Abstract: An optically-powered integrated microstructure pressure sensing system for sensing pressure within a cavity. the pressure sensing system comprises a pressure sensor having an optical resonant structure subject to the pressure within the cavity and having physical properties changing due to changing pressures within the cavity. A substrate supports the optical resonant structure. An input optical pathway evanescently couples light into the optical resonant structure. An output optical pathway collects light from the optical resonance structure. A light source delivers a known light input into the input optical pathway whereby the known light input is evanescently coupled into the optical resonant structure by the input optical pathway and a portion of such light is collected from the optical resonant structure by the output optical pathway.

Abstract: A storage rack connectable to a mounting structure of a vehicle for supporting a load, comprising a load supporting structure, a bracket assembly, and a lift assembly. The load supporting structure is adapted to support the load when the load is associated with the load supporting structure. The bracket assembly is connected to the load supporting structure, the bracket assembly being attachable to the mounting structure. The lift assembly is associated with the load supporting structure for facilitating lifting of the load to the load supporting structure whereby the load can be supported by the load supporting structure and thus the vehicle when the bracket assembly connects the load supporting structure to the mounting structure of the vehicle.

Abstract: A grappling hook comprising a shaft, a head member, a plurality of blades, and a locking ring. The head member is secured to the first end of the shaft. Each of the blades has a distal end with a substantially v-shaped notch forming a pair of projections and at least one gripping tooth for gripping onto a desired structure. Each of the blades is pivotally connected to the head member such that each blade is movable between an operational position and a collapsed position wherein the blades are spread away from the head member and positioned to grip the supporting structure in the operational position, and wherein the blades are positioned adjacent to the shaft in the collapsed position. The locking ring is movable between an open position and a closed position wherein the locking ring secures the blades in the operational position when the locking ring is positioned in the open position, and wherein the locking ring secures the blades in the collapsed position when the locking ring is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method of producing hypothiocyanite by combining a hypohalous acid and thiocyanate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for providing decorative covers, decorative collars and decorative cover collar combinations for covering a flower pot. The methods and apparatuses are formed from a variety of configurations of heat shrinkable sheet of material placed over all or a portion of a peripheral surface of the flower pot and then heated to shrink the sheet of material into a pressing engagement against the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot.

Abstract: An auto darkening eye protection device comprising a shutter assembly adjustable between a clear state and a dark state and a control circuit. The control circuit is provided with a microcontroller, a delivery circuit, a sensing circuit and a weld detect circuit. The microcontroller is switchable between a sleep mode and a wake-up mode. The delivery circuit outputs a dark state drive signal to the shutter assembly to switch the shutter assembly from the clear state to the dark state upon enablement of the delivery circuit. The sensing circuit senses the occurrence of a welding arc and provides an output indicative of the occurrence of the welding arc. The weld detect circuit receives the output of the sensing circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active Pasteurella multocida hyaluronate synthase (PmHAS), and to the use of this nucleic acid segment in the preparation of recombinant cells which produce hyaluronate synthase and its hyaluronic acid product.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for adjustably attaching a pole to a frame or a support member, the clamp assembly includes an elongated housing having a passageway, a slit in open communication with the passageway for adjusting a diameter of the passageway, a first connector plate extending outwardly from the elongated housing and disposed along a first side of the slit and the second connector plate extending outwardly from the elongated housing disposed along an other side of the slit, and a mounting plate or c- shaped clamp for attaching to the frame or support member respectively, and a locking member for adjustably attaching the elongated housing, the first connector plate and the second connector plate to the mounting plate.

Abstract: An integrated optical device is disclosed comprising a substrate, optical waveguide, and compound optical resonator having a temperature sensor, at least two coupled optical resonators, and a heater localized to each optical resonator. An optical input signal is coupled to one of the resonators making up the compound resonator to form an optical output signal. The center wavelength and shape of the output signal is optimized with a feedback loop using the temperature sensor to control the power dissipated in at least one of the localized heaters. The power dissipated in the remaining resonator heaters is set according to a predetermined function having as an input variable the power dissipated in the resonant heater under control of the said feedback loop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant Bacillus host cell containing a recombinant vector including a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase (HAS). The recombinant Bacillus host cell is utilized in a method for producing hyaluronic acid (HA).

Abstract: A door latch extension is attachable to a doorjamb for maintaining a door in an ajar position. The door latch extension includes a support member, an extension member, and a cover. The support member is mountable to the door jamb by a striker plate portion. The extension member is pivotally connected to the support member. The extension member is provided with a door stop member and a latch cup member. The door stop member is for supporting the door. The latch cup member has a retaining space for a door latch so that the latch cup member cooperates with the door support member to latch the door in the ajar position. The cover is selectively moved in an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the cover selectively latchingly supports the extension member whereby the door is secured in the ajar position.

Abstract: An active or passive vaccine utilizing purified non-toxic mutant TcdB toxins from Clostridium difficile for humans and animals against infections caused by C. difficile and/or C. sordellii. Persons most potentially affected by C. difficile infections include hospitalized patients, infants, and elderly persons. The TcdB toxin mutant of the vaccine preferably lacks the toxicity of a native C. difficile TcdB toxin. A serum comprising antibodies raised to the TcdB toxin mutant is also available for treating humans or animals against C. difficile infections. The serum may be used in a method for conferring passive immunity against C. difficile. Antibodies to the TcdB toxin mutant may be used in diagnostic tests or in treatments to clear TcdB toxin from bodily fluids. The mutant TcdB toxin may be produced by recombinant methods using cDNA encoding the toxin, the cDNA contained for example in a plasmid or host cell.

Abstract: A new class of synthetic glycosulfopeptides (GSPs) which have one or more sulfated tyrosine residues and a glycan linked to the peptide, the glycan preferably including a sialyl Lewisx group or a sialyl Lewisa group. In a preferred version the GSPs have an O-glycan comprising a ?1,6 linkage to a GalNAc. The present invention further contemplates in vitro methods of the synthesis of these GSPs without the use of the cells and methods of their use in vivo as powerful anti-inflammatory antithrombotic, or anti-metastatic compounds. The invention also contemplates a method of synthesizing oligosaccharides by cleaving the glycan from the GSP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methodology for polymer grafting by a polysaccharide synthase and, more particularly, polymer grafting using the hyaluronate or chondroitin or heparin/heparosan synthases from Pasteurella, in order to create a variety of glycosaminoglycan oligosaccharides having a natural or chimeric or hybrid sugar structure with a targeted size that are substantially monodisperse in size.

Abstract: A method for measuring the optical absorbance of a sample medium with a microfluidic chip that includes a substrate defining a microfluidic channel, a microresonator positioned within the microfluidic channel, and at least one waveguide or coupling surface evanescently coupled to the microresonator such that only supported Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) resonance frequencies are transmitted from the waveguide or coupling surface into the microresonator. A sample medium is disposed into the microfluidic channel to substantially envelop the microresonator and a reader is provided to measure at least a portion of the WGM frequencies transmitted out of the microresonator.

Abstract: A scaffold having a ladder assembly detachably connected to one end of a support frame of the scaffold, the ladder assembly being pivotally connected to one of the ends of the support frame, the ladder assembly being selectively rotatably moved between a first position and a second position; in the first position the ladder assembly is positioned adjacent one end of the frame of the scaffold and in the second position the ladder assembly is disposed substantially adjacent a side of the support platform for permitting easy access to the support platform.

Abstract: A modular storage and dispensing assembly for storing and selectively dispensing objects, such as cans, includes a plurality of panels and a connector assembly for connecting adjacently disposed panels such that a chute is formed between each of the adjacently disposed panels. A rail assembly is provided in each chute for defining a travel path through the chute. The rail assembly includes an upper rail and a lower rail, each being supported by adjacently disposed panels such that the upper rails in the chute are spatially disposed and in a facing relationship and the lower rails in the chute are also spatially disposed and in a facing relationship. The upper rails each have a first end and a second end and are sloped in a downward direction from their first end to their respective second ends.

Abstract: A method for providing a remote PBX service by a customer's phone service provider. More than one telephone number is assigned top one customer's telephone communication link. The one customer's telephone communication link is in communication with at least one telephone. A connect signal is received by the customer's phone service provider. The connect signal includes one of the telephone numbers assigned top the one customer's telephone communication link. A called telephone code is generated. The called telephone code is indicative of the one of the telephone numbers included in the connect signal. The called telephone code is sent to the customer's telephone communication link whereby a user of the customer's telephone communication link is capable of knowing which of the more than one telephone numbers assigned to the one customer's telephone communication link was called prior to answering the at least one telephone connected to the customer's telephone communication link.