Abstract: In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes (1) receiving input indicating an objective for a user; (2) receiving input indicating a characteristic of the user; (3) determining an exercise regimen designed to cause the user having the inputted characteristic to achieve the objective when the exercise regimen is followed; and (4) determining a video game in which successful play of the video game requires performing the exercise regimen. The video game includes a game system adapted to monitor the user and to influence game play based upon the user performing the exercise regimen. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A secondary pivot adapted to interrupt the periodic motion of a trapeze so as to cause the trapeze performer to experience rotational acceleration is disclosed. The term “secondary pivot” is defined to mean a selectively engageable pivot interposed at preselected intermediate positions along the respective lengths of the suspension lines of the trapeze between their points of suspension and the trapeze bar. A compound trapeze which includes a secondary pivot is also disclosed. Methods which include a step of restraining the periodic motion of a trapeze so as to cause the trapeze performer to experience rotational acceleration are also disclosed.

Abstract: A swimming or wading pool has an enclosed area for playing games such as volleyball and basketball, so that the enclosed pool serves as a game court.

Abstract: A wheelchair is provided with an exercise mechanism which allows the user to perform exercises as desired. The user is able to exercise by extending his or her torso either independently of his legs or combined with exercising his legs.

Abstract: A portable therapeutic seat exercise apparatus and method that provide a lightweight personal exerciser designed for a person to use to improve physical status, and for the exercise, alignment, and stress reduction of a person's trunk, spine, abdomen, pelvis, and thighs. It encourages and enhances low back mobility in contrast to the static nature of regular sitting. It consists of a lightweight contoured seating surface supported by at least one arcuate hemispherical base that allows unrestricted motion in all directions, including twisting, tilting, and rocking. It can be placed on many seating surfaces including but not limited to sofas, dining chairs, school desk chairs, office chairs, factory benches, and motor vehicle seats. Its use facilitates low back muscular stabilization, conditioning, strengthening, coordination, and enhancement of proprioceptive senses.

Abstract: A tool for fitting a bicycle to a cyclist includes first and second stirrup elements, a handle, and attachment elements attaching the first and second stirrup elements to each other and to the handle. The cyclist may be positioned with the cyclist's back against a substantially flat surface and one leg extended away from the substantially flat surface and the foot of that leg engaging the first stirrup element and with the other leg bent and the foot of that leg engaging the second stirrup element. The cyclist may grasp the handle and pull the first stirrup element towards the cyclist's head to a position in which the cyclist's lumbo/sacral spine area moves away from the substantially flat surface.

Abstract: A differential motion machine for closely simulating natural human motion is provided. A user mountable carriage is designed to slide freely, in the fore and aft directions. The carriage contains a power transfer element, such as pedals, arm levers or the like, which convert the user's motions into a means for propelling the carriage relative to a dynamic element. A dynamic element generally consists of an endless belt or the like driven by a motor or by a slight incline to a base frame which engages the power transfer element. Additionally, a force element causes a force against the carriage preferable relative to the dynamic element. This force to the carriage simulates the drag and other resistances encountered in nature.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching and strengthening muscles from a standing or seated position with a support member having a top end and a bottom end, the top end providing a location for grasping, the bottom end providing a base surface for force distribution and support. A preferred embodiment includes the support member which is adjustable in length such that the distance between the top end and the bottom end is adjustable. A preferred embodiment includes a way for fixedly securing the adjustable support member at desired lengths.

Abstract: A variably configured exercise device is provided. The exercise device can include a vertical support member having a longitudinal axis, a sliding member configured to move along the vertical support member in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, a pair of rails each having first and second end portions. The first end portion of each rail can be pivotally connected to the sliding member on the vertical support member. The exercise device can further include an actuation mechanism coupled to the sliding member where the actuation mechanism can be configured to selectively adjust the position of the sliding member relative to the vertical support member.

Abstract: A strength and conditioning device and method of conditioning. A conditioning device for a sport using a hand held implement having a grip portion comprises a handle shaped like the grip portion, the handle having a first end and a second end. A weight is positioned on the second end such that a center of mass for the conditioning device is less than about 13 inches from the first end of the handle. A bias assembly is removably attached to the weight such that the bias assembly resists movement of the weight during at least some motion of the handle.

Abstract: A leg support garment of a tights type that has stretchability and is applied in close contact with the human body so as to support the legs is provided with a stretchable part having a relatively great straining force. The stretchable part having a relatively great straining force includes a stretchable portion (A) having a relatively great straining force that substantially covers the ligamentum collateralle on a medial side of the knee joint of the human body, and on a superior side of the knee joint, extends through a length of not less than ¼ of that of the thigh, along at least one selected from the musculus group consisting of the musculus sartorius, the musculus semitendinosus, the musculus semimembranosus, and the musculus gracilis.

Abstract: An exercise device capable of simultaneously exercising a plurality of muscle groups, which includes an exercise chair mounted to a base, the exercise chair having a pivotally-resistant seat back. The exercise device further includes large, curvilinear conduits through which pass adjustably-resistant elastic bands with grips fixedly attached to the elastic bands proximate the upper and lower ends of the curvilinear conduits, which curvilinear conduits are laterally spaced, one on each side of the exercise chair. The exercise device further includes a resistive foot platform positioned at the front end of the base, which resistive foot platform is moveably engaged with the exercise chair. The exercise device further includes a resistive seated-row grip positioned at the front end of the base that permits cardiovascular exercise. The exercise device further includes rotatable and rocking latches for quickly changing from between one or more differently-tensioned resistive elements.

Abstract: A vaginal exercise device adapted to allow the user to perform vaginal muscle exercises, having an elastic hollow tube adapted to be inserted into a female user's vagina so that the user can exercise vaginal muscles by compressing part of the elastic hollow tube. The elastic hollow tube includes two internal chambers inside the hollow tube that are connected by at least one damping hole, such that the hollow tube is configured to offer resilient resistance to the user's vaginal compression when fluid in the tube is forced, by the user's vaginal compression, from a first one of the internal chambers, through the damping hole, into a second one of the internal chambers.

Abstract: An industrial roll includes: a substantially cylindrical metallic core; a rubber base layer that is adhered to and circumferentially overlies the core; a rubber top stock layer that circumferentially overlies the base layer; and a polyurethane coating that circumferentially overlies the top stock layer. In this configuration, the roll can provide improved abrasion-resistance, sheet release properties, and/or toughness compared to a roll with a rubber cover, but may provide these properties in a cover that is softer than a typical polyurethane cover.

Abstract: A developing roller having a surface layer which contains a urethane resin composed of a reaction product of an isocyanate with a group of specific alcohols and has a surface having a contact angle to ethylene glycol of from 60.0 degrees or more to 90.0 degrees or less and a contact angle to diiodomethane of from 30.0 degrees or more to 38.0 degrees or less.

Abstract: A paper feed roller having an inner layer and an outer layer both consisting of rubber, with a peripheral surface of the inner layer and an inner peripheral surface of the outer layer in close contact without forming a gap therebetween. A rubber component of the inner layer consists of butyl rubber. A rubber component of the outer layer consists of EPDM, silicone rubber or urethane rubber. The JIS-A hardness of the inner layer is set to not more than 10 degrees, and the JIS-A hardness of the outer layer is set to not less than 25 nor more than 60 degrees.

Abstract: There is a developing roller having a low compression permanent strain without contaminating a photosensitive drum and deteriorating toners. The developing roller 1 comprises a shaft 2, an elastic layer 3 formed on an outer periphery of the shaft 2 and a surface coating layer 4 formed on an outer peripheral face of the elastic layer 3, in which the surface coating layer 4 comprises a urethane resin formed by crosslinking a lactone-modified polyol with a polyisocyanate. The urethane resin is preferable to be formed by crosslinking the lactone-modified polyol with two or more kinds of polyisocyanates.

Abstract: The optical glass comprises equal to or greater than 5 mole percent of P2O5, has an Abbé number of equal to or greater than 58 and a glass transition temperature of equal to or less than 570 degree Celsius, and has an alkalinity resistance defined as a rate of weight reduction of equal to or less than 17 micrograms/(cm2·hour) when the surface of said optical glass which has been optically polished is immersed in 0.01 mole/liter of NaOH aqueous solution at 50 degree Celsius.

Abstract: A glass composition consisting essentially of, based on mole percent, 46-56% B2O3, 0.5-8.5% P2O5, SiO2 and mixtures thereof, 20-50% CaO, 2-15% Ln2O3 where Ln is selected from the group consisting of rare earth elements and mixtures thereof; 0-6% M?2O where M? is selected from the group consisting of alkali elements; and 0-10% Al2O3, with the proviso that the composition is water millable.

Abstract: An extrudable mixture is provided for producing a highly porous substrate using an extrusion process. More particularly, the present invention enables fibers, such as organic, inorganic, glass, ceramic or metal fibers, to be mixed into a mass that when extruded and cured, forms a highly porous substrate. Depending on the particular mixture, the present invention enables substrate porosities of about 60% to about 90%, and enables process advantages at other porosities, as well. The extrudable mixture may use a wide variety of fibers and additives, and is adaptable to a wide variety of operating environments and applications. Fibers, which have an aspect ratio greater than 1, are selected according to substrate requirements, and are mixed with binders, pore-formers, extrusion aids, and fluid to form a homogeneous extrudable mass. The homogeneous mass is extruded into a green substrate.

Abstract: Provided are a multi-component ceramic nano-composite powder that is suitable for forming a sintered ceramic composite and a method of preparing the same. The ceramic nano-composite powder is formed of secondary particles obtained by sintering multi-component ceramic particles with a nano-sized primary particle diameter in nano-scale. The multi-component ceramic particles may be formed of zirconia and alumina. A sintered zirconia-alumina composite formed by sintering the nano-composite powder has greater flexural strength than a sintered composite prepared by mechanically mixing zirconia powder and alumina powder and sintering the mixture.

Abstract: Aluminium oxide powder produced by flame hydrolysis and consisting of aggregates of primary particles, having a BET surface area of from 100 to 250 m2/g, a dibutyl phthalate absorption of from 50 to 450 g/100 g of aluminium oxide powder, which powder shows only crystalline primary particles in high-resolution TEM pictures.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an XRD means for identifying the content of a volume of interest (VOI) and a method thereof. A remote XRD means is comprised inter alia of a plurality of x-ray sources target toward the VOI. A plurality of x-ray detectors adapted to receive diffracted X-rays. A processor adapted to measure the diffracted x-ray patterns. A database comprising records of patterns parameters; and, an alerting means adapted for identifying material as one of the predetermined groups in the record. This invention also discloses a method of acquiring XRD image of a material in a VOI, comprised of receiving VOI coordinates; irradiating the material in the VOI; acquiring, extracting and converting of XRD patterns of the VOI to standard powder X-ray diffraction spectrum; matching records in a database for material identification; and alerting when the material is in a matching predetermined record.

Abstract: A fuel cell (40) includes first and second catalysts (12?), (14?) secured to opposed surfaces of an electrolyte (16?); a first flow field (26?) secured in fluid communication with the first catalyst (12?) defining a plurality of flow channels (30A?, 30B?, 30C?, 30D?) between a plurality of ribs (32A?, 32B?, 32C?, 32D?, 32E?) of the first flow field (26?); and a backing layer (42) secured between the first flow field (26?) and the first catalyst (12?). The backing layer (42) includes a carbon black, a hydrophobic polymer, and randomly-dispersed carbon fibers (44). The carbon fibers (44) are at least twice as long as a width (46) of the flow channels (30A?, 30B?, 30C?, 30D?) defined in the adjacent first flow field (26?). The backing layer (42) replaces a known substrate (22) and diffusion layer (18).

Abstract: This invention relates to the field of olefin polymerization catalyst compositions, and methods for the polymerization and copolymerization of olefins, including polymerization methods using a catalyst composition. One aspect of this invention is the formation and use of a catalyst composition comprising a transition metal compound and an activator for olefin polymerization processes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the catalyst can comprise: a catalyst support and a rhodium catalyst disposed at the catalyst support. The catalyst support comprises a hexaluminate and alumina. The catalyst support was formed from a mixture comprising a greater than stoichiometric concentration of alumina and a material selected from the group consisting of a divalent cation component, a trivalent cation component, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing. In one embodiment, a method of making a fuel reforming catalyst can comprise: forming a mixture of a divalent cation component, a trivalent cation component, and a greater than stoichiometric concentration of alumina; heating the mixture to a temperature of greater than or equal to about 1,200° C. to form a catalyst support comprising a hexaluminate; and disposing a rhodium catalyst at the catalyst support.

Abstract: A catalyst for manufacturing carbon substances, such as carbon nanotube that has a diameter of 1000 nm or less, the catalyst containing at least iron, cobalt or nickel of a first element group and tin or indium of a second element group. The catalyst can be formed by at least tin and indium in addition to cobalt or nickel. The former catalyst provides a 2-component type catalyst and a multi-component type catalyst that is composed on the basis of the 2-component type catalyst, and the later catalyst provides a 3-component type catalyst and a multi-component type catalyst that is composed on the basis of the 3-component type catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst for the manufacture of alkylene oxide, for example ethylene oxide, by the vapor-phase epoxidation of alkene containing impregnated silver and at least one efficiency-enhancing promoter on an inert, refractory solid support, said support incorporating a sufficient amount of zirconium component (present and remaining substantially as zirconium silicate) as to enhance at least one of catalyst activity, efficiency and stability as compared to a similar catalyst which does not contain the zirconium component.

Abstract: In a thermal recording medium including a basic chromogenic dye, a developer and a sensitizer, a composition for a thermal recording medium which composition contains 50 ppm to 5.0 mass % of 1-(3-methylphenoxy)-2-(4-methylphenoxy)ethane and/or 1,2-bis(4-methylphenoxy)ethane in 1,2-bis(3-methylphenoxy)ethane is used as said sensitizer, whereby the 1,2-bis(3-methylphenoxy)ethane compound is remarkably improved in milling property in the preparation of the above sensitizer, and a thermal recording medium is provided without impairing the colorability, etc., such as thermal colorability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-sensitive recording material having a high recording sensitivity, which is capable of providing excellent image quality even when recording is carried out at low energy, and causes reduced coating defects. The invention provides a heat-sensitive recording material obtained by forming, on a paper support, an undercoat layer and then a heat-sensitive recording layer, characterized in that: 1) the undercoat layer has at least two undercoat layers including a first undercoat layer and a second undercoat layer; and 2) the heat-sensitive recording layer has a thickness standard deviation of 0.30 or less, and also provides a method for producing the heat-sensitive recording material.

Abstract: Triazolopyrimidines of the formula I in which the substituents are as defined below: R1, R2 are hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, halocycloalkyl, alkenyl, haloalkenyl, cycloalkenyl, halocycloalkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkynyl or phenyl, naphthyl or a five- or six-membered saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic heterocycle which contains one to four heteroatoms from the group consisting of O, N and S, R1 and R2 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached may also form a five- or six-membered heterocyclyl or heteroaryl which is attached via N and may contain a further heteroatom from the group consisting of O, N and S as ring member and may be substituted as defined in the description; L is halogen, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, alkenyloxy or alkoxycarbonyl; m is 1, 2, 3 or 4, where the groups L may be different if m is greater than 1; X is halogen, cyano, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy or haloalkoxy; Processes and intermediates for preparing these compounds, compositions comprising the

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous herbicidal composition based on a suspension concentrate comprising a herbicidally active compound of the formula (I), a safener of the formula (II) and optionally a herbicidally active compound of the formula (III) In these formulae, R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently of one another are methyl or ethyl; R5 is isopropyl or cyclopropyl; R6 is hydrogen or chlorine; Q is cyclohexane-1,3-dion-2-yl, isoxazol-4-yl or pyrazol4yl; and R7, R8 and R9 are hydrogen, halogen or various organic radicals.

Abstract: A process for producing an artificial flower from a natural plant uses a finishing agent consisting of a solvent containing: (a) aC1-C3 lower alcohol and (b) at least one type of polyhydric alcohol and/or a glycol ether at a weight ratio of 1 to 99:99 to 1. A dye, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet ray protective agent, a fragrant material, etc. may be added to the finishing agent. It is preferred to effect simultaneous use of a polyhydric alcohol and a glycol ether as the component (b). Although an artificial flower of high quality can be easily produced only through the process of directly immersing a plant in the finishing agent followed by drying, products of enriched variety can be obtained through the process by impregnating a flower, etc. with a volatile organic solvent so as to effect dehydration and decolorization, by subsequently treating with a polyoxyethylene derivative solution and thereafter by applying the finishing agent having a dye appropriately added thereto.

Abstract: This invention discloses a new class of pH indicators suitable for use in agricultural compounds. The class comprises naturally occurring substances which are extracts from grape skins, cabbage and lecithin. Safety concerns are now causing regulatory bodies to prohibit use of chemical pH indicators in compounds which are used for crops and animals. The naturally occurring compounds of this invention satisfy these concerns of the regulators and function as well as chemical indicators of the prior art.

Abstract: A superconducting wire includes first and second superconducting layers disposed on one or more substrates in stacked relationship, the first superconducting layer comprising a high temperature superconducting oxide of a first composition and the second superconducting layer comprising a high temperature superconducting layer of a second composition, wherein the first and second compositions are different. The first superconductor layer optionally includes a high temperature superconductor composition selected to provide enhanced critical current (Ic(c)) in the presence of magnetic fields perpendicular to surface of the superconducting layer (H//c). The second superconductor layer optionally includes a high temperature superconductor composition selected to provide enhanced critical current (Ic) in the presence of magnetic fields parallel to surface of the superconducting layer (H//ab).

Abstract: A sputtering target that is a perovskite oxide represented by the chemical formula of Ra1-xAxBO3-? (wherein Ra represents a rare earth element consisting of Y, Sc and lanthanoid; A represents Ca, Mg, Ba or Sr; B represents a transition metal element such as Mn, Fe, Ni, Co or Cr; and 0<x?0.5) and having a relative density of 95% or more and a purity of 3N or more. The above target comprising a perovskite oxide ceramic material is improved in density and exhibits enhanced strength, and thus can prevent the occurrence of fractures or cracks during the manufacture process, transfer process or sputtering operation of the target, which results in the improvement in yield. This target can further inhibit the generation of particles during deposition, which results in the improvement of the quality of the film and in the reduction of the generation of defective products.

Abstract: Methods of controlling shale swelling in a subterranean formation comprising introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid comprises a base fluid and a polyoxazoline composition. Subterranean treatment fluids comprising a base fluid and a polyoxazoline composition. Other methods and compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A viscoelastic composition containing an effective amount of at least one cationic carbohydrate ether having one or more cationic fragments and one or more carbohydrate fragments connected through one or more linker fragments for controlling the viscoelasticity of the composition, wherein at least some carbohydrate fragments are connected to the linker fragments through ether bonds.

Abstract: A process of preparing a well servicing fluid comprising viscosifying a heavy brine by contacting with a cationic polysaccharide and a composition thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for breaking treatment fluids utilized in the stimulation of a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of pre-engineered pills for use with drilling mud. By introducing pills of ground elastomer into the well, the pills can improve the lubricity of the mud as well as aiding in wellbore cleaning, prevention of bit balling and reduction of fluid loss to thief zones.

Abstract: A wellbore sealant composition comprising solid latex.

Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore comprising placing a sealant composition comprising solid latex into the wellbore.

Abstract: Invert emulsion compositions including an oleaginous, a non-oleaginous and an amine surfactant that are useful in the oil and gas well drilling art are disclosed. The amine surfactant is selected so that the invert emulsion can be converted form a water-in-oil type emulsion to a oil-in-water type emulsion upon the protonation of the amine surfactant. Deprotonation of the amine surfactant reverses the conversion. This solution also permits the conversion of oil-wet solids in the fluid into water-wet solids.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the use of a class of acetylenic surfactants to resolve or break water and oil emulsions. The surfactants are of particular advantage in resolving crude oil emulsions of the type encountered in desalter and similar apparatus designed to extract brines from the crude as they partition to the aqueous phase in the desalter. Also, the surfactants may be used to separate oil from oil sands and similar oil/solids matrices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low sulfur and low phosphorus lubricating oil composition comprising (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity and (b) one or more dispersants (c) one or more anti-oxidants and (d) one or more detergents, wherein the lubricating oil composition is essentially free of zinc di-alkyl di-thiophosphates and contains no more than 0.1 weight percent sulfur and provided the lubricating oil composition does not contain alkylated and non-alkylated aromatic amines and tri-nuclear molybdenum compounds. The present invention is also directed to a low sulfur and low phosphorus lubricating oil composition comprising (a) an oil of lubricating viscosity (b) a borated dispersant and a non-borated dispersant (c) a molybdenum anti-oxidant and a phenolic anti-oxidant and (d) a high overbased and a low overbased calcium sulfonate, wherein the lubricating oil composition is essentially free of zinc di-alkyl di-thiophosphates and contains no more than 0.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low sulfur and low phosphorus heavy duty diesel engine lubricating oil composition comprising (a) a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity and (b) one or more dispersants (c) one or more anti-oxidants and (d) one or more ash-containing detergents, wherein the lubricating oil composition is essentially free of zinc di-alkyl di-thiophosphates and contains no more than 0.175 weight percent sulfur and provided the lubricating oil composition does not contain alkylated and non-alkylated aromatic amines and tri-nuclear molybdenum compounds.

Abstract: A relatively low viscosity transmission fluid composition, transmissions containing the fluids, and methods of operating motor vehicles with the fluids are described. The transmission fluid composition includes a lubricant basestock, at least one active sulfur-containing component, and at least one phosphorus-containing compound. An active sulfur atom content of the composition is greater than about 0.02 wt. %, and a ratio of active sulfur atoms to phosphorus atoms in the composition is above about 5. The composition has a viscosity at 100° C. ranging from about 4 to less than about 7 centistokes.

Abstract: Lubricated surfaces, lubricant compositions for lubricating a surface, and methods for reducing friction coefficients in lubricants. The lubricated surface is provided by a lubricant composition containing a base oil of lubricating viscosity and an amount of at least one hydrocarbon soluble titanium compound effective to provide a reduction in the coefficient of friction of the lubricant composition greater than a reduction in the coefficient of friction of the lubricant composition devoid of the hydrocarbon soluble titanium compound.

Abstract: A fully formulated lubricating oil, lubricated surface, and lubricant additive concentrates for lubricants providing reduced sludge formation. The fully formulated lubricating oil composition has therein at least one succinimide dispersant derived from a polyalkylene compound having from about 50 to about 85% vinylidene double bonds in the compound, a metal containing detergent, at least one wear reducing agent, at least one antioxidant, and a hydrocarbon soluble titanium compound as a friction modifier. The lubricating oil composition is also substantially free of molybdenum compounds.