Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is a media transportation apparatus that is comprised a conveying and supporting sections. The conveying section is comprised of a motor and a first timing belt, wherein operation of the motor causes the first timing belt to travel in a first direction. The supporting section is comprised of rollers configured to roll in the same first direction. The first timing belt has a belt surface and the rollers have a rolling surface, such that the belt surface and the rolling surface are substantially coplanar with respect to one another. The apparatus receives media of any size from an imager that is operating at a first speed, transport the media with a transporter operating at a second speed, and deliver the media to a processor operating at a third speed. The first speed, second speed, and third speed, need not be the same speed.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for a bed comprised of two safety panels and a cover. Each safety panel comprises a horizontal stabilizer and vertically-extending panel of a synthetic polymeric material with a density of from about 1 to about 10 pounds per cubic foot. The width of the stabilizer is less than about 20 per cent of the width of the mattress. Disposing the horizontal stabilizer underneath a mattress secures said the vertically-extending panel in a substantially-vertical orientation along a side of said bed. Another embodiment comprises the foregoing side panel safety apparatus in combination with a safety rail of said bed, further comprising said safety rail; wherein said horizontal stabilizer blocks a person in said bed from moving a part of said person's body into contact with said safety rail such that said body part becomes entrapped from said contact. Another embodiment comprises movable vertical sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal printing assembly comprised of a first flexible section and a second flexible section joined to such first flexible section. The first section of such assembly is a thermally sensitive media that contains either a thermal transfer ribbon or a direct thermal sensitive substrate (such as thermal paper); the thermally sensitive media is adapted to change its concentration of ink upon the application of heat. The second section of such assembly is a flexible support with two sides, at least one of which has a smoothness of less than 50 Sheffield Units and contains particles with a Knoop hardness of less than about 800.

Abstract: A device for pet training comprising a rigid tube formed with at least one elbow, and having a cavity in at least the distal end thereof for insertion of edible rewards therein; a handle, attached at the proximal end of the rigid tube, a flexible plunger rod disposed within the rigid tube, comprising a proximal end extending through the handle, and a distal end extending proximate to the cavity in the distal end of the rigid tube; a thumb ring joined to the proximal end of the flexible plunger rod; and a plunger disposed within the cavity and joined to the distal end of the flexible plunger rod, wherein a user of the device may hold the rigid tube by the handle, move the thumb ring, and cause an edible reward to be dispensed from the cavity on the distal end of the rigid tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an electron beam, comprising a support structure; a miniature ultrahigh vacuum chamber comprising a superconducting single walled metallic-type carbon nanotube comprised of a cylindrical wall, a proximal end disposed upon and sealed to the support structure, and a distal end comprising an electron-transparent structure; an electron beam emitting tip comprising a second carbon nanotube embedded in the support structure and disposed within the superconducting single walled metallic-type carbon nanotube, the second carbon nanotube having an inner surface with a thin conductive coating disposed thereupon; and means for creating an electrical potential difference the electron beam emitting tip and the cylindrical wall of said superconducting carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A method of processing molten metal by the injection of oxygen through a water cooled supersonic oxygen injection lance. In the first step of the process, oxygen is injected through the injection lance at an initial flowrate to the process which is the optimal flowrate for the lance tip design. Thereafter, at least one process variable relating to the required oxygen flowrate is continuously measured, and oxygen flowrate may be reduced. A second gas flowrate is admixed to the injection lance to maintain the optimal overall gas flowrate to the process while reducing the oxygen flowrate.

Abstract: A tractor-trailer highway parameter gauge having visual indicators near the center of the field of view of an operator, which correlate with the location of the rearwardmost portion of the tractor-trailer within a traffic lane. The parameter gauge comprises a horizontally disposed base, a first electrically illuminated visual indicator mounted upon a first bracket assembly that is fastened to the base, a second electrically illuminated visual indicator mounted upon a second bracket assembly that is fastened to the base, an electrical component housing operatively connected to the first and said second visual indicators, and an electrical power supply connected to the electrical component housing. The parameter gauge enables safer operation of a tractor-trailer on a public highway.

Abstract: A packaging system for preserving perishable moisture-containing items comprising a shrinkable barrier bag comprising at least one compartment, and a one-way valve disposed in the wall of the barrier bag, sealing means for closing the barrier bag, a carbon dioxide gas source gas disposed within the barrier bag, a clear transparent oxygen-permeable container disposed within the barrier bag, for containment of perishable moisture containing items, and a water-containing pad disposed within the barrier bag for providing humidity within the barrier bag.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a horse with an ultimate strength of at least about 480 pounds; the apparatus contains a line with a proximal end, a distal end, and fastening device. The line contains a portion made of three layers of nylon webbing connected to each other; this portion of the line has a length of at least about 6 inches.

Abstract: A device for guiding a charged particle beam comprising a first superconducting nano-channel. In one embodiment, the device comprises a superconducting nano-channel consisting essentially of a superconducting material in the form of a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a bend disposed between said proximal end and said distal end. In another embodiment, the device is formed by a substrate, a first area of superconducting material coated on the substrate and having a first edge, a second area of superconducting material coated on the substrate and having a second edge, the first edge of the first area of superconducting material and the second edge of the second area of superconducting material are substantially parallel. In another embodiment, the device comprises a superconducting nano-channel formed by a plurality of nano-scale superconducting rods disposed around a central region.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the synthesis of multi-component substances, comprising entities of at least two elements, molecules, grains, crystals, structural units, or phases of matter, in which the scale of the distribution of the elements, molecules, or phases of matter may range from on the order of nanometers or less, to about one millimeter, depending upon the specific materials and process conditions that are chosen. The method and apparatus of the present invention further provides processes for preparing these compositions of matter as thin films or particles.

Abstract: A slag composition containing from about 85 to about 99 weight percent of steelmaking slag and from about 1 to about 15 weight percent of a foaming additive. The steelmaking slag is at a temperature of from about 2500 to about 3100 degrees Fahrenheit. The foaming additive contains from about 20 to about 80 weight percent of a source of elemental carbon, from about 5 to about 80 weight percent of calcium carbide, and from about 25 to about 75 weight percent of anoxide compound. The weight ratio of the source of elemental carbon to the calcium carbide is at least 2.

Abstract: An assembly for shielding an implanted medical device from the effects of high-frequency radiation and for emitting magnetic resonance signals during magnetic resonance imaging. The assembly includes an implanted medical device and a magnetic shield comprised of nanomagnetic material disposed between the medical device and the high-frequency radiation. In one embodiment, the magnetic resonance signals are detected by a receiver, which is thus able to locate the implanted medical device within a biological organism.

Abstract: A flow cytometer containg a device for sampling cellular material within a body. The flow cytometer is adapted to mark cells within bodily fluid with a marker to produce marked cells, to analyze the marked cells, to sort the cells within the bodily fluid to produce sorted cells, to maintain the sorted cells cells in a viable state, and to remove the marker from the marked cells. Two marker removal devices are used in the flow cytomter.

Abstract: A method of determining disturbances when discharging molten metal from a metallurgical container having an outlet into a receiving container. In the first step of this process, one directly or indirectly detects mechanical vibrations caused by the discharge of molten metal through the outlet. Thereafter, a second property is measured; the second property so measured varies during the discharge of molten metal from the first metallurgical container to the receiving container. Then, one calculates a sensitivity constant based upon the measuring of the second property. Thereafter, a comparison is made between the vibrations detected by the measuring device with a desired vibrational characteristic, wherein the desired vibrational characteristic is defined in part by the sensitivity constant; the comparison is analyzed to determine the existence of the disturbances within the outlet, and actions are then taken to cause the disturbance(s) to cease.

Abstract: A cardiac assist system containing a device for delivering a first pacing pulse from said system to a heart, for ceasing the delivery of said first pacing pulse to said heart, for sensing whether the heart is beating, and for delivering a second pacing pulse from said system to the heart. Each of the first pacing pulse and the second pacing pulse are delivered to the heart within a period of less than about 100 milliseconds, and has a voltage of from about 2 to about 5 volts direct current. The time between the delivery of the first pacing pulse and the second pacing pulse is at least about 1 microsecond. The first pacing pulse and the second pacing pulse are delivered to the heart at a frequency of from about 2 kiloherz to about 5 megahertz; and they each have a duration of from about 0.1 microseconds to about 500 milliseconds. The cardiac assist system also contains a device for varying the voltage and/or the frequency of each of the pacing pulses.

Abstract: A process for treating diseased cells with protons and light nuclei, comprising the steps of: (a) disposing a multiplicity of nanocapsules a biological organism, (b) focusing laser energy at awavelength of from about 350 nanometers to about 850 nanometers and an intensity of from about 1019 to about 1021 watts/square centimeter, and (c) contacting the nanocapsules with the focused laser energy for less than about 30 femtoseconds, thereby producing charged nuclei within said capsules.

Abstract: A load cell has a beam where the beam receives a weight to be measured radial to the longitudinal axis. The force of the weight is received on a load section on the beam and the force is measured by at least one force-reacting section on the beam. The load section has a greater diameter thickness than that of the force-reacting section, which allows certain advantages including a reduction in the profile of the load cell.