Abstract: The present invention relates in general to nanoparticles exhibiting luminescence such as photostimulated luminescence or photoluminescence and optical switching processes based upon such properties, in more particular, the use of such photostimulated luminescence exhibiting nanoparticles and switching nanoparticle for optical storage apparatuses and sensors as well as methods of making and using same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a kissing shield game and method teaching safe affection to at least one person playing the kissing shield game. The kissing shield game includes a plurality of removable pegs, a playing surface, a gaming member, a plurality of frames and a plurality of thin, flexible membranes forming a kissing shield, and a resetable timer. The playing surface has a plurality of holes arranged in a predetermined pattern with each of the plurality of holes being capable of receiving at least one of the plurality of removable pegs. Each side of the gaming member has a different color associated therewith as well as a predetermined set of alphanumeric symbols associated therewith. The kissing shield is used when a selected person or object determined by a player is kissed so that the player learns safe affection and the proper use of the kissing shield through repetition.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to dental devices, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a dental device for forming a dental appliance. The dental appliance is used to position the mandible and the maxilla in centric relation and methods of making and using same.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a punch assembly and methods of using same and, more particularly, to a punch assembly that is capable of accurately and repeatedly measuring an intersecting point at which a hold or indentation can be put in a sheet of material such as, but not by way of limitation, a sheet of metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to removal of subsurface contaminants and methods of same. In more particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to an integrated method for remediating subsurface contaminants through the use of a low concentration surfactant solution (and methods of making and using novel surfactant solutions) followed by an abiotic polishing process to thereafter achieve a substantially reduced subsurface contaminant concentration that surfactant flushing alone cannot achieve.

Abstract: A flower pot cover constructed of a material for providing a decorative cover for an item, such as a floral grouping. The flower pot cover comprises a base portion and a skirt portion. The base portion has an upper end, a lower end, a bottom having a first thickness and a continuous sidewall extending generally between the upper and lower ends of the base portion. The skirt portion is positioned circumferentially about the upper end of the base portion and extends a distance therefrom. The skirt portion is substantially flexible and has a third thickness which is less than the first thickness of the bottom of the base portion. The base portion and the skirt portion cooperate to provide the flower pot cover with a shape sustaining configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA sequences encoding hyaluronic acid synthase that are employed to construct recombinant cells useful in the production of hyaluronate synthase and hyaluronic acid (HA). In preferred aspects, chromosomal DNA encoding the HA synthase gene, hasA, was cloned from a Streptococcus pyogenes genomic library. These vectors were used to transform host cells such as E. coli and acapsular Streptococci to produce hyaluronic acid. Resultant transformants were screened to identify colonies which have incorporated HA synthase DNA in a form that is being actively transcribed into the corresponding HA synthase enzyme. These colonies were selected and employed in the production of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: A protective headgear for a firefighter comprising a firefighting hood constructed from an aramid knit material, including a front opening for exposure of the firefighters face; an SCBA mask shaped to engage the firefighter's face; a fastening system for attaching the SCBA mask to the firefighting hood along the perimeter of the mask such that the front opening of the hood is positioned within the perimeter of the mask, assuring that at least the firefighter's mouth will be within the mask when worn; and a retainer attached to opposite sides of the mask and adapted to extend around the back of the firefighter's head such that the strap holds the mask snugly against the firefighter's face. Preferably, the fastening system attaches the mask to the firefighting hood at a plurality of points along the perimeter of the mask, such that when the hood and face mask system is donned by the firefighter, there is no skin exposed between the hood and the mask.

Abstract: A fusion sequence having a carrier protein which is preferably an E. coli protein having a predicted solubility probability of at least 90% fused to a target heterologous peptide or protein, and a host cell (especially E. coli) transformed with, or having integrated into its genome, a DNA sequence comprising a DNA encoding a carrier protein as defined herein fused to the DNA sequence of a selected heterologous peptide or protein. This fusion sequence is under the control of an expression control sequence capable of directing the expression of a fusion protein in the cell. An objective of the present invention is to improve the purification process of recombinant fusion proteins by avoiding the initial expression of these fusion proteins in E. coli as insoluble inclusion bodies.