Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing data governance as data flows within and between networks, comprising: using a global computing device, retrieving data stored in a plurality of local ledgers and written by a plurality of local computing devices, wherein validity of the data stored in the plurality of local ledgers has not been verified prior to writing; using the global computing device, determining that the plurality of local ledgers is cryptographically consistent and, in response to the determination, updating a global ledger with the data stored in the plurality of local ledgers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing data governance as data flows within and between networks, comprising: using a global computing device, retrieving data stored in a plurality of local ledgers and written by a plurality of local computing devices, wherein validity of the data stored in the plurality of local ledgers has not been verified prior to writing; using the global computing device, determining that the plurality of local ledgers is cryptographically consistent and, in response to the determination, updating a global ledger with the data stored in the plurality of local ledgers.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of providing data governance as data flows within and between networks, comprising: accessing, by a second gateway computing device, data stored in a plurality of hash chains in a hierarchy of digital ledgers and written by a plurality of first gateway computing devices, wherein validity of the data stored in the plurality of hash chains has not been verified prior to writing; detecting, by the second gateway computing device, consensus of the data stored in the plurality of hash chains by comparing each of the plurality of hash chains to all other hash chains of the plurality of hash chains to determine whether the hash chains are cryptographically consistent; in response to detecting consensus of the data stored in the hash chains, updating, by the second gateway computing device, stored blockchain data using the data stored in the plurality of hash chains.

Abstract: A device and method for treating female urinary incontinence is provided. A device in accordance with the invention includes a sheath having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a lumen extending therebetween. A distal member is elastically hinged to the distal portion of the sheath. A flow control valve unit is disposed within a lumen of the sheath. The distal member may be urged into axial alignment with the sheath, and the device may be inserted into a female urethra. Once the device is inserted sufficiently distally into the female urethra, the distal member will return to a position which is not in axial alignment with the sheath.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for cancelling out downward directed tension forces generated on an object on a vehicle seat. In active, door-mounted seat belt systems, the belt tension force cancellation system includes a simulator that is operable to transfer upward forces on a door-mounted, lower anchor to the vehicle seat without requiring a permanent anchor point for the seat belt in the vehicle compartment. The simulator can either automatically transfer the forces upon securing the belt about the object, or be selectively operable.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for cancelling out downward directed tension forces generated on an object on a vehicle seat. In active, door-mounted seat belt systems, the belt tension force cancellation system includes a simulator that is operable to transfer upward forces on a door-mounted, lower anchor to the vehicle seat without requiring a permanent anchor point for the seat belt in the vehicle compartment. The simulator can either automatically transfer the forces upon securing the belt about the object, or be selectively operable.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of flexible polymeric foam by reacting a polyisocyanate component with an isocyanate-reactive component comprising at least 50% by weight of water, the polyisocyanate component comprising at least two polyisocyanate compositions, one of them being a low NCO isocyanate terminated prepolymer and the second being a high NCO polyisocyanate.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of flexible polymeric foam by reacting a polyisocyanate component with an isocyanate-reactive component comprising at least 50% by weight of water, the polyisocyanate component comprising at least two polyisocyanate compositions, one of them being a low NCO isocyanate terminated prepolymer and the second being a high NCO polyisocyanate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid isocyanate-containing prepolymer composition having an average isocyanate functionality greater than 2 and an NCO content of from 2 to 15% by weight, as obtainable by reacting an isocyanate reactive polymer having an average nominal functionality of from 2 to 6 with a stoichiometric excess of a diphenylmethane diisocyanate composition containing at least 2% by weight of 2,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and having an average isocyanate functionality in the range from 2 to 2.3. The invention also relates to a method for preparing a polyurethane foam, which comprises reacting such a prepolymer composition with water.

Abstract: Substantially water blown flexible polyurethane foams, based on methylene diphenyl isocyanates, having a density ranging from 15-45 kg/m.sup.3. Such foams may be obtained through a process substantially avoiding halocarbon blowing agents, which comprises reacting methylene diphenyl isocyanates with water and one or more isocyanate-reactive compounds selected from polyols and polyamines with a functionality of 2-4 and an average equivalent weight ranging from 750-5000, while the isocyanate index ranges from 10 to 60, and weight ratio of the isocyanate-reactive compound(s) to water is less than 20.

Abstract: Flexible polyurethane foam based on methylene diphenyl isocyanates and isocyanate-reactive compounds selected from polyols and polyamines, for which the ratio of the density expressed in kg/m.sup.3 to the compression hardness at 40% compression, expressed in kPa, has a value of at least 20.Such foams may be obtained through a process which comprises reacting methylene diphenyl isocyanates with one or more isocyanate-reactive compounds selected from polyols and polyamines with a functionality of 2-4 and an average equivalent weight ranging from 750-5000 and from 0 to 5 parts by weight of water per 100 parts of polyols and/or polyamine, optionally together with additives conventional in the art, and optionally together with blowing agents other than water, whereas the isocyanate index ranges from 10 to 60.

Abstract: Substantially water blown flexible polyurethane foams, based on methylene diphenyl isocyanates, having a density ranging from 15-45 kg/m.sup.3.Such foams may be obtained through a process substantially avoiding halocarbon blowing agents, which comprises reacting methylene diphenyl isocyanates with water and one or more isocyanate-reactive compounds selected from polyols and polyamines with a functionality of 2-4 and an average equivalent weight ranging from 750-5000, while the isocyanate index ranges from 10 to 60, and weight ratio of the isocyanate-reactive compound(s) to water is less than 20.