Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for infusing a crystalline and/or porous solid with a desired fluid, particularly an antimicrobial agent, as well as infused crystalline and/or porous solids produced thereby. Solids which may be infused with an antimicrobial agent according to the invention include erythritol, table salt, table sugar, baking soda, calcium carbonate, acetic acid, ascorbic acid, and marshmallow.

Abstract: A disposable article adapted to receive bodily exudates which provides improved management of such bodily exudates by including an effective amount of one or more agents which act to modify the physical properties of feces or other bodily wastes which may be deposited in the article, or by including one or more compositions such as the aforesaid one or more agents which enhance the removability of bodily waste, such as feces, from the skin of the article's wearer.

Abstract: A disposable article adapted to receive bodily exudates which provides improved management of such bodily exudates by including an effective amount of one or more agents which act to modify the physical properties of feces or other bodily wastes which may be deposited in the article, or by including one or more compositions such as the aforesaid one or more agents which enhance the removability of bodily waste, such as feces, from the skin of the article's wearer.

Abstract: A disposable article adapted to receive bodily exudates which provides improved management of such bodily exudates by including an effective amount of one or more agents which act to modify the physical properties of feces or other bodily wastes which may be deposited in the article, or by including one or more compositions such as the aforesaid one or more agents which enhance the removability of bodily waste, such as feces, from the skin of the article's wearer.

Abstract: A filter block may comprise activated carbon filter particles without metallic biocides. The activated carbon filter particles may have a median particle size of less than or equal to about 90 microns and having a particle span of less than or equal to about 1.7. The filter block may have a permeability of greater than about 3.0×10?9 cm2 and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs. A portion of the activated carbon filter particles may be coated with a cationic polymer. Another filter block may comprise mesoporous activated carbon filter particles without metallic biocides, wherein the mesoporous activated carbon filter particles may have a median particle size of less than or equal to about 104 ?m and a particle span of less than or equal to about 2.05, and wherein at least a portion of the filter particles may be coated with a cationic polymer. The filter block may have a permeability of greater than about 2.0×10?9 cm2 and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs.

Abstract: This invention is directed to coated water-swellable materials, typically solid, particulate, water-swellable materials, i.e. materials that comprise hydrogel-forming polymers, whereof at least a part is coated with a coating, which substantially does not break when the polymers swell, as set out in the method herein. Said coating is present at a level of at least 1% by weight of the water-swellable material. The coating comprises preferably an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates products, e.g., disposable absorbent articles, comprising such coated water-swellable material.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for processing requests in a data processing system. While the principles of the invention are not limited to a particular domain, they are particularly suitable for use in an electronic trading system. By way of example of one aspect of the invention, a method for directing requests to at least one node in a system comprising multiple nodes and a plurality of requests comprises associating a number to each request, assigning at least one number to each node so as to balance a load across the nodes, and sending a request to a node based on the number associated to the request. Various other aspects are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods relate to allowing trading of over the counter (“OTC”) foreign exchange (“FX”) contracts on a centralized matching and clearing mechanism, such as that of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange's (“CME”'s) futures exchange system (the “Exchange”). The disclosed systems and methods allow for anonymous transactions, centralized clearing, efficient settlement and the provision of risk management/credit screening mechanisms to lower risk, reduce transaction costs and improve the liquidity in the FX market place. In particular, the disclosed embodiments increase speed of execution facilitating growing demand for algorithmic trading, increased price transparency, lower cost of trading, customer to customer trading, and automated asset allocations, recurring trades as well as clearing and settlement efficiencies.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods relate to allowing trading of over the counter (“OTC”) foreign exchange (“FX”) contracts on a centralized matching and clearing mechanism, such as that of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange's (“CME”'s) futures exchange system (the “Exchange”). The disclosed systems and methods allow for anonymous transactions, centralized clearing, efficient settlement and the provision of risk management/credit screening mechanisms to lower risk, reduce transaction costs and improve the liquidity in the FX market place. In particular, the disclosed embodiments increase speed of execution facilitating growing demand for algorithmic trading, increased price transparency, lower cost of trading, customer to customer trading, and automated asset allocations, recurring trades as well as clearing and settlement efficiencies.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a paddle lead comprises: a plurality of stimulating electrode contacts disposed, the plurality of stimulation electrode contacts being adapted to allow the stimulation paddle to flex transversely about a longitudinal axis; wherein the plurality of stimulation electrode contacts are arranged in at least first, second, and third rows that are disposed perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the paddle; the first and third rows respectively having multiple electrode contacts electrically coupled to different conductors of the lead to enable the multiple electrode contacts of the first and third rows to function in independent cathode states, anode states, or high-impedance states; the second row being disposed between the first and third rows, the second row having multiple electrode contacts each electrically coupled to a common conductor to cause the multiple electrode contacts of the second row to function in a common cathode state, anode state, or high-impedance state.

Abstract: A foam-generating kit contains a non-aerosol container with a foam-generating dispenser and a high surfactant microemulsion or protoemulsion composition having at least 20 wt % of a surfactant system and 0.5 wt % glycerol.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved absorbent structures containing improved water-swellable material that can significantly withstand deformation by an external pressure, thus showing improved liquid handling properties. In particular, this invention relates to absorbent structures comprising water-swellable material with an improved absorbent capacity/permeability balance. The water-swellable material is typically in the form of particles, which comprise a core of water-swellable polymer(s) and a shell of said elastomeric polymer(s), preferably selected polyetherpolyurethanes, whereby the water-swellable material is such that it can withstand deformation due to external pressure. The invention also relates to diapers, adult incontinence articles and sanitary napkins comprising said absorbent structure of the invention.

Abstract: An operating room connector is used in conjunction with a multiple electrode SCS system which can easily detach and connect to an external trial stimulator (ETS). By connecting the electrode SCS system to a stylet handle, and then locking the stylet handle within a slot of the connector platform, a user is able to minimize the required steps in connecting the ETS to the implanted SCS lead system. The ETS can then be used to readjust the position of the electrode array(s) previously implanted to deliver an optimal stimulation therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymerized hydrogels and processes to make such hydrogels, in particular hydrogel adhesives which are capable of attaching to mammalian skin and can be used in various personal care products, such as waste-management articles, and a variety of functional articles to be worn by a human. The hydrogels described herein are characterized by very low amount of residual starting monomers, impurities, and/or by-products that could be formed during polymerization. Specifically, the hydrogels are made by adding scavengers and/or chain transfer agent prior to polymerization. It has been found, that upon addition of same scavengers the material properties of the polymerized hydrogel differ from the properties of gels polymerized without the scavenger. This is due to the fact, that these specific scavengers act also as chain transfer agents in the radical polymerization.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient and novel maize transformation and regeneration system based on a novel split-seed explant. Mature maize seeds are split longitudinally to form a split-seed explant. The split-seed explant can then be used in transformations to introduce a gene of interest into the maize genome to produce novel maize lines having desired characteristics. The split-seed explant can also be used to generate calli and/or multiple shoots, and rooted plantlets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reprogramming plant development that allows flower buds and seeds to arise de novo, directly from a cotyledon or radicle explants or from shoots produced on a cotyledon or radicle. The present invention also provides for an improved culturing media that provide for in vitro flowering.

Abstract: A filter block having a permeability of greater than about 3.0*10?9 cm2, and a F-VLR of greater than about 99% is provided. The filter block may be made of filter particles having a median particle size of less than about 50 microns and having a particle span of about 1.4 or less. The filter blocks of the present invention can be used to make a filter for filtering liquids and more specifically, for providing potable water. The filter particles may be mesoporous. Kits comprising filters and information relating to the killing or removal of bacteria, viruses, and microbials are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrophilic synthetic nonwoven webs. At least a region of 1 cm by 1 cm comprised by the web of the invention comprises cross-linked hydrophilic polymers and has a retention capacity of less than 100 g of aqueous liquid per m2 of the nonwoven fibrous web. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for making such nonwoven webs. Furthermore, the invention also relates to absorbent articles comprising the nonwoven webs comprising cross-linked hydrophilic polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hydrogel adhesives for attachment to mammalian skin which exhibit particularly good compatibility with skin, in addition to excellent attachment and painless removal properties including in excess moisture conditions. Such adhesives comprise 20-60 wt % of a cross-linked hydrophilic polymer, 5-80 wt % of a water-soluble nonionic humectant, and 10-85 wt % water. The hydrophilic polymer comprises 1-50 mole % of one or more strong-acid monomers having a pKa below 3 and 50-99 mole % of one or more weak-acid monomers, having a pKa above 3, the strong-acid monomer being essentially in its salt form, and the weak-acid monomer being at least 50 mole % in its acid form, and at least 5 mole % in its salt form. The pH of the hydrogel adhesive is from 3 to 6, preferably from 3 to 5.5, most preferably 3.5 to 5.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for making surface treated absorbent gelling material by treating partially swollen absorbent gelling polymers, which have a specific water content with a treatment agent, such as a coating agent, and subsequently removing at least part of the water. The treatment agent thus typically forms a shell on the polymers or part thereof, which can extend when the polymers swell in water; thus, the treatment shell or coating does not rupture when the polymers swell in a liquid, e.g., water or saline water, the coating being extensible in wet state. The treatment agent comprises preferably an elastomeric polymeric material. The invention also relates to surface-treated absorbent gelling material obtainable by the process of the invention, and to products, e.g., disposable absorbent articles, comprising such material.