Abstract: Implantable depots for delivering therapeutic agents and associated systems and methods are provided. In some embodiments, an implantable depot for treating pain in a subject after a surgical procedure includes a therapeutic region having a first polymer and an analgesic agent, a first control region including a second polymer, and a second control region including a third polymer. The first and second control regions can cover first and second surfaces of the therapeutic region to inhibit release of the analgesic agent therefrom. The depot can include one or more holes extending through the first and second control regions and the therapeutic region to form one or more exposed portions. When implanted in the subject, the implantable depot can release the analgesic agent from a lateral surface of the therapeutic region between the first and second surfaces, and from the exposed portions of the therapeutic region.

Abstract: A method for disposal of Mature Fine Tailings (MFT) from oilsands or other mining operations, comprising: i) providing MFT from a source of MFT; ii) adding a viscosity enhancer to the MFT to increase the viscosity of the MFT; iii) adding a hardening agent to the MFT to increase the strength of said MFT; iv) disposing of the MFT on open ground or underground. Prior to the viscosity enhancement step, the MFT may be thickened by vacuum evaporation, hydrocloning and/or centrifuging. Coarse Sand Tailings (CST) may be added to the MFT prior to disposal step to form a pumpable slurry.

Abstract: A method and system for dewatering tailings from oilsands or other mining operations using vacuum evaporation. The method comprises i) providing one or more vacuum chambers and means for delivering the tailings to the one or more vacuum chambers; ii) delivering the tailings to one or more vacuum chambers in sufficient volume to partially fill the one or more vacuum chambers; iii) reducing the pressure in each of the one or more vacuum chambers; iii) applying heat to the tailings before, and/or after and/or during such pressure reduction to thereby dewater the tailings; iv) measuring the density or moisture content of the dewatered tailings and withdrawing the tailings from the one or more vacuum chambers when a predetermined density or moisture content of the tailings in that vacuum chamber has been reached. A number of vacuum chambers in series can be used.

Abstract: A method and a device of constructing a side-opening cigarette package. The method comprises gathering cigarettes into a bundled charge. A flat shell (10) is propped open to facilitate insertion of the bundled cigarettes. The shell containing the cigarettes is rotated and placed in a desired orientation onto a blank. The blank is folded to form the side opening cigarette package.

Abstract: A method for restricting usage of a mobile communicator in a well defined area, the method comprising: monitoring protocol signals between the mobile communicator and a mobile communicator network, the mobile communicator in communication with the mobile communication network for MMS services; determining MMS capability of the mobile communicator, and contacting the mobile communicator network to disable access of the mobile communicator to an MMS server in communication with the mobile communicator network.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-language communication method, comprising: providing to each of the persons access to a plurality of language options; receiving from each of one or more of the persons an indication of a respective choice of language chosen by the respective person from the language options; storing the language choices in a database; and making the language choices accessible by one or more applications so that the applications can when operated selectively provide output to each respective person in the respective language choice.