Abstract: A method for monitoring a monitor material of a process, such as a manufacturing process, comprises: detecting a suspicious particle in a sample of the monitor material using an imaging system configured to image the sample using illumination light from a light source and to detect an interference pattern based on object light having interacted with the sample and reference light of the illumination light; selectively diverting the suspicious particle rom a flow of the sample to an analysis flow; activating a nucleic acid test (NAT) device, wherein said activating is triggered based on detecting of the suspicious particle in the sample; receiving by the NAT device the analysis flow comprising the suspicious particle; and subjecting the suspicious particle to a NAT analysis. Also, an apparatus for monitoring a monitor material is provided.

Abstract: A shelter for individuals or groups of people caught in the open in inclement weather especially when there is a danger of lightning. The shelter includes an elongate electrically-conductive member for supporting a canopy, the elongate electrically-conductive member being configured as a lightning conductor; an electrically-conducting floor; and a coupling member for electrically connecting the elongate electrically-conductive member to the electrically-conducting floor. The coupling member includes a flange extending laterally away from the elongate electrically-conducting member, over the electrically-conductive flooring, to provide an enlarged footprint of engagement with the electrically-conducting floor.

Abstract: A shelter for individuals or groups of people caught in the open in inclement weather especially when there is a danger of lightning. The shelter comprises an elongate electrically-conductive member for supporting a canopy, the elongate electrically-conductive member being configured as a lightning conductor; an electrically-conducting floor; and a coupling member for electrically connecting the elongate electrically-conductive member to the electrically-conducting floor. The coupling member includes a flange extending laterally away from the elongate electrically-conducting member, over the electrically-conductive flooring, to provide an enlarged footprint of engagement with the electrically-conducting floor.

Abstract: A cue tip installation apparatus is provided comprising a clamp frame having a top portion that includes a threaded screw ram reception channel, and another portion that includes a pair of clamp wings. A cue reception channel is located between the clamp wings and is in alignment with the screw ram reception channel. A screw ram is received in the screw ram reception channel. More specifically, the screw ram includes a threaded screw shaft that is received in the screw ram reception channel. A handle is connected to one end of the screw shaft for driving the screw shaft, and a tip compression head is attached to another end of the screw shaft. The clamp wings include threaded clamp screw reception channels and at least one threaded clamp screw causing the clamp wings to laterally engage the tip of a pool cue and facilitate installation of cue tips onto the end the pool cue stick by operation of the screw ram.

Abstract: A lightning shelter for people is formed from a plurality of elongate electrically conductive members first ends of which are held conjoined between a pair of metal plates. Each member extends away from and depends from its first end to define a frame and the second end of each member has an electrically conductive spike drivable into the ground on which the shelter stands. The outer surface of each elongate member is electrically insulated e.g. with a layer of polyethylene. A further electrically conductive member is removably mountable on the frame on the plates to extend normally away from said frame. In moving from its first to its second end each elongate member extend firstly through a curved portion (quarter circle) and then through a generally straight portion.

Abstract: A sealant comprises a matrix of flexible (preferably, elastomeric polymer or copolymer) material embedded in which are frangible elements inert to the matrix material. The matrix material is selected from the group comprising acrylonitrile copolymers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyurethanes, silicones and acrylonitrile-butiedene-styrene terpolymer. The frangible elements may be hollow bodies--glass spheres--with a diameter of between 20 and 200 microns (advantageously, substantially equal to 75 microns) and a density in the range 0.1 to 2.4 g/cc (advantageously, substantially equal to 0.12 g/cc). A described sealant comprises 15 parts w/w of a solvent free acrylic matrix material to which is added two parts w/w of hollow glass spheres. In addition to the frangible elements, particles of other materials having relatively high thermal conductivity may be included in the matrix material.

Abstract: Cardiovascular malfunction is corrected by implantation through open-heart surgery of a prosthetic valve assembly in which a specially formed valve retainer ring, designed to be secured within a blood vessel by means of sutures, supports a plurality of valve flaps in uniquely hinged relationship. The hinged valve flaps are arranged to normally occur in a closed position in which adjacent flap edges, when in abutting relation to one another, limit hinging movement in one direction. The valve flaps are designed to closely resemble valve flaps in a human heart with hinged mountings devised to insure pronounced longevity being provided. Each valve flap, in response to systolic pressure, is free to move away from the normally closed position described. There is thus produced a central passageway through which fluid may flow in a substantial linear path of travel with little, if any, turbulence or traumatic effects being induced.

Abstract: Aqueous compositions, which are aqueous solutions or suspensions of effect materials containing anionic or cationic surface active agents and condensates of from one to four molar proportions of ethylene oxide with aliphatic alcohols having from seven to fifteen carbon atoms, have good wetting properties and are valuable for applying the effect materials to solid substrates. Suitable effect materials include dyestuffs, textile finishing agents, biocides and especially agrochemicals such as herbicides, fungicides and pesticides.