Abstract: Scented decorative grasses having an appearance and/or texture simulating the appearance and/or texture of cloth are disclosed, as are methods for making such scented decorative grasses from materials wherein at least one surface of the material is modified to simulate the appearance and/or texture of cloth.

Abstract: An adjustable weapon auxiliary mount for mounting devices of different diameters, one at a time, to a rail of a weapon. The adjustable weapon auxiliary mount is provided with a base, a device clamp and a rail clamp. The base has a first end, an opposed second end, and a clamping surface formed therebetween. The device clamp is mounted to the base. The device clamp is provided with a clamping member having a clamping surface facing the clamping surface of the base and spatially disposed therefrom so as to define a receiving space for receiving one device and securely gripping the device. The clamping surfaces of the clamping member and the base are configured to securely grip, one at a time, devices having varying diameters within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Novel peptide analogs derived from the native sequences of CAP37 peptides 20-44 and 23-42, and their use as therapeutics against bacterial infections and diseases caused by bacterial infection. The peptide analog includes a serine or threonine substitution at one of the two cysteine residues at positions 26 and 42. Substitutions of the native peptide are also contemplated.

Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping comprising a floral holding material and a sheet of material. The floral holding material is constructed of a material capable of receiving a portion of a floral grouping and supporting the floral grouping. The sheet of material is extended about a portion of the floral holding material and a crimped portion is formed in the sheet of material with the crimped portion cooperating to hold the sheet of material about the floral holding material to provide a decorative covering.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a jack stand and methods of making and using same. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a jack stand having (1) a targeting assembly for use in aligning the jack stand when attached to a trailer with an operating vehicle; and (2) means for automatically moving the foot assembly of the jack stand from a ground engaging configuration to an upright stored configuration.

Abstract: A decorative flower pot cover having a textured or matte finish simulating the appearance of cloth disposed on at least a portion of one surface thereof is disclosed. The decorative flower pot cover is formed of a sheet of polymeric material having at least a portion of one surface thereof printed, embossed, or printed and embossed to provide the matte or textured finish simulating the appearance of cloth.

Abstract: A method for the identification of the presence of E. coli, and Enterococcus faecalis and/or Enterococcus faecium in liquid or liquified samples. The method employs novel oligonucleotide primers based on sequences of the E. coli LamB gene and the Enterococcus faecalis/faecium transposase gene Tn1546. The method involves enrichment of the liquid or liquified sample, preferably using a selective medium, obtaining DNA from bacteria in the sample, and PCR amplification of the DNA using the novel oligonucleotide primers. Kits with the primers are also contemplated.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for securing a decorative cover about a flower pot. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, an extension member having a cover support assembly, and a plurality of legs. The frame assembly includes a body member having an opening. The opening is sized and configured to permit passage of the flower pot through the opening. The extension member extends in an upwardly direction from the body member. The cover support assembly is connected to the extension member for supporting a decorative cover comprising at least one sleeve or sheet of material. The plurality of legs extend from and are spatially disposed about the body member such that the legs cooperate to support at least one band. As the flower pot moves through the opening in the body member, at least one of the bands is removed from the plurality of legs and moved about the decorative cover disposed about the flower pot.

Abstract: A plant package includes a flower pot containing a floral grouping and a sleeve having a texture and/or appearance simulating the texture and/or appearance of cloth, wherein the sleeve is formed of a flexible, laminated material having a texture and/or appearance simulating the texture and/or appearance of cloth. The sleeve includes a lower portion, which has a base portion and a skirt portion, and an upper portion which is detachable from the lower portion. The base, skirt and/or upper portion of the sleeve may be provided with a texture and/or appearance simulating the texture and/or appearance of cloth. A method for wrapping a floral grouping in a sleeve having a texture and/or appearance simulating the texture and/or appearance of cloth includes placing a floral grouping in the sleeve and binding the sleeve about a stem portion of the floral grouping via a bonding material disposed on the sleeve having a texture and/or appearance simulating the texture and/or appearance of cloth.

Abstract: A method for obtaining particulate calcium carbonate having an average particle size less than about 12 microns is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) withdrawing from a pulp mill a mixture containing calcium carbonate; (2) treating the mixture to remove contaminants contained in the mixture to produce a treated mixture containing calcium carbonate and further having a chemical composition and/or purity which substantially inhibits the fusing together of calcium carbonate particulates; (3) recovering from the treated mixture particulate calcium carbonate having an average particle size less than about 12 microns. The calcium carbonate produced has a high surface area to volume ratio and is therefore highly reactive and suitable for numerous applications such as in the treatment of soil, filler paper production, paint production, and contaminant containment in coal stack emission assemblies.

Abstract: A method for packaging a plant using a flexible sleeve having a cloth-like appearance.

Abstract: Tyrosylprotein sulfotransferases and nucleic acids encoding the tyrosylprotein sulfotransferases are described. Dual isotopes of the enzyme and of the nucleic acids encoding the enzymes have been identified in human, mouse and C. elegans. The polypeptides and polynucleotides exhibit a wide range of homologies. The polynucleotides can be used to transform or transfect host cells for producing substantially pure forms of the enzyme, or for use in an expression system for post-translational tyrosine sulfation of proteins or peptides produced within the expression system. The enzymes can be used to sulfate peptides or proteins requiring sulfation.

Abstract: A decorative assembly for a floral grouping comprising a floral holding material and a sheet of material. The floral holding material is a shape-sustaining support member having an open upper end, an open lower end and a peripheral sidewall defining an internal chamber extending between the open upper end and the close lower end. The sheet of material is extended about a portion of the floral holding material to form a decorative cover and the decorative cover cooperates with the shape-sustaining support member to define a reservoir for confining a liquid a securing element secures the decorative cover about the shape-sustaining support member and a crimped portion is formed in the sheet of material with the crimped portion cooperating to hold the sheet of material about the floral holding material to provide a decorative covering.

Abstract: Non-circular vias and methods of cutting away material in a printed circuit board (PCB) so as to form non-circular vias. Laser ablation or plasma ablation is used to remove PCB material about a centerline. This type of material removal allows lateral movement to effect non-circular patterns. Exemplary shapes are convoluted circle vias, square vias, extended/elongated vias, and trench vias. The trench vias may be micro milled to form a coaxialised structure that provides noise suppression and EMI protection, and are elongated to be even greater than three times the diameter of a circular micro-via.

Abstract: A flower pot cover disposable about a flower pot. The flower pot includes a preformed base sized to contain the flower pot and has an upper end, a lower end, an outer peripheral surface and a pot opening formed through the upper end thereof providing access to a pot receiving space forming an inner peripheral surface of the base. The flower pot cover formed of at least two sheets of material having a two-dimensional printed pattern thereon, the printed pattern having shaded and highlighted areas to provide the printed pattern with a three dimensional appearance produced by the shaded and highlighted areas of the printed pattern.

Abstract: Flexible polymeric materials having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth suitable for use in the formation of decorative flower pot covers are disclosed.

Abstract: A sleeve for containing a flower pot wherein the sleeve is formed of a polymeric film having at least one surface thereof modified to provide the sleeve with an appearance or texture simulating the appearance or texture of cloth. The sleeve has a lower end, an upper end, an outer peripheral surface, an inner peripheral surface surrounding an inner retaining space, a base portion and a skirt portion.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot with a plant cover, the plant cover at least comprising a base portion, and optionally having a skirt or a detachable upper portion. The plant cover has a heat shrinkable bonding material which can be heat shrunk to secure the plant cover about the pot.

Abstract: Flexible polymeric materials having a cloth-like appearance suitable for use in the formation of flower pot covers, floral wrappings and ribbon materials are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for forming a decorative covering about a flower pot or a floral grouping from a sheet of material, the sheet of material having printed thereon a graphic image that is prominently displayed on a selected portion of the decorative covering. The graphic image may be a masterpiece of art produced by one of the Great Masters of the Renaissance, at least a portion of a musical score, or combinations thereof.