Abstract: A product is inserted subcutaneously, either manually or mechanically, into domesticated or wild animals to assist in tracking domesticated or wild animals. The product and methods of using include GPS transmitting or any other electronic device to locate and find a lost pet, livestock, migratory movements of birds, or the study of any and all aquatic life. A central data base or a location information receiving device allows an owner/caregiver to locate the animals.

Abstract: Stable, translucent or transparent titanium dioxide sols comprising amorphous titanium dioxide and an organic peptizing agent are provided that are useful in particulate binding applications. Also provided are methods for preparing the inventive sols. The inventive sols are prepared from titanium dioxide precursors including organotitanium compounds and water-soluble titanium salts that are treated to precipitate amorphous titanium dioxide. The amorphous titanium dioxide is re-dispersed and peptized to form a translucent or transparent mixture. The inventive sols are stable for an extended period of time.

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 that include a plurality of spaced apart tubular support members arranged to define a unit having a plurality of side edges, the tubular support members having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending there between. The drain structure panels further include at least one strut extending from each support member to another support member to latterly support the tubular support members. An anchor plate is positioned between at least two tubular support members. The anchor plate has an aperture formed there through sized and configured to receive a ground anchoring member for securing the drain structure panel to a ground surface.

Abstract: A method for determining a quality indication, such as a bit error rate or a signal to noise ratio, of a photonic signal is described. The photonic signal is sampled, and then an estimated quality indication, such as the bit error rate, is calculated utilizing statisical analysis of the sampled photonic signal.

Abstract: A rapid method for detecting spoilage of a food sample, particularly a fish sample, by detecting and enumerating sulfide-producing bacteria (SPB). A growth medium containing iron and sulfur is combined with the food sample forming an incubation mixture which is incubated for a period of time. In one embodiment, a plurality of fluorescence measurements are taken during an incubation period of about 3 hours to 17 hours at 30° C. SPB are determined to be present in the sample if the fluorescence measurement initially increases and then decreases to form a fluorescence maximum (peak). The time to detection of the fluorescence peak can be used with a correlation schedule to enumerate the SPB in the food sample. In another embodiment, a visual test can also be used to identify color changes in the incubation mixture to provide a semi-quantitative enumeration of SPB effective after about 3 hours to 17 hours of incubation.

Abstract: The current invention provides a remote caregiver support system which allows caregivers to provide informal care to care receivers. The systems of the current invention comprise a caregiver system and a care receiver system operating on personal computers. Each system is linked by a communications network. Preferably, the communications network is a high speed internet connection. Additionally, the current invention provides methods for delivering informal care to a care receiver remotely located from the caregiver. In the methods of the current invention, the caregiver accesses a remote caregiver support system and interacts with the care receiver providing text reminders and other informal care necessary to ensure the continued health and wellbeing of the care receiver.

Abstract: Pigment compositions and methods are provided comprising coupling agents. In various embodiments, a pigment is provided comprising titanium dioxide and a coupling agent having the formula: (R?O)(q-n)M(XRm)n wherein M is Ti, Zr, Sn, or Al; X is —CO2, ?PO2, —PO2(OH), ?PO2PO2(OH), or —SO3; m is 1 or 2; n is 1, 2, or 3 and q is 4 when M is Ti, Zr or Sn, or n is 1 or 2 and q is 3 when M is Al; R? is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkynyl, alkydiyl, alkyleno, alkanyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, arylalkyl, arylaryl, aryldiyl, or aryleno; and R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkynyl, alkydiyl, alkyleno, alkanyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, arylalkyl, arylaryl, aryldiyl, or aryleno, wherein R comprises a carbon chain of 2 to 30 carbon atoms. The pigment compositions have improved lacing resistance, dispersibility, stability or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An insulating concrete block adapted to be interlocked with other insulating concrete blocks to form an insulating concrete form for casting concrete. The insulating concrete block including a first foam panel and a second foam panel arranged in a spaced apart, parallel relationship to form a concrete receiving cavity. At least two web structures extending between the first foam panel and the second foam panel. Each web structure includes a pair of elongated end plates joined by a pair of web members. One of the end plates is embedded in the first foam panel and the other end plate is embedded in the second foam panel. Each of the end plates has at least one attachment element formed by providing a thickened area on the end plates.

Abstract: A resilient excavation bucket for use with a piece of machinery having an articulated arm. The excavation bucket comprises a resilient member and a rigid member. The resilient member has a digging edge adapted to deflect in response to pressure from impact with a material at least as rigid as the digging edge and to return to a substantially non-deflected condition upon release of the pressure. The rigid member is cooperatively associated with the resilient member and has a connection member adapted to pivotally engage a portion of the articulated arm of the piece of machinery. At least one of the resilient member and the rigid connection member at least partially defines a bucket cavity disposed at least partially between the digging edge and the connection member. Additionally, an excavation apparatus comprising a backhoe having an articulated arm and the resilient excavation bucket operatively associated with the articulated arm.

Abstract: Security systems, methods, and devices for monitoring a region for movement utilize a wireless network detector having a directional antenna and a transmitter for transmitting the detected wireless network signal strength to a computer. Analysis of changes in the signal strength measurements determines the presence of movement requiring a response.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for permitting a pharmacist to verify a refill of a filled prescription stored on a host system. A prescription refill screen is provided by the host system to a pharmacy system associated with the pharmacist. The prescription refill screen is associated with the filled prescription. Refill request information is received from the pharmacy system. The refill request information identifying a requested refill of the filled prescription. The refill request information is transmitted through the host system to a health care provider system associated with a health care provider identified by the filled prescription stored on the host system. The host system receives an authorization from the health care provider system authorizing the requested refill of the filled prescription. The host system transmits the authorization to the pharmacy system whereby the pharmacist associated with the pharmacy system is authorized to provide the refill of the filled prescription to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to mutants of lysine decarboxylase, nucleic acids encoding the mutants, and vaccines comprising the mutants for inhibiting and reducing the development of periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and chronic periodontitis. The vaccine composition comprises a recombinant lysine decarboxylase mutant which is based on a native version of the enzyme from E. corrodens and induces production of antibodies that inhibit the activity of the lysine decarboxylase enzyme in the oral cavity. The recombinant lysine decarboxylase mutant, in one version, comprises a mutation at residue 365 or at other locations within the active site, and in a preferred embodiment is produced from E. coli in large amounts and to form inclusion bodies. The purified inclusion bodies can then be used in the vaccine composition to induce in vivo production of antibodies that inhibit the activity of native E. corrodens lysine decarboxylase.

Abstract: A method is provided for in-situ production of oil shale, gas via gas (methane) hydrates and gas shale, and steam via geothermal formations wherein a network of fractures is formed by injecting liquified gases into at least one substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole. Thereafter, heat can be applied to liquify the kerogen or to dissociate the gas (methane) hydrates so that oil shale oil and/or gases can be recovered from the fractured formations.

Abstract: A computerized system for displaying, geolocating, and taking measurements from captured oblique images includes a data file accessible by the computer system. The data file includes a plurality of image files corresponding to a plurality of captured oblique images, and positional data corresponding to the images. Image display and analysis software is executed by the system for reading the data file and displaying at least a portion of the captured oblique images. The software retrieves the positional data for one or more user-selected points on the displayed image, and calculates a separation distance between any two or more selected points. The separation distance calculation is user-selectable to determine various parameters including linear distance between, area encompassed within, relative elevation of, and height difference between selected points.

Abstract: A method of in vitro fucosylation of selectin ligands on cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells for bone marrow transplantation is disclosed. In this method, an effective amount of an ?1,3-fucosyltransferase, e.g., ?1,3-fucosyltransferase VI, is used in vitro to treat cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem cells to convert non-functional PSGL-1 or other ligands on the cell surface into functional forms that bind selectins, especially P-selectin or E-selectin. The treated cells have enhanced effectiveness in reconstituting bone marrow in patients in need of such therapy.

Abstract: A tissue graft is disclosed that includes a decellularized umbilical vessel having a luminal surface and an ablumenal surface, wherein the decellularized umbilical vessel is prepared by an automated dissection process. The decellularized umbilical vessel has not been substantially cross-linked. In one method of use, the decellularized umbilical vessel is capable of having at least one cell type seeded at least a portion of at least one of the luminal and ablumenal surfaces thereof. A process of preparing the tissue graft, methods of using the tissue graft, and kits which contain the tissue graft are also disclosed.

Abstract: De-polluting, self-cleaning coating compositions are disclosed which comprise an extender that comprises a mixture of calcium carbonate and one or more alternate extenders. The coatings of the invention exhibit improved durability and opacity without affecting the photocatalytic removal of NOx compounds.

Abstract: A method to recover a lost circulation material from a drilling fluid used in a drilling operation comprising the steps of: directing a drilling fluid containing a lost circulation material into a drill string positioned in a well bore, the lost circulation material having a magnetic property; recovering the drilling fluid containing at least a portion of the lost circulation material from the well bore; and magnetically separating the lost circulation material from the drilling fluid.

Abstract: The presently claimed and disclosed invention relates, in general, to dual action heparin synthases and, more particularly, to dual action heparin synthases obtained from Pasteurella multocida. The presently claimed and disclosed invention also relates to heparosan, heparin and heparin-like molecules provided by recombinant techniques and methods of using such molecules and also the identification or prediction of heparin synthases or component single action enzymes. The presently claimed and disclosed invention also relates to methods, and molecules produced according to such methods, for using the presently claimed and disclosed heparosan and/or heparin synthase for polymer grafting and the production of non-naturally occurring chimeric polymers incorporating stretches of one or more acidic GAG molecules, such as heparin, chondroitin, hyaluronan, and/or heparosan.