Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for recovering and separating anesthetic gas components from waste anesthetic gases to be purged from a healthcare facility. With minimal reliance on the utility infrastructure and supplies of a healthcare facility, the method and apparatus needs only electrical or mechanical power, a source of waste anesthetic gases, and an atmospheric vent in order to operate. A heat exchanger/condenser, which uses a dedicated heat transfer fluid as a refrigerant, is employed to condense anesthetic gas components from the waste anesthetic gases as either liquid condensates or solid frosts. The warmed heat transfer fluid is cooled in a separate refrigeration unit and recycled back to the heat exchanger/condenser. A preferred embodiment of the invention is a self-contained, packaged unit which can be easily accommodated in a physician's office, small animal clinic, dental office or other healthcare facility requiring effective waste anesthetic gas management.

Abstract: A direction indicator device captured between couplers of ends of firehose sections that point to the source of the firehose and to safety. The direction indicator device includes a gasket-like annular body which fits over the male threads of the male coupler and is captured between annular ends of the abutting male and female coupler bodies. Direction pointing fingers, integral with the annular body, point toward the hose section to which the male coupler is attached and are angularly oriented to fit between longitudinal lugs of the male coupler. A lip is provided on an inwardly facing surface at each finger tip to hinder removal and to prevent inadvertent removal of the device from the male coupler body.

Abstract: A method for reducing data in the form of successive groups of N values may comprise finding the largest X values of the N values of each group, setting all but the largest X values of each group equal to zero, averaging W respective ones of the N values to produce N average values, finding the largest Y of the N average values, where Y is less than X, and setting the largest Y of the N average values equal to a first binary value, and a reminder of the N average values equal to a second binary value.

Abstract: This invention provides protection against an electricity leak and prevents error in reverse wiring. Also, when the ground fault circuit interrupter has come to the end of its life and its functions fail, it can set off an alarm prompt signal, reminding the user to replace the interrupter in a prompt manner; when a certain part or accessory of the ground fault circuit interrupter fails, especially when the primary electromagnetic coil cannot work in a normal manner, the power output of the interrupter may be cut off through the secondary electromagnetic coil; or the test button may be pressed to mechanically cut off the power output of the interrupter. This invention has powerful applications, with good safe guard and is safe to use, thus effectively ensuring the personal safety of the user as well as the safety of the appliances.

Abstract: The print head and screen assembly of a Semi-Automatic Screen Printer is raised above its normal printing height and selective attachment of several different fixtures on the nest plate for holding the substrate in a desired position during a screen printing operation for printing gold on LTCC substrates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing ballistic protection and stopping high-velocity rounds or explosives. A ballistic panel for providing protection includes a three-dimensional core designed as a structural truss that includes a plurality of nodes and provides structural support of the ballistic panel, a ceramic grinding layer that includes a plurality of ceramic grinding media that fills in the nodes of the core, an elastomeric, self-healing outer coating that encapsulates the ceramic grinding layer and a backing affixed to a non-threat side of the ballistic panel. The core absorbs and dissipates force from projectile and explosive force impacts on the ballistic panel and the ceramic grinding layer re-directs and causes the projectiles to break apart.

Abstract: A method and system for removal of nitrous oxide and volatile halocarbon gas components from waste anesthetic gases using a low-flow scavenging or reclamation system preferably including an intelligent waste anesthetic gas collection unit fluidly coupled between each individual anesthetic machine and the waste gas evacuation manifold. Through a system including a collection chamber, a pressure detector, and a exhaust valve which is actuated based on the detected pressure in the collection chamber, the waste anesthetic gas collection unit allows flow to the waste suction manifold only in the presence of waste gas and interrupts all flow into the suction manifold when no waste gas is present.

Abstract: A skin treatment composition of the present invention is an external composition for skin comprising an alkylene oxide derivative expressed by Formula (I): R1O—[(AO)m(EO)n]—R2??(I) wherein AO is an oxyalkylene group of C3 or C4; EO is an oxyethylene group; m and n are 1?m?70 and 1?n?70 respectively, wherein EO is 20˜80% by weight with respect to a total of AO and EO; each of R1 and R2 is a hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group having C1-4. The alkylene oxide derivative (I) has a moisturizing effect, a rough skin improving effect, a stickiness improving effect, and a transdermal absorption promoting effect. When a refreshing agent is used together therewith in the composition of the present invention, the refreshing effect lasts for a long time and it is excellent in feeling of use without skin stimulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for implementing query-response interactions on a publish-subscribe network. An advertisement relating to a data set and a query representing a logical expression are received. The advertisement is mapped to a corresponding subscription. The query is mapped to a corresponding notification. The subscription and the notification are used for implementing of the advertisement and the query in the network.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a live labeling microorganism assay for screening a one-bead one-compound library to identify synthetic anti-adherent compounds for blocking biofilm formation. The compounds of libraries may be peptides, small molecules, nucleic acids, other types of molecules or a combination of the foregoing. The live labeling microorganisms are incubated with a one-bead one-compound library for a long period with fresh-labeled bacteria and nutrition replacement in regular intervals. Those beads without bacterial adhesion are transferred into nutritional agar for the culture. The true anti-adherent beads are isolated and the sequences of each isolated compound-bead are determined with sequencer. The anti-adherent compounds identified in this invention are proved to possess long-term effect of blocking bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.

Abstract: A system and method calculate an optimal rates in a multi-source price engine in over the counter (OTC) markets. The system and method integrate rates from multiple liquidity sources to generate an output rate that can be transacted upon. Specifically, the system and method calculate a best bid/offer rate from input rates provided by multiple liquidity sources and apply a target spread and minimum profit to the best bid/offer rate to generate an optimal output rate. The optimal output rate may be a function of many factors, including market conditions, customer credit, and the preferences of the market maker or broker.

Abstract: A method and interlocking building system for construction of buildings capable of multiple stories from a variety of standard size panels and a variety of connectors for interlocking the panels. The panels may be horizontally disposed to form floors, ceilings or roofs or may be vertically disposed to form walls. The panels are formed of a plastic shell and contain a plurality of metal strips spaced therein and received within internal guide tracks or integral internal vertically-oriented trussing. The metal strips or trussing have interlocking tooth profiles which project beyond the plastic panel shell. When the panels are used as wall panels, the panels are preferably disposed so that the frame members are vertical. Panels may be interlocked, one vertically above the other, to form multiple stories, with the frame members of all stacked wall panels being in horizontal alignment to form generally continuous vertical strength members.

Abstract: A tubing hanger suspension assembly for an oil and gas well completion system and a method of installing same. The tubing hanger suspension assembly includes a tubing hanger housing which is positioned in the wellhead housing. The tubing hanger assembly includes a sealing and lockdown mechanism capable of providing sealing and load support of the production tubing in the production casing string. A stab sub assembly connected to the upper end of the tubing hanger suspension assembly and lower end of the Christmas tree assembly provides downhole hydraulic and electric functionality and annulus access to the production tubing.

Abstract: A tree stand assembly including a container defining a basin and a plurality of securement assemblies attached to the container. The securement assemblies are spaced from each other and define a space within the container for receiving the base of a tree trunk. Each securement assembly has a support member having a passageway in an upper portion thereof and a fast-acting screw assembly. Each fast-acting screw assembly includes an engager having a threaded recess portion, and a bolt having a threaded shank designed to threadedly engage the recess portion threads when the bolt extends through the passageway. The engager has a normal or biased condition allowing the bolt to slide in a first axial direction in the passageway while preventing the bolt from sliding in an opposing second axial direction.

Abstract: Improved nanocoils, systems and methods for fabricating nanocoils. Embodiments enable wet etching techniques for releasing coiling arm structures and forming nanocoils. A method for fabricating nanocoils includes providing a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer in which SOI wafer includes a buried oxide layer, patterning one or more devices onto a silicon device layer on top of the buried oxide layer, depositing a tensile stressed layer on the silicon device layer so that stressed layer and silicon device layer form a stressed coiling bi-layer, patterning a coiling arm structure on the stressed coiling bi-layer, depositing a metal encapsulation layer on the stressed coiling bi-layer, and releasing the coiling arm structure so that coiling arm coils to form nanocoil.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing 4,4-dihalogen-2-(dialkylamino)methylene-3-oxy-alkylbutyrate and its derivatives has acts of: (a) providing N,N-dialkylamino-alkyl-acrylate in a reaction vessel; (b) adding organic alkali, organic solvent and multiple molecular sieves into the reaction vessel; (c) mixing N,N-dialkylamino-alkyl-acrylate, the organic alkali, the organic solvent and the molecular sieves; and (d) adding 2,2-dihalogen-acetyl-chloride into the reaction vessel and allowing a synthetic reaction of 2,2-dihalogen-acetyl-chloride and N,N-dialkylamino-alkyl-acrylate to obtain 4,4-dihalogen-2-(dialkylamino)methylene-3-oxy-alkylbutyrate. The molecular sieves are able to remove water efficiently to prevent materials in the reaction vessel from undergoing side reactions or changing chemical properties. Furthermore, the molecular sieves are able to adsorb chloride to avoid polymerization reactions for improved yield.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a random, unpredictable cryptographic security key by the use of a memory device, such as a flash RAM memory chip, internal to a computing device. The system and method of the present invention allows for the generation of a cryptographic security key without the need for additional hardware that is specifically configured to generate key codes. One embodiment of the invention involves a method comprising the steps of executing a function on a flash memory device; timing the completion of the function executed on the flash memory device, thereby generating a time value; and deriving the key code from the generated time value.