Abstract: Compositions, methods and devices for bioremediation that comprise components of constructed microbial mats with organic and inorganic materials are described. The compositions, methods and devices can be used for bioremediation of different individual contaminants and for mixed or multiple contaminants, and for production of beneficial compositions and molecules.

Abstract: An improved connector is disclosed for a track lighting system in which a light fixture is physically and electrically connected to a track. The track is elongated and defines a central longitudinal passageway. A voltage bus, a neutral bus, and a grounding element are disposed within the central longitudinal passageway. Means disposed above the central longitudinal passageway define a pair of opposing channels. The connector comprises a housing and a flange extending from the housing. The flange is received within an end of the central longitudinal passageway of the track by way of an interference fit, and the flange has electrical contacts for engaging the voltage bus, the neutral bus, and the grounding element disposed within the central longitudinal passageway. The connector further includes a tongue extending from the housing spaced apart from and generally parallel to the flange and having edge portions which engage the opposing channels of the track in an interference fit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptides from the sequence of hPTH(1-37), which contain .alpha.-helical amino acid sequence regions and/or non-structured amino acid sequence regions, said peptides being capable of inducing antibodies when injected into animals. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a diagnostic agent and antibodies obtainable by immunizing animals using the peptides according to the invention.

Abstract: A mosaic protein comprising a variety of immunoreactive antigenic epitopes from several genotypes of hepatitis C virus. The mosaic protein provides a sensitive and specific immunological hepatitis detection assay. A restriction enzyme assisted ligation method of making an artificial gene permits controlled construction of mosaic proteins, and allows confirmatory expression of the intermediate gene products.

Abstract: A motion platform assembly having at least three degrees of freedom for providing simulated motion in a flight or vehicle simulator. The motion platform assembly includes a base frame, mounting pedestal and a stabilized platform. The simulator is powered by actuators that independently effect movement with respect to the base frame by extending to increase and decrease a length. Stabilizers stabilize the motion platform assembly by restricting movement of the stabilized platform while only permitting vertical translation of the stabilized platform relative to the mounting pedestal in both directions. In one embodiment, the stabilizers are unpowered linear bearings extendable to increase and decrease a length thereof between the mounting pedestal and the stabilized platform. The linear bearings resist the shear forces acting upon the stabilized platform when the stabilized platform is vertically extended from the mounting pedestal.

Abstract: In association with a computer system, a method and system for providing an interface for establishing connections with financial institution to utilize on-line services. An application program sends a request to a branding server to look up information related to a particular financial institution. The branding server executes the request and, if the branding server contains information relating to the method of connection with identified financial institution, the branding server sends the information to the application program. The application program then loads an appropriate driver corresponding to the method of connection as determined by the branding server. If the method of connection is open financial connectivity (OFC), then the application loads a flexible driver (the OFC driver) which causes the application program to request the business rules of the particular financial institution from the financial institution's server.

Abstract: The present invention is a floatation device comprising a foam material coated with an elastomeric material, desirably a polyurea. The floatation device is particularly useful as a support for docks, boathouses, and the like.

Abstract: A method and system for trouble shooting and correcting computer software problems. A Trouble Shooting System is launched onto a computer when a user of a software application encounters a problem during use of that software application. The Trouble Shooting System includes a Character Interface, a Trouble Shooting Program, and an Internet-based Trouble Shooting site and server. The Character Interface allows the user to select from a menu of problems, or the user may type into the Character Interface a natural language string to identify the problem. The Trouble Shooting Program generates offset values corresponding to the problem identified by the user. The Trouble Shooting program uses the offset values to locate problem solutions in an Information Store of problem solutions. The problem solutions located in the Information Store are passed to the user for implementation of a correction of the problem.

Abstract: Preparation process for 3,4-disubstituted dinitroanilines of formula ##STR1## in which, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which are identical to or different from one another, represent a hydrogen atom, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 saturated, linear or branched alkyl radical, a C.sub.2 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkylene radical, a cyclopropyl radical or a chloroethyl radical,R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, which are identical to or different from one another are chosen from the group containing the chlorine atom, the amino group, the C.sub.1 to C.sub.3 lower alkyl radicals and the trifluoromethyl radical,comprising successively a dinitration stage of a 3,4-disubstituted phenol, an alkylation stage of the dinitrated derivative thus obtained and an amination stage of the 3,4-disubstituted 2,6-dinitro-alkoxybenzene thus obtained.

Abstract: A waveguide-implemented antenna comprising a planar array of waveguide slot radiators for communicating electromagnetic signals exhibiting simultaneous dual polarization states. The antenna can consist of parallel waveguides of rectangular or ridged cross section. The broadwalls of each parallel waveguide contain a linear array of input slots for receiving (transmitting) electromagnetic signals having a first polarization state from (to) the parallel waveguide and for transmitting (receiving) those signals into (from) an array of cavity sections. The cavity sections comprise a short section of uniform waveguide with a length of much less than a wavelength in the propagation direction. The cavity sections feed to output slots which are rotated relative to the input slots; such that the output slots exhibit a second polarization state, which they radiate (receive) to (from) free space.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a dip strip within a flexible pouch. The apparatus has a first advance means for advancing a predetermined length of the dip strip material and a punch means for punching a hole in the material. The apparatus has a second advance means for advancing the strips of the flexible pouch material and an insertion means for inserting the dip strip material between the strips of the flexible material. The apparatus also includes a side sealing means for sealing a plurality of lateral lines along the strips of the flexible material and a cross sealing means for sealing the dip strip material between the strips of the flexible material in the vicinity of the dip strip hole such that a transverse seal line is created and the flexible pouch is formed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing wireless broadcast on shared channels in a cellular communications system. The system and method in response to a request from a remote user for broadcast service designates a voice channel as a broadcast channel, disables the quality monitoring for the designated broadcast channel, activates the designated broadcast channel, and instructs the requesting remote user to tune to the designated broadcast channel. Each subsequent requesting remote user is also instructed to tune to the same broadcast channel. Similarly, in response to a request from broadcaster, the system and method identifies the remote user to receive the broadcast, designates a voice channel as a broadcast channel, disables the quality monitoring for the designated broadcast channel, activates the designated broadcast channel, and instructs the identified remote users to tune to the designated broadcast channel.

Abstract: A method for managing simultaneous display of multiple windows in a graphical user interface (GUI). A computer system with a display and user interface input device displays a primary or container window on the display, comprising a predetermined region for displaying information and/or receiving user commands associated with a first computer process. The system displays a target window comprising a predetermined region for displaying information and/or receiving user commands associated with a different computer process. The target window is typically displayed in a higher z-order relative to the primary window to maintain it on top. In response to a predetermined triggering condition, the target window is manipulated by movement, temporary disappearance, and/or size reduction, while maintaining the relative z-order of the target window relative to the primary window and away from a predetermined avoidance region associated with the first computer process.

Abstract: A publisher program for automatically changing the layout of content-filled desktop publishing documents. The publisher program allows the author of a document to use a menu-driven utility to define a first layout for the document. A program module known as a Wizard then renders a document in the first layout. The author makes changes to the document while the document is in the first layout, typically by adding content and making author-defined changes to the document rendered by the Wizard. The author may then return to the menu-driven utility to select a second layout for the document. The Wizard renders a document in the second layout and a program module known as a Page Manager automatically applies the author's changes to the document and renders a content-filled document in the second layout.

Abstract: Ordered binder document sections having different file formats stored within a binder file. The binder file maintains the order of binder document sections and the native file format of each section. The ordered sections can be viewed and edited through a viewport of a frame displayed by a binder program module. By selecting graphical images displayed in a selection area of the frame the content of a binder document section can be viewed and edited without viewing the content of other binder document sections. The graphical images can be icons or graphical images derived from the content of sections called thumbnail images. A thumbnail image can be derived from either the first page or from multiple pages of an individual section. The binder program module can also dispatch the underlying application program modules that created each binder document section to print, spell check, and grammar check the binder document sections as a single data processing task.

Abstract: Fragments of an endothelial cell proliferation inhibitor and method of use therefor are provided. The endothelial proliferation inhibitor is a protein derived from plasminogen, or more specifically is an angiostatin fragment. The angiostatin fragments generally correspond to kringle structures occurring within the endothelial cell proliferation inhibitor. The endothelial cell inhibiting activity of these fragments provides a means for inhibiting angiogenesis of tumors and for treating angiogenic-mediated disease.

Abstract: A heat-transfer concentrate comprising a storage-stable dispersion of a heat-storage medium and gallium adsorbed onto a solid having either a particle diameter of 1 to 3 um or a pore diameter of 0.2 to 0.6 nm, or both, is provided. The invention also provides a method of manufacture for the concentrate, and a heat-transfer mixture comprising the heat-transfer concentrate and another heat-storage medium. The invention further provides methods of using the heat-transfer mixture to store and convey heat in reactors with heat exchangers, as well as methods of use in heat pumps and as a thermochemical energy-storage medium.

Abstract: A system and method to provide a busy signal to a communication without a terminating network element providing answer supervision and without the originating caller associated with the communication being charged for the communication. A communication that has been forwarded over an integrated services digital network (ISDN) interface connection from a central office to a terminating network element for further routing of the communication to a terminating unit is accepted at the terminating network element and an ISDN interface connection is made, but answer supervision with respect to the communication is not provided. Upon a determination that the terminating unit to which the communication would otherwise be forwarded is busy, the terminating network element provides an ISDN release complete message with respect to the communication to the central office. The ISDN release complete message instructs the central office to play a busy signal to the communication.

Abstract: Dynamically adapting the layout of a document to a particular output device. The layout of a document can be adapted to a particular output device so that the document fully utilizes the capabilities of the output device. A layout generator interrogates the output device to determine the capabilities of the output device. Based upon the capabilities of the output device, the layout generator selects a style sheet to accommodate the particular output device. The style sheet assigns values to format properties such as font properties, color and background properties, and text properties. The layout of the document is adapted to the particular output device by rendering the document on the output device using the values defined in the style sheet.

Abstract: A printing method and apparatus for printing different indicia, such as account numbers, on selected documents without changing plates or stopping the press during a press run. Different indicia are provided at two or more lines on a printing plate, each line being separated from an adjacent line on the plate by a predetermined distance relative to movement of the plate in a press. The plate transfers images to a blanket having a region that does not contact the plate and thus receives no image of the plate area that registers with the noncontacting region of the blanket. The plate and blanket initially are aligned so that the noncontacting region registers with one set of indicia on the plate, so that the blanket receives a partial inked image lacking that indicia. That partial inked image is transferred to sheets passing through the press.