Abstract: The present invention includes methods and compositions for increasing the fluorous nature of an organic compound by reacting it with at least one fluorous compound to produce a fluorous tagged organic compound. The increased fluorous nature of the fluorous tagged organic compound can then be utilized to separate the fluorous organic compound from untagged reagents, reactants, catalysts and/or products derived therefrom. The resultant fluorous tagged organic compound can be subjected to subsequent chemical transformations, wherein the fluorous nature of the tagged compound is utilized to increase the ease of separation of the fluorous tagged organic compound from untagged reagents, reactants, catalysts and/or products derived therefrom, after each chemical transformation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel isolated BFLP0169 polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by the BFLP0169 polynucleotides. Also provided are the antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a BFLP0169 polypeptide or any derivative (including fusion derivative), variant, mutant or fragment of the BFLP0169 polypeptide, polynucleotide or antibody. The invention additionally provides methods in which the BFLP0169 polypeptide, polynucleotide and antibody are utilized in the detection and treatment of a broad range of pathological states, as well as to other uses.

Abstract: A method of assessing percentage dot in flexographic printing plates or the like includes superimposing the printing plate and a further, smooth surfaced sheet or plate of material of a reflective index greater than air, so that the “high” regions of the printing surface of the printing plate make intimate contact with the adjoining surface of said further plate. The superimposed sheet is illuminated in such a way that the difference in the light reflection between the areas of the further sheet which are not in intimate contact with the printing plate and those areas which are provide a significant difference in apparent brightness between the “high” regions and the “low” regions. The difference in apparent brightness can be detected by visual, automatic or photo detection means.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel process for the preparation of carbon based structured materials with controlled topology, morphology and functionality. The nanostructured materials are prepared by controlled carbonization, or pyrolysis, of precursors comprising phase separated copolymers. The precursor materials are selected to phase separate and self organize in bulk, in solution, in the presence of phase selective solvents, at surfaces, interfaces or during fabrication, into articles, fibers or films exhibiting well-defined, self-organized morphology or precursors of well-defined, self-organized, bi- or tri-phasic morphology. Compositional control over the (co)polymers provides control over the structure of the phase separated precursor whose organization therein dictates the nanostructure of the material obtained after carbonization or pyrolysis, wherein each dimension of the formed structure can be predetermined.

Abstract: A method for communicating binary data and a digital communication system are presented. According to one embodiment, the method includes encoding a message word by multiplying the message word with a generator matrix, wherein the generator matrix multiplied by the transpose of a parity check matrix for a low density parity check code yields a null set, and wherein the parity check matrix has a column weight of two. Additionally disclosed is an encoding scheme based on a three-tier Tanner graph having a girth of twelve.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for encouraging communication over a network between participants engaged in a learning activity. A communication channel is opened over the network between participants. An objective shared by the participants is presented. Cooperative interaction between the participants is required to complete the objective. Content related to the objective is displayed to each participant of the learning activity. Messages are exchanged in real-time between the participants over the communication channel to allow the participants to progress cooperatively towards completing the objective. Input from one of the participants of the learning activity is received. The input represents an action taken in response to the exchanged messages. The content displayed to the participants is dynamically updated based on the action taken by one of the participants during the learning activity, to depict progress towards the objective.

Abstract: A planer having a base, a first support member attached to the base and supporting a cutterhead for selective travel in a first direction toward the base and a second opposite direction, a top frame attached to the first support member and a depth stop mechanism attached to the top frame for selectively preventing travel of the cutterhead in the first direction beyond a pre-selected distance from the base. A depth measuring device including a retractable tape may be attached to the cutterhead. A workpiece level indicator plate movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position may be attached to the planer to indicate contact with a workpiece. A locking mechanism for locking a pivotable infeed table of a planer in the upright position for storage, and thereby switching off power to the planer is also disclosed. The planer may include a readily attachable and detachable dust removal assembly.

Abstract: Method and system for processing and evaluating data from combination chromatographic and mass spectrometric data. The methods and system comprise data smoothing and determination of an quality factor for a chromatogram of a data set based on a determined entropy value. In one embodiment, the methods and system further comprise data baseline correction prior to entropy value determination. In a further embodiment, a correlation is determined between chromatograms processed according to the invention and one or more chromatograms of one or more data sets. Preferably, said correlation is performed using a multivariate analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a genus of bacteria known as Ketogulonigenium. The present invention further relates to transformed Ketogulonigenium, and methods of transforming Ketogulonigenium. The present invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules, and vectors.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments enable cell phone users to plug in a novel SIM card and receive a multimedia broadcast of their choice, television, celebrity broadcast calls, newspapers, games, video and the like, without initializing with a service provider. Adapters can provide additional cell phone communication channels enabling a user to talk on the phone while receiving a broadcast into storage or to quickly receive a broadcast over multiple channels. Cell phone TV flicker can be inhibited by receiving over multiple channels. Each channel can be controlled or activated by its own SIM card. Novel product-specific SIM cards are provided to enable reception of specific broadcasts.

Abstract: An instrument and related process for measuring color, shade, gloss, shape and/or translucence of a tooth. First, the instrument uses searchlight illumination to illuminate a tooth with constant irradiance. Second, the instrument uses calorimetric imaging to collect time-separated frames of different wavelengths of light reflected from a tooth and to combine those frames into a color image. Third, the instrument includes a sanitary shield to establish a reference color and a predetermined distance to a target tooth. Fourth, the instrument provides line-of-sight viewing so an operator may simultaneously view a display of the image on the instrument and the object being measured. Fifth, the instrument is impervious to pollutants because it incorporates a sealed measurement window. Sixth, optical measurements of a tooth taken by a dentist are compared to optical measurements of a prosthetic restoration for that tooth to confirm satisfactory matching of optical characteristics of the tooth and restoration.

Abstract: A polymerization process is provided for the preparation of graft (co)polymers. An embodiment of the polymerization process of the present invention comprises copolymerizing macromonomers with (co)monomers utilizing a macroinitiator to form a graft (co)polymer. A further embodiment of a polymerization process of the present invention comprises (co)polymerizing macromonomers and monomers with a graft copolymer macroinitiator to form a block-graft (co)polymer. Another embodiment of the process of the present invention comprises (co)polymerizing macromonomers and monomers with a compatible macroinitiator. The chemical and structural properties of the product graft (co)polymer may be controlled by use of a compatible macroinitiator and the functional group on the macromonomer which effect the relative rates of incorporation of the macromonomer and the monomer. Graft (co)polymers may be prepared with homogeneous or heterogeneous distribution of grafts.

Abstract: Apparatus for housing electrically powered components to protect such components from damage and interference caused by lightning strikes and other externally generated magnetic fields. Methods of manufacturing such enclosures are also disclosed. A cable entry port and door entry are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming a capacitor is disclosed. The method includes forming a first substrate layer, and forming a first electrode on the first substrate layer. The first electrode includes at least one non-smooth surface and is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of transition metals, conductive oxides, alloys thereof, and combinations thereof. The method also includes forming a dielectric on the first electrode and the first substrate layer, and forming a second electrode on the dielectric and the first substrate layer. The second electrode includes at least one non-smooth surface. The method further includes forming a second substrate layer on the second electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay for free protein S comprising the addition of a ligand specific for free protein S to a biological fluid sample to form a protein S/ligand complex, and subsequent determination of the amount of the complex formed in the sample. The ligand specific for free protein S is comprised of the C4b binding protein (C4BP), or part thereof, or a compound comprising an amino acid residue sequence that binds specifically to the binding site for C4BP in protein S. The present invention further relates to antibodies specific for free protein S, which can be used as ligands in the assay of the invention, and with protein S related polypeptides, which can be used to produce such antibodies. In addition, the present invention is related to diagnostic test systems, suitable in kit form, comprising the present ligand and at least one further reagent required in the assay for free protein S.

Abstract: A reservoir electrode assembly of the present invention for an iontophoretic drug delivery device includes an electrode and a hydrophilic reservoir situated in electrically conductive relation to the electrode. The hydrophilic reservoir is formed from a bibulous hydrophilic cross-linked polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface that is adhesively adherent to the electrode. The first surface of the polymeric material is releasably adhesively adherent when applied to an area of a patient's skin. The polymeric material has a cohesive strength forms an adhesive bond with a bond strength between the second surface of the polymeric material to the electrode that is greater than the cohesive strength of the polymeric material.

Abstract: A frequency synthesizer is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the frequency synthesizer includes a phase locked loop (PLL) having an analog mixer phase detector and an auxiliary digital frequency detector coupled to the phase locked loop. The PLL may include a programmable divider having an input terminal responsive to an output signal of the frequency synthesizer and having an output terminal coupled to an input terminal of the analog mixer phase detector, a loop filter having an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the analog mixer phase detector, and a voltage controlled oscillator having a control terminal coupled to an output terminal of the loop filter. The programmable divider may include a direct digital synthesizer.

Abstract: A method of increasing the production in an existing process plant for converting natural gas into a product, where the natural gas is first converted to a synthesis gas in a synthesis gas section, the synthesis gas is brought to reaction in a reactor for synthesis of the product, where non-converted synthesis gas and product are separated into two streams, where a product-rich stream is taken off the process, while a product-poor stream is re-circulated back as feed to the reactor together with fresh synthesis gas, and where part of the re-circulating stream is taken off the re-circulation loop as a purge gas, where the purge gas is separated into hydrogen-rich and hydrogen-poor streams, where hydrogen-rich streams are introduced in stages of the process where addition of hydrogen is desirable, and where the residual thermal value of the hydrogen-poor stream may be used for heating prior to the stream being discharged, wherein the synthesis gas from the synthesis gas section receives a hydrogen-rich stream f