Abstract: A monitoring system monitors a plurality of remote product dispensers. Vends are detected indicating that products have been dispensed from the dispenser during a given time period. Vend data indicative of the products dispensed is stored. The vend data is communicated to a base unit and a base unit provides a display indicative of products dispensed and a service schedule based on the vend data received.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a fiber-based display includes drawing fiber onto a cylindrical drum, removing the fibers from the drum to form an array of fibers, and laying at least one array of fibers removed from the drum between two plates to form a fiber-based display panel. The cross-sectional shape of the fibers in the fiber arrays are suitable for use in a flat panel display, such as plasma emissive displays, plasma addressed liquid crystal displays, and field emissive displays.

Abstract: Microporous carbonaceous materials, useful in the storage of gaseous fuels such as methane and natural gas, are improved through modification of their microporous structure in a post-carbonization process. This modification is done by heat treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere containing carbon dioxide with or without other diluting gases such as nitrogen, argon or water-vapor. The post-carbonization process involved modifying a starting microporous carbon with heat treatment in which the carbon is contacted with a carbon dioxide-containing atmosphere. This new treatment can be favorably applied either to selected and commercially available activated microporous carbons which have been designed for applications other than fuel gas storage or to synthetic microporous carbons proposed for storage of light gases.

Abstract: A humidity control system for a musical instrument case includes at least two compartments venting into the inside of the case. At least one of these compartments is fitted for a desiccant pouch, with at least one compartment alternatively used and fitted for a humidifier. The use of more than two compartments (e.g., more than one humidifier or desiccant) may be occasioned by an extreme local atmosphere or an exceptionally large instrument or both. A hygrometer and a thermometer are preferably provided with the case to enable a musician to easily ascertain the environmental conditions inside the case. The musician then adds either the desiccant pouch or activates the humidifier in the appropriate compartment of the carrying case, as necessary. The compartments can be built into the case or fastened using conventional fasteners such as adhesive or snaps.

Abstract: The invention represents the disclosure of a novel insect intestinal mucin comprising two nearly identical isoforms, IIM14 and IIM22 respectively. These isoforms of the IIM protein have been identified and cloned using T. ni larva. The cDNA and amino acid sequences have been determined and are disclosed. Both IIM isoforms have an approximate molecular mass of 400 kDa. These sequences once disclosed are useful for the production of transgenic or recombinant vectors including viral, microorganism cell, plant, or animals, wherein the virus, microorganism, cell, plant, or animal is the product of an insertion of a gene expression vector including a DNA that encodes an IIM protein sequence. Thereafter the engineered host of the IIM DNA sequence is capable of expressing said IIM protein in a functional form. Also useful is a purified and isolated recombinant DNA sequence comprising a DNA sequence that codes for an IIM protein.

Abstract: In a digital switching network system wherein service measurements are periodically automatically collected, a user interfaces with the network via a Web browser to select those traffic counts of interest for on-demand sampling. The user designates whether the selected traffic counts are retrieved as a single sample or as a periodic sample. When the traffic counts are to be retrieved as a periodic sample, the user designates a period for the periodic sample. The system determines the locations where the traffic counts resides in the network, retrieves the traffic counts from their locations, and displays the traffic counts to the user.

Abstract: A novel nucleolus protein has been identified and cloned using human autoimmune serum. Its cDNA and amino acid sequences have been determined and are disclosed. This antigenic protein, termed ASE-1, has an approximate molecular mass of 55 kDa. Immunoblot analysis indicates that both the native protein and the in vitro translation products of the cDNA migrate on SDS-PAGE at an apparent molecular mass of 90 kDa. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis using antibodies generated to cloned regions of ASE-1 indicates that this protein occurs at the fibrillar centers of the nucleolus in the putative sites of rDNA transcription. During cell division ASE-1 localizes to the nucleolus organizer regions of the chromosomes, where it is closely associated with RNA polymerase 1. As an autoantigenic nucleolar protein, ASE-1 has been found to be a reliable serum marker for systemic lupus erthyematosus (SLE). This finding makes ASE-1 useful in the clinical detection and characterization of the disease.

Abstract: A wrap-around insulating garment for the thigh and buttocks region. The garment, similar to a kilt, is worn over the clothes, and serves to insulate the buttocks and thigh regions from cold and wet weather. The garment has a cutaway in the front which allows the wearer to easily raise his legs and assume a sitting position. An inverted v-shaped cut, smaller in width than the cutaway, is found directly above the cutaway, which allows for a larger range of motion for the wearer during use.

Abstract: A device for determining shunt flow in a hemodialysis shunt connected between two points in a cardiovascular-hemodialysis system includes a flow sensor connected to either the hemodialysis inflow (arterial) line or the outflow (venous) line. An indicator is preferably introduced into the system that is sensed by first and second sensors that are spaced apart and disposed effective for sensing the indicator at two locations in the cardiovascular-hemodialysis system. Natural indicators produced by the body, such as density variations in the blood caused by rhythmic breathing, are optionally used instead of an introduced indicator. A detector connected to the flow sensor and the first and second sensors determines, at a first flow rate, a first time a first indicator takes to move between the two locations, and at a second flow rate, a second time a second indicator takes to move between the two locations. The shunt flow is then calculated from the first and second times and the first and second flow rates.

Abstract: A method of making a solvent based ink formulation which includes a thermochromic pigment, wherein the pigment being formed of microcapsules, includes drying a slurry that contains the pigment to a solids concentration between 70% and 99%, mixing the dried slurry in an appropriate mixing base, and adding any desired ink components to the base formulation. Each microcapsule contains a reversible thermochromic coloring material which exhibits a visible change in color between a first color state and a second color state in response to a change in temperature. Acceptable ink components include a gel vehicle, a free flow vehicle, a drying agent, a lithographic varnish, an ink wax, a polyester vehicle, a polyglycol solvent, a colloidal dispersion resin water, and a defoamer.

Abstract: The device disclosed herein is useful in the development of a new plasma spectrometer with enhanced sensitivity. An alteration in the configuration of the optic lenses used in conjunction with a water-cooled disc allows for the use of a short depth of focus to more reliably sample a given analyte. The collimating lens used in this invention can be placed within 4 millimeters of the load coil, including in the tip of the axial plasma generated by the RF generator. When used with in conjunction with a high-efficiency nebulizer to more precisely control the size of the sample droplets present in the base of the plasma further reduces the matrix effects seen in other spectrometers, while enhancing sensitivity. The optics configuration disclosed in the instant invention allows for the retrofitting of a conventional radially-viewed plasma spectrometer into a more sensitive axially-viewed spectrometer.

Abstract: A system and method for the individual collection and disposal of pet waste includes a flushable bag for contacting and receiving the pet waste and a protective bag for receiving and protecting the flushable bag during transport. The pet waste is collected and placed in the flushable bag, the flushable bag is placed inside the protective bag, and the bags containing the pet waste are transported to a toilet into which the flushable bag is deposited and flushed. The flushable bag can be fabricated from paper having a temporary wet strength additive that imparts both the desirable wet strength and decayability when soaking in water. The invention also includes a compostable bag for disposing of compostable materials along with the bag itself in a composting system or composting toilet. The invention expedites the disposal of pet waste or compostable materials and decreases the burden on landfills to accommodate such materials.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow sensor probe for measuring fluid (liquid or gas) flow (e.g., blood flow) in vessels or tubes provides decreased sensitivity to flow distribution non-uniformities and decreased overall size by employing multiple angled reflector surfaces which cause incident ultrasonic waves from one or more ultrasonic transducers to pass through the flow volume multiple times and in multiple directions without changing the planar orientation of the ultrasound waves. The wave paths resulting from the multiple reflections and multidirectional illumination of the flow volume decreases the probe's size and sensitivity to spatial distribution non-uniformities. The multiple angled reflector surfaces also permit the transmitting and receiving ultrasonic transducers to be placed close to one another, thereby reducing the overall probe size and making them particularly useful in flow measurements on small blood vessels in very small animals.

Abstract: A solenoid-actuated zero-leakage fail-safe three-position poppet-style four-way hydraulic directional control valve includes an arrangement whereby the inlet pressure P is connected to the inlet ports of first and second normally closed 2-way poppet solenoid valves. The outlets of first and second poppet solenoid valves are connected to the A and B load ports, respectively. The A and B ports are respectively connected to the checked port of first and second pilot-operated check valves (POCVs) whose outlets are connected to the tank port T. The pilot ports of the POCVs are cross connected from A to B and from B to A. When the solenoid for the first poppet solenoid valve is energized, the first poppet solenoid valve opens, admitting pressure to port A. Pressure is blocked to the tank port by the first POCV. Simultaneously, the pilot pressure from the A-line opens the second POCV, thereby connecting the B port to tank. If power fails, pressure is maintained in the A-line and the B-line remains connected to tank.

Abstract: A method of infecting insects is disclosed; the method utilizes a form of a baculovirus which is highly efficient at establishing infection and is normally destined to become occluded within the polyhedrin or granulin--Pre-occluded Virus (POV). Specifically, the POV as derived from a polyhedrin-minus or granulin-minus (lacking a functional polyhedrin or granulin gene) baculovirus is fed to insect larvae per os resulting in high infection rates. The stabilization and use of the POV form of polyhedrin-minus baculoviruses for recombinant protein production and as an insecticide is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an ultra high speed optical communications system, the clock signal from a data stream in NRZ format is recovered using an inexpensive, low Q filter. Resulting clock jitter is reduced with a clock divider which lowers the speed of the signal by 1/n, where n is a an integer. The divided clock signal is filtered again by a low frequency high Q filter. This invention eliminates the need for a costly high frequency high Q filter, while providing a divided down clock for data de-multiplexing. At the lower speed, an inexpensive D flip flop is used with the divided down clock for data recovery.

Abstract: Provided herein is a novel method of game play utilizing a two-dimensional board having spaces arranged in orthogonal rows and columns in two alternating contrasting colors. Two dice are used as a chance element. Each player is assigned 12 ordinary pieces in one of the colors and a "King" piece. The "King" piece is bi-colored, so that when attacked or captured it may be converted to the other color by inverting it. The "King" counts as two pieces for the purposes of attack and stacking, and can move forward or backward. A path of play begins in a corner space of the player's color termed the "Start" and proceeds in a defined path from space to intersection to space alternately across the board to another corner space termed the "Finish". The path of play turns at a right angle at each space, so that the player always exits a space on the same side he entered it, and such a path change may be symbolized by a corner symbol on the board.

Abstract: The device and methods herein disclosed were developed to allow a large number of small samples of organic tissue to be processed. The goal was to allow for the capture of these intracellular contents for study, use, and/or amplification. Though the device and specific protocols can be used to retrieve a variety of intracellular molecules one of the preferred embodiments particularly lends itself to the extraction of DNA. The electromagnetic device uses a set of terraced coils controlled in such a matter as to continually alternate polarity and thereby emulate the random motion of a manual mortal and pestle. This simulation of random motion is created through the arrangement of coils found in this invention. Methods were also developed to aid in the retrieval of DNA or other intracellular components using this device such that these components can be isolated and then used for study, amplification, or a variety of different purposes.

Abstract: A riding mower or other like four-wheel vehicle has the two front wheels mounted off the cantilever end of a subframe which is pivotably attached to the underside of the main frame of the vehicle by two spaced part pivots lying along the vehicle length axis. A cutter deck is suspended from the main frame beneath the subframe. The subframe construction resists bending forces, due to front-to-back and vertical forces on the dropped-down front wheels, when they encounter obstacles or depressions. The main frame is made of steel tubing, and provides a generally rectangular space just forward of the driver's seat, suitable for placement of the driver's feet. Preferably, the subframe also has a generally rectangular opening, nominally aligned with the main frame opening, to also accommodate the driver's feet. The elevation of the driver's seat can thus be desirably lowered, to maintain a low center of gravity.

Abstract: A method of providing and maintaining a plurality of clean, sanitary bedspreads for a hostelry having sleeping accommodations for a plurality of guests. The method includes providing a plurality of bedspreads, and each bedspread includes (i) a removable liner having an insulating core and two outer layers where each outer layer is a nonabsorbent, flame retardant material, and (ii) an outer shell having two outer layers defining a pocket therebetween for removably receiving the liner. The outer shell is closed at one end and has a fastener, preferably a zipper that is enclosed and hidden by a zipper fold, along the other three sides.