Abstract: A liquid absorbent structure is made by dry laying a fibrous web having incorporated therein a superabsorbent material, and applying an aqueous composite stabilizer to at least one surface of the web. The aqueous composite stabilizer imparts integrity to the resulting structure without substantially impairing the effectiveness of the superabsorbent material to absorb liquid while forming the absorbent structure without removing the water from aqueous composite stabilizer or drying out the absorbent structure. The absorbent composite absorbs the water from the aqueous composite stabilizer. The absorbent composite comprises about 70% by weight of a superabsorbent material.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus that includes: at least one module which operatively and selectively treats one or both of an original household hot water received from the household hot water line and water flowing through the module and treats cold water received from an original household cold water line that flows through; a process control unit whereby a user selects a desired treatment option for the water flowing through the apparatus to be dispensed to the user; one or more plumbing connections which operatively divert the original household hot and cold water flow to the user selected watertreatment module so as to dispense to the user the selected treated water; and one or more valves which operatively cooperate with the process control unit to direct the water flow within the apparatus so as to provide the user with the selected treated water.

Abstract: The invention relates to new quinoxaline derivative compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds, to processes for the preparation of said compounds and to the use of said compounds in the treatment of diseases, e.g. cancer.

Abstract: A system and method for determining an acquisition buffer size for use in processing signals, the method including determining a number of samples obtained for a predetermined number of line cycles based on digital signals received from an analog-to-digital converter (106), determining an integer number of line cycles needed for a predetermined target number of samples, and determining an acquisition buffer length based on the integer number of line cycles, as a length of time that can accommodate the determined integer number of line cycles while minimizing or avoiding partial line cycles. The method can further include determining whether the determined acquisition buffer length is within a threshold range, and when not within the threshold, continuing to store a previously determined acquisition buffer length instead of the determined acquisition buffer length. The method may be repeated to continually adjust the acquisition buffer length to minimize or avoid partial line cycles.

Abstract: A system for isolating each end of a cylindrical coil wall from a tensioned binding medium employed to retain the coil wall in an axially compacted state. The system includes a magazine for containing a supply of pliable inserts. A feeding mechanism advances inserts from the magazine and along a guide for successive delivery to a clamp. The clamp is operative to releasably hold an insert received from the guide. The clamp is shiftable to position the insert in a gap between the end of the coil wall and a path along which a binding medium is directed prior to being tensioned. When the binding medium is tensioned, the insert is pulled from the clamp into a protective position tightly sandwiched between the tensioned binding medium and the coil end.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for installing a software product using timestamp validation and system identification validation are disclosed. An example method to lock a software product in a software wrapper includes determining a unique hard drive serial number of a user device to which the software product is to be installed and generating a hash number of the unique hard drive serial number. The example method also includes determining a campaign identifier of the software product from a secure variable within the software product and generating a date-time code based on a current date and time. The method further includes assembling the date-time code and the campaign identifier into an unlock code, encrypting the unlock code using the hash number as a passphrase key to create an encrypted unlock code, and applying the encrypted unlock code to an end of a filename of an installer using a command line parameter.

Abstract: Methods of treating patients with dyskinesias, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a dual-action ?-opioid receptor antagonist/-?-opioid receptor agonists or prodrug thereof to a subject in need thereof, sufficient to mitigate the dyskinesia. Alternatively, a combination of both a ?-opioid receptor antagonist or prodrug thereof, and a ?-opioid receptor agonist or prodrug thereof can be administered, either together or separately.

Abstract: A drill pipe has a tubular body with a first end, a second end, an outer wall and an inner wall. A first connection end is connected to the first end of the tubular body and a second connection end is connected with the second end of the tubular body. The first connection end and the second connection end have an inner wall and an outer wall, the outer wall is substantially cylindrical in shape and the inner wall defines a central cavity. The first connection end and the second connection end are sized to allow for mating with a corresponding drill pipe. The outer wall of the tubular body is substantially cylindrical in shape. The inner wall of the tubular body defines a central cavity that is in fluid communication with the central cavity of the first connection end and the second connection end. The inner wall has at least one land and at least one groove. The at least one groove has at least one twist along the length of the tubular body.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for creating custom user interface (“UI”) controls. A networked computing service may determine that an action performed by a user of the service is likely to be repeated, based on previous actions performed by the user and/or other users, parameters of the action including characteristics of an item associated with the action, and other criteria. The networked computing service may generate, or recommend generation of, a custom UI control that automates performance of the action. The networked computing service may automatically determine parameters of the action, and may determine alternative parameters and/or alternative actions if the action cannot be performed using the determined parameters. Custom UI controls may be associated with various computing devices and/or other electronic devices, and categories of custom UI controls may be determined and displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming an ingot from a melt are disclosed. A system includes a crucible defining a cavity for receiving the melt, and a first and second barrier to inhibit movement of the melt. A first passageway and a second passageway are arranged to allow the melt located within an outer zone to move into and through a transition zone and into an inner zone. Conditioning members are placed in at least one of the zones and arranged to contact the melt to reduce the number of micro-voids in the melt.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting harmful substances within a consumable sample comprising: receiving a consumable sample at a first chamber of a test container; transforming the consumable sample into a homogenized sample upon processing of the consumable sample; delivering the homogenized sample to a second chamber of the test container, wherein the second chamber is configured to receive the homogenized sample comprises an outlet port; mixing the homogenized sample with a process reagent within the second chamber, thereby producing a dispersion; transmitting a volume of the dispersion to an analysis chamber, of the test container, configured to position a detection substrate proximal the port of the second chamber and comprising a detection window that enables detection of presence of the allergen; and detecting presence of the allergen within the consumable sample by way of an optical sensor configured to detect signals indicative of the allergen through the detection window.

Abstract: A self-centring compact coupler for lifting, jacking or pushing apart and positioning concrete elements via their reinforcement bars (rebar) having an adjusting coupler member screwed on a threaded post attached to one rebar to apply a lifting or pushing force against a non-adjustable seating stud with an integral seating head and centring protrusion fixed to a corresponding and opposite rebar. An enclosing coupler member is screwed on the adjusting coupler member to enclose and lock the seating head and couple the rebar. The unitary configuration of the seating stud and seating head reduces the number of parts. The centring facility negates need of large internal tolerances to accommodate rebar misalignment, thus substantially ensuring co axial transfer of force from the coupler to the rebar. The coupler is used to incrementally vary and accurately adjust the relative positions of the concrete elements to one another in the building process.

Abstract: Techniques for secure mobile payment are provided. A credit or gift card is registered for additional security, such that a secure identifier or personal identification number (PIN) is required for use of the credit or gift card. Registration is not required or even known by the third-party payment service associated with the card. Subsequently, when a consumer attempts to use the card and before payment instructions are sent to the corresponding third-party payment service, the secure identifier or PIN is requested and verified. If properly verified, the payment instructions are forwarded for processing by the third-party payment service.

Abstract: A process for the application of a predetermined amount of oil to food pieces comprises: (a) providing or receiving a plurality of cut or shaped food pieces; (b) applying an oil-water emulsion to the food pieces for a time sufficient to provide a predetermined amount of oil to the food pieces and so that the food pieces have an initial moisture level after applying the oil-water emulsion; and (c) reducing the initial moisture level, in the absence of frying in oil, to a moisture level of from about 0.2 to about 80% by weight to provide a cooked food product, comprising said predetermined amount of oil, wherein step (c) does not comprises frying the food pieces in hot oil.

Abstract: A suspensory fixation device has an elongated anchor member adapted to be transversely situated at the exit of a bone tunnel. A graft supporting loop member formed of a pair of parallel suture limbs extending from a bight portion is suspended transversely from the anchor member and has a loop length which is adjustable so the graft ligament can be supported in the bone tunnel at varying distances from the anchor member. When a graft ligament is attached to the saddle end of the loop member, the length may be shortened by pulling distally on the pair of limbs to pull the graft ligament into the bone tunnel. When tension is applied to the loop member by the graft pulling the loop proximally, the bight portion of the suture automatically locks the graft supporting loop member in place.

Abstract: Embodiments in the present description are provided for a Bi-pod rescue strut system for use in stabilizing a vehicle or other object. The Bi-pod rescue strut system includes stabilizing feet and support legs. Each of the stabilizing feet is pivotally connected to an end of each support leg so that the stabilizing feet rotate around the support legs. The Bi-pod rescue strut system further includes a yoke disposed at an end of the support legs. The yoke permits the support legs to extend and retract towards or away from the other support leg. The yoke connecting to a telescoping strut extension. The telescopic strut extension extending and coming into contact with vehicle or other object, stabilizing the vehicle or other object.

Abstract: An finally mountable intelligent tire pressure management system (iTPMS) capable of real-time tire pressure monitoring, vehicle load detection, and automatic tire inflation and deflation for maintaining optimal tire pressure in a commercial vehicle. Additional functions include counting tire rotations for calculating and recording distance travelled for each tire, and detecting wheel sliding due to locked-up tires. The system includes a chassis-mounted control box connecting to the vehicle air supply, an external hubcap cover-mounted dual wheel valve apparatus integrated with a rotary union assembly that connects through the external bracket mounting structure holding the air tubes to the control box. The inflation/deflation supporting dual wheel valve apparatus has an embedded electronic unit that monitors individual tire pressure and temperature in real time, and communicates with the control box over the power and data line.

Abstract: A method for conditioning a welded vehicle body assembly is provided. The method includes welding the vehicle body member to at least one additional vehicle body member together to form the welded vehicle body assembly, the welded vehicle body assembly includes a weld area; and laser annealing a weld heat affected zone adjacent to the weld area to soften material in the weld heat affected zone.

Abstract: Methods for preventing feedlot bovine respiratory diseases employing an anti-inflammatory drug rupatadine are disclosed. Compositions are further disclosed. Beneficially, the methods and compositions provide safe and cost-effective management of a costly disease.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to associate audience members with over-the-top device media impressions. An example audience measurement apparatus includes an impression monitoring system to monitor and log media impressions based on impression requests received via network communications from over the top devices. A linkage database system is to implement the impression monitoring system. A processor in circuit with the impression monitoring system is to: generate Internet protocol (IP) address-to-cookie mappings; associate household identifiers of households with ones of the IP address-to-cookie mappings; and associate ones of the household identifiers to the logged media impressions based on IP addresses associated with the media impressions and based on the household identifiers associated with the ones of the IP address-to-cookie mappings.