Abstract: Luggage cases have been provided with expandable sections that permit the luggage case to accommodate varying amounts of the traveler's goods. These systems have included a flaccid textile gusset section, normally closed and surrounded by a zipper. The zipper can be opened fully to permit this gusset to expand. Elastically controlled gussets have also been proposed. The instant invention provides a neat, tailored accordion gusset 4 with crisscrossing elastic ribbons 22 attached to opposite rigid wire frames 8 and 10 of the expandable gusset 4, as well as a tensioned bungee cord 20 attached to the innermost edge of the center seam 26 of the expansion gusset 4. These elastic members 22 are enclosed and sealed from view by the outermost wall 6 of the luggage case 2 and an inner wall 14 defined by an elastic textile such as Spandex or the like.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for patterning sacrificial materials are provided.

Abstract: An iterative drilling simulation method and system for enhanced economic decision making includes obtaining characteristics of a rock column in a formation to be drilled, specifying characteristics of at least one drilling rig system; and iteratively simulating the drilling of a well bore in the formation. The method and system further produce an economic evaluation factor for each iteration of drilling simulation. Each iteration of drilling simulation is a function of the rock column and the characteristics of the at least one drilling rig system according to a prescribed drilling simulation model.

Abstract: A razor head has blade members with straight front cutting edges which are mutually parallel and lie in a cutting plane. Imaginary median surfaces of the blade members are continuously curved in the same sense away from the cutting plane, from the cutting edges toward the rear edges. The handle has a pair of fork arms, the distal ends of which are connected to the head at positions adjacent the respective ends of the head. Each fork arm has a groove allowing pivoting of the distal end about a pivot axis parallel to the head axis, the grooves being mutually aligned on the same side of the forked end portion of the handle. Each groove is filled with a resiliently deformable material which is deformed when a pivoting force is applied to the razor head during shaving and which restores the razor head to a normal position when the force is removed. The head has undercut apertures in rear abutment surfaces, and the distal ends of the fork arms have detent elements projecting forwardly from font abutment surfaces.

Abstract: A system and method to analyze a proposed venture transaction. The analysis comprises any one of a merger, acquisition, joint venture, or other venture transaction. The analysis further comprises predicting information technology capabilities of an entity formed according to the proposed venture transaction.

Abstract: An improved process for making stabilized polyalkenyl sulfonic acids, whereby the product resulting from the reaction between a polyalkene and sulfur trioxide is stabilized by neutralizing with a neutralizing agent prior to storage or further processing. Neutralization at this point in the process results in polyalkenyl sulfonic acid that is stable and has a decreased amount of sultones.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant iron-aluminum intermetallic alloy layer coating for steel includes at least a 1 micron thick layer of iron-aluminum intermetallic. An iron-aluminum intermetallic layer is formed by displacing an iron-zinc layer by exposing the iron-zinc layer to a bath containing greater than 10 to 12 total weight percent aluminum, 0.5 to 7 total weight percent magnesium, and the remainder of the bath being zinc with inevitable impurities with the proviso that the bath is substantially devoid of mischmetal or a rare earth metal constituent thereof.

Abstract: A cell (1), and a transmission network formed from a plurality thereof, for communicating information at directional radio frequencies. the cell includes a first transmitter (2) for transmitting radio frequency information in a first direction (4) to define a first reception footprint (6) substantially within the cell (1). The cell (1) also includes a second transmitter (10) for transmitting radio frequency information in a second direction (12) substantially opposed to the first direction to define a second reception footprint (13) substantially overlapping the first reception footprint (6). The first and second transmitters are disposed at or adjacent a periphery (8) of the cell (1) at positions substantially opposed to each other.

Abstract: An implantable lead for electrical stimulation of tissue has wire-like extendable members whose tips curl back upon themselves in open tissue spaces to form 2- or 3-dimensional electrodes. The electrodes may be positioned axially or in other directions from the lead body. Traction on the lead body or extendable members allows easy withdrawal as the member tip electrodes uncurl, allowing removal without major surgery. This apparatus and method is useful for minimally invasive insertion of electrodes or electrode arrays, especially through a narrow body lumen or Tuohy needle, providing therapeutic stimulation of nervous tissue, muscle or organs.

Abstract: A planning support system and method implemented in a computer system having a core control bridge communicating between a database and a user interface. The core control bridge receives user inputs from the user interface in accordance with criteria specified by a pre-existing planning model stored in the database. The information from the user inputs is processed in accordance with the criteria of the pre-existing planning model. Export file formats are generated for exporting information, the information being determined by interaction between the user inputs and the criteria of the pre-existing planning model. The resulting information is then exported into commercially available word processing, graphics, and presentation software, or customized software applications as determined by a client. The system and method can be adapted to any customized or commercial export file format, and well as exports to computers with different operating systems.

Abstract: An implantable lead for electrical stimulation of tissue has wire-like extendable members whose tips curl back upon themselves in open tissue spaces to form 2- or 3-dimensional electrodes. The electrodes may be positioned axially or in other directions from the lead body. Traction on the lead body or extendable members allows easy withdrawal as the member tip electrodes uncurl, allowing removal without major surgery. This apparatus and method is useful for minimally invasive insertion of electrodes or electrode arrays, especially through a narrow body lumen or Tuohy needle, providing therapeutic stimulation of nervous tissue, muscle or organs.

Abstract: An antibacterial composition comprising: (a) a first component including at least one gram positive bacteristatic or bactericidal compound selected from the group consisting of: antibiotics, pediocin, and lacticin class bacteriocins, and lytic enzymes; and (b) a second component including at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hops acids, or hops acid derivatives, hops resin; and hops resin derivatives; and the method of applying said composition to the surfaces of solid food.

Abstract: An implantable lead for electrical stimulation of tissue has wire-like extendable members whose tips curl back upon themselves in open tissue spaces to form 2- or 3-dimensional electrodes. The electrodes may be positioned axially or in other directions from the lead body. Traction on the lead body or extendable members allows easy withdrawal as the member tip electrodes uncurl, allowing removal without major surgery. This apparatus and method is useful for minimally invasive insertion of electrodes or electrode arrays, especially through a narrow body lumen or Tuohy needle, providing therapeutic stimulation of nervous tissue, muscle or organs.

Abstract: An aquarium photo display device and method for displaying one or more photographs in connection with an aquarium. The aquarium photo display device includes a static cling attachable sea-life decorated plastic background sheet having a transparent photo receiving pocket within which a photo is removably insertable. The photo display method includes the steps of a) providing an aquarium photo display device; b) inserting a photo into the transparent photo receiving pocket of the aquarium photo display device; and c) placing the static cling attachable sea-life decorated plastic background sheet against the back glass of the aquarium with the photo facing into the aquarium.

Abstract: An antibacterial composition comprising: (a) a first component including at least one gram positive bacteristatic or bactericidal compound selected from the group consisting of: antibiotics, pediocin, and lacticin class bacteriocins, and lytic enzymes; and (b) a second component including at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hops acids, or hops acid derivatives, hops resin; and hops resin derivatives; and the method of applying said composition to the surfaces of solid food.

Abstract: A wound metalized film and metal foil capacitor with layers arranged and wound to provide internal parallel capacitors utilizing offsets between the internal spacings, or margins, of the metal electrodes. The arrangement permits more efficient heat transfer from the interior of the capacitor by the metal electrodes from internal regions that generate heat.

Abstract: An antibacterial composition of matter comprising: (a) one or more hops acid or hops acid derivatives or hops resin or hops resin derivatives; and (b) one or more food grade surfactants, surface active agents, chelating agents, antioxidants, and/or organic acids is provided.

Abstract: An implantable lead is provided with at least one extendable member to position therapy delivery elements, which may be electrodes or drug delivery ports, after the lead has been inserted into the body. The lead may formed as a resilient element which is contained in a retainer tube that may be removed to permit the lead to deploy. Alternatively, a non-resilient lead may be provided with a slotted retainer tube. A series of mechanical linkages for expanding and retracting the lead within the human body may be actuated with various mechanisms. A control system may be provided for closed-loop feedback control of the position of the extendable members. The invention also includes a method for expanding an implantable lead in situ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA sequences, probes and primers specific to the Y chromosome of Equus caballus. The present invention also relates to methods of determining the sex of a horse, a equine fetus, and equine embryo or equine cells. The present invention further relates to a method for the isolation of Y-chromosomal DNA sequences.

Abstract: An antibacterial composition comprising: (a) a first component including at least one gram positive bacteristatic or bactericidal compound selected from the group consisting of lantibiotics, pediocin, and lacticin class bacteriocins, and lytic enzymes; and (b) a second component including at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hops acids and hops acid derivatives, and the method of applying said composition to the surfaces of solid food.