Abstract: The present invention comprises methods of contact printing of patterned, self-assembling monolayers of alkanethiolates, carboxylic acids, hydroxamic acids, and phosphonic acids on metallized thermoplastic films, the compositions produced thereby, and the use of these compositions. Patterned self-assembling monolayers allow for the controlled placement of fluids thereon which contain a chemically reactive, indicator functionality. The optical sensing devices produced thereby when the film is exposed to an analyte and light, can produce optical diffraction patterns which differ depending on the reaction of the self-assembling monolayer with the analyte of interest. The light can be in the visible spectrum, and be either reflected from the film, or transmitted through it, and the analyte can be any compound reacting with the fluid on the self-assembling monolayer. The present invention also provides a flexible support for a self-assembling monolayer on gold or another suitable metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of P. aeruginosa in a fluid sample. The method uses PCR to amplify the expression of a segment of the exotoxin A gene sequence. The method includes treating strands of nucleotide fragments with a first oligonucleotide primer and a second oligonucleotide primer. The primers are sufficiently complementary to the fragment to hybridize a region having from about 400 to 1200 base pairs. Desirably, the first oligonucleotide primer includes the sequence 5'-ACA ACG CCC TCA GCA TCA CCA-3' and the second oligonucleotide primer includes the sequence 5'-CGG GTC GAG CAG GCA CAA C-3'.

Abstract: An integrated cogeneration system comprising a combustion engine electric power generator, a combustion powered water boiler, a carbon dioxide recovery unit for receiving exhaust from the combustion engine electric power generator and water boiler and recovering carbon dioxide from the exhaust, and a compressor for receiving recovered carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide recovery unit and liquefying the recovered carbon dioxide. The cogeneration system can also include a heating or cooling system powered by the combustion engine electric power generator. The integrated cogeneration system is desirably modular for transportation in discrete modules and assembly at a remote location. The integrated cogeneration system is useful in supporting manufacture of beverages in sealed containers.

Abstract: A solar collector comprising an evacuation envelope; an absorber housed inside the evacuated envelope and comprising plates which define an evaporation gap, the evaporation gap providing communication between a reservoir of heat transfer fluid at a first, bottom end of the absorber and a condenser at a second, top end of the absorber. The plates define the evaporation gap so that capillary action between the plates can draw heat transfer fluid from the reservoir along at least a substantial portion of the evaporation gap to the condensor. The absorber transfers heat derived from the incident solar radiation to heat transfer fluid contained in the evaporation gap.

Abstract: A method and system for editing actual work records with a start date, an end date and a work value. A period actual is entered, including a period actual start date, period actual end date, and a period actual work value. Before the period actual is stored as an actual work record, it is determined whether there is any overlap between the actual work records and the period actual. If so, any overlap between the actual work records and period actual is eliminated. Any overlapping actual work records that are completely within the period actual, i.e., with a start date and end date between the period actual start date and period actual end date, are deleted. For an overlapping actual work record that surrounds the period actual, i.e., the period actual start date and period actual end date are between the start date and end date, the end date and work value of the overlapping actual work record are modified and a new actual work record is created.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exchanging information, and particularly debit information, between a visited and a home wireless network with respect to a wireless unit operating in the visited network. A translator is provided which includes a receiver for receiving data relating to the unit from the visited network, a translator application for translating and/or formatting the data into a standard inter-network communications message, and a transmitter for transmitting the standard message to the home network. The translator may receive data from a debit platform of the visited network. The translator may format the data into the standard message, preferably an IS-41 message. This standard message may be received by a translator at the home network. The home translator may extract the data from the standard message, translate the data and provide the data to the debit platform of the home network.

Abstract: A disposable liquid containing and dispensing package. The package has a flexible bag with an upper and a lower bag wall. The upper and lower bag walls have a periphery and a middle portion. The upper bag wall has a spout positioned within the middle portion of the wall. The spout has a first side and a second side. A dip strip is attached to the upper bag wall on the first side of and spaced apart from the spout and attached to the middle portion of the upper bag wall on the second side of and spaced apart from the spout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to automate the process of updating and maintaining a dynamically changing database by assigning status states to each entry within the database and operating on those entries in accordance with the status states. More specifically, when a new entry for the database is received (13) it is classified as a short-term entry (11). If the new entry is accessed (14) prior to the expiration of the short-term status (15), then the classification of the entry is changed to long-term (12). Otherwise, if the short-term status expires (15), the entry is functionally removed from the database (10). Long term entries (12) are maintained within the database for an assigned period of time which attempts to emulate the useful life of the entry. Upon expiration of a long-term status (16), the entry is functionally removed from the database (10).

Abstract: Automatically detecting a misspelled word and replacing the misspelled word with a correctly spelled word. Words are automatically spell checked as delimited. If a word is detected as a misspelled word then a correctly spelled alternate word is generated. The misspelled word and the correctly spelled alternate word are compared according to a set of difference criteria. The difference criteria correspond to common types of misspellings. If the misspelled word and the correctly spelled alternate word differ according to a difference criterion then the correctly spelled alternate word is identified as a replacement candidate word. The results of the difference criteria comparisons are reviewed using a set of selection criteria. If the results of the difference criteria comparisons satisfy the selection criteria then one of the replacement candidate words is correctly spelled as a replacement word and the misspelled word is replaced by the replacement word.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for executing, in a multitasking operating system, an application program that accesses a protected resource directly without mediation by the operating system. For example, the application can be a backup application and the resource can be a floppy disk drive, QIC tape drive, or other storage device. The method of the invention can be executed in a computer system having a processor, a storage device, and a device control mechanism for controlling operations of the storage device responsively to commands issued by the processor. The device control mechanism can be, for example, a floppy disk controller chip if the storage device is, for example, a floppy disk drive. According to the invention, the processor executes the application program as a task of the operating system. The operating system includes a software component, such as a device driver, for issuing commands to the device control mechanism.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tool for sheathing a bundle (1) of wires (2) by enveloping this bundle in a flexible adhesive ribbon (3) which is transversely wound about itself around the bundle (1) and whose longitudinal edges (5) are joined by gluing. It comprises a frame (60) equipped with an enveloping head (65) comprising a shaping device (68) for the ribbon (3) which is mounted in a fixed manner on the frame (60) and which possess a return edge (70) in the shape of a V arranged so as to start a longitudinal folding of the ribbon (3), and at least one first pair of clamping jaws (72) mounted on the frame (60) which are movable between an open position and a closed position in which they are applied against each other by means of return means to ensure the gluing of the longitudinal edges (5) of the ribbon (3) against each other and they define between themselves a passage orifice (79) for the sheathed bundle (1).

Abstract: A repositionable downspout extension that is attached to a downspout to direct rainwater away from a building. The extension is a generally tubular body with first and second ends. The extension comprises a pair of selectively removable adapter portions at each end that allow the extension to be connected to a downspout. An interlockable collar portion is at each end of the extension and interior to the adapter portions. The interlockable collar portions allow a number of the extensions to be connected together to form a downspout extension assembly after the adapter portions are removed. The extension further comprises an adjustable portion between the two collar portions. The adjustable portion comprises collapsible corrugations so that the extension can be bent into a number of positions and hold its position.

Abstract: A endoscopic device provides improvements in the endoscopic working space by the use of a semi-tubular hood with an arched top wall and self-supporting walls that allow simultaneous manipulations of dissection, cutting, ligation, and retraction, and the like, without requiring constant application of external force; while enhancing visualization and reducing the need for cleaning the endoscopic lens.

Abstract: A water soluble polymer binder for binding a fibrous substrate comprises from about 25 weight percent to about 85 weight percent of an unsaturated carboxylic acid/unsaturated carboxylic acid ester terpolymer; from about 5 weight percent to about 35 weight percent of a divalent ion inhibitor; and from about 10 weight percent to about 60 weight percent of a hydrophilic cross-linkable polymer. In a preferred mode of the invention the hydrophilic cross-linkable polymer functions substantially as a divalent ion inhibitor and promotes hydrophilicity of the treated fabric eliminating the requirement of a separate divalent ion inhibitor. The binder composition is soluble in an aqueous environment having a divalent ion concentration less than about 50 ppm and a monovalent ion concentration of less than about 0.4 weight percent. Also disclosed is a water dispersible fibrous fabric having an effective amount of the binder distributed on the fibrous substrate and a method of making a water dispersible fibrous fabric.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cold storage stabilized organophosphorus insecticide formulation. The formulation comprises a solid carrier and between approximately 2% and 40% by weight of the ultimate formulation of a nominally solid organophosphorus insecticide and between approximately 0.5% and 10% by weight of the ultimate formulation of a stabilizer compound selected from cyclohexanone and N-methylpyrrolidone. A method of making the cold storage stabilized organophosphorus insecticide formulation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spinning reel for fishing 10 comprises a spool shaft 17 reciprocal in an axial direction during rotation of a handle shaft and a being provided at a first axial end of the spool shaft. The reel includes an adjustable drag mechanism 23 including a core block fixed to the spool shaft, provided at a second axial end of the shaft, opposite to the first axial end of the spool, a rotor for winding line onto the spool and a switch means for selectively engaging between a first "normal" drag state in which the spool shaft is inhibited from rotating a free spool state in which the spool shaft may be free to rotate subject to the adjustable drag mechanism. A switch mechanism associated with the switch means comprises a plate adapted to move parallel to the axis 17A of the spool shaft, between a first and a second stable positions. The plate defines a protrusion at one end.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for simultaneously applying braking forces to two spaced apart rotating in-line roller skate wheel assemblies.

Abstract: A method and composition for the remediation of environmental contaminants in soil, sediment, aquifer material, water, or containers in which contaminants were contained, wherein contaminants are reacted with a remediating composition comprising a metal and a sulfur-containing compound to produce environmentally-acceptable, chemically reduced products. The method is useful for treating contaminants such as halogenated hydrocarbons, pesticides, chemical warfare agents and dyes. The remediating composition preferably contains comminuted, commercial grade iron and iron sulfide. The addition of an alcohol to the reactants enhances the rate of the remediation reaction, particularly for contaminants of soils and sediments.

Abstract: Certain physical properties, chemical composition and a content of volatile carbonaceous materials define the limits of the use of coke by-products of crude oil refining as green cokes for use in the manufacture of calcined cokes suitable in the production of anodes for the reduction processes in the aluminum industry. These limits render large quantities of green coke unusable for the purpose set forth above. The invention shows a way to overcome these limits by rendering up to now unusable cokes usable as green cokes for the manufacture of calcined cokes for the production of anodes.

Abstract: An adjustable pier assembly for use with a railroad control house includes a frame member, a movable sleeve having a pair of flanges rigidly attached to an extending sidewardly therefrom, and a pair of fine adjustment threaded members having associated hardware. By adjusting an initial adjustment bolt, an initial "rough" height adjustment is provided between the pier and the sleeve. A final fine adjustment is then provided between the sleeve and the frame of the apparatus by adjusting the location of the fine adjustment nuts which combine to capture the flanges along the lengths of their respective fine adjustment bolts. When four adjustment pier assemblies are used on four corresponding corners of a railway control equipment house, quick initial setup followed by fine leveling adjustment in two axes is readily provided.