Abstract: The present invention generally includes a septage treatment system comprising: (a) a primary treatment process system comprising: (1) a receiving station to pump the septage from a vehicle; (2) equalization tank(s) to receive septage from the receiving station; and (3) two or more mixing and odor control tanks to generate waste activated sludge; (b) a primary settling tank to generate waste activated sludge; (c) a secondary treatment process system comprising: (1) aeration tank(s) to receive waste activated sludge from the primary treatment process system and to generate water effluent; and (d) a tertiary treatment process system comprising: (1) wetland ditch(es) to receive water effluent from the aeration tank and to generate filtered water effluent; (2) wetland pond(s) to receive filtered water effluent from the wetland ditch(es) and to generate filtered water effluent; and (3) an aquaculture hydroponics and sand bed greenhouse to generate filtered water effluent.

Abstract: The invention includes RNA complexes comprising at least three monomeric units of an RNA molecule, each monomeric unit comprising an RNA polymer having first and second helical domains that have respective first and second binding sites, wherein the first binding sites are adapted to binding to one another and are not adapted to bind to the second binding sites, and the second binding sites are adapted to binding to one another and are not adapted to bind to the first binding sites; such that the at least three monomeric units are adapted to self-assemble by forming pairs of cognate interactions and so as to form the RNA complex in a circular closed complex. The invention also includes derivatives of these complexes including aptamers, and analytical methods and devices using same.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method for incorporating carbon homogeneously into aluminum materials. The first step is to apply a positive charge to molten aluminum. Next, a negative charge is applied to an organic compound. Under an inert atmosphere, the negatively charged organic compound is mixed with the positively charged molten aluminum while running electric current therethrough. An aluminum material with carbon homogeneously dispersed throughout is recovered.

Abstract: The present invention is a gait therapy device which facilitates the lower extremities particularly the action of flexion at the hip and knee to aid a patient in assisted ambulation, as well as knee, foot and ankle action. The gait trainer apparatus comprises: (a) a moveable frame adapted to move along the ground; (b) at least one motion responsive wheel attached to the frame and adapted to contact the ground and to turn as the frame moves along the ground, and at least one wheel having an offset motion portion having a right side and left side; (c) a left foot attachment, the left foot attachment connected to the left side of the offset motion portion by a flexible or elastic member; and (d) a right foot attachment, the right foot attachment connected to the right side of the offset motion portion by a flexible or elastic member.

Abstract: The present invention is a security system for preventing theft of hanging merchandise. The present invention includes a security package system for a product to be placed on a hanging display, the package comprising: (a) a product package of a relatively thin plastic material and having a top portion which has a front and rear, the top portion having an aperture adapted to receive a hang support; (b) a locking member of a relatively thick plastic material and having a front and rear portion so as to removeably fit over the top portion of the product package and having apertures in the front and rear portions that are positioned so as to align with the aperture of the top portion when in position over the top portion.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for processing solid waste products. The apparatus comprises a rotatably mounted cylindrical vessel having a first end, a second end and an interior surface, at least one end terminating in a hatch that may be opened to allow access to the interior of the vessel and sealably closed to allow pressurization of the vessel; a steam inlet for injecting stem disposed at one or both ends; a plurality of substantially straight blades protruding from the interior surface of the vessel, and each the blade extending substantially the entire length of the vessel, so as to be capable of transporting waste material from the bottom of the vessel toward the top of the vessel, and releasing the waste material to fall to the bottom of the vessel. The apparatus also includes one or more actuators for moving the vessel between a position wherein the first end is higher than the second end and a position wherein the second end is higher than the first end.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for grasping, retaining, inverting, coating and transporting a plurality of frangible conical confection shells. The present invention also relates to a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing system for producing frozen cone confections and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for unwrapping a package of frangible articles bearing a wrapping material, the wrapping material having a rear portion and a forward tab, the forward tab adapted to open the wrapping material when pulled, the apparatus comprising: (a) a support member for supporting the package; (b) a grasping mechanism adapted to grasp the forward tab and to pull the forward tab so as to open the wrapping material; (c) an engaging mechanism adapted to grasp the rear portion and pull the wrapping material so as to remove the wrapping material from the frangible articles. The invention may be used in conjunction with standard confection filling, transport and packaging machinery and mechanisms.

Abstract: Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) causes abortion and respiratory infection in horses. Only certain strains of EHV-1 cause encephalitis. Vaccination of horses with live attenuated or inactivated vaccines against EHV-1 is commonly practiced using commercial vaccine products. None of those vaccines have been tested for protection of horses against neurologic manifestation caused by EHV-1. Clinical evidence indicates that horses vaccinated with the commercial vaccines were protected against the respiratory diseases caused by EHV-1. However, the vaccinated horses were not protected against neurological disease. In this invention, we describe the development of a new inactivated EHV-1 vaccine. The new vaccine will protect vaccinated horses against neurological disease as well as respiratory disease and abortion caused by EHV-1. The vaccine will use a newly isolated Findlay strain of EHV-1 as the master seed virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for grasping, retaining, inverting, coating and transporting a plurality of frangible conical confection shells. The present invention also relates to a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing system for producing frozen cone confections and the like.

Abstract: A hybrid electric propulsion system for powering a vehicle using a natural fuel engine and an electric motor. The hybrid electric vehicle is comprised of a drive train; an electric motor for driving the drive train; an auxiliary power unit (APU); an electric energy storage system electrically coupled to the electric motor; and wherein the auxiliary power unit and the electric energy storage system provide energy for powering the vehicle. An electric bus is directly connected to both the auxiliary power unit and the electric energy source and the voltage across the electric bus is substantially the same as the voltage across the electric energy source so that a change in voltage of the electric bus results in the same change to the voltage across the electric energy source. A power management controller is programmed to control output power of the power unit to maintain the energy storage system between a predetermined high voltage set-point and a predetermined low voltage set-point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting phycocyanin algae or bacteria in water from reflected light, and also includes devices for the measurement, calculation and transmission of data relating to that method.

Abstract: The present invention is a transbrake system for a transmission of a drag race car, the transmission comprising: (a) a transmission housing having an exterior, typically of aluminum; (b) a transmission valve body contained in the transmission housing; the transmission housing having an aperture connecting the exterior of the transmission housing with the transmission valve body; (c) a pneumatic solenoid disposed outside the transmission housing and having an actuating piston extending through the aperture to the transmission valve body, so as to be moveable from a position braking the transmission to a position releasing the transmission; (d) a source of compressed air; (d) an electrical air control valve to control the supply of compressed air from the source of compressed air to the pneumatic solenoid; (e) a fluid conduit extending from the electrical air control valve to the pneumatic solenoid.

Abstract: A plastic bag with a removable coupon section and a method for forming plastic bags with removable coupon sections is presented. The bag comprises a bag portion and a coupon portion. The coupon portion comprises two flaps. Each flap representing at least one coupon. The coupons are separable from the bag portion due to perforations. Where multiple coupons are contianed on the same flap, the coupons may be seperated from one another due to perforations. The flaps are either not joined to one another due to notching of the plastic film from which they are formed or are separable due to welded perforations. This enables the coupons the be individually removed without disturbing other coupons. In the method for making the plastic bags with a removable coupon section, a roll of plastic film is folded over onto itself and welded together. The initial weld forms the bottom of the bag portion. The coupon portion may be perforated to assist in the separation of the coupon from the bag portion.