Abstract: Using the nontoxic PA protein from B. anthracis, a method and composition for use in inducing an immune response which is protective against anthrax in subjects is described.

Abstract: Using nucleic acids encoding mutant SEA and SEB exotoxins from Staphylococcus aureus, compositions and methods for use in inducing an immune response which is protective against staphylococcal aureus intoxication in subjects is described.

Abstract: Using nucleic acids encoding mutant SEA and SEB exotoxins from Staphylococcus aureus, compositions and methods for use in inducing an immune response which is protective against staphylococcal aureus intoxication in subjects is described.

Abstract: Methods and kits for simultaneous measurement of erythropoietin and erythropoietin receptor in a biological sample are described.

Abstract: Using the nontoxic heavy chain fragment from botulinum neurotoxins A-G, compositions and methods of use in inducing an immune response which is protective against intoxication with botulinum in subjects is described.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for increasing the payout for the main wager of the game of blackjack or Twenty-One and/or for providing a side bet opportunity during the game of blackjack or Twenty-One which are based upon the point-spread between the players hand and the dealers hand. In one embodiment, a pointspread of 1, 2, 3, or 4 would result in 1×, 1.5×, 2×, or 10× payout, respectively, of the side wager. In another embodiment, a pointspread of 1, 2, 3, or 4 would result in 1×, 2×, 3×, or 5× payout, respectively, of a side bet. In another embodiment, a pointspread of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 would result in 0.5× , 1× , 1.5× , 3× , or 5× payout, respectively, of a side bet. The game allows for variations in the rules and for other types of side-betting opportunities while maintaining the excitement of a multiple pointspread payout at the resolution of the hand.

Abstract: A compact disc transporter is described for transporting a compact disc between multiple process stations. These stations may include a printer, a recorder, a verifier, and a compact disc supply station. Methods have been described for pre-positioning a compact disc prior to printing so that an image located on the compact disc can be positioned for subsequent printing operations. A camera may be used in conjunction with a processor to rotatably position a compact disc into a preferred position prior to a printing operation. An optical sensor is also described for detecting a mark, index mark or other image for positioning a compact disc to a preferred rotational position.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and verifying information recorded on compact disks and for printing label information on the disks, and a method of operating the apparatus, wherein the respective recorders, verifiers, and printers are vertically stacked in a housing, and a vertically movable carriage is arranged to transport compact disks to each of the stacked devices. A rotatable carousel is mounted to the housing beneath the carriage; the carousel having multiple bins for receiving and holding compact disks. A computer processor controls the actuation of the respective devices, the carriage, and the carousel, to sequentially process unrecorded compact disks through the steps of recording, verifying and printing, and to reject compact disks which have failed the verification tests. A camera may be connected to the housing and uses in conjunction with the computer processor to rotatably position a compact disk into a preferred position prior to the printing step.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording and verifying information recorded on compact disks and for printing label information on the disks, and a method of operating the apparatus, wherein the respective recorders, verifiers, and printers are vertically stacked in a housing, and a vertically movable carriage is arranged to transport compact disks to each of the stacked devices. A rotatable carousel is mounted to the housing beneath the carriage; the carousel having multiple bins for receiving and holding compact disks. A computer processor controls the actuation of the respective devices, the carriage, and the carousel, to sequentially process unrecorded compact disks through the steps of recording, verifying and printing, and to reject compact disks which have failed the verification tests. A camera may be connected to the housing and used in conjunction with the computer processor to rotatably position a compact disk into a preferred position prior to the printing step.

Abstract: An HCl adsorbent, and method of making and using the adsorbent, the adsorbent comprising an activated alumina promoted with an alkali metal in an amount such that if calculated as alkali metal oxide, the adsorbent contains at least about 5% by weight alkali metal oxide.

Abstract: A printer for printing graphic and alphanumeric information on plastic disks utilizing a printhead having a line array of print pixels. The printhead is pivotally mounted and has an adjustable force mechanism to urge the line array of print pixels into contact with a plastic disk; the plastic disk is mounted on a movable carriage which linearly passes beneath the printhead and the adjustable force mechanism exerts a variable force which is a function of the position of the disk beneath the printhead.

Abstract: An HCl adsorbent, and method of making and using the adsorbent, the adsorbent comprising an activated alumina promoted with an alkali metal in an amount such that if calculated as alkali metal oxide, the adsorbent contains at least about 5% by weight alkali metal oxide. The adsorbent is used for removal of HCl from a fluid stream.

Abstract: An apparatus as disclosed that receives, vertically stacks and directionally collates computer diskettes. The apparatus stacks the diskettes in the actual order in which they are received, with the first diskette received at the top of the stack and the most recently-received diskette at the bottom of the stack. A tray attached to a drive nut receives diskettes in a lowered position and, if appropriate, swivels the tray 90 degrees before raising the diskette into a bin opening located at the bottom of a vertical stacking bin. Retractable wedge-shaped finger members support the diskette stacked in the bin and retract as a diskette is raised. The tray and drive nut are raised and swiveled by way of a rotating shaft extending in the bore of the drive nut. The shaft has a double helical groove on its surface which is engaged by a pawl swivelably attached to the drive nut.

Abstract: An electronic compass has a display including a reference pointer that indicates a reference heading stored in response to an input signal. The reference heading is the current heading at the time of the input signal, and the reference pointer in the display is updated as the orientation of the compass changes.

Abstract: An apparatus which receives computer diskettes, sleeves the diskettes, and further conveys the diskettes. The apparatus has a receiving port into which computer diskettes are conveyed. A pair of friction rollers convey the diskettes toward the open end of the topmost sleeve in the stack. The open end is held open by a hold-down flap depressing the flap on the lower layer of the sleeve, an insert finger inserted from above the sleeve, and a suction means to uplift the top layer of the sleeve. The diskette is conveyed until it is fully within the sleeve at which point the sleeved diskette engages the curved top edge of a singulate gate slidably attached to the frame. The engagement of the sleeved diskette with the curved top edge of the gate overcomes the upward bias of the gate to slide the gate downwardly to allow the sleeved diskette to pass over the gate and be further conveyed.

Abstract: An HCl adsorbent, and method of making and using the adsorbent, the adsorbent comprising an activated alumina promoted with an alkali metal in an amount such that if calculated as alkali metal oxide, the adsorbent contains at least about 5% by weight alkali metal oxide.

Abstract: A diskette sleever device having a hopper for supporting a stack of empty sleeves, and a feed mechanism for receiving unsleeved diskettes, wherein the topmost empty sleeve is held in a predetermined position along the diskette transport path, and a pair of oscillatory fingers are engageable into the empty sleeve to open it, and a blower assembly is positioned adjacent the upper side of the sleeve to develop a negative pressure to create a suction force to retain the upper side of the sleeve in an open position while the transport mechanism inserts the diskette into the open sleeve.

Abstract: A system for automating the processing and packaging of prerecorded diskettes, including a label printer and applicator for applying the printed labels as the diskette moves along a conveyor, a diverter for rejecting faulty diskettes, a sleever for inserting collator cards into predetermined positions in an output bin where the sleeved diskettes are placed, all under automatic control of a control processor.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for centering an integrated circuit device (12) along X and Y axes (95, 97) with respect to a Z axis (39). First and second jaw pairs (98, 100), are actuated so that corresponding jaws of each pair are, at all times, disposed along their respective axis at equal distances from the Z axis (39). Corresponding jaws of each pair (98, 100) are, concurrently, moved toward and away from the Z axis, therefore. In a preferred embodiment, actuation is effected by means of linear extender rods, (70, 72) which, in turn, in effect rotation of discs (26, 28) and their corresponding turnstiles (106, 114). Turnstile (106, 114) rotation, in turn, effects linear movement of track riders (84, 86) to which the jaw pairs, (98, 100) are mounted.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for a variable displacement refrigerant compressor comprising one or more valve assemblies adapted to regulate fluid communication between the compressor's discharge cavity and the interior of the crankcase as a function of a predetermined fluid pressure differential. The valve assemblies operate to modulate, as a function of the ambient temperature, the set point of the compressor thereby avoiding evaporator freeze up.