Abstract: The present invention includes novel barrier webs that have certain desirable physical qualities such as water resistance, increased durability, improved barrier qualities and the like. The present invention further comprises a barrier web comprising a web that has been treated with a curable shear thinned thixotropic polymer composition, the fabric being adapted to be substantially impermeable to liquids, permeable to gases and impermeable to microorganisms. The barrier webs of the present invention are either impermeable to all microorganisms or are impermeable to microorganisms of certain sizes. The present invention also includes fabrics that are capable of either selective binding certain microorganisms, particles or molecules depending upon what binding partners are incorporated into the polymer before application to the fabric.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an amorphous alloy catalyst containing boron, which is composed of a porous carrier, a Q-B amorphous alloy, and a metal additive (M), the content of Q-B amorphous alloy together with metal additive is from 0.1 to 60 wt %, based on the total weight of the catalyst, in which the atomic ratio (Q+M)/B is 0.5-10, and the Q/M atomic ratio is 0.1-1000; wherein Q represents an metal selected from group VIII and B represents boron; and said metal additive (M) refers to those one or more metal elements which can be reduced to its/their elemental states from the corresponding salts by a solution containing BH.sub.4.sup.- with the exception that M is not the one which is used as Q. Said catalyst exhibits high catalytic hydrogenation activity.

Abstract: A scheme for arithmetic operations in finite field and group operations over elliptic curves capable of realizing a very fast implementation. According to this scheme, by using a normal basis [.alpha. .alpha.+1], the multiplicative inverse calculation and the multiplication in the finite field GF(2.sup.2n) can be realized as combinations of multiplications, additions and a multiplicative inverse calculation in the subfield GF(2.sup.n). Also, by using a standard basis [1.alpha.], the multiplication, the square calculation, and the multiplicative inverse calculation in the finite field GF(2.sup.2n) can be realized as combinations of multiplications, additions and a multiplicative inverse calculation in the subfield GF(2.sup.n). These arithmetic operations can be utilized for calculating rational expressions expressing group operations over elliptic curves that are used in information security techniques such as elliptic curve cryptosystems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing an improved cementitious product which includes improved surface characteristics such as skid resistance, as well as improved structural characteristics such as flexural toughness. The product is provided by the inclusion of skid-resistant particles within an uncured cement product, such that the product eventually cures with the skid-resistant particles fixed at and adjacent to the surface, providing improved skid resistance to the cement product its supporting surface, which could be a pedestrian sidewalk, steps, a vehicle roadway, handicapped ramps, or other surfaces where skid resistance is required. The product is desirably softer in structure than traditional concrete structures to allow for desirable wearing by traffic thereon to continuously expose new rubber particles, while still having integral properties which discourage pullout of the particles.

Abstract: A desktop publishing software program configured to propagate object content-defining and format-defining object properties so that user-defined object properties automatically propagate to other objects in the document. Object property propagation allows the author of the document to edit a number of linked objects by editing just one of the objects. To enable object property propagation, the desktop publishing software program includes a propagation table for each predefined layout. Each document is constructed from a number of components, and multiple instances of the same component may occur in a document. Each object has a name including an identifier and an instance code.

Abstract: Critiques are applied to phrase units included in morpho-syntactical information derived from the Japanese text. The critiques include a "trigger" and an "action," and are written in a special-purpose syntax that allows for easy specification of the error class and the rewrite generation. If a critique's trigger condition is satisfied, the associated action is carried out in order to generate a replacement text string. The process of generating replacement text strings employs a morphological graph that reflects possible word formations. In a first pass through the graph, a breadth first search is used to identify intermediate nodes along a path whose morpheme transitions satisfy at least part of the attributes of the text. In a second pass, a depth first search is used to select only those morpheme transitions that completely satisfy the rewrite criteria specified in the critique, while traversing the nodes identified in the breadth first search.

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: A light-stable colored composition which includes a colorant and a radiation transorber. The colorant, in the presence of the radiation transorber, is adapted, upon exposure of the transorber to specific, narrow bandwidth radiation, to be mutable. The radiation transorber also imparts light-stability to the colorant so that the colorant does not fade when exposed to sunlight or artificial light.

Abstract: Injection medium in the form of a dry mixture for preparing an injection suspension for sealing and/or reducing the penetrability of soils (loose rocks) and/or stone and/or structures against penetration by fluids, especially by water and gases, containing at least one mineral binder, especially a superfine binder, at least one stabilizer, at least one solvent and optionally other customary additives, such as at least one setting accelerator, an injection adjuvant and a water-retention agent, while the stabilizer is at least one organic thickener and the mixture additionally includes at least one essentially inert, superfine filler.

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: 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: 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 sprayer reduces undissolved particulates in a liquid spray solution by pumping jets of the liquid toward an impact surface within the tank of the sprayer. The liquid jets and the impact plate are above the liquid in the tank, and the liquid drains into the tank after striking the plate. A screen keeps remaining undissolved particulates from the sprayer nozzles but not from the liquid flowing to the impact plate.

Abstract: A chain link for a cable/hose handling chain, the chain link including a body defined by a pair of opposed sidewalls, a top wall and a bottom wall which together define a closed compartment for housing cables/hoses, each of the sidewalls being provided with pivotal formations to enable the chain link to be pivotally connected to a similar link to form a chain, at least one of the sidewalls being detachably attached to one end of the top and bottom walls to provide access to the compartment for insertion and removal of cable/hoses.

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 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: 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: 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: 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: The invention pertains to a plug connection for pressure systems which consists of two coupling parts, namely a receptacle part (2) and a plug part (4). The plug part (4) can be inserted into a receptacle opening (8) of the receptacle part (2) with a plug shaft (6) such that it is circumferentially sealed and blocked from being separated by a locking device (12). The locking device (12) is realized in such a way that a partially plugged prelocking position (FIG. 1b) and an entirely plugged full locking position (FIG. 1a) are ensured. In the prelocking position, an incomplete seal is produced such that a signal, preferably an acoustically perceivable leakage noise, is generated if the plug connection is charged with pressure. A complete, pressure-tight seal is produced in the full locking position.