Abstract: Curled decorative grass having a variety of configurations and methods for making such decorative grass is provided which, because of its increased bulk, can also be used as a packing material, an animal bedding, cat litter, mulch for soil and a media for plants. The curled decorative grass is produced by curling a substantially flat sheet of material and thereafter cutting the resulting curled sheet of material, or by cutting a pre-curled material.

Abstract: A subsurface drainage assembly for directing fluid drainage from a surface is disclosed. The subsurface drainage assembly includes a plurality of drain structure panels linked together in a manner that permits movement of one drain structure panel relative to the adjacent drain structure panel. The drain structure panels have a laterally extensive backing grid and a plurality of spaced apart tubular support members projecting therefrom. The tubular support members have at least one fluid flow opening formed through a sidewall so as to intersect a second end of the tubular support members at two rounded corners. The tubular support members are tapered so that the tubular support members are nestable with the tubular support members of an identical drain structure panel when the drain structure panels are stacked.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinantly produced, enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase, wherein the recombinantly produced, enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase is a single protein that is a dual-action catalyst that utilizes UDP-GlcA and UDP-GlcNAc to synthesize HA. The recombinantly produced, enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase may be produced from a hyaluronan synthase gene isolated from a microbial source, such as a streptococcal source.

Abstract: The present relates in general to upconversion luminescence (“UCL”) materials and methods of making and using same and more particularly, but not meant to be limiting, to Mn2+ doped semiconductor nanoparticles for use as UCL materials. The present invention also relates in general to upconversion luminescence including two-photon absorption upconversion, and potential applications using UCL materials, including light emitting diodes, upconversion lasers, infrared detectors, chemical sensors, temperature sensors and biological labels, all of which incorporate a UCL material.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel non-splined shaft for connecting cam units (cam sections) in a series to construct a camshaft having zero degree backlash for use within an engine. Such engines typically use a camshaft comprised of a plurality of separate camshaft units (cam sections) which are connected in a series by one or more cam connecting shafts. The entire series of camshaft units and cam connecting shafts may be, for example, 40 feet in length. Examples of natural gas engines in which the cam connecting shafts described herein may be used include, but are not limited to, the INGERSOLL-RAND KVR and KVT series of engines.

Abstract: A needle valve is disclosed for controlling the quantity of a halide vapor to be injected into a liquid metal. The needle valve may seat in a supersonic nozzle from which the halide vapor exits. Various products made with the apparatus of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of separating metal powder from a slurry of liquid metal and metal powder and salt is disclosed in which the slurry is introduced into a first vessel operated in an inert environment when liquid metal is separated from the metal powder and salt leaving principally salt and metal powder substantially free of liquid metal. The salt and metal powder is transferred to a second vessel operated in an inert environment with both environments being protected from contamination. Then the salt and metal powder are treated to produce passivated powder substantially free of salt and liquid metal. The method is particularly applicable for use in the production of Ti and its alloys.

Abstract: A jet pump assembly for removing fluid from a well bore extending into a formation is disclosed. The jet pump assembly includes a jet pump interposed between a tubing string and a packer. The jet pump includes a body having an outer surface, a lower tubular end, an upper tubular end connected to a lower end of the tubing string, and a central axial bore intersecting the upper tubular end at a discharge end and extending partially through the pump body toward the lower tubular end. The pump body further has a plurality of radial inlet ports intersecting the central axial bore and a plurality of production ports extending from the lower tubular end to the upper tubular end in a non-intersecting relation to the injection ports. The central axial bore is shaped to provide a non-restricted flow path from the point the injection ports intersect the central axial bore to the discharge end of the central axial bore.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for beneficiating a titaniferous ore. The process comprises calcining the titaniferous ore, at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal salt, and at least one alumina-containing material in the presence of oxygen to form a calcined ore mixture, then leaching the calcined ore mixture with a solution comprising ammonium, sodium or magnesium chloride in the presence of oxygen to form a leached ore mixture, and contacting the leached ore with an acid to form a beneficiated ore.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to high activity titanium oxide DeNOx catalysts. In preferred embodiments, by depositing vanadium oxide on a titania supported metal oxide such as tungsten oxide, an improved catalyst may be generated. This catalyst may be used in the treatment of exhaust from sources such as automobiles and industrial plants.

Abstract: Home safety and security are provided using a bedside unit to monitor an audible personal security pendant and to send notification signals to the appropriate communication site. Improved reliability is achieved by comparing a stored signal signature to the real time digital pattern representing sounds received using digital acoustic signature recognition technology.

Abstract: Home safety and security are provided using a bedside sound monitoring unit including a microphone, microprocessor, memory and a communications port. The unit utilizes a sound monitoring program for determining when sound received through the microphone of the unit represents a signal from a home security device or a breathing pattern representing an alarm condition. The unit communicates responsive signals to an appropriate site when an alarm condition is determined.

Abstract: An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide. The reagents are preferably held in a reagent dispensing strip similar to a “blister pack”.

Abstract: Methods useful with conventional personal computers provide automatic response to an identified alarm sound by sending a notification signal via the Internet only when a special sound monitoring program is active.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods for treating conditions characterized by leukocyte rolling are described. The compounds contain glycosulfopeptide structures comprising sulfated tyrosines and sialyated, fucosylated N-acetyllactosamino glycans. The glycosulfopeptides may be conjugated or complexed to other compounds for enhancing serum half-life or for controlled release, for example. Examples of conditions treated include inflammation, ischemia-reperfusion injury, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, leukocyte-mediated lung injury, restenosis, and thrombosis.

Abstract: A system (and its methods of use) for collecting and displaying images so as to create a visual effect and, more particularly but not by way of limitation, a three-dimensional visual effect.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for catalytic production of single walled carbon nanotubes. Catalytic particles are exposed to different process conditions at successive stages wherein the catalytic particles do not come in contact with reactive (catalytic) gases until preferred process conditions have been attained, thereby controlling the quantity and form of carbon nanotubes produced. The reaction gas is preferably provided at a high space velocity to minimize CO2 build-up. The process also contemplates processes and apparatus which recycle and reuse the gases and catalytic particulate materials, thereby maximizing cost efficiency, reducing wastes, reducing the need for additional raw materials, and producing the carbon nanotubes, especially SWNTs, in greater quantities and for lower costs.

Abstract: A child restraint apparatus connectable to a vehicle and having a chassis with a back portion and a seat portion. A U-shaped guard is pivotally connected to the chassis so as to be movable between an up position and a down position, in the down position the guard forming a frontal and lateral barrier around the child. A seat member of appropriate size is detachably connected to the seat portion of the chassis. A harness assembly is connected to the seat member. The harness assembly comprises a retractor assembly connected to the seat member and a torso strap having a lower end fixed to the retractor and a pair of upper ends connectable to a helmet via a latch assembly connected to the helmet. The helmet is adjustably connected to the chassis and has a rigid shell shaped to extend about at least a portion the head of the child.

Abstract: A tie rack is provided that includes a mounting plate, a first side arm extending from the mounting plate, second side arm in a spaced apart, parallel relationship to the first side arm. A first mounting rod extends from the first side arm toward the second side arm, and a second mounting rod extends from the second side arm toward the first side arm. The second mounting rod has a distal end in a spaced apart relationship with the distal end of the first mounting rod. A drag rod extends between the first side arm and the second side arm in a spaced apart and parallel relationship to the first mounting rod and the second mounting rod such that when a tie is looped over one of mounting rods with two portions of the tie extending therefrom, the two portions are extendable over one side of the drag rod.

Abstract: A method of compressing ordered binary data, comprising the step of: (a) encoding and summarizing a frame of data to produce an initial super cooled set. The frame of data includes bits of data in a number that is an odd multiple of four. In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of: (b) compressing the initial super cooled set. Compressing comprises the steps of: embedding the initial super cooled set in a known position within a subsequent frame of data containing uncompressed data; and encoding and summarizing the subsequent frame of data containing the initial super cooled set to produce a subsequent super cooled set. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: (c) defining the subsequent super cooled set as the initial super cooled set; and (d) repeating steps b and c to produce a super frozen set.