Abstract: Herein reported are new tricyclic cytidine compounds, such as 8-diethylamino-tC (8-DEA-tC), that respond to DNA and/or RNA duplex formation with up to a 20-fold increase in fluorescent quantum yield as compared with the free nucleoside, depending on neighboring bases. This turn-on response to duplex formation is by far the greatest of any reported nucleoside analogue that can participate in Watson-Crick base pairing. Measurements of the quantum yield of 8-DEA-tC mispaired with adenosine and, separately, opposite an abasic site show that there is almost no fluorescence increase without the formation of correct Watson-Crick hydrogen bonds. Kinetic isotope effects from the use of deuterated buffer show that the duplex protects 8-DEA-tC against quenching by excited state proton transfer. DFT calculations provide a rationale for the observed photophysical properties that is dependent on duplex integrity and the electronic structure of the analogue.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for separating an amount of a substance from groundwater, comprising an elongate chamber (18) having an inlet (22) which is arranged in use to admit groundwater into the chamber near a lower first end (24). There is also a gas sparger (26) located near the first end (24) which admits gas into the chamber for inducing groundwater to flow from the first end (24) of the chamber toward a second end upper end, and for producing a froth layer (32) which rises above an interface with the groundwater including a concentrated amount of the substance. A suction hood (38) can be moved downward from the top of the chamber (18) into a position to collapse the froth layer (32) and to cause it to be removed from the well body (14). The suction hood (38) (acting as a froth depth regulation device) controls the amount of groundwater in the froth layer (32), which influences the concentration of the contaminant substance achieved in the froth layer (32).

Abstract: A spike claw puller for pulling a rail spike includes a handle that defines a through hole that is hole configured to couple to a rail spike pulling machine. A body section defines a top surface and comprises first and second feeder teeth that extend from the handle at a first lift and form a jaw opening therebetween configured to receive the rail spike. First and second feeder extensions extend from the first and second feeder teeth, where the first and second feeder extensions extend beyond a plane that is coplanar with the top surface. The first and second feeder extensions facilitate alignment with the rail spike.

Abstract: A spike claw puller for pulling a rail spike has a handle a first feeder tooth and a second feeder tooth. The handle includes a feature for coupling the spike claw puller to a rail spike pulling machine. The first and second feeder teeth extend from the handle and form a jaw opening therebetween to receive a rail spike. The first feeder tooth includes a first feeder extension and the second feeder tooth includes a second feeder extension to help align the spike claw puller with the rail spike.

Abstract: A spike claw puller for pulling a rail spike includes a handle that defines a through hole that is hole configured to couple to a rail spike pulling machine. A body section defines a top surface and comprises first and second feeder teeth that extend from the handle at a first lift and form a jaw opening therebetween configured to receive the rail spike. First and second feeder extensions extend from the first and second feeder teeth, where the first and second feeder extensions extend beyond a plane that is coplanar with the top surface. The first and second feeder extensions facilitate alignment with the rail spike.

Abstract: A spike claw puller for pulling a rail spike has a handle a first feeder tooth and a second feeder tooth. The handle includes a feature for coupling the spike claw puller to a rail spike pulling machine. The first and second feeder teeth extend from the handle and form a jaw opening therebetween to receive a rail spike. The first feeder tooth includes a first feeder extension and the second feeder tooth includes a second feeder extension to help align the spike claw puller with the rail spike.

Abstract: A system having a plurality of nodes. Unskilled users of the system may perform certain operations in the nodes using a cellphone-based GUI. A trust value is associated with each user to indicate the extent to which the user is trusted by a manager of the system to perform an operation. The trust value is used to determine whether performance of an operation in a node should be mediated by a managing user. When the user specifies a particular operation on a particular node and the user's trust value so indicates, specification of the operation by the user results in a message being sent to the manager of the system; the action taken by the manager with regard to the message determines how the operation will be performed. Actions include not responding to the message and providing an input to the system in response to the message.

Abstract: A hollow auger head assembly for penetrating geological formations that utilizes drill bit assemblies to which both blades and finger bits are attached. The method of securing the individual drill bit assemblies to the auger head reduces incidents of the drill bit assembly becoming detached from the auger head during drilling operations. Additionally, a rust-resistant attachment mechanism is used attach the drill bit assemblies to the auger head, which makes the drill bit assemblies easier to remove and replace. The configuration and arrangement of the bits improves cutting efficiency, increases wear life and reduces the likelihood of the bits breaking during operation.

Abstract: A method and system to establish and delegate control of client-server computer systems over a wireless network according to policies established dynamically by an authority. In particular, one embodiment of the present invention includes a system to specify and promulgate user and command profiles that constrain wireless handsets to execution of commands specified in said user and command profiles, to specify and execute general-purpose computer commands to computers that are nodes in distributed networks or sub networks from a wireless device together with a method and system to monitor the status of specified computer services and specified computers and alert the wireless device user to exceptional conditions.

Abstract: A toilet/bidet device connected to a seat of a toilet for cleaning a users genitals and posterior side. The toilet/bidet device including a water supply pipe connected to a main water line supplying water to the toilet, a valve positioned on an underside of the seat of the toilet and being connected to an end of the water supply pipe opposite the connection to the main water line and a water conduit wand positioned on the underside of the seat and having a first end connected to extend from the valve and a second end having a recess extending therethrough. The water conduit wand is pivotal within the valve. A handle is positioned on a side of the seat and connected to the water conduit wand for pivoting the water conduit wand between a first position and a second position.