Abstract: An elixir to aid in the coagulation and flocculation of metal precipitates in wastewater, and to aid in their settling out of the wastewater solution, comprising: 1) a first cationic polyelectrolyte, 2) a solution comprising a second cationic polyelectrolyte, an acrylamide, and a cationic monomer, 3) a polymer with a high molecular weight and a high charge density, and 4) water.

Abstract: An elixir for treating wastewater by transforming metals into metal sulfates and sulfides, breaking up chelated metals, and precluding the metal sulfates and sulfides from redissolving back into the wastewater. The elixir comprises: 1) ferrous sulfate heptahydrate, 2) aluminum sulfate, 3) 75% sulfuric acid, 4) a blend of aluminum salts and a polymeric coagulant, and 5) water.

Abstract: A camera crane has a boom arm pivotably connected to a post assembly. A track section is pivotably attached to the front end of the boom arm, and is leveled via leveling rods. The boom arm has a joggled section to provide clearance for a camera operator. A camera frame carrying a camera is linearly moveable along the track section. Pivot joints provide for adjustable drag on pivoting movement, without backlash or slip/stick movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides devices having an elongated member, a slidable indicator slidably engaged with the member and preferably a measuring scale to determine dimensions of female reproductive organs. Preferably, the device is adapted to determine the length of the cervix in the fornix vaginae, which is used in the disclosed methods to predict the risk of preterm labor, the risk of miscarriage, ease or difficulty of inducing labor, and fertility of an individual. Additional embodiments of the device determine dimensions of the fornix vaginae and dilation of the cervix uteri.

Abstract: A storage rack has a spaced apart upright frames or vertical columns. Load beams extend between the upright frames. The load beams have flattened or flared ends, allowing the load beams to be directly bolted onto the vertical upright frames. The load beams may be made from standard steel channel sections, by flattening or flaring the ends in a press.

Abstract: Methods and systems for handling speech recognition processing in effectively real-time, via the internet, in order that users do not experience noticeable delays from the start of an exercise until they receive responsive feedback. A user uses a client to access the internet and a server supporting speech recognition processing, e.g., for language learning activities. The user inputs speech to the client, which transmits the user speech to the server in approximate real-time. The server evaluates the user speech in context of the current speech recognition exercise being executed, and provides responsive feedback to the client, again, in approximate real-time, with minimum latency delays. The client upon receiving responsive feedback from the server, displays, or otherwise provides, the feedback to the user.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor for detecting the wavefront produced by light waves from a light source comprises optically refractory or reflective means for receiving the light waves from the light source and producing two defocused pupil images at two different locations along an optical axis. A detector is positioned at a location spaced from the two locations of the two focused pupil images for the detector means to receive and detect two equally and oppositely defocused pupil images. A computer with appropriate software processes the characteristics of the two defocused pupil images from the detector to determine the curvature of the wavefront based on the light intensities with Dirichlet's boundary conditions for the light waves received by the wavefront sensor.

Abstract: A catheter using multiple hollow fibers to carry a heating/cooling fluid employs fiber spreading features to improve heat transfer and help prevent clotting of body fluids within which the catheter is immersed. The catheter includes a length of outer tube surrounding an inner tube. The inner tube conveys fluids in one direction, and the passageway between inner and outer tubes conveys fluids in the opposite direction. The inner and outer tubes have proximal distal ends. The distal end is closed, but the proximal end is open to permit introduction of a heating or cooling fluid into the inner tube, and withdrawal of the fluid from the passageway between the inner and outer tubes. At the tubes' distal end resides a proximal fluid transfer housing coupled to multiple hollow heat exchange fibers. The distal ends of these fibers may be commonly connected to a distal fluid transfer housing and optional reservoir, which cooperatively return fluid to the passageway between inner and outer tubes.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes an elongate catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end with a drive cable disposed therein, the drive cable having a proximal end and a distal end, and rotatable relative to the catheter body. A first electro-magnetic element is disposed proximate the distal end of the catheter, and a second electro-magnetic element disposed proximate the distal end of the drive cable and in electrical communication with an operative element mounted at the end of the drive cable, the first and second electro-magnetic elements forming an inductive coupler. The catheter assembly can include various other distal operative elements, which are in communication with corresponding proximal operative elements via transmission lines embedded within the wall of the catheter body.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-program product for automatically calibrating a current measuring device. The system and method includes a means for automatically determining viable data segments that can be used for calibration purposes. A quality factor that is associated with each calibration realization is provided. The quality factor is an assessment of the quality of the data in a viable data segment as determined based on user input, statistical information, and the validity of the assumptions used to calculate the calibration coefficient.

Abstract: A multi-jaw clamp capable of attaching to various sized cylindrical objects such as iris rods of a professional movie camera. The multi-jaw clamp includes two housings that each hold a cylinder with at least two circular sections in the sides of the cylinders that are rotatable to change the size of the circular opening for the circular object to which the clamp can attach. The two housings contain hinge means for opening and closing the clamp and at each free end of the housings is a means for closing the clamp and locking the clamp in position around the cylindrical object.

Abstract: New benzenedicarboxylic acid derivative compounds; pharmaceutical compositions, diagnostic methods, and diagnstic kits that include those compounds; and methods of using those compounds for inhibiting NAALADase enzyme activity, detecting diseases where NAALADase levels are altered, effecting neuronal activity, effecting TGF-&bgr; activity, inhibiting angiogenesis, and treating glutamate abnormalities, neutopathy, pain, compulsive disorders, prostate diseases, cancers, and glaucoma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-radioactive enzymatic methods for detecting Sphingosine-1-Phosphate (S1P) in biological fluids. The present invention further relates to a method of detecting the presence of cancer in a patient by the use of these and other methods of detecting (S1P) in biological samples from a patient.

Abstract: In a method for rinsing and drying a semiconductor workpiece in a micro-environment, the workpiece is placed into a rinser/dryer housing. The rinser/dryer housing is rotated by a rotor motor. The rinser/dryer housing defines a substantially closed rinser/dryer chamber. Rinsing and drying fluids are distributed across at least one face of the semiconductor workpiece by the action of centrifugal force generated during rotation of the housing. A fluid supply system is connected to sequentially supply a rinsing fluid followed by a drying fluid to the chamber as the housing is rotated.

Abstract: A semiconductor processing system has a liquid chemical metering and delivery system including a process tank and a metering vessel. Fluid level detectors detect the fluid level in the process tank and metering vessel. A two stage fill valve fills the metering vessel from bottom to top. A dispense valve dispenses the metered contents of the vessel into a process tank via gravity, to form a chemical solution in the process tank, with high mixing accuracy. The volumes of the metering vessel and process tank and the inflow and outflow rates are set to provide 100% up time to a process chamber which uses the chemical solution to process semiconductor wafers or other flat media.

Abstract: A processor for processing articles, such as semiconductor wafers, in a substantially clean atmosphere is set forth. The processor includes an enclosure defining a substantially enclosed clean processing chamber and at least one processing station disposed in the processing chamber. An interface section is disposed adjacent an interface end of the enclosure. The interface section includes at least one interface port through which a pod containing articles for processing are loaded or unloaded to or from the processor. The interface section is hygienically separated from the processing chamber since the interface section is generally not as clean as the highly hygienic processing chamber. An article extraction mechanism adapted to seal with the pod is employed. The mechanism is disposed to allow extraction of the articles contained within the pod into the processing chamber without exposing the articles to ambient atmospheric conditions in the interface section.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of radiohalogenated radiopharmaceuticals by an electrophillic substitution, preferably halogenodestannylation reactions, by the reaction of an organometallic substituted precursor, preferably a trialkyl tin substituted precursor, with a radioactive halogen, preferably a radioactive iodine, astatine or bromine composition, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of an anion selected from the group consisting of bromide, chloride and nitrite anion in an acid medium with an oxidizing agent.

Abstract: A composite material is provided that includes a matrix material, and a plurality of deflectable elements or “machines” disposed in the matrix material, the machines acting to modify one or more physical properties of the composite material in response to forces acting upon the composite material. Preferably, the machines have an elongate shape defining a longitudinal axis, which are disposed within the matrix material in a predetermined array. The elongate members have an asymmetrical cross-section which is deflectable between first and second shapes, and consequently the composite material exhibits different physical properties because the elongate members deflect between the first and second shapes. The machines may include a variety of asymmetrical cross-sections, such as a generally “Z” shape, an hourglass shape, a cantilever shape or a leaf spring shape.