Abstract: The present invention provides a fibrous product containing plant seeds. In one embodiment, the product is a laminate having plant seeds and adhesive intermediate first and second fibrous sheets. In another embodiment, the product is an integrally formed, unitary fibrous product that includes plants seeds in a fibrous substrate. In a further embodiment, the product is a fibrous sheet coated with a combination of plant seeds and binder. Methods for making the fibrous product are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fibrous product containing plant seeds. In one embodiment, the product is a laminate having plant seeds and adhesive intermediate first and second fibrous sheets. In another embodiment, the product is an integrally formed, unitary fibrous product that includes plants seeds in a fibrous substrate. In a further embodiment, the product is a fibrous sheet coated with a combination of plant seeds and binder. Methods for making the fibrous product are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fibrous product containing plant seeds. In one embodiment, the product is a laminate having plant seeds and adhesive intermediate first and second fibrous sheets. In another embodiment, the product is an integrally formed, unitary fibrous product that includes plants seeds in a fibrous substrate. In a further embodiment, the product is a fibrous sheet coated with a combination of plant seeds and binder. Methods for making the fibrous product are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a novel polypeptide. Also disclosed is a polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid sequence, and antibodies, which immunospecifically-bind to the polypeptide, as well as derivatives, variants, mutants, or fragments of the aforementioned polypeptide, polynucleotide, or antibody. The invention further discloses therapeutic, diagnostic and research methods for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders involving this novel human nucleic acid and protein. The invention also provides nucleic acids containing single-nucleotide polymorphisms identified for transcribed human sequences, as well as methods of using the nucleic acids.

Abstract: An absorbent composite having a reticulated core and a fibrous stratum is disclosed. The core and stratum are integrally formed, and the stratum is coextensive with a surface of the core. In one embodiment, the composite includes strata on opposing surfaces of the core. The core includes a fibrous matrix and absorbent material. The fibrous matrix defines voids and passages between the voids, which are distributed throughout the composite. Absorbent material is located within some of the voids. On wetting, absorbent material located in these voids is expandable into the void. Methods for forming the composite and absorbent articles that include the composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: An unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer based graphical user interface for facilitating the selection and display of transmitted audio, video and data includes a main menu state with a first multi-segment display having an active video/audio segment and a tuning segment. The active video segment displays a currently tuned program and the tuning segment includes an elongated graphic bar. The elongated graphic bar is dynamically sub-divided into a plurality of contiguous regions so that each of the regions uniquely corresponds to a program parsed from a multi-program data stream. The tuning segment also includes a graphic slider that overlays the graphic bar and that is movable along the length of the graphic bar so that the currently tuned program corresponds to the portion of the graphic bar underlying the current position of the graphic slider.

Abstract: A unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A unitary stratified composite composed of a first stratum and a second stratum integrally connected by a transition zone is disclosed. The first stratum serves as a liquid acquisition stratum that rapidly acquires and then transfers liquid to the second stratum. The second stratum serves to withdraw liquid from the first stratum and further serves as a temporary storage stratum. Methods for forming the unitary stratified composite are also disclosed.

Abstract: A micro-mass flow controller (10) has a sonic choked flow restriction (28) with an oscillatable valve (26) for repetitiously opening and closing the sonic choked flow restriction (28) in a time-modulated sequence to set or vary mass flow rate of gas through the sonic choked flow restriction (28) over a period of time to something between no flow and maximum mass flow rate. A bimorph piezoelectric actuator (40) is coated in a sputtered dielectric layer (78) and then encapsulated in stainless steel or other metal cladding (80). A closure member (46) on the actuator (40) is registered to a valve seat (70) by actuating the actuator (40) to force the closure member (46) in a puddle of adhesive (86) against the valve seat (70) until the adhesive (86) cures.

Abstract: A vortex detector comprises a generally cylindrical housing or body that defines a flow passage extending from an upstream end to a downstream end. A vortex generator disposed diametrically across the cylindrical housing near the upstream end of the cylindrical housing and oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the flow passage generates a vortex street in a fluid flowing in the flow passage. The vortex street created by the vortex generator impacts a vane located downstream of the vortex generator and connected at one end to the cylindrical housing substantially spans the flow passage diametrically and substantially parallel to the vortex generator such that vibrations or motion are generated in the vane. The end of the vane connected to the housing includes an area of reduced thickness that acts as a resilient, elastic hinged joint for the motion of the vane.

Abstract: A micro-mass flow controller (10) has a sonic choked flow restriction (28) with an oscillatable valve (26) for repetitiously opening and closing the sonic choked flow restriction (28) in a time-modulated sequence to set or vary mass flow rate of gas through the sonic choked flow restriction (28) over a period of time to something between no flow and maximum mass flow rate. A bimorph piezoelectric actuator (40) is coated in a sputtered dielectric layer (78) and then encapsulated in stainless steel or other metal cladding (80). A closure member (46) on the actuator (40) is registered to a valve seat (70) by actuating the actuator (40) to force the closure member (46) in a puddle of adhesive (86) against the valve seat (70) until the adhesive (86) cures.

Abstract: A micro mass flow controller is provided to accurately and reliably control or meter a mass flow rate of gas flowing at very low rates. The flow controller includes a sonic choked flow restriction with an oscillateable valve that is operable to repetitiously open and close the flow restriction in a time-modulated manner. The flow controller takes measurements of gas inlet pressures and temperatures in an inlet plenum and, at least partially, based on these measurements imposes a duty cycle on the valve by sequentially starting and stopping the sonic choked flow through the flow restriction. The duty cycle of the valve in one embodiment is the ratio of open time to the sum of the open time and the closed time for the valve.

Abstract: A densitometer (10) includes a gas sample plenum (40) that is connected to a gas supply pipe (26) via a flow-restricted inlet duct (42) to at least partially isolate and damp the sample plenum (40) from shocks and noises, turbulences, and abrupt pressure changes in the gas supply. A cantilevered vane (110) is positioned in the sample plenum (40) for gas density determinations on the principle that resonant frequency of the vane (110) is a function of the density of the gas in the sample plenum (40). The resonant frequency of the vane (110) in the gas is determined by applying a magnetic field generated by a driver assembly 120 against the vane (110) and detecting the resonant frequency with a vibration detector (117), which is connected to the driver assembly 120 in a phase locked loop.

Abstract: An automated material handling system including one or more train assemblies moving along a rail with each train assembly including a locomotive pulling a plurality of trolley cars. The locomotive includes a front truck adapted for movement along the rail; a rear truck adapted for movement along the rail in spaced trailing relation to the front truck; a body structure mounted on and extending between the front and rear trucks; a tractor positioned between the front and rear trucks, disassociated from the body structure, and including a motor and a traction drive wheel driven by the motor and adapted to drivingly engage the rail; and a link pivotally interconnecting the tractor and the rear truck. The body structure defines a central downwardly opening compartment between the front and rear trucks and the tractor is positioned in the compartment. The tractor is thus free to essentially independently perform the pulling function for the train without concern for the carrying function of the locomotive.

Abstract: A supply plenum connected to a source of compressed natural gas (CNG) and a control valve assembly for selectively turning on the flow of CNG through a sonic nozzle and out through a dispensing hose assembly. Pressure and temperature transducers connected to the supply plenum measure the stagnation pressure and temperature of the CNG and the ambient temperature, and a pressure transducer fluidically connected to the vehicle tank via the dispensing hose assembly monitors the pressure of the CNG in the vehicle tank.

Abstract: A quick assembly/disassembly apparatus for splitting casing surfaces and peeling the cases from a string of sausages or the like which includes a trackway along which the sausage chain moves and driving discs that engage the casing covered chain of sausages and moves it along the trackway. A contour follower slitting blade is urged with a preselected amount of pressure against the skin casing of the moving chain of sausages and cuts the casing a precise amount to enable it to be thereafter loosened from the sausage by a stream of compressed air. A limiting pin prevents the slitting blade from displacement from the casing surface when the blade encounters a new casing to be split or other surface irregularities. Compressed air is directed against the split casings to urge the skin casings away from the sausages, and a vacuum assists an additional pair of driving discs to cooperatively engage the slit casings and move the casings to a remote location.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting sausage casings or the like from a peeling station which utilizes selectively operable storage tanks for receiving the peeled casings from the peeling station connected to the peeling station by conduits through which moved peelings can be transported by air flow induced from a vacuum source. The receiving tanks each having two interior walls and an exterior wall, one of the interior walls being perforated to permit air flow to move therethrough. The second interior wall forms an air flow passage with the exterior wall to direct air flow induced by the vacuum through the casing outlet means. Each tank has a selectively openable door to discharge collected casings for removal to a remote location.

Abstract: A supply plenum connected to a source of compressed natural gas (CNG) and a control valve assembly for selectively turning on the flow of CNG through a sonic nozzle and out through a dispensing hose assembly. Pressure and temperature transducers connected to the supply plenum measure the stagnation pressure and temperature of the CNG and the ambient temperature, and a pressure transducer fluidically connected to the vehicle tank via the dispensing hose assembly monitors the pressure of the CNG in the vehicle tank.