Abstract: A drinking fountain having a spout, a human actuatable valve for controlling the flow of water from the spout, a basin for collecting the water and a drain pipe. An audio system includes a speaker wherein the speaker is mounted to the drain pipe in such a manner as to direct soundwaves into the drain pipe. The audio system is responsive to actuation of the valves such that it plays an audible sound from the speaker in response to the actuation. The audio system may include a sequential sound source having a plurality of sound clips that are playable in response to respective actuations of the valve.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic patty for rapidly attaching a raised pavement marker to a paved roadway surface is disclosed. The pyrotechnic patty consists of a stable mixture of oxidizer and fuel formed into a fattened shape that, once ignited, deflagrates rapidly producing a large amount of heat. The heat melts an adhesive pad that, after cooling and solidifying, permanently attaches the pavement marker to the paved surface. Preferably, the adhesive pad is formed of bitumen and the pyrotechnic patty is formed of a composition, in predetermined proportions, of potassium nitrate, aluminum nitrate, shredded newspaper, aluminum, and sulfur. The pyrotechnic patty is controllably ignited by passing an ignition current through a nichrome wire. The pyrotechnic patty is particularly suitable for use in an automatic marker attachment system.

Abstract: A seismic bridge for bridging and providing pedestrian access across a seismic joint between two building parts has a first end unit with a floor pivotally connected to one of the building parts and a second end unit with a floor pivotally connected to the other building part. A corridor sleeve unit, also having a floor, is slidably connected to each of the first and second end units. During relative motion between the two building parts, such as during an earthquake, the bridge can accommodate relative motion between the building parts within a predefined range, while still maintaining the structural integrity of the bridge. The bridge also includes centering means for centering and properly positioning the corridor sleeve unit with respect to the first and second end units. The centering means uses springs in combination with a plurality of frames which are slidably connected to each other to maintain the appropriate distance between the end units and the corridor sleeve unit.

Abstract: A planar-type loudspeaker incorporating a substantially planar diaphragm constructed from a pre-expanded cellular plastic material, such as polystyrene, in which separate portions of the diaphragm have different densities. The higher density portion is designed for the reproduction of high frequencies, and the lower density section is used for the reproduction of low frequencies. In one embodiment, the diaphragm is formed by laminating together a pair of diaphragm members having the different densities to define a single sound producing region, to which a single voice coil assembly is coupled. In another embodiment, the diaphragm is formed as a unitary, one-piece structure having separate but contiguous sound producing regions, each with its own density material and voice coil assembly for reproducing a specified frequency range of sound.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting syringes containing radioactive material. The apparatus includes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an inner chamber in which a sharps container can be secured. The sharps container has a housing and an attachable cap. The method includes assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so that the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe in the sharps container housing. The radiopharmaceutical pig is disassembled, where upon the syringe is removed, discharged, and then replaced in the sharps container housing. The cap of the sharps container is affixed to the housing of the sharps container, thus enclosing the contaminated syringe therein. The radiopharmaceutical pig is assembled so that its chamber contains the sharps container and the syringe. The radiopharmaceutical pig is transported to a disposal area, where it is disassembled and the sharps container containing the syringe is placed in a particular disposal container.

Abstract: A medical coupling device is provided which is used for transferring fluid between a first reservoir and a second reservoir having a slit-less diaphragm. The device includes a connector having a port and a blunt cannula in fluid communication with the port. The cannula is adapted to puncture the diaphragm on the second reservoir and thereby facilitate the transfer of fluid between the first reservoir and the second reservoir. The cannula can be a hollow tube having an end which is substantially perpendicular to an axis extending longitudinally through the tube. The device may further include a shroud of a predetermined configuration associated with the connector. The shroud defines a recess for receiving the reservoir and inhibits inadvertent contact with the cannula which extends within the recess. The shroud defines a suction opening which tends to inhibit the formation of an undesirable suction upon removal of the reservoir.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the production of a frozen, instant mashed potato product for dispensing onto ovenable trays transported by a high-speed frozen food packaging line. A slurry including a fat-containing ingredient or a fat-substitute and water is heated to a temperature above the gelatinization temperature of potato starch but below the boiling point of the slurry. Next, the heated slurry is mixed with dehydrated potato solids using a combination of a high-speed mixing element and a low-speed scraping element both located inside a closed mixing chamber. Hydration of the potato solids is then completed under static conditions. The thus formed mashed potatoes are dispensed into an ovenable product container. The container is further packaged and the mashed potato products frozen.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the controlled production of recombinant proteins in cells. Cells employed in the invention method contain a gene encoding the desired recombinant protein, with transcription of the gene maintained under the control of a transcriptional control element which is activated by a ligand/receptor complex. The ligand/receptor complex is formed when a ligand (which is a hormone or/and analog thereof) is complexed with a receptor (which is a hormone receptor or functional analog thereof which has the transcription activating properties of the receptor). Receptor is produced by the expression of non-endogenous DNA which is also present in the cells used for production of recombinant protein.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of functional reporter molecules in the detection and measurement of nucleic acid sequences in a sample, as a determination, for example, of pathogenic disease existence or potential. The invention is predicated on the utilization of a transcription step between the production of an appropriate reporter molecule and replication based amplification in order to increase the number of detectable species as an indirect reference to target nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided transgenic plants comprising a plurality of plant-defense-associated proteins that are expressed to produce such proteins in an amount sufficient to increase the plants resistance to plant pathogens, relative to non-transgenic plants of the same species. The transgenic plants are useful to study patterns of development, and to provide increased resistance to plant pathogens when grown in crops as a food source, and the like. Nucleic acid constructs are also provided that are useful in methods for producing the invention transgenic plants.

Abstract: A novel gamma retinoic acid receptor is disclosed. The novel receptor is encoded for by cDNA carried on plasmid pGEM-hRAR.gamma., which has been deposited with the American Type Culture Collection for patent purposes. Chimeric receptor proteins are also disclosed. The chimera contain at least one functional domain from the new gamma retinoic acid receptor.

Abstract: A tray having a peripheral ridge that defines a tray opening for receiving articles. A tray lid having a first portion that forms a flat working surface and a second portion in sliding engagement with the tray between a closed position wherein the tray lid covers the tray opening and an extended position wherein the tray lid is adjacent the tray opening with the tray opening uncovered. The tray lid further includes a support ridge projecting below the flat working surface to support the flat working surface in a substantially level orientation when the tray lid is in the extended position.

Abstract: A system and method for launching projectiles, such as fireworks projectiles, which explode in the air into a pyrotechnic display. The projectile includes a shell constructed from a binding agent and an explosive additive which explodes the shell into small particles. The explosive additive, which may be nitrocellulose, causes the exploded particles to be rapidly burned and consumed to form lightweight, inert flakes that fall harmlessly to the ground. The projectile is aimed and launched by a launcher to rapidly expel the projectile from a launching tube. Once in the air at a predetermined location in the sky, a fuse inside the projectile operates to detonate the projectile into its intended pyrotechnic display. The fuse is extremely accurate and enables detonation of the projectile at precise altitudes. An electronic control system controls launching and detonation of the projectiles in a precise and repeatable manner.

Abstract: An alignment device with a radially expandable tube for temporary alignment of a plurality of apertured workpieces in which the precise alignment of associated apertures is required. The radially expandable tube extends from the housing, and contains a plurality of bearings, each associated with at least one radially expandable ring. Each bearing has a tapered surface that engages and radially expands its associated ring upon relative movement of the bearing into the ring. The expansion of the rings applies a radially outwardly directed force on the interior surface of the tube.

Abstract: A two stage valve assembly responsive to signals from a control system for supplying pressurized fluid to two load lines. The first stage includes a motor that directs pressurized fluid from a jet pipe toward a receiver assembly having two receiver ports and a bleedoff area disposed between and separating the receiver ports. The second stage assembly includes two spool/sleeve assemblies that control the flow of pressurized fluid to and from the two load lines. A drain line from the receiver assembly includes a pressure relief valve, which insures that both spool/sleeve assemblies will be servo-controlled at all times. Cartridges may be inserted in the spool/sleeve assemblies to linearize the relationship between input current from the control system and the output force of an unequal area actuator connected to the load lines.

Abstract: An improved portable printer apparatus adapted to interface with a handheld computer in either of two alternative ways, including via a connector locating in a receiving well into which the portable computer can be placed or, alternatively, via a radio link. This provides communication flexibility and enhanced reliability. In another feature, electrical power for the printer apparatus is automatically selected from between a power supply, an external battery, and an internal battery, according to a predetermined hierarchy.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided nucleic acids encoding human metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes and the proteins encoded thereby. In a particular embodiment, the invention nucleic acids encode mGluR1, mGluR2, mGluR3 and mGluR5 subtypes of human metabotropic glutamate receptors. In addition to being useful for the production of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes, these nucleic acids are also useful as probes, thus enabling those skilled in the art, without undue experimentation, to identify and isolate related human receptor subunits. In addition to disclosing novel metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes, the present invention also comprises methods for using such receptor subtypes to identify and characterize compounds which affect the function of such receptors, e.g., agonists, antagonists, and modulators of glutamate receptor function.