Abstract:
A logistics system manages the shipments of goods supplied from a plurality of different shippers by a plurality of carriers. It has a variety of modules integrated with each other to perform various functionalities. For example, it may have a purchasing module evaluating proposals by shippers for respective shipments of goods and awarding contracts for the shipments to the plurality of carriers. It may have an optimization module analyzing the proposals and informing the purchasing module if an opportunity exists for at least some of the shipments to be consolidated, in which case at least one contract awarded by the purchasing module is for a consolidated group of the shipments. It may have a contract administration module maintaining information relating to the status of proposals received and contracts awarded by the purchasing module. It may have a scheduling module scheduling shipments according to the awarded contracts. It may also have a shipment management module tracking the status of shipments awarded by the purchasing module and scheduled by said scheduling module. It may further have a financial module authorizing payments according to the status of shipments tracked by the shipment management module are passed between first and second asynchronous clock domains.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a personal care product including a wrapper having at least one free edge, an absorbent personal care article and a sensory cue providing indicia as to the location of the free edge. In one embodiment, the wrapper is a wrapper component and has a first panel, a back panel and a second panel, where the first panel is connected to the back panel and the second panel is connected to the back panel at an opposite end from where the first panel is connected to the back panel. The second panel having a free edge positioned adjacent the first panel, wherein the second panel has a first set of sensory attributes which terminate at the free edge of the second panel and the first panel has a second set of sensory attributes which are adjacent the free edge of the second panel. In the present invention, at least one attribute from the first set of sensory attributes or at least one attribute from the second set of attributes is different from attributes from the other set. The different attribute provides a contrast between the second panel and the first panel, and this contrast provides a sensory cue providing clear indicia as to the location of the free edge of the second panel. Also provided is a method of using the personal care product and wrapper. The sensory cue can also be used to direct a user as to how to open the wrapper.
Abstract:
This invention provides methods for the use of substituted indole compounds of the general formula: and pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof. The invention provides methods for the use of the compounds as inhibitors of the activity of various phospholipase enzymes, particularly phospholipase A2 enzymes, and for the medical treatment, prevention and inhibition diseases and disorders including asthma, stroke, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, arthritic disorders, rheumatic disorders, central nervous system damage resulting from stroke, central nervous system damage resulting from ischemia, central nervous system damage resulting from trauma, inflammation caused or potentiated by prostaglandins, inflammation caused or potentiated by leukotrienes, inflammation caused or potentiated by platelet activation factor, pain caused or potentiated by prostaglandins, pain caused or potentiated by leukotrienes, and pain caused or potentiated by platelet activation factor.
Abstract:
A self-centering coupling device is provided for coupling a sensor array to a surgical instrument for use in computer guided surgery. The self-centering coupling device includes a sensor support having a stem and sensor support arms coupled to the stem to support the sensors of the sensor array. The self-centering coupling device is received within a recess formed in the surgical instrument.
Abstract:
A water irrigation system may include a computer system, a sensing unit, an irrigation controller, and/or a water delivery system. The sensing unit may include one or more sensors and a solar panel. Electricity produced by the solar panel may be supplied to the sensors of the sensing unit. The sensing unit may provide output to the computer system that is a function of the received sunlight. The computer system may assess solar insolation as a function of the output from the sensing unit. The computer system may control irrigation of a zone to be irrigated at least partially based on the assessed solar insolation. A method of controlling irrigation may include assessing solar insolation from output provided by a solar panel near or in a zone to be irrigated and controlling irrigation at least partially based on the assessed solar insolation.
Abstract:
A water irrigation system may include a computer system, a sensing unit, an irrigation controller, and/or a water delivery system. The sensing unit may include a moisture gauge. A rate of evaporation of moisture from a collector of a moisture gauge may be within about 10% of an average rate of evaporation of moisture from a zone to be irrigated. The sensing unit may assess an amount of moisture in the collector and provide output that is a function of the amount of moisture in the collector to the computer system. The computer system may control irrigation of the zone to be irrigated at least partially based on the assessed amount of moisture in the collector. A method of controlling irrigation may include receiving moisture in a collector and controlling irrigation of a zone to be irrigated at least partially based on an assessed amount of moisture in the collector.
Abstract:
A water irrigation system may include a computer system, a sensing unit, an irrigation controller, and/or a water delivery system. The sensing unit may include a wind sensor. The wind sensor may include thermistors. The sensing unit may assess wind speed at one of the thermistors as a function of temperature. The sensing unit may provide output based on the assessed wind speed to the computer system. The computer system may control irrigation of a zone to be irrigated at least partially based on the assessed wind speed. A method of controlling irrigation may include assessing wind speed as a function of temperature, assessing an irrigation need of the zone to be irrigated at least partially based on the assessed wind speed, and controlling irrigation to at least meet the assessed irrigation need of the zone to be irrigated.
Abstract:
A fuel storage device in accordance with a present invention includes a fuel storage area and at least one of a fuel heater, a byproduct heater and a valve.
Abstract:
A tandem axle system has a first brake axle and at least a second brake axle. The first axle has a first brake actuating chamber with a first diaphragm and the second axle has a second brake actuating chamber with a second diaphragm. The first axle also has a first brake actuating arm and the second axle has a second brake actuating arm. The size of the second diaphragm can be reduced as compared to the first diaphragm and/or the length of the second brake actuating arm can be reduced as compared to the first brake actuating arm to reduce the braking force applied to the second axle.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an inexpensive and easily produced method for refurbishing transmission pump assemblies. The method of converting a transmission pump assembly from a first configuration to a second configuration comprises the steps of: a) providing a first configuration transmission pump assembly comprising a pump body and a pump cover, wherein the pump body and the pump cover each have a plurality of fluid passageways formed between worm tracks on at least one side thereof; b) removing a portion of the worm tracks from both the pump body and the pump cover; c) providing at least one insert; d) attaching the at least one insert into a predetermined position; and e) machining the pump cover and pump body to the second configuration.