Abstract: A rotary concrete mixing drum (16) includes an interior surface (74) at least partially provided by a polymer (90) impregnated with a slip agent.

Abstract: A concrete batch plant (1) includes a frame (2), a cement supply (3), an aggregate supply (4) and a transit mixer drum (6) having an open end and a closed end. The drum is pivotally coupled to the frame for movement between a first maintained position in which the open end is positioned to receive cement from the cement supply and to receive aggregate from the aggregate supply and a second maintained position in which the open end is positioned to discharge mixed cement and aggregate.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanocomposite material includes polymerizing a first monomer to form a first polymeric material. A second monomer is added to the first polymeric material and the second monomer is also polymerized to form a polymeric mixture of the first and second polymers, or a polymeric reactor material. The polymeric reactor material is compounded with a concentrate that includes a nanofiller material mixed in a wetting material, thereby forming the nanocomposite material.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes an active material in operative communication with a seat surface configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to change at least one feature of the seat surface.

Abstract: A method for forming a nanocomposite material includes introducing a nanofiller material having polar end groups into an extruder having a polymeric material therein. An unsaturated shielding material is introduced into the extruder. The unsaturated shielding material reacts with the polar end groups, thereby forming a shielded nanofiller material. The shielded nanofiller material is grafted to the polymeric material, thereby forming the nanocomposite material. The nanofiller material therein is substantially exfoliated, and the nanocomposite material exhibits enhanced physical properties.

Abstract: Disclosed are liquid nutritional compositions comprising: carbohydrate; lipid having from about 0.1% to about 20% of an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, or combinations thereof by weight of the composition; a protein matrix having from about 15% to about 50% of a whey protein fraction by weight of the total protein in the composition; and a limonene-containing material, cranberry oil, or combinations thereof. The compositions are preferably aseptically packaged, and provide enhanced oxidative stability, flavor, and aroma, especially when formulated with relative high polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations.

Abstract: Belt apparatus includes clip assemblies that releasably retain objects to the belt to convey the objects from a point of origination to a destination point. A feed system feeds the objects onto the belt apparatus at the point of origination and a deflector apparatus removes the objects from the belt at the destination point.

Abstract: Cell membranes containing glycolipid-enriched membrane (GEM) and non-glycolipid-enriched membrane (non-GEM) domains are targeted using fusion proteins that are anchored in the cell membrane. Fusion proteins to target GEM (or non-GEM) domains are comprised of a selected fluorescent polypeptide, a membrane-targeting sequence of p56Lck (or pp60c-Src for non-GEM domains) and a linker inserted between the polypeptide and the membrane targeting sequence. Localization of fusion proteins in GEM and non-GEM domains is assessed using techniques including confocal microscopy, fluorescence-based techniques, and membrane fractionation. Using these techniques, compounds are screened for their effect on GEM and non-GEM domains of live cells. These fusion proteins therefore represent useful tools for studying subcellular trafficking and the function of discrete compartments in the plasma membrane.

Abstract: A nanocomposite material includes at least one polymeric material and at least one modified nanofiller material having shielded polar groups, wherein the at least one polymeric material is compatible with the modified nanofiller without an external compatibilizing material. The nanocomposite material advantageously exhibits enhanced physical properties.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a vehicle mounted rotary concrete mixing drum of the type having an opening at one end for receiving and/or discharge of concrete therefrom and at the other end, means for engaging a drive assembly so as to rotate the drum for mixing or discharging concrete.

Abstract: A receiver includes a first oscillator supplying a reference frequency signal; a reference signal generator producing a first frequency conversion signal and a local calibration signal from the reference frequency signal; a first frequency converter responsive to the first frequency conversion signal to down-convert the received signal during normal receive operation and to down-convert the local calibration signal during calibration processing; a second frequency converter responsive to a second frequency conversion signal from a second oscillator to further down-convert the received signal and the local calibration signal; a demodulator that demodulates the received signal at a demodulation frequency; and a frequency error processor that determines a frequency error from the local calibration signal at the demodulation frequency, wherein the reference signal generator adjusts a frequency of the first frequency conversion signal used during normal receive operation in response to the frequency error to compe

Abstract: A method for making a nanocomposite material includes introducing a polymeric material and a nanofiller material into a conical twin-screw extruder. The extruder is adapted to impart substantially gentle shearing of the polymeric material and the nanofiller material, thereby forming the nanocomposite material. The nanofiller material is dispersible within the polymeric material substantially without the use of an external compatibilizing material. The use of the conical twin-screw extruder substantially eliminates the need to use an external compatibilizer to produce a nanocomposite material having enhanced properties (e.g. physical properties, mechanical properties, etc.).

Abstract: A composite electrolyte membrane is fabricated by applying a solution onto a surface of a substrate, then removing the solvent to form a layer of the composite electrolyte membrane. The substrate comprises an electrode; and the solution comprises an exfoliated, inorganic, sodium-based cation exchange material, an ionically conductive polymer-based material, and a solvent-dispersant.

Abstract: Belt apparatus includes clip assemblies that releasably retain objects to the belt to convey the objects from a point of origination to a destination point. A feed system feeds the objects onto the belt apparatus at the point of origination and a deflector apparatus removes the objects from the belt at the destination point.

Abstract: A method for the electrophoretic application of a polymeric coating to an object having an elongate portion on a continuous belt, comprising the steps of positioning the object to engage a retaining member, the retaining member engaging the continuous belt such that a retaining portion on the retaining member releasably retains the elongate portion of the object to the belt; conveying the continuous belt with a drive mechanism; and coating the object on the continuous belt.

Abstract: A system for coating an object having an elongate portion and a method of employing the same that includes at least one retaining member engaging a continuous belt, the retaining member including a retaining portion positioned to releasably retain the elongate portion of the object to the belt for coating the object.

Abstract: A method for use of a field dressing tool for eviscerating an animal in the field without breaking the pelvic bone of the animal providing has a handle portion having a first end and an opposing second end, a grasping loop having a first loop end and a second loop end. The first loop end is fixedly attached to the second end of the handle. The second loop end is a joining loop encircling the first loop end of the grasping loop, wherein the grasping loop is slipped under the pelvis of the animal and closed firmly around the anal vent and urinary tract of the animal. The field dressing tool is pulled in tandem with the entrails of the animal thereby eviscerating the animal.

Abstract: A method for making a nanocomposite material includes introducing a solution including a nanofiller material and a supercritical fluid into a molten polymeric material within an extruder. The supercritical fluid is caused to substantially instantaneously convert to a gas phase, thereby forming the nanocomposite material having the nanofiller material substantially homogeneously dispersed therein.

Abstract: Cell membranes containing glycolipid-enriched membrane (GEM) and non-glycolipid-enriched membrane (non-GEM) domains are targeted using fusion proteins that are anchored in the cell membrane. Fusion proteins to target GEM (or non-GEM) domains are comprised of a selected fluorescent polypeptide, a membrane-targeting sequence of p56Lck (or pp60c-Src for non-GEM domains) and a linker inserted between the polypeptide and the membrane targeting sequence. Localization of fusion proteins in GEM and non-GEM domains is assessed using techniques including confocal microscopy, fluorescence-based techniques, and membrane fractionation. Using these techniques, compounds are screened for their effect on GEM and non-GEM domains of live cells. These fusion proteins therefore represent useful tools for studying subcellular trafficking and the function of discrete compartments in the plasma membrane.

Abstract: A magnetorheological (MR) fluid includes a hydrocarbon carrier fluid. The MR fluid further includes magneto-responsive particles within the hydrocarbon carrier fluid, the particles having a size distribution with a maximum size less than about 100 microns. A clay-based suspending agent is disposed within the hydrocarbon carrier fluid. In an embodiment, the magneto-responsive particles may be ferromagnetic particles, and may be distributed in a suitable size distribution pattern, such as, for example, a bimodal distribution or the like.