Abstract: An electronic water treatment apparatus includes an electronic impulse generator and control box attached to a power source. An impulse chamber includes a cylindrical anode rod inside a tubular cathode and is connected to the impulse generator and control box with a low-voltage cable which is no more than about six feet long. The impulse generator and control box supply about 16 v DC power and 120-180 milliamps to the impulse chamber at between 2300 and 5200 Hertz. The discharge frequency within the impulse chamber automatically varies with the conductivity of the aqueous solution within the impulse chamber. The impulse generator and control box supply power with a waveform that includes about a two microsecond break between each positive and negative pulse to prevent corrosion of the electrodes and create the aragonite form of calcium carbonate instead of the calcite form.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for managing utilization of rooms in a clinic, for example, include a visible display, for example, colored lights at an examining room, indicating one or more of several available room status values for the room. An input device including, e.g., push buttons, is coupled to the display and adapted for selecting the room status value. A timer coupled to the input device and display automatically changes the status value of a room when a predetermined time period has elapsed after the status value is first selected, except when a third room status value is selected. This feature notifies personnel if, for example, a patient has been left alone in a room too long. A central control provides a database to accumulate minute-by-minute utilization data of the clinic rooms and also programs to access and compute from the data the overall utilization by variable periods. This utilization data are useful for planning, reallocation and investment in new space.

Abstract: A putting green whose perimeter is level with the top of a concrete-sided pool having a decorative ribbon along the top of the pool side and an apron surrounding the pool having at least partially flat surface, the putting green overlying a deck including a) a waterproof surface comprising decking surface members having lengths and ends, the lengths being sized to the dimensions of the pool and the surface being at the same level as the pool apron; b) supports including i. cross members which are perpendicular to the lengths of the decking surface members; ii. underlying joists that form a sturdy base for the cross members; and iii. joist hangers being secured to the sides of the pool below the decorative ribbon along the top of the pool side and being sunk into the concrete side of the pool; and c) a putting green comprising at least the layers of gravel, sand and artificial grass.

Abstract: An organic mixture for retaining water in soil includes 30 to 38 kg of cellulose fiber waste or paper sludge, 8 to 13 kg of dry sawdust or wood shavings, 30 to 50 kg of top soil, 4 to 6.5 kg of manure, and 11.45 to 20 kg of calcium carbonate.

Abstract: Roadways are deiced or ice formation on roadways is prevented by applying salt compositions derived from waste water streams from water softening operations.

Abstract: In oil or gas well drilling, saline water is collected and separated into first and second streams of solid or liquid products containing salts. The first products are used in formulating cements for fabricating drilled well casings.

Abstract: The invention relates to treating unwanted moderately saline water for producing useful water. The treated water is also suitable for human and livestock consumption. The process includes passing moderately saline waters having 0.05% or more weight and less than 1.00% by weight of the salts of Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cl, SO4, or CO3 or combinations thereof through an ion exchange media (FIG. 2). The ion exchange media is pre-treated to be saturated with multivalent cations such as calcium (Ca2+) or magnesium (Mg2+) ions (FIG. 2). After passing through the ion exchange media, the effluent has decreased sodium cations and increased calcium and/or magnesium cations compared to the pre-treated moderately saline water (FIG. 2). As the moderately saline waters pass through the ion exchange media, the sodium content of the media rises as the multivalent cation content lowers until the media is unacceptable for further water treatment and must be regenerated.

Abstract: A method of improving oil or gas well production has the steps of (a) collecting contaminated water having 0.15% or more by weight of the salts of Na, Ca, Mg, K, Cl, SO4 or CO3 or combinations thereof (b) separation processing the contaminated water to produce i.) a first separated liquid product having increased sodium chloride and decreased magnesium chloride and calcium chloride or combinations thereof than the collected water, and ii) a second solid or liquid product having decreased sodium chloride and increased magnesium chloride and calcium chloride or combinations thereof than the collected water, and (c) injecting the first liquid product into an oil or gas well formation to improve production.

Abstract: Water contaminated with sodium, calcium or magnesium salts or chloride, sulfate or carbonate salts is processed to produce a clean water stream and a waste water stream. The clean water stream is analyzed to determine if the sodium content is too high for potable use and, if so, the clean water stream is applied to soil to improve rain catchment for pond sealing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of selectively labeling non-messenger RNA molecules by isolating total RNA from a tissue or cell, dissolving the isolated RNA, blocking the 3? end of the RNA and adding T4 RNA ligase and a labeled nucleic acid adaptor. With the results that the T4 RNA ligase ligates the adaptor only to RNA having a 5? phosphate group and only small RNA are labeled. A method of labeling the 5? end of mRNA isolates total RNA from a tissue or cell, dissolving RNA in RNase-free water, removing a 5? cap structure from the mRNA using tobacco acid pyrophosphatase (TAP), removing the TAP, blocking the 3? end of the RNA molecules; and ligating an adaptor to the RNA by adding T4 RNA ligase and a labeled DNA or RNA adaptor.

Abstract: A method for purifying an immunosuppressant protein (HISP) has the steps of obtaining supernatant from hNT cells; exposing the supernatant to preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to produce 20 isoelectric fractions, including active isoelectric fraction #10; placing the active isoelectric fraction on a Blue Sepharose column to bind albumin; and collecting the free fraction containing the concentrated, isolated HISP. Also disclosed is a method of treating inflammation, using an effective amount of an HISP. The HISP is anionic, has a molecular weight of 40-100 kDa, an isoelectric point of about 4.8 and is obtained from the supernatant of hNT cells, but not from NCCIT embryonal carcinoma cells, T98G glioblastoma cells or THP-1 monocytic leukemia cells. HISP can maintain T cells in a quiescent G0/G1 state without lowering their viability. HISP loses activity when treated with heat, pH2, pH11, or mixed with trypsin or carboxypeptidase, but not with neuraminidase.

Abstract: A heated food vending machine has a front with a) slots for dispensing the food and for accepting money, b) a video screen and c) several depressible buttons. Inside the machine is a refrigerator with a roof having an openable door and a side having a fastenable door for refilling with food in covered pans. Inside the refrigerator is a horizontally rotating apparatus with stations supporting stacks of food in covered pans. An elevator below the openable door elevates a station, raising the top pan above the door. The food cover is removed by a special roller apparatus. On top of the refrigerator are arms radiating from a central hub, which are rotate horizontally. Spaces between the arms contain food pans, which rotate to an oven with heating elements above and below the pizza. A computer controls the food selection and the refrigerator and oven temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of umbilical cord blood cells from a donor or patient to provide neural cells which may be used in transplantation. The isolated cells according to the present invention may be used to effect autologous and allogeneic transplantation and repair of neural tissue, in particular, tissue of the brain and spinal cord and to treat neurodegenerative diseases of the brain and spinal cord.

Abstract: Method and system of producing microparticles loaded with biologically active drugs, including proteins such as ICAM-1, for controlled release of the drugs in a nasal passageway. The method includes introducing a drug/polymer feed solution and an emulsifier into a first mixing chamber to create an emulsion, then mixing a cross-linking agent together with the emulsion under controlled conditions to create microparticles loaded with the drug. The system includes a first mixing chamber, in which the emulsion is created, having a first port for introducing the drug/polymer solution, and a second port angled substantially perpendicular to the first port for introducing the emulsifier. A second mixing chamber adjacent to the first mixing chamber receives the emulsion and either contains a cross-linking agent or receives a stream of a cross-linking agent to solidify the microparticles.

Abstract: A method is described for inducing the formation of cementum and a periodontal ligament between a dental implant and bone by administering cementum attachment protein (CAP) together with a calcineurin inhibitor such as cyclosporin A (CSA). Also contemplated is an implant kit comprising a titanium or other biologically inert dental or orthopedic implant and a coating of CAP and a calcineurin inhibitor such as CSA. Furthermore, application of CAP and CSA to dental root surfaces can be used to induce the regeneration of a periodontal ligament during treatment for periodontal disease. A similar method for reattaching a fibrous structure, such as a tendon, ligament or joint capsule, to bone is described.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of promoters for ribonucleic acid amplification and other genetic manipulations. Processes are provided wherein complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) is synthesized from a ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence using a complementary primer linked to an RNA polymerase promoter region complement and then anti-sense RNA (aRNA) is transcribed from the cDNA by introducing an RNA polymerase capable of binding to the promoter region. Additional processes using the resulting aRNA are also described.