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.

Abstract: A method is provided for in-situ production of oil shale and gas (methane) hydrates wherein a network of fractures is formed by injecting liquified gases into at least one substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole. Heat is thereafter 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 method for forming fibers/composite material having an anisotropic structure, comprising the steps of mixing an effective amount of fibers with a matrix material to form a deformable mixture containing less than about 96 weight percent of the fibers to about parts per billion of the fibers and wherein the fibers are randomly oriented in the deformable mixture. The deformable mixture can be extruded, stretched or otherwise deformed to form an extrudate. Pressure is applied about the extrudate to substantially compress the fibers in the extrudate to provide the fibers/composite material having an anisotropic structure.

Abstract: A hollowing system for a lathe having a tool rest. The hollowing system comprises a boring member, and a stabilization assembly. The boring member is adapted to support a tool such that at least one of the boring member and the tool extend past and engage the tool rest. The stabilization assembly is mountable adjacent to the lathe. The stabilization assembly supports the boring member such that the boring member extends generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the lathe. The stabilization assembly has a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. The stabilization assembly is adapted to prevent downward movement of the tool when the stabilization assembly is mounted adjacent to the lathe and the tool is positioned on the tool rest. The stabilization assembly is provided with an articulation assembly.

Abstract: A plant package comprising a pot covered 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 for heat shrinking to secure the plant cover about the pot.

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 broadcast network for selectively transmitting individualized weather output signals to at least one of a plurality of communicator devices remotely located from the broadcast network comprising a user input database, a communicator location database, a weather analysis unit, and a communication network. The user input database contains a plurality of user profiles. At least some of the user profiles contains parameters provided from a pre-defined user profile, each profile including a user identifier code. The communicator location database contains real-time data indicative of the spatial locations of the communicator devices. The weather analysis unit automatically and continuously compares the parameters in the user input database and the spatial locations of the corresponding communicator devices with real-time weather data generating individualized weather output signals.

Abstract: A method of connecting an optical fiber to a backplane with a right angle bend mount. The bend mount includes a base and a cover that is pivotably connected to the base by a hinge. A clamp is formed by a first pair of opposed surfaces of the base and cover adjacent the hinge. This clamp fixedly grips a ferrule portion of the optical fiber when the base and the cover are closed together. A second pair of opposed surfaces of the base and cover forms another clamp. This clamp fixedly grips a non-ferrule portion of the optical fiber when the base and the cover are closed together. A bent portion of the optical fiber between the ferrule portion and the gripped non-ferrule portion is disposed in a non-gripping gap between the base and the cover when the base and the cover are closed together.

Abstract: A vaccine utilizing purified mutant alpha toxins from Clostridium septicum for humans and animals against infections caused by C septicum. Persons potentially affected by C. septicum infections include colonic cancer patients, diabetics, leukemia patients, and neutropenics. The alpha toxin mutant of the vaccine lacks the toxicity of a native C. septicum alpha toxin. A serum comprising antibodies raised to the alpha toxin mutant is also available for treating humans or animals against C. septicum infections. The serum may be used in a method for conferring passive immunity against C. septicum. Antibodies to the alpha toxin mutant may be used in diagnostic tests or in treatments to clear alpha toxin from bodily fluids. The mutant alpha toxin may be produced by recombinant methods using cDNA encoding the toxin, the cDNA contained for example in a plasmid or host cell.

Abstract: An auto darkening eye protection device comprising a shutter assembly and a control circuit. The shutter assembly is adjustable between a clear state and a dark state. The control circuit comprises a sensing circuit, a weld detect circuit, and a delivery circuit. The sensing circuit senses incident light and provides an output indicative of the incident light. The weld detect circuit receives the output of the sensing circuit, and enables a dark state drive signal to be delivered to the shutter assembly. The delivery circuit outputs the dark state drive signal to the shutter assembly to switch the shutter assembly from the clear state to the dark state upon enablement by the weld detect circuit. The dark state drive signal includes a high voltage pulse followed by a stable AC waveform. The high voltage pulse is formed by a positive voltage signal and a negative voltage signal.

Abstract: A circuit board uses both electrical and optical connectors to carry signals in both electrical and light form. The optical connector employs redundant alignment features to provide for reliable connectivity between plug in boards and the electro-optic back plane. A process is of forming the back plane and other multilevel circuit boards so as to embed optical connectors is disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip that includes a substrate, a microresonator, and at least one waveguide or coupling surface. The substrate defines a microfluidic channel. The microresonator is positioned within the microfluidic channel. The at least one waveguide or coupling surface receives light having a frequency bandwidth greater than the spacing between the whispering gallery mode resonance frequencies supported by the microresonator. The at least one waveguide or coupling surface is evanescently coupled to the microresonator such that supported whispering gallery mode resonance frequencies are coupled from the at least one waveguide or coupling surface into the microresonator and light at frequencies not resonant with the microresonator are not coupled into the microresonator.

Abstract: An earmuff having anatomically correct ear cups, which are axially rotatable to ensure a proper fit over a person's ears and laterally rotatable when the earmuff is disposed in a storage position around the person's neck.

Abstract: Methods of separating components of a mixture, such as crude oil, are disclosed which increase the yield of individual components while decreasing the yield of residue. In one method, a heated mixture is fed to a column, a vapor stream is withdrawn from the column and separated, and a portion of the vapor stream is recycled back to the column. In another method, a mixture is separated into streams composed substantially of components having light, intermediate or heavy molecular weight and/or low, intermediate or high boiling point, respectively, and the streams are fed into the column at different positions. In both methods, individual light, intermediate and/or heavy molecular weight and/or low, intermediate and/or high boiling point component streams are then selectively withdrawn from the column.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mid-plane. a multi-layer board having a connection assembly is provided and a dielectric layer with a channel formed therein to define a perimeter of a connector area is provided. The dielectric layer is bonded to the multi-layer board such that the connector area overlaps the part of the connection assembly of the multi-layer board. At least a portion of the connector area in the dielectric layer is removed to expose the connection assembly of the multi-layer board. A rigid multilayer is also disclosed. The rigid multilayer includes a multi-layer board and a dielectric layer. The multi-layer board has a connection assembly. The dielectric layer has a channel formed therein to define a perimeter of a connector area. The dielectric layer is bonded to the multi-layer board such that the connector area overlaps the connection assembly of the multi-layer board. The connector area can then be removed such as by depth controlled routing.

Abstract: A collapsible water treatment digester includes a flexible bladder, a frame, and a plurality of filter plates. The flexible bladder is movable from a collapsed position wherein the bladder is folded into a substantially flattened state to an expanded position wherein the bladder forms a water treatment chamber. The frame is connected to the bladder so as to support the bladder in the expanded position. The filter plates are disposed within the water treatment chamber of the bladder so as to cause a substantial portion of the solids from a wastewater stream introduced into the water treatment chamber to produce a reconditioned water stream dischargeable from the bladder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing hyaluronic acid that includes introducing a purified nucleic acid segment having a coding region encoding enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase into a Bacillus strain, and culturing the Bacillus strain under conditions appropriate for the production of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: A local area augmentation navigation system for determining the location of an object using differential GPS. The system does not require any significant power or communication infrastructure. The system includes at least three reference stations, a master station and a LAAS receiver. The at least three reference stations are located in close proximity to each other and at known locations. Each of the reference stations receive a GPS signal from a GPS constellation and collect and output via a wireless transceiver the pseudo-range data from the GPS signal. The master station is positioned in close proximity to the reference stations and receives the pseudo-range data from the reference stations. The master station forms a correction message from the pseudo-range data and the known locations of the reference stations. The master station broadcasts the correction message within a specified area.