembly being disposed between the first horizontal panel assembly and a lower edge of the rear end of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method aerodynamic fairings including a gap fairing. The gap fairing includes multiple panels. The multiple panels are interconnected utilizing connectors to form a half conical shape extending from a front portion of a trailer. The gap fairing also includes supports connected to the multiple panels through support structure of the trailer.

Abstract: An aerodynamic resistance reduction system for a vehicle is provided and includes a pair of vertical panels pivotally attached to a rear end adjacent to rear vertical edges of a vehicle, a first horizontal panel assembly pivotally attached to a top end to each of the pair of vertical panels and pivotally attached to the rear end adjacent to a top horizontal edge of the vehicle, and a second horizontal panel assembly pivotally attached adjacent to an inside surface of each of the pair of side panels, the second horizontal panel assembly being disposed between the first horizontal panel assembly and a lower edge of the rear end of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for aerodynamic fairings including an undercarriage fairing. The undercarriage fairing includes multiple panels including at least two front panels and at least two rear panels. The at least two front panels are connected in a front portion under the trailer. The at least two rear panels are positioned in front of a wheel undercarriage at sides of the trailer. One of the at least two front panels and one of the at least two rear panels are interconnected on both sides of the trailer. The undercarriage fairing further includes supports connected to the frame of the trailer. The supports are connected to the at least two rear panels.

Abstract: A system and method aerodynamic fairings including a gap fairing. The gap fairing includes multiple panels. The multiple panels are interconnected utilizing connectors to form a half conical shape extending from a front portion of a trailer. The gap fairing also includes supports connected to the multiple panels through support structure of the trailer.

Abstract: A system and method aerodynamic fairings including a gap fairing. The gap fairing includes multiple panels. The multiple panels are interconnected utilizing connectors to form a half conical shape extending from a front portion of a trailer. The gap fairing also includes supports connected to the multiple panels through support structure of the trailer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streamlined purchasing are described herein. The method may include receiving application to finance an item, approving the application and providing a financial document to the customer which requires no further interaction between the customer and the lending institution. The method may alternately include receiving a pre-approved financial instrument from a merchant, and processing the instrument, where the instrument was presented to the merchant by a customer and executed at the time of purchase without further interaction between the customer and the lending institution.

Abstract: A method and imaging system for operating imaging computed tomography using a radiation source and a plurality of detectors to generate an image of an object. The method includes: defining a desired image characteristics; and performing calculations to determine the pattern of fluence to be applied by the radiation source, to generate said desired image quality or characteristics. Then, the radiation source is modulated, to generate the intended pattern of fluence between the beam source and the object to be imaged. The desired image characteristics can comprise at least one of desired levels of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and may provide at least one of: desired image quality in at least one defined region of interest; and at least one desired distribution of said image quality.

Abstract: A method and imaging system for operating imaging computed tomography using a radiation source and a plurality of detectors to generate an image of an object. The method includes: defining a desired image characteristics; and performing calculations to determine the pattern of fluence to be applied by the radiation source, to generate said desired image quality or characteristics. Then, the radiation source is modulated, to generate the intended pattern of fluence between the beam source and the object to be imaged. The desired image characteristics can comprise at least one of desired levels of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and may provide at least one of: desired image quality in at least one defined region of interest; and at least one desired distribution of said image quality.

Abstract: A device for reducing vehicle aerodynamic resistance for vehicles having a generally rectangular body disposed above rear wheels, comprising a plurality of flexible opposing flat sheets and a plurality flexible load bearing struts attached to the bottom of the rectangular body, that bend to resist damage when struck by the ground, and guide airflow around the rear wheels of the vehicle to reduce its aerodynamic resistance when moving.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and imaging system for operating imaging computed tomography using a radiation source and a plurality of detectors to generate an image of an object. The method includes: defining a desired image characteristics; and performing calculations to determine the pattern of fluence to be applied by the radiation source, to generate said desired image quality or characteristics. Then, the radiation source is modulated, to generate the intended pattern of fluence between the beam source and the object to be imaged. The desired image characteristics can comprise at least one of desired levels of contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and may provide at least one of: desired image quality in at least one defined region of interest; and at least one desired distribution of said image quality.

Abstract: A device for reducing vehicle aerodynamic resistance for vehicles having a generally rectangular body disposed above rear wheels, comprising a plurality of load bearing struts attached to the bottom of the rectangular body adjacent its sides, a plurality of opposing flat sheets attached to the load bearing struts, and angled flaps attached to the lower edge of the opposing sheets defining an obtuse angle with the opposing flat sheets extending inwardly with respect to the sides of the rectangular body to a predetermined height above the ground, which, stiffen the opposing flat sheets, bend to resist damage when struck by the ground, and guide airflow around the rear wheels of the vehicle to reduce its aerodynamic resistance when moving.