Abstract: Methods of controlling the density or number of nucleic acid molecules coupled to solid supports are provided. Capture substrates produced thereby or comprising a predetermined density or number of nucleic acids coupled thereto are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rail supporting assembly for supporting a contact rail of a railway system that includes a base, a rail support head positioned relative to the base, and a support member comprising a dielectric phenolic material coupled to and positioned between the rail support head and the base to thereby support and insulate the contact rail. The support member includes a fracture area to facilitate fracturing of a sidewall of the support member when a fracturing force, such as a electrical arc event, is applied to the support member. The support member preferably is coated with a varnish to prevent absorption of water by the support member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rail supporting assembly for supporting a contact rail of a railway system that includes a base, a rail support head positioned relative to the base, and a support member comprising a dielectric phenolic material coupled to and positioned between the rail support head and the base to thereby support and insulate the contact rail. The support member includes a fracture area to facilitate fracturing of a sidewall of the support member when a fracturing force, such as a electrical arc event, is applied to the support member. The support member preferably is coated with a varnish to prevent absorption of water by the support member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rail supporting assembly for supporting a contact rail of a railway system that includes a base, a rail support head positioned relative to the base, and a support member comprising a dielectric phenolic material coupled to and positioned between the rail support head and the base to thereby support and insulate the contact rail. The support member preferably is coated with a varnish to prevent absorption of water by the support member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rail supporting assembly for supporting a contact rail of a railway system that includes a base, a rail support head positioned relative to the base, and a support member comprising a dielectric phenolic material coupled to and positioned between the rail support head and the base to thereby support and insulate the contact rail. The support member preferably is coated with a varnish to prevent absorption of water by the support member.

Abstract: Modular pillboxes that include at least one one-way passage through which pills, materials or other articles can be pushed through and into and underlying interior compartment of the modular pillboxes. The modular pillboxes include coupling structure by which the modular pillbox can be coupled to a loading tray and/or additional modular pillboxes. The modular pillboxes include lids that can be opened to access pills, materials or other articles that are loaded therein through the one-way passages.

Abstract: An automated apparatus that sterilizes and refills beverage containers with filtered water and any number of additives or ingredients such as nutrients, health supplements, caffeine, flavorings, vitamins, sweeteners, coloring agents, medicines, etc. The apparatus allows consumers, including home consumers, to produce, customize and “bottle” their own flavored and fortified filtered water.

Abstract: Modular pillboxes that include at least one one-way passage through which pills, materials or other articles can be pushed through and into and underlying interior compartment of the modular pillboxes. The modular pillboxes include coupling structure by which the modular pillbox can be coupled to a loading tray and/or additional modular pillboxes. The modular pillboxes include lids that can be opened to access pills, materials or other articles that are loaded therein through the one-way passages.

Abstract: A modular construction system that can be used to construct a variety of structural units including armor shields for vehicles or personnel, energy generating grids, thermal insulating or transmitting structures, acoustic insulating or reflecting structures, electromagnetic shields, etc. The modular construction system uses modular discs which are configured to be coupled or connected together to form or develop any desired structure. The modular discs include substantially circular base portions, star-shaped projections extending from the upper surface of the substantially circular base portion, and cooperating connecting structures that allow for the plurality of modular discs to be connected to one another.

Abstract: An interactive electronic pillbox that includes a plurality of compartments for containing medications and means to electronically identify a particular compartment from which medication is to be taken at a particular time. The interactive electronic pillbox includes data entry, data display, data transmitting and data processing functions which allow for interactive healthcare management by individuals and healthcare personnel directly or remotely.

Abstract: An automated apparatus that sterilizes and refills beverage containers with filtered water and any number of additives or ingredients such as nutrients, health supplements, caffeine, flavorings, vitamins, sweeteners, coloring agents, medicines, etc.

Abstract: A multi-purpose device for opening the closures of a variety of containers which includes a main body having a substantially flat top surface and a substantially flat bottom surface with a peripheral wall extending downward from the substantially bottom surface of the main body. An elastomeric sheet is attached to the substantially bottom surface of the main body and can be used to press against and twist a cap or lid off a container. A display area having a peripheral upstanding rim is centrally located on the flat top surface of the main body for receiving printed material such as a photograph, drawing or textual material for display purposes. A smaller portion is attached to the main body portion, which smaller portion is substantially coplanar with the main body portion and includes at least one small rigid projection.

Abstract: A multi-purpose closure opening device for opening the closures of a variety of containers which includes a flexible body that having a top surface and a bottom surface and at least two recesses formed in the bottom surface of the flexible body. Each of the at least two recesses is surrounded by peripheral walls that have gripping structures which extend inward from each of the peripheral walls. A rigid reinforcing structure is embedded in the flexible body for reinforcing one of the at least two recesses formed in a bottom surface of the flexible body. A prying structure for prying closures from containers is attached to the reinforcing structure and extends outward from a side of the flexible body.

Abstract: A modular construction system that can be used to construct a variety of structural units including armor shields for vehicles or personnel, energy generating grids, thermal insulating or transmitting structures, acoustic insulating or reflecting structures, electromagnetic shields, etc. The modular construction system uses modular discs where are configured to be coupled or connected together to form or develop any desired structure.

Abstract: The socket adaptor insertion-removal tool including a handle, a depending shank terminating in a head with at least two conducting prongs wired to a receptacle in the handle top, for insertion into a socket adaptor, thus to provide electrical power from the receptacle in the top of the handle upon insertion of the socket adaptor into an electrical socket. In another embodiment, the handle top end does not have a receptacle.

Abstract: A multifunctional container opener for opening a plurality of different containers, including a body that supports a template defining one or more pockets and a pill splitting tool and one or more compartments or pockets for capturing pieces of the split pill or tablet. The body may also support a variety of tools adapted for opening a container or accessing a container's contents. Such tools include tools for piercing, scoring, cutting or prying portions of the actual container or safety seals associated with the container. The body also supports a gripping device for frictionally engaging the cap or top of a container.

Abstract: A sheet resistance test of a wafer or sample can be performed by causing a plurality of spaced contacts, each of which either does not form oxides thereon or which forms conductive oxides thereon, to touch a surface of the wafer without penetrating or damaging the surface. An electrical stimulus is then applied to the wafer via one or more of the contacts and the electrical response of the semiconducting material to the electrical stimulus is detected via one or more of the contacts. At least one electrical property of the wafer can be determined from the measured response and the applied electrical stimulus.

Abstract: A multifunctional container opener for opening a plurality of different containers, including a body that supports a template defining one or more pockets and a pill splitting tool and one or more compartments or pockets for capturing pieces of the split pill or tablet. The body may also support a variety of tools adapted for opening a container or accessing a container's contents. Such tools include tools for piercing, scoring, cutting or prying portions of the actual container or safety seals associated with the container. The body also supports a gripping device for frictionally engaging the cap or top of a container.