Abstract: An automated system and process is provided for pooling samples from a multiplicity of blood or plasma donations for subsequent testing to uniquely identify any such blood or plasma donations which may be infected with a particular virus. The system includes an autosampler needle which is directly inserted into a blood or plasma sample aliquot container in order to withdraw an aliquot portion of the contents for forming a sample pool with aliquot portions of other blood or plasma samples. The autosampler comprises a tubular piercing member having a hollow interior bore and a tubular shroud surrounding the piercing member.

Abstract: A universal directional reference for trailing locomotives and railroad cars employs a two wire mating connector for each end of the car or locomotive, each wire having a male contact at one end and a female contact at the opposite end and in a sense opposite to the other wire. A positive polarity established on one conductor having its male contact at the leading end of the controlling locomotive causes the same polarity to appear on the female contact at the rear end of said locomotive which is connected to the male contact of the next car or locomotive thereby sustaining the pattern throughout the train. Reverse orientation of any trailing unit automatically swaps the internal polarity of its trainline wires to compensate for the otherwise reverse direction of travel.

Abstract: The valve is designed for the ejection of a plurality of different gases from within the valve, simultaneously, by having a plurality of plenum chambers within the chamber of the valve, and a poppet therein, that are charged with gases under pressure. The gases are sealed within the respective plenum chambers by the action of a spring that urges the poppet against a gas exit port associated with each plenum chamber. Ejection of the gases is accomplished by the application of an electrical current into a coil surrounding the poppet which produces an electromagnetic field that causes a non-ferrous hammer to be driven away from the coil and strike the poppet. Upon being struck by the hammer, the poppet is driven off of the plurality of gas exit ports thereby allowing the gases to be ejected, simultaneously, from the respective plenum chambers into a region of lower pressure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a downhole, high-current, low-impedance, feed-through connector for passing electrical current, preferably high frequency AC current, between a tool compartment having relatively high pressure and another tool compartment having relatively low pressure. The primary intended application of the present invention is to connect a radio frequency transmitter/receiver antenna to the antenna's tuning capacitors, but the present invention is applicable to any downhole application requiring the transmission of high electrical current across a barrier having a high pressure differential. This invention minimizes the force acting on the connector due to the high pressure differential by providing a conductor preferably having either a wave-like cross-section or a multi-finned cross-section, thereby minimizing the overall cross-sectional area of the connector yet providing sufficient cross-sectional area of the conductor to carry the necessary amount of electrical current.

Abstract: A telecommunications switching system with a hardware resource manager system. The resource manager interfaces with higher-level system functions such as call processing, OA&M, NMS and system control functions and with lower-level hardware functions embodied in an input/output sub-system (IOSS) containing various hardware resources for interfacing the switching system to other entities. The resource manager controls all interactions between the IOSS hardware and the higher-level functions and hides the hardware specifics of the IOSS, giving the higher-level functions a hardware-independent view of the IOSS resources. As a result, the higher-level functions can operate without modification with a wide variety of IOSS hardware configurations. The resource manager manages the physical interfaces and IOSS resources and is aware of the complete configuration of the IOSS, including all channel addressing information and the state of each IOSS resource.

Abstract: A bulk, quasi-periodic phase-matched difference-frequency (DFG) process in field-poled LiNbO3 bulk crystal permits continuous tunability of the output radiation in the 3.0-4.1 &mgr;m wavelength range through grating rotation. DFG in QPM-LiNbO3 crystal, carried out using a Nd:YAG laser and a high power semiconductor laser at the quasi-phased matching (QPM) degeneracy point, results in an ultra wide 0.5 &mgr;m acceptance bandwidth, permitting crystal rotation-free wavelength tuning of 4.0-4.5 &mgr;m, with 0.2 mW output power at 4.5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: Pinion and ring gears intermeshed at one location within a pump chamber are rotationally supported therein by a cylindrical bearing portion of a housing sealingly enclosing said pump chamber between side plates of the housing within which stator windings are mounted in operative alignment with permanent magnets carried in one of the gears acting as a motor rotor as a result of interaction between such magnets and magnetic fields produced by electrical input power fed to the stator windings.

Abstract: A method of improving the adhesion of an ink jet ink formulation to a substrate, which method includes adding to the ink jet ink formulation an amount of a chelate of a transition metal or a chelate of a mixture of transition metals effective to improve the adhesion of the ink jet ink formulation to the substrate; printing the substrate with the chelate-containing ink jet ink formulation; and treating the printed substrate with heat for a time and at a temperature to further improve the adhesion of the ink jet ink formulation to the substrate. The ink jet ink formulation typically will include a diluent system and colorant. The chelate typically will be present in the ink jet ink formulation in a range of about 0.001 up to about 20 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the chelate-containing ink jet ink formulation. A particularly desirable chelate is zirconium lactate. The present invention also provides an article and a substrate produced by the foregoing method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for generating an MR image of a structural portion of a subject, the portion lying within a hypothetical imaging volume. A specified level of hyperpolarized magnetization is provided within the imaging volume, and a series of MR pulse sequences are applied to the imaging volume to generate respective corresponding MR data signals, each pulse sequence comprising a number of magnetic field gradient pulses and an excitation pulse, and having an associated flip angle determined by the excitation pulse. The associated flip angles of successive pulse sequences are progressively increased to maintain the signal strength of the corresponding MR data signals at a substantially constant level. Acquired MR data signals are cumulatively processed to provide an image of the structural portion.

Abstract: Breathable microporous films are provided having controlled regional breathability with thick high WVTR regions and thinner low WVTR regions. The zoned breathable microporous films can be made by selectively applying heat and pressure to the microporous film such as by feeding a microporous film through a pair of heated nip rollers with one of the rolls having a raised surface area.

Abstract: A variable function calculator utilizes a fixed program memory array such as a programmed read only memory in which a number of programs are stored depending upon the desired functions of the calculator. The calculator also includes a program counter, an instruction register, control decoders, jump-condition circuits, a clock generator, a timing generator, digit and FLAG mask decoders, key input logic, a register and FLAG data storage array, a decimal and FLAG arithmetic logic unit, an output decoder, and a digit scanner which scans both the keyboard and display outputs. Aside from providing basic desk top calculator functions, the read only memory may be programmed so that the system provides metering functions, arithmetic teaching functions, control functions, etc.. A preferred embodiment of the invention is capable of being fabricated as a monolithic integrated semiconductor system utilizing contemporary metal-insulator-semiconductor techniques.

Abstract: An asexually reproduced variety of bermudagrass with a unique combination of characters including excellent turf performance, aggressive growth, early green up ability, and excellent cold tolerance.

Abstract: A new variety of carnation plant producing bright crimson flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Plant No. 179’, characterized by its plant height of about 3.5 to 5.5 feet; very large flat flowers with fully overlapping petals; vibrant pink flower color; flowers that maintain their flat shape for up to two days; long flowering period; resistance to diseases and insects common to Hibiscus; tolerance to humidity exremes; tolerance to drought and flooding; and tolerance to temperatures extremes.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Plant No. 115’, characterized by its plant height of about 4.5 to 6.5 feet; very large flat flowers with fully overlapping petals; bright red flower color; flowers that maintain their flat shape for up to two days; long flowering period; resistance to diseases and insects common to Hibiscus; tolerance to humidity extremes; tolerance to drought and flooding; and tolerance to temperatures extremes.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of ornamental peach tree called ‘Corinthian Pink’ is provided that demonstrates a norrowly columnar growth habit, a vigorous growth rate, medium purple foliage, and an abundance of light pink-colored, double flowers. The new cultivar produces very few fruit, and is intended for use as a spring flowering ornamental plant in the home landscape.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Sparkling Yolaurie’, characterized by its uniformly mounded plant habit; decorative-type inflorescences that are about 4.2 cm in diameter; attractive bright yellow-colored ray florets; and numerous inflorescences per plant.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Bright Stephanie’, characterized by its uniformly mounded plant habit; relatively early flowering; daisy-type inflorescences that are about 5.1 cm in diameter; attractive bright yellow ray florets and darker yellow disc florets; and numerous inflorescences per plant.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Soft Heather’, characterized by its uniformly mounded plant habit; decorative-type inflorescences that are about 4.5 cm in diameter; attractive lavender-colored ray florets; numerous inflorescences per plant; and very uniform flowering.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Fall Delano’, characterized by its upright and uniformly mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; strong plant growth; large and very dark green leaves; uniform flowering; large decorative disbud-type inflorescences that are about 11.9 cm in diameter; attractive dulled red ray florets; with cool temperatures and low light conditions, ray floret color can range from a yellow ray base with reddish bronze apices to yellow; and good postproduction longevity with inflorescences and leaves maintaining good substance and color for about three weeks in an interior environment.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Yopatricia’, characterized by its uniformly mounded and relatively compact plant habit; relatively early flowering; decorative-type inflorescences that are about 3.8 cm in diameter; attractive lavender ray florets; and numerous inflorescences per plant.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Empire Sweet Dreams’, characterized by its uniformly mounded plant habit; large daisy-type inflorescences that are about 7 cm in diameter; attractive coral pink ray florets and bright yellow disc florets; and numerous inflorescences per plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Rex Begonia plant named ‘Chicago Fire’, characterized by its uniform growth habit; moderate plant vigor; no requirement for winter dormancy; and interesting and attractive leaf coloration and pattern.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Mariyo’, characterized by its uniformly mounded, dense and relatively compact plant habit; relatively early flowering; decorative-type inflorescences that are about 4.7 cm in diameter; attractive white ray florets; and numerous inflorescences per plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Verbena plant named ‘Balwilblu’, characterized by its light pink-colored flowers with dark pink “eye”; mounded, low-growing, decumbent plant habit; and freely basal-branching.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Golden Spotlight’, characterized by its uniformly mounded plant habit; decorative-type inflorescences that are about 5.8 cm in diameter; attractive bright yellow ray florets reddish brown inflorescence center; and numerous inflorescences per plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Azalea plant named ‘First Place’, characterized by its very glossy dark green leaves that do not abscise during the cooling and forcing periods; dense and outwardly spreading plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; rapid flowering after forcing; numerous large and showy reddish purple-colored flowers; hose-in-hose to semi-double hose-in-hose flower form; excellent postproduction longevity with plants maintaining good flower substance for more than four weeks in an interior environment; and very low incidence of infection with Cylindrocladium in inoculated trials.