Abstract: The present invention relates to an erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to an erectable or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a floral easel for holding and/or supporting a floral object. In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of shipping a floral easel, methods of using a floral easel, methods of storing a floral easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a floral easel.

Abstract: A protective cover assembly is provided. The protective cover assembly includes a flexible cover and an alarm assembly. The flexible cover includes an outer layer of flexible material, an inner layer of flexible material, and at least one layer of tear resistant material positioned between the outer and inner layers. The alarm assembly includes a pair of conductor plates positioned between the outer layer of flexible material and the inner layer of flexible material, a power source, and an alarm system electrically connected to the power source and at least one of the first and second conductor plates such that upon an electrical conducting implement piercing the first conductor plate and contacting the second conductor plate an electrical connection is established between the first conductor plate and the second conductor plate thereby causing the alarm system to emit an alerting signal.

Abstract: An electrical disconnect for detachably connecting segments of a drip loop of an electrical service line of a structure, the drip loop having a structure side segment and a service line segment, the electrical disconnect having a first portion connected to the structure side segment of the drip loop, the first portion comprising at least one male electrical conductor extending therefrom and a second portion connected to the service line segment of the drip loop.

Abstract: A system for identifying a piece of oilfield equipment having an exterior surface, the system having an identifier assembly that includes an RFID tag storing a unique identifier, an enclosure receiving and retaining the RFID tag, and a reader.

Abstract: A container and method for storing and imparting a scent to an object. The container having an outer layer formed to define an object receiving space and fabricated of a moisture and gas barrier material. The container further having an inner scented layer having a scent incorporated therein such that, upon an object being disposed in the object receiving space, the scent of the inner scented layer is imparted to the object while the outer layer serves as a barrier to prevent surrounding objects from being contaminated with the scent.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to packaging materials for packaging articles. The packaging materials may include a substratum with a printed pattern disposed thereon that provides a grass-like appearance, and/or the packaging materials may include a plurality of individual strips, strands, or units of material bondably connected thereto.

Abstract: A lift caddy for a personnel lift having at least one horizontal member, an engaging surface, and a work platform disposed below the horizontal member in spaced apart vertical relation. The lift caddy includes a container, a mounting hook extending from the container, and a pin insertable through an aperture in the upper portion of the mounting hook to limit horizontal travel of the retaining hook relative to the horizontal member when the mounting hook is positioned on the horizontal member. The container is sized so that at least a portion of the exterior surface rests against the engaging surface of the personnel lift to support the container in a substantially vertical orientation when the mounting hook is positioned on the horizontal member.

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: A fiber optic communication system including a fiber optic link, a transmitter system and a receiver system. The transmitter system includes a laser source producing a light beam, and a polarization controller receiving the light beam and providing an expected pattern of changing states of polarization to the light beam to output light signals into the fiber optic link to cause the expected pattern of changing states of polarization to be transmitted along the fiber optic link. The receiver system is provided with a polarization analyzer, and a light detector. The light detector receives the light signals transmitted by the transmitter, and forwards data indicative of the light signals to the polarization analyzer. The polarization analyzer analyzing the data with an inverse polarization reference frame and generates an alert based on deviations of the data from the expected pattern of changing states of polarization.

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: Compositions for inhibiting RNA binding proteins, as well as methods of producing and using the same, are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A power supply switch comprising a power input assembly receiving power from a power source, a power output assembly connected to an appliance and a control circuit between the power input assembly and power output assembly. The control circuit comprises a switch having an open position and a closed position and being manually resettable by a user to the closed position, wherein power is supplied from the power input assembly to the power output assembly when the switch is in the closed position; a current detection circuit sensing a current passing from the power input assembly to the power output assembly, the current detection circuit outputting an activation signal indicative of the presence of the sensed current; and a timer circuit receiving the activation signal and automatically activating a timer in response, wherein the timer sends a signal to the switch causing the switch to move to the open position after a delay time.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for separately detecting and measuring specularly reflected light and diffusely reflected light following illumination of an eye by light. The apparatus and method of the present invention facilitates substantial separation of the diffusely reflected light from light specularly reflected from the eye after passing through one or more elements of the eye, for example, the cornea, lens, retinal vasculature, the nerve fibre layer and/or the photoreceptors. The collection of these separate streams of independent optical signals to appropriate detection systems provides specificity and accuracy in determination of optical properties of one or more elements of the eye.

Abstract: Contemplated herein is an automated microscope slide antigen recovery and staining apparatus and method that features a plurality of individually operable miniaturized pressurizable reaction compartments for individually and independently processing a plurality of individual microscope slides. The apparatus preferably features independently movable slide support elements each having an individually heatable heating plate. Each slide support element preferably supports a single microscope slide. Each microscope slide can be enclosed within an individual pressurizable reaction compartment. Pressures exceeding 1 atm or below 1 atm can be created and maintained in the reaction compartment prior to, during or after heating of the slide begins.

Abstract: A tactical footbridge comprises two or more bridge segments and one or more pivotal connection assemblies. The one or more pivotal connection assemblies engage two of the at two or more bridge segments. Each pivotal connection assembly comprises a first member, a second member, a first axial connector, and a second axial connector. The first member engages a first of the two bridge segments. The first member has a pivot hole and a bridge hole. The second member engages a second of the two bridge segments. The second member also has a pivot hole and a bridge hole. The first axial connector selectively extends through the pivot holes of the first and second members to pivotally connect the two bridge segments such that the connected bridge segments selectively pivot between a collapsed position in which the connected bridge segments are proximal to one another, and a bridge position in which the connected bridge segments are in an expanded angularly-disposed relationship with one another.

Abstract: A finite element model of an ear stored on a computer readable medium having logic representing a three-dimensional geometric model of the ear; logic for meshing individual anatomical structures of the ear accounting for whether the anatomical structures include at least one of air, liquid material and solid material; logic for assigning material properties for each anatomical structure based on at least one physical property of each anatomical structure; logic for assigning boundary conditions for some of the anatomical structures indicative of interaction between such anatomical structures; and logic for employing acoustic-structural coupled analysis to the anatomical structures of the ear to generate data indicative of the acoustic effect on mechanical vibration transmission in the ear. Various embodiments of “one-chamber” and “two-chamber” analyses and models are described.

Abstract: A method for treating ocular conditions such as bacterial keratitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers and wounds, endophthalmitis, and blebitis in mammals, by using a native, synthetic, or recombinant CAP37, or effective peptide portions thereof including CAP37 peptides 20-44, 23-42, 102-122, and 120-146 and monocysteine derivatives of peptides 20-44 and 23-42. The CAP37, peptides, and peptide derivatives can also be used to store, clean, sterilize, or coat contact lenses, and may be used in media for storing mammalian corneal transplants.

Abstract: A subframe support apparatus adapted to engage and support a subframe of a vehicle is provided wherein the subframe support apparatus engages and supports the subframe of the vehicle when the vehicle is either raised on a lift and/or on the ground and when a mechanic is working on components of the vehicle supported by the subframe of the vehicle. The subframe support apparatus includes an elongated housing or elongated support member having first and second subframe engaging assemblies adjustably connected thereto for engaging oppositely disposed portions of the subframe of the vehicle.

Abstract: DeNOx catalysts for the reduction of NOx compounds and porous catalyst support materials are provided. The inventive catalysts comprise an active metal catalyst component and mixed TiO2/ZrO2 porous support particles that comprise a) a crystalline phase comprising titanium dioxide and/or a titanium/zirconium mixed oxide, b) an amorphous phase comprising zirconium, and c) a small amount of one or more metal oxide(s) or metalloid oxide(s) deposited on the amorphous outer layer. The inventive catalysts exhibit superior activity and ammonia selectivity.

Abstract: A method for providing a urinary tract tissue graft composition includes providing a segment of small intestinal submucosa and isolating and culturing at least one multipotent cell type from a tissue specimen of a subject. The at least one multipotent cell type is then seeded upon a surface of the segment of small intestinal submucosa and allowed to differentiate into a unipotent cell type, thereby forming a urinary tract tissue graft. Methods for repairing a damaged urinary tract tissue of a subject are also disclosed.