Abstract: A drip ring for use with a hydraulic cylinder is provided. The drip ring is prefabricated from a flexible material. To size the prefabricated drip ring, the drip ring is cut and wrapped around the hydraulic cylinder that is to be fitted. The amount of excess drip ring material is measured and removed. The properly sized drip ring is then placed around the cylinder such that the two cut edges are positioned within a bonding fixture that has been pre-filled with a bonding compound. The inner flange of the drip ring is secured against the hydraulic cylinder with an adjustable, metal restraining strap. If desired, a drain fixture coupled to a drain pipe is attached to the fitted drip ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a three-dimensional image is provided. The system uses one or more laser beams directed at one or more mirrors. Each mirror is flexibly attached to the vibrating portion of a transducer such as a speaker, the transducer being coupled to a signal source. Suitable signal sources include radio and television tuners, CD players, tape decks, VCRs, musical instruments with suitable signal outputs, and signal generators. The laser beam(s) reflected by the mirror(s) is directed at a rotating viewing surface, the viewing surface being semi-transparent. Due to the rotation of the viewing surface, a three-dimensional image is formed that can be viewed from multiple angles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the fluorescence, luminescence, or absorption of a sample is provided. The sample may either be contained within a cuvette or within one or more sample wells within a multi-assay plate. A combination of a broadband source, a monochromator, and a series of optical filters are used to tune the excitation wavelength to a predetermined value within a relatively wide wavelength band. A similar optical configuration is used to tune the detection wavelength. An optical scanning head assembly is used that includes mirrored optics for coupling the excitation source to the sample and the emitted light to the detector. An elliptical focussing mirror is used to magnify and focus the light projected from an optical fiber coupled to the source subassembly onto the sample. A portion of the source light is reflected by a beamsplitter onto a reference detector used to monitor the output of the source.

Abstract: An otoplastic for a hearing aid, which otoplastic is manufactured from a UV light-curable synthetic resin composition, in particular an acrylate composition, to which a ceramic filler including at least 50% by weight Al2O3 is added to improve the properties of the otoplastic.

Abstract: Modified enzymes are provided in which at least one amino acid, such as asparagine, leucine, methionine or serine, of an enzyme is replaced with a cysteine and the thiol hydrogen is replaced with a substituent group providing a thiol side chain selected from the group consisting of: a) —SR1R2, wherein R1 is an alkyl and R2 is a charged or polar moiety; b) —SR3, wherein R3 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; c) —SR4, wherein R4 is substituted or unsubstituted cyclohexyl; d) —SR5, wherein R5 is C10-C15 alkyl; and e) —SR6 wherein R6 is a C1-6 alkyl. Also, methods of producing the modified enzymes are provided, as well as detergent and feed additives and a composition for the treatment of a textile. A method for using the modified enzymes in organic synthesis is additionally provided. Further, modified enzymes having improved activity, altered pH profile and/or wash performance are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to amplify the magnetic field in an electromagnetic circuit is provided. Amplification factors of several orders of magnitude may be obtained. The system is applicable to a number of different systems, including melt levitation and electromagnetic pumping and propulsion. One embodiment of the invention uses a non-conducting permeable core wound around a dielectric core. An alternating voltage source is connected to a solenoid which is wound around a section of the permeable core. The permeable core has a gap within which a flux concentrating cold crucible is provided. Melt levitation processing takes place within the cold crucible.

Abstract: Methods for detecting metastasis of melanoma and breast cancer cells, detecting subclinical metastasis, and monitoring treatment are disclosed. Kits for use in such methods also are disclosed. The methods provide for the detection of nucleic acids corresponding to multiple melanoma or breast cancer specific markers using template dependent amplification processes. Methods using multiple markers provide increased sensitivity over existing methods.