Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device including a controller programmed to receive security video content associated with a premises where the security video content has been captured by one or more cameras located within or in proximity to the premises and where the premises have one or more digital video recorders, and transmit the security video content to the digital video recorders for forwarding to a communication device that is remote from the premises, where the security video content is wirelessly transmitted over a wireless television channel dynamically selected from available wireless television channels associated with the premises. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes single-use test cartridges, cell analyzer apparatus, and methods for automatically performing microscopic cell analysis tasks, such as counting blood cells in biological samples. A small unmeasured quantity of a biological sample such as whole blood is placed in the disposable test cartridge which is then inserted into the cell analyzer. The analyzer isolates a precise volume of the biological sample, mixes it with self-contained reagents and transfers the entire volume to an imaging chamber. The geometry of the imaging chamber is chosen to maintain the uniformity of the mixture, and to prevent cells from crowding or clumping, when it is transferred into the imaging chamber. Images of essentially all of the cellular components within the imaging chamber are analyzed to obtain counts per unit volume.

Abstract: A securement device includes a pair of plungers movable within a housing. The plungers act as quick lock mechanism to engage and secure a threaded rod (or other object) that passes into a hole that runs through the housing. The plungers are spring-biased to position themselves toward so as to provide a radially inward force, for example to engage a threaded rod or device in the through hole in the housing. A spring within the housing presses the plunger pieces toward a portion of the housing where the outer surfaces engage other surfaces to push the plungers inward. The device includes a disengagement feature or mechanism that is used to push the plunger pieces out of engagement with the threaded rod. The disengagement feature may include a disengagement tool, and may include wings, such as on the plungers or on carriers for the plungers, that protrude out of the housing.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device including a controller programmed to receive security video content associated with a premises where the security video content has been captured by one or more cameras located within or in proximity to the premises and where the premises have one or more digital video recorders, and transmit the security video content to the digital video recorders for forwarding to a communication device that is remote from the premises, where the security video content is wirelessly transmitted over a wireless television channel dynamically selected from available wireless television channels associated with the premises. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and process that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an interference monitor configured to detect occurrences of unintended signals within a communications link. A communications link may carry a down-converted format of a satellite signal from an earth terminal to an integrated receiver and decoder for further network distribution. Depending upon the nature of any such detected unintended signals, the communications link can be “swapped out” for a redundant communications link carrying a down-converted format of the same satellite signal obtained by way of a redundant earth terminal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A bracket is configured to secure a component, such as an electrical box, to a support member, such as a stud. The bracket can include an engagement portion, such as a snap-on arm, configured to interact with multiple surfaces of the support member. A biased or snap-on feature of the engagement portion can be configured to engage a side of the support member to secure the bracket to the support member.

Abstract: A system and process that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an interference monitor configured to detect occurrences of unintended signals within a communications link. A communications link may carry a down-converted format of a satellite signal from an earth terminal to an integrated receiver and decoder for further network distribution. Depending upon the nature of any such detected unintended signals, the communications link can be “swapped out” for a redundant communications link carrying a down-converted format of the same satellite signal obtained by way of a redundant earth terminal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical box bracket includes features allowing it to engage multiple surfaces of a stud. The bracket has a front face for mounting an electrical box and a plaster ring, and a far-side tab bent backwards from the front face for making contact with a drywall behind the bracket. The front face has one or more arms that fit over the front face of a metal stud to which the bracket is to be attached. The front face also has one or more flanges projecting rearward from the same opposite sides of the front face, with stud-lock tabs for engaging a side surface or edge of a side flange of a stud. The bracket has legs that extend from the far-side tab, where the legs are foldable by an end-user to engage side surfaces of the metal stud at different distances from the far-side tab.

Abstract: A remnant soap melting and shaping assembly includes a housing including a bottom wall, a top wall and a perimeter wall attached to and extending between the top and bottom walls. The perimeter wall have a break therein dividing the housing into a base including the bottom wall and a cover including the top wall. The cover is movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to the base. A heating element is positioned within the housing adjacent to the bottom wall. A container is removably positioned in the housing and is positionable on the heating element. The heating element heats the container and melt soap positioned in the container. An inner lid is attached to an inside surface of the cover and has a perimeter edge that is mated with an upper edge of the container when the cover is placed in the closed position.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device including a controller programmed to receive security video content associated with a premises where the security video content has been captured by one or more cameras located within or in proximity to the premises and where the premises have one or more digital video recorders, and transmit the security video content to the digital video recorders for forwarding to a communication device that is remote from the premises, where the security video content is wirelessly transmitted over a wireless television channel dynamically selected from available wireless television channels associated with the premises. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and process that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an interference monitor configured to detect occurrences of unintended signals within a communications link. A communications link may carry a down-converted format of a satellite signal from an earth terminal to an integrated receiver and decoder for further network distribution. Depending upon the nature of any such detected unintended signals, the communications link can be “swapped out” for a redundant communications link carrying a down-converted format of the same satellite signal obtained by way of a redundant earth terminal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical box bracket includes features allowing it to engage multiple surfaces of a stud. The bracket has a front face for mounting an electrical box and a plaster ring, and a far-side tab bent backwards from the front face for making contact with a drywall behind the bracket. The front face has one or more arms that fit over the front face of a metal stud to which the bracket is to be attached. The front face also has one or more flanges projecting rearward from the same opposite sides of the front face, with stud-lock tabs for engaging a side surface or edge of a side flange of a stud. The bracket has legs that extend from the far-side tab, where the legs are foldable by an end-user to engage side surfaces of the metal stud at different distances from the far-side tab.

Abstract: A securement device includes a pair of plungers movable within a housing. The plungers act as quick lock mechanism to engage and secure a threaded rod (or other object) that passes into a hole that runs through the housing. The plungers are spring-biased to position themselves toward so as to provide a radially inward force, for example to engage a threaded rod or device in the through hole in the housing. A spring within the housing presses the plunger pieces toward a portion of the housing where the outer surfaces engage other surfaces to push the plungers inward. The device includes a disengagement feature or mechanism that is used to push the plunger pieces out of engagement with the threaded rod. The disengagement feature may include a disengagement tool, and may include wings, such as on the plungers or on carriers for the plungers, that protrude out of the housing.

Abstract: The invention provides extraction columns for the purification of an analyte (e.g., a biological macromolecule, such as a peptide, protein or nucleic acid) from a sample solution, as well as methods for making and using such columns. The columns typically include a bed of extraction media positioned in the column between two frits. In some embodiments, the extraction columns employ modified pipette tips as column bodies. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods of storing columns in a wet state.

Abstract: A system and process that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an interference monitor configured to detect occurrences of unintended signals within a communications link. A communications link may carry a down-converted format of a satellite signal from an earth terminal to an integrated receiver and decoder for further network distribution. Depending upon the nature of any such detected unintended signals, the communications link can be “swapped out” for a redundant communications link carrying a down-converted format of the same satellite signal obtained by way of a redundant earth terminal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device including a controller programmed to receive security video content associated with a premises where the security video content has been captured by one or more cameras located within or in proximity to the premises and where the premises have one or more Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), and transmit the security video content to the DVR for forwarding to a communication device that is remote from the premises, where the security video content is wirelessly transmitted over a wireless television (TV) channel dynamically selected from available wireless TV channels associated with the premises. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and process that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, an interference monitor configured to detect occurrences of unintended signals within a communications link. A communications link may carry a down-converted format of a satellite signal from an earth terminal to an integrated receiver and decoder for further network distribution. Depending upon the nature of any such detected unintended signals, the communications link can be “swapped out” for a redundant communications link carrying a down-converted format of the same satellite signal obtained by way of a redundant earth terminal. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A carpet cleaning system including a cleaning agent that is one of dilutable with and dissolvable in water to generate a cleaning solution. The cleaning system includes a brush disc that has a substantially bowl-shaped glide plate, and bristles disposed in a bristle region. The cleaning system further includes a carpet cleaning apparatus that has a reservoir for containing the cleaning solution, a motor, an aeration device, a power source, and a control system. The motor rotatably actuates the brush disc. The aeration device is fluidly coupled to the reservoir for aerating the cleaning solution to generate foam. The aeration device dispenses foam into at least one of the opening of the glide plate and the bristle region at a rate equivalent to between about 0.028 gallons per minute and about 0.042 gallons per minute.

Abstract: A protection device can include a first, barrier layer of moisture-proof material and a second, absorbing layer of absorbent material with respective openings therein for receiving a penis of a sexual partner during intercourse. The barrier layer is provided adjacent to the male sexual partner, and the absorbing layer material is provided adjacent to the female sexual partner. The absorbing material may absorb bodily fluids from intercourse while the barrier layer prevents such bodily fluids from reaching the male sexual partner, for example, to protect clothing or prevent bodily contact. The barrier and absorbing layers may have the same size in plan view. Alternatively, the barrier layer may be larger than the absorbing layer to provide an increased region of protection from bodily fluids. The protection device may also be provided with a condom, separately or coupled to the barrier and/or absorbing layers, to enhance protection from bodily fluids.

Abstract: The invention provides extraction columns for the purification of an analyte (e.g., a biological macromolecule, such as a peptide, protein or nucleic acid) from a sample solution, as well as methods for making and using such columns. The columns typically include a bed of extraction media positioned in the column, often between two frits. In some embodiments, the extraction columns employ modified pipette tips as column bodies. In some embodiments, the extraction columns are comprised of frits having a low pore volume. In some embodiments, the frits of the extraction columns have a pore volume of less than one microliter or less than 10% of the interstitial volume of the bed of extraction media.