Abstract: A method of monitoring a microbiological process in a fluid supply involving isolation of a fluid sample from a fluid supply, measuring the pH of the fluid sample at selected time intervals, then calculating changes in pH, if any, to determine a pH variation rate for the sample. The dissolved oxygen in the sample is also measured at selected time intervals substantially synchronously with the pH measurements, and changes in dissolved oxygen, if any, are calculated to determine a biological oxygen consumption rate for the sample.

Abstract: This invention provides an interactive educational apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a memory which has a reference database having plural topics, an objective rating for each topic relative to the other topics, and at least one question for selected topics. The memory also includes an educational module configured for interface between the user and the reference database. The apparatus also has a processor for executing the module, a display for displaying the questions for selected topics, and an input device for communicating to the processor user responses to questions. This invention also provides an interactive educational method for creating and using the apparatus.

Abstract: A separator for use with a fluidized-bed bioreactor. A lift draws a slurry of liquid, media and biomass from the fluidized bed. A biomass discharge is connected to the lift and located above the height of the fluidized bed for discharging excess biomass. A media discharge, also connected to the lift, discharges media from the slurry and returns the media to the fluidized bed.

Abstract: A method of separating vanadium from waste ash including generating a high temperature thermal plasma; contacting the waste ash with the high temperature thermal plasma in the presence of oxygen, thereby forming a layer of iron from iron and iron components contained within the waste ash and a layer of slag on top of the iron layer; causing vanadium contained within the waste ash to collect at an upper surface of the layer of iron and then react with the oxygen to form vanadium oxides and combine with the layer of slag; removing most of, but not all of, the layer of iron; stirring the layer of slag without addition of more of the oxygen; adding aluminum and carbon to the layer of slag; reducing or terminating power supplied to generate the high temperature thermal plasma; causing the aluminum to replace the vanadium in the vanadium oxides and causing the carbon to remove oxygen from iron oxides in the remaining portion of the layer of iron, whereby vanadium and iron combine to form a ferro-vanadium alloy.

Abstract: A lupus anticoagulant like protein obtained from Agkistrodon halys brevicaudus venom, methods and tests for detecting the presence of lupus anticoagulant in blood and methods of treating antiphospholipid syndrome and thrombotic disorders using the protein are disclosed.

Abstract: A separator is provided for use with a fluidized-bed bioreactor. A lift draws a slurry of liquid, media and biomass from the fluidized bed. A biomass discharge is connected to the lift for discharging excess biomass. A media discharge, also connected to the lift, discharges media from the slurry and returns the media to the fluidized bed by means of a media return assembly.

Abstract: An enhanced electronic reference having a memory with a database of entries. The database of entries includes general entries and topic entries. Each general entry has a general word, a general definition and a tag identifying each definition as general. Each topic entry has a topic word, a topic definition and a topic tag which identifies the topic from which the topic word is selected. The memory also includes a series of commands to retrieve and communicate the general and topic definitions. The enhanced electronic reference also includes an input device for receiving a selected topic and a selected word, an output device for communicating general and topic definitions and a processor for executing the commands.

Abstract: A strap assembly is provided for securing an object adjacent to a vehicle. The strap assembly includes an elongated strap of predetermined length. An anchor is attached to the strap at a location along its length. The anchor is shaped to be captured by panels of a vehicle so that opposed ends of the strap extend outwardly from the vehicle. A fastener is connected to one of the opposed ends of the strap and is adapted for connecting the ends to secure one or more objects. A bracket is preferably provided so that the strap assembly can be used to secure objects adjacent to a structure. In a preferred embodiment, the strap assembly and bracket are provided in the form of a kit so that the strap assembly can be used to secure objects adjacent to a vehicle or adjacent to a structure.

Abstract: A device for controlling the movement of an electrical cord which connects a computer mouse to a computer. The mouse cord holder includes of a shackle for frictionally engaging the mouse cord and a mounting device. The mouse cord is secured to the shackle and the mounting device is attachable to stationary objects such as mouse pads or desk tops. The device limits the movement of a computer mouse cord to a length necessary to operate a computer mouse while restraining the remaining mouse cord length thereby preventing the length of the cord between the computer mouse and computer from causing spills or cord entanglement.

Abstract: An enhanced electronic encyclopedia is provided. The encyclopedia includes a database of articles stored in one or more memories. The database of articles includes base articles with article titles, article text and an objective rating. The database of articles also includes supplemental articles corresponding to base articles with a selected objective rating. Each supplemental article has an icon which identifies characteristics of the supplemental article. The encyclopedia also includes a processor, an input device and an output device. A method for creating an enhanced electronic encyclopedia is also provided.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a microbiological process in a fluid supply involving isolation of a fluid sample from a fluid supply, measuring the pH of the fluid sample at selected time intervals, then analyzing changes in pH, if any, to determine a pH production rate for the sample. Changes in pH production rate are then analyzed to determine when the pH production rate changes from a negative value to zero and/or to zero for the second time as an indicator of nitrification time.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a domestic water supply including a glass-lined storage tank to contain the domestic water supply. A combustible fuel burner is positioned to heat the domestic water supply within the glass-lined storage tank. A solar heating tube is connected to supply solar heated fluid to a heat transfer coil mounted within the glass-lined storage tank. The heat transfer coil has a double-wall including a non-metallic outer wall in contact with a metallic inner wall, both walls being sealed to prevent mixing of the domestic water supply with the solar heated fluid. A sensor is positioned to sense the temperature of the solar heated fluid as it is delivered to the heat transfer coil.

Abstract: A water heater includes a tank and an exhaust blower is located below the tank and connected to the exhaust line to draw the combustion products by suction through the coil-shaped heat exchanger, through the combustion gases conduit and through the combustion chamber and to draw fuel and air into the burner through the inlet conduit.

Abstract: A method is provided for validating, at a pre-determined test temperature, the operation of a temperature sensor, controller or monitor in a temperature-controlling device having a temperature-controlled environment to be maintained at a target temperature. A standardized temperature sensor is positioned within the temperature-controlled environment. A thermal mass having a temperature different from the target temperature is provided and placed within the environment. The temperature of the environment is caused to deviate from the target temperature in response to the thermal mass. A comparison between the temperature indicated by the sensor, controller or monitor and the temperature indicated by the standardized sensor is made when the temperature of the environment corresponds to the test temperature.

Abstract: This invention provides an article for containing and pouring material. The article includes a container with an open end, a bottom, a wall extending from the bottom to the open end and forming at least one corner, a lip extending from the wall at the open end and toward a central axis of the container, and a pouring spout at the corner. The pouring spout is positioned on an interior surface of the wall and has a contour for directing material to the corner and out of the open end. The contour is formed by increasing the thickness of the wall on both sides of the corner. A handle is attached to the container near the open end of the container. A lid is provided having a shape adapted to cover the open end of the container and create a seal with the lip of the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a module containing at least one ultraviolet lamp relative to a passageway in which fluid to be treated flows including a base member fixed to stable structure associated with the passageway and a suspender connected to the base member. The suspender includes a rotatably-mounted latch having a module-engaging portion sized and shaped to engage a module latch receiver associated with the module, a spring associated with the latch and adapted to urge rotation of the module-engaging portion toward and into engagement with the module latch receiver and a rotatably-mounted latch cover positioned adjacent the latch.

Abstract: A water heater storage tank including a rigid outer shell having ports connected for water flow into and out from the storage tank. The water heater storage tank also has a flexible container within the outer shell having a wall and fittings connected to the wall for water flow into and out from the container. The fittings on the wall of the container are mounted in the ports on the outer shell. The container has a pressure compensating cushion mounted integrally with the wall of the container. The pressure compensating cushion is inflated to compensate for pressure fluctuations within the water heater storage tank.

Abstract: An article for repairing an opening in a wall surface and including at least one bracket forming a cage when installed in the opening. The bracket has a substantially "U"-shaped body with legs terminating at outwardly extending flanges. Each flange is adapted for insertion into the edge of the opening when the bracket is installed. The article also includes a support sized and shaped to substantially fill the cage. The support has at least one element to which patch material bonds when the article is placed in the opening and the patch material is introduced into the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus which monitors and controls biological activity of wastewater under anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic conditions by measuring changes in dissolved oxygen content of the wastewater and/or cellular NADH. A wastewater treatment system is controlled in accordance with the results generated by the monitoring system.

Abstract: A mold for forming an article having one or more substantial radial protrusions. The mold includes a core movable along a molding axis, a stripper ring movable a limited distance along one set of guide rods with axes parallel to the molding axis, a split ring having segments movable adjacent to the stripper ring for the limited distance and movable relative to the stripper ring on a second set of guide rods at an angle to the molding axis, and a cavity. The article is removable from the mold when the core is moved away from the cavity, the stripper ring is moved its limited distance, and the split ring segments are moved with the stripper ring and then relative to the stripper ring at an angle to the molding axis.