Abstract: The method of determining the concentration of a specie in a sample includes providing at least one predetermined, enriched isotope in the same speciated form as the species to be measured, spiking the sample containing the species to be measured, equilibrating the spiked species with the species to be measured, separating the species from the sample and subsequently determining the concentration of the species to be measured by employing isotopic element specie ratios. In one embodiment, a single speciated isotope spike is employed and, in others, two or more such spikes may be employed. In a preferred embodiment, time resolution chromatography is used to effect separation of these species from the sample and mass spectrometer is employed in determining isotopic elemental ratios. It is also preferred that a method be employed to determine if there has been conversion from one species to another.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the solid phase preparation of triaxially oriented synthetic polymeric material from an orientable amorphous but crystallizable or a semicrystalline thermoplastic polymeric workpiece comprising (a) presenting the conditioned workpiece, at the entry mode of an opposing pair of solid rollers that are spaced apart a distance substantially less than the thickness of the workpiece; and (b) deforming the workpiece by compressive passage through the paired rollers at a nominal deformation ratios of at least 2 to 1. The deformation drawing is carried out between the glass transition temperature and the melting point of the polymeric material, by applying a draw tension insufficient to cause tensile failure of the workpiece. Also disclosed is a rolltruded copolymer membrane or film-like material with a triaxial orientation morphology with a periodicity consisting essentially of crystallite and amorphous materials or a periodic distribution or crystalline and intercrystalline tie regions.

Abstract: A solar panel (FIG. 7) comprises an extruded plastics matrix (20) comprising a plurality of side-by-side compartments each of which provides an actual fluid-flow channel without the need for providing separate metal pipework. Each compartment may include a filler (62) to define a fluid-flow channel between the upper surface of the filler and the lower surface of a membrane (28) of the matrix. The provision of the filler (62) is optional and the cross section of each compartment may be optimized to the fluid-flow channel size requirements. At least part of a surface of each fluid-flow channel has a covering comprising a solar radiation absorber; for example, the absorber may comprise a channel-shaped foil (72) which exhibits high absorbence of solar energy together with low emittance of infra-red radiation.

Abstract: A process for preserving a patient's organ for transplantation and cardioplegia during cardiac surgery is disclosed which includes harvesting the patient's organ for transplantation or arresting the heart during cardiac surgery, perfusing the organ or heart with an aqueous solution, and removing at least a substantial portion of the aqueous solution from the organ or heart to effect the removal of waste products from the organ before transplantation or restarting the heart. The aqueous solutions of these inventions promote anaerobic glycolysis, remove waste products from the organ and maintain the energy production capacity of the organ and are preferably comprised of about 50 to 150 millimoles of histidine per liter of the solution, at least one energy providing material for maintaining the energy production capacity of the organ, about 60 to 90 millimoles of Na.sup.+ per liter of the solution, about 10 to 25 millimoles of K.sup.

Abstract: A method of making a lead-acid battery includes providing continuous lengths of end separator stock (24) and intermediate separator stock (26) and stacks of positive (81,98) and negative plates (83,93) with optional use of end separators. The separators are individually severed from the continuous length of stock and sequentially formed into an assembly with the individual positive and negative plates. The assembly is introduced into a battery cell container (28). A plurality of assemblies may be established prior to introduction into the battery cell container (28). In a preferred embodiment, the assembly zone (38) moves linearly relative to the cutting stations for the respective continuous lengths of separator stock and the stacks of plates and facilitates sequential establishment of the assembly without intermediate storage of the individual separators and elements. Some or all of the separators may be supplied from stacks disposed in magazines.

Abstract: Described is an automatic paging system that will alert a paging service subscriber to the occurrence of specific events at a remote location using a standard home type answering machine and/or a standard alarm system. The paging system works in conjunction with existing paging subscription services and answering machines presently available. The system detects if a valid message has been left on the answering machine or if an alarm has been tripped, then dials a number that the user programs into the system that corresponds to the paging service telephone number, then waits for an acknowledgment tone from the paging service and dials a distinct code that corresponds to what has occurred at the remote location. The system will forward a telephone number to the paging service subscriber, if such a number has been entered into the answering machine by a caller.

Abstract: An improved sleeve for facilitating joining and aligning two modules that form a single, unitary hazardous material container storage building. The sleeve has a central tube having an outer surface, an inner surface and a pair of ends and at least one guiding plate secured to the central tube. The guiding plate extends from each of the ends of the central tube for engaging into both the tubes of the first module and the second module. A hazardous material container storage building having the improved sleeve of the invention and a related method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for inspecting finish dimensions of and detecting finish defects on containers moving sequentially in a predetermined path. More than one container can be inspected simultaneously. The apparatus includes one or more inspection gauges suspended above the container path. A transport system is provided for aiding in moving containers through the gauges and simultaneously axially rotating the containers about a vertical axis. Rotation of the containers allows the inspection gauges to inspect the entire circumference of the containers at one or more levels on the container simultaneously. Defective containers are detected when the relative separation distance between the gauge plates of the inspection gauge falls outside predetermined limits. If a defective container is detected, a rejection assembly may be activated to physically remove the defective container from the container path.

Abstract: A non-enzymatic implantable glucose blood detector. The detector makes use of a non-reactive tin oxide semiconductor measurement electrode which is suitably energized by an electrical power source. Variations in current density at the measurement electrode are related to variations in glucose content of blood. The device also uses variable voltage to allow the electrode to be self-cleaning.

Abstract: The portable and modular cardiopulmonary bypass apparatus has met the above mentioned needs. The apparatus consists of (i) a first cannula assembly means for withdrawing blood from a patient, (ii) a pump means connected to the first cannula assembly means for receiving the withdrawn blood and for moving the blood through the apparatus, and (iii) a first tubing means connected to the pump means to transport the patient's blood away from the pump means. The apparatus further comprises (iv) oxygenator means for receiving blood from the first tubing means and for oxygenating the blood and (v) second cannula assembly means connected to the oxygenator means for returning the oxygenated blood to the patient. The apparatus is portable so that it can be used by medical personnel anywhere. In addition, the apparatus is adapted to include one or more modules for conditioning the blood, such as modules that include a heat exchanger, blood purifier, plasma and blood cell apheresis device and others.

Abstract: A method of producing a window sash by first providing a window sash frame and then cutting the window sash frame longitudinally to create a first frame portion and a second frame portion. A connection member is secured to the first frame portion and a glazing member is placed into one of the frame portions. After this, the second frame portion is secured to the first frame portion by virtue of the connection member to form the window sash.

Abstract: The method for imaging vascular blood flow in a patient includes the steps of emitting ultrasound energy from a transducer with at least a portion of said ultrasound energy being reflected back towards the transducer, monitoring the reflected energy over time, calculating blood flow velocity in at least a portion of a patient's vascular system, filtering all velocities equal to or below the calculated or predetermined velocity to allow a high velocity locus to be defined, and producing a color Doppler flow map of the filtered velocity.

Abstract: A method of scoring a metal panel such as a can end lid includes forming a first scoreline having a base and a pair of lateral walls and subsequently forming a second scoreline within the first scoreline by indenting a portion of the first scoreline base. The final scoreline may be created by employing two or more scoring operations after the first scoreline has been formed. The apparatus preferably includes a press which supports the first scoring die and second scoring die in such a manner as to establish the desired sequence of scoring operations. This method and associated apparatus provide a scored metal panel or container lid having improved performance characteristics. The resultant lid is characterized by reduced residual strain.

Abstract: The apparatus for recycling glass containers comprises an enclosure having at least one customer access opening and a rotatable carousel mounted in the enclosure. The rotatable carousel defines a plurality of glass container receiving recesses for subsequently receiving glass containers through the customer access opening. A fixed platform defining at least two openings underlies the carousel and a scanning means, mounted in the enclosure, is positioned adjacent the carousel for scanning the code markings on the glass container. At least one trap door is provided, the trap door being operatively associated with a first opening in the fixed platform. The scanning means electrically controls the movement of the trap doors so that glass containers, upon rotation of the carousel, will selectively fall through one of the openings in the fixed platform.