Abstract: A method for releasing a drill string stuck against a wall of a well bore due to pressure differential between the hydrostatic pressure of a fluid in the well bore and the pressure of a formation at the point where the drill string is stuck. The method includes injecting a first fluid into the annulus via the drill string and simultaneously injecting a second fluid into the annulus at an upper end of the annulus. The first fluid and the second fluid are injected into the annulus at a volume and rate sufficient to cause at least one of the first fluid and the second fluid to penetrate the formation and increase the pressure of the formation adjacent the well bore so that the pressure of the formation adjacent the well bore is substantially equalized with the pressure of the well bore. A jarring force is simultaneously exerted to the drill string to cause the drill string to release.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system including a flexible floral sleeve having a base portion and a skirt portion, and optionally an upper detachable portion which may be sized to surround a plant disposed in a flower pot. The base portion is generally made from two flat panels substantially free of overlapping portions and the skirt portion has a plurality of overlapping portions which allow the skirt portion to expand outwardly from the upper end of the base portion.

Abstract: A wrap having a wrap opening formed through a portion thereof for wrapping a floral grouping having a bloom end and a stem end. The stem end of the floral grouping is inserted through the wrap opening in the wrap and the wrap is formed about the floral grouping and encompasses a substantial portion of the floral grouping while a portion of the stem end of the floral grouping remains extended through the wrap opening in the wrap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for enhancing isometric and/or isotonic exercises and methods of using same. In particular, the apparatus for enhancing isometric exercises includes a substantially rigid annular exercising assembly which is placed in a user's mouth and held in place by the user's lips and more particularly between the user's lips in such a manner that the user's upper and lower teeth are not in a substantially engaged position. The substantially rigid annular exercising assembly has an exterior and an interior wall which connect and thereby form a trough. The anterior, medial and posterior surfaces of the user's lips fit within the trough thereby providing the mechanism for holding the substantially rigid annular exercising assembly within the user's mouth during exercise. In this manner, the substantially rigid annular exercising assembly is essentially freestanding and does not require the user to grind their teeth, or tense or strain the jaw or Templar-Mandibular Joint.

Abstract: A method of forming carbon nanotube-filled composites using miniemulsion polymerization. The carbon nanotubes are preferably single-walled carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are highly dispersed within and associated with the polymer comprising the composite.

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: A wrapper for wrapping a flower pot and/or floral grouping. The wrapper is constructed of a sheet of material having an extension attached to a portion of the sheet of material. Preferably the extension has a lace pattern thereon. When the wrapper is formed about a flower pot to form a decorative cover, upper edges of the sheet of material and extension cooperate to form a skirt portion preferably having at least two separate edges providing a “two-sheet” effect in the decorative cover. The wrapper may have extensions on opposing ends of the sheet of material and may having one or more additional overlapping extensions.

Abstract: A support bracket and method for supporting an electrical junction box. The support bracket has a substantially flat base with a pair of conduit receiving holes, a pair of legs extending from the base at an angular relationship to the base, and a flange extending from each of the legs at an angular relationship such that each flange is substantially parallel to the base. The junction box is connected to the base of the support bracket with a junction box and the base in a face to face contact and a conduit receiving opening of the junction box aligned with one of the conduit receiving holes of the support bracket.

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: The present invention relates to a recombinant host cell that includes an expression construct having a hyaluronan synthase gene that encodes an enzymatically active hyaluronan synthase (HAS), and to the use of these recombinant cells that produce hyaluronan synthase and its hyaluronic acid product.

Abstract: A casing liner and method for lining a casing affixed in a well bore. The casing liner having a plurality of grooves and ridges arranged longitudinally and in an alternating relationship about the exterior surface of the casing liner to increase stress storage upon the casing liner being radially reduced in size and thereby decrease the expansion rate of the casing liner and facilitate installation of the casing liner into the casing.

Abstract: Medical devices for implantation in a body vessel are provided. A medical device according to the invention comprises a support structure and one or more graft members comprising a valve portion and a constraining portion. The support structure has a first, unexpanded configuration and a second, expanded configuration. The constraining portion is adapted to substantially prevent the support structure from achieving the second, expanded configuration. The valve portion is adapted to permit fluid flow through a body vessel in a first direction and substantially prevent fluid flow through the vessel in a second, opposite direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to nanoparticles exhibiting luminescence such as photostimulated luminescence or photoluminescence and optical switching processes based upon such properties, in more particular, the use of such photostimulated luminescence exhibiting nanoparticles and switching nanoparticle for optical storage apparatuses and sensors as well as methods of making and using same.

Abstract: A method for providing a urinary tract tissue graft composition includes providing a tissue culture frame and a segment of small intestinal submucosa and positioning the segment of small intestinal submucosa in the tissue culture frame such that the segment of small intestinal submucosa is suspended and held in a taut position by the tissue culture frame. Smooth muscle and urothelial cells are isolated from a tissue specimen of a subject and cultured, and then seeded upon the segment of small intestinal submucosa, thereby forming a urinary tract tissue graft. A tissue culture frame in which such a urinary tract tissue graft may be formed is also disclosed.

Abstract: The mounting assembly for securing an accessory to a firearm. The accessory has a body with an undercarriage portion which is shaped to matingly receive at least a portion of the undercarriage of the firearm, a trigger guard portion shaped to engage at least a portion of the trigger guard firearm and a firearm connector portion which is constructed of a resilient deformable material which forms a snap-fit with a portion of the firearm in order to secure the body to the firearm. The body also has an accessory connector portion shaped to secure an accessory to the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid segment having a coding region segment encoding enzymatically active hyaluronate synthase (HAS), and to the use of this nucleic acid segment in the preparation of recombinant cells which produce hyaluronate synthase and its hyaluronic acid product. Hyaluronate is also known as hyaluronic acid or hyaluronan.

Abstract: A safety helmet having a shell constructed of a rigid material, the shell having a body portion and a brim portion extending outwardly from the body portion, the body portion having an exterior surface, an interior surface, an interior cavity defined by the interior surface of the body portion, and a bottom opening in open communication with the interior cavity, the interior cavity of the body portion sized to receive a portion of a head of a person. An adjustable webbing assembly is connected to the interior surface of the body portion for supporting the interior surface of the body portion of the shell a distance from the person's head. The safety helmet further includes a plenum extending along a portion of the exterior surface of the body portion of the shell, the plenum having an air inlet, at least one air outlet and an air flow passageway extending there between, the at least one air outlet of the plenum being in open communication with the interior cavity of the body portion of the shell.

Abstract: An electric-field meter provided with a housing, an electrode assembly, a shield assembly, a movement assembly, a position detection assembly, a charge measurement circuit, and a leakage current compensation circuit. The electric-field meter can be characterized as a field mill, an induction voltmeter, an electrostatic fluxmeter or an agrimeter. The electrode assembly is selectively exposed to the electric field. The shield assembly alternately covers and exposes the electrode assembly to the electric field. The movement assembly has a source of motive force and a linkage operably connected to one of the shield assembly and the electrode assembly for alternately covering and exposing the electrode assembly to the electric field. The charge measurement circuit receives charge on the electrode assembly. The charge measurement circuit provides a charge detection signal indicative of the charge induced on the electrode assembly as the electrode assembly is selectively exposed to the electric field.

Abstract: A proximity service unit for providing at least one predetermined service for use with multiple types of wireless devices. The proximity service unit includes a multiple channel wireless transceiver, a proximity unit validation assembly, and a legacy activation unit. The multiple channel wireless transceiver receives at least two signal types, such as infrared region signals, 900 MHz region signals, 1.8 GHz region signals, and 2.4 GHz region signals. The multiple channel wireless transceiver receives a request authorization code from each of a plurality of respective wireless devices such that the plurality of wireless devices communicate simultaneously with the multiple channel wireless transceiver without air time. The proximity unit validation assembly communicates with the multiple channel wireless transceiver and receives and validates the plurality of request authorization codes received by the multiple channel wireless transceiver.