Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, stable electroosmotic flow systems and methods for designing the same are disclosed. The invention provides electroosmotic flow systems comprising electroosmotic flow elements, including bridge elements, that have matching flux ratios, i.e., when two or more elements of an electroosmotic flow system are in fluidic and electrical communication at a junction, the flux ratio for each of the elements is selected so that the difference in flux ratios system adjacent two elements is less than a target value. The invention also provides methods for designing such systems.

Abstract: A method for simulating in a digital image the effect of a physical polarization filter is described, the digital image having a plurality of pixels (50) with color, by darkening (54) each of the plurality of pixels (52) having a cool color and lightening (56) each of the plurality of pixels having a warm color. Optional adjustment algorithms are disclosed, including a contrast adjustment (62), saturation adjustment (64) and intensity adjustment.

Abstract: An apparatus useful in a two-stroke cycle engine or in a pump as a piston disposed within a piston cylinder. The piston cylinder has an intermediate piston cylinder head disposed transversely across the interior of the piston cylinder. The piston has at least one upright extension member extending upwardly from the lower portion. A piston top wall is disposed transversely to the piston cylinder side wall and is attached to the upper portion of the upright extension member of the piston. An upper chamber is defined above the piston top wall. An intermediate chamber is defined immediately below the piston top wall and a lower chamber is defined below the intermediate piston cylinder head. A tube connects the upper chamber with the lower chamber.

Abstract: Sensor constructs for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample comprise a molecular scaffold, a pair of labels which interact via Förster resonance energy transfer, and at least one molecular recognition domain. When the analyte is bound by the molecular recognition domain, the Förster resonance energy interaction between the pair of labels is disrupted, resulting in a changed optical signal.

Abstract: A system and a process are disclosed, that are automated and integrated with numerically controlled systems, for measuring, compensating and testing numerically controlled machine tool heads (1) and/or tables. The system comprises: at least one support base (11) equipped with a plurality of distance sensors (14); at least one device (16) of the gage tool type composed of an elongated cylinder (17) that is equipped at one of its ends with connection means (18) for the heads (1) and is equipped at another opposite end with a ball (20), wherein the ball (20) is placed next to the sensors (14) so that they are able, always and in any position, to measure the distance that separates them from the ball (20) and determine thereby the position in the Cartesian space.

Abstract: A multi-polarized antenna for transmitting and/or receiving radio frequency (RF) signals, and a method for constructing same, is disclosed. The antenna comprises at least two radiative antenna elements each having a first end and a second end. The second ends of the antenna elements are electrically connected at an apex point and are disposed outwardly away from the apex point at an acute angle relative to and to a first side of an imaginary plane intersecting the apex point. The antenna also includes an electrically conductive ground plane located at and/or to a second side of the imaginary plane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of manipulating senescence in plants. The invention also relates to vectors useful in such methods, transformed plants with modified senescence characteristics and plant cells, seeds and other parts of such plants.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously processing a plurality of particles, e.g. beads or cells. A liquid sample containing the particles is delivered to a processing chamber in which the particles are positioned on particle retainers which lie in a plane. The particle retainers are sized to receive only one particle, so that the particles do not overlap. The system can make use of positioning fluid for forcing the particles into the particle retainers. The positioned particles can, for example, be processed by interrogating the particles with a light of a preselected wavelength, and analyzing signals received from the particles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multifunctional constant temperature refrigerator comprising a compressor (1), an evaporator (16), a condenser (23), a cabinet (37), and freezing compartments (9), wherein the refrigerator further includes a closed cold air flow duct (15) and a negative thermal carrier assembly. The freezing compartments (9) are disposed in the cabinet (37). The closed cold air flow duct (15) is located at a back portion of the cabinet (37). The evaporator (16) is placed in the closed cold air flow duct (15). The negative thermal carrier assembly comprises a negative thermal carrier case (10) filled with negative thermal carriers and a heat pipe (12). The negative thermal carrier case (10) is disposed in each of the freezing compartments (9). A vaporization zone of the heat pipe (12) is extended into the negative thermal carrier case (10), and a condensation zone of the heat pipe (12) is extended into the closed cold air flow duct (15).

Abstract: A railroad track tie comprises a body formed at least partially of polymeric material, and a reinforcement totally encapsulated within the body, wherein there is at least one opening through the reinforcement with polymeric material therein.

Abstract: A primer set used to screen a polynucleotide sample to detect and identify variants in the Cytochrome P450 isoenzyme 2D6 (CYP2D6) gene. A method of screening a polynucleotide sample to detect and identify the presence of one or more than one variant in the CYP2D6 gene in the sample. A method of predicting the potential for altered metabolism of a substance, including one or more than one pharmaceutical drug, by a first individual compared to a second control individual, where the substance is metabolized by the CYP2D6 isoenzyme, and where the second control individual is homozygous for the wild type allele of the CYP2D6*1, SEQ ID NO:1. A method of screening a population to detect and identify the presence of one or more than one variant in the CYP2D6 gene. A purified or isolated variant of SEQ ID NO:1. A purified or isolated variant of SEQ ID NO:3.

Abstract: The invention is an oligonucleotide-based assay system and kit useful for sorting, detecting, and identifying analytes. The system utilizes complementary oligonucleotide pairs in which one oligonucleotide of each pair is immobilized to a solid substrate and the other oligonucleotide has an analyte binding agent attached to it. The different oligonucleotide pairs hybridize at substantially the same rate, have substantially the same Tm, have nucleotide sequences designed to minimize cross-hybridization between different pairs, and hybridize together relatively rapidly at ambient temperatures without detectable cross-hybridization.

Abstract: An anti-theft case (1) is disclosed, particularly for videocassettes, DVD, compact disks, cassette tapes, comprising: first and second mutually hinged half-cases (3, 5); a separate opening and closing member (12) and a locking and unlocking member (18) of the case. In order to optimize assembling and costs of the case (1), the two half-cases (3, 5) are of a same shape and size; the opening and closing member (12) is shaped as an elongated slider and is inserted into a seat (20?, 20?) obtained in the half-cases (3, 5); and the locking and unlocking member (18) is composed of a cylindrical pin adapted to go in and out of a seat (22) obtained in the opening and closing member (12).

Abstract: A method for determining whether a disputed electronic signature is that of a purported signator includes the steps of (a) creating in a single step an ink on paper signature and an identical electronic signature of the purported signator; (b) verifying that the ink on paper signature is consistent with known ink on paper signatures of the purported signator; and (c) comparing the disputed electronic signature with the electronic signature of the purported signator to determine whether the disputed electronic signature is that of the purported signator.

Abstract: Preferred examples of a system and method for rapid collection and distribution of taxes are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a method for point-of-sale collection and distribution of sales taxes on a frequent, regular basis, such as daily or weekly, or other periodic time intervals, that can be used for face-to-face, e-commerce, telephone or other transactions. The disclosed embodiments provide a system and a method for transferring funds from numerous merchants to numerous taxing authorities in an efficient manner, with each merchant seeking to transfer funds to perhaps several taxing authorities and each taxing authority seeking to receive funds from many merchants. According to other examples of the invention, a centralized distribution feature allows the merchants and the taxing authorities to each communicate with a single entity or other in transferring the funds.

Abstract: A drain, waste and vent (“DWV”) fitting is made from chlorinated polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of crystalline polymers based on hydrophobic monomers, preferably on a mixture of hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers which contains a crosslinking monomer, particularly side chain crystalline (SCC) polymers. The dispersions are useful for providing coatings on substrates, particularly on seeds (whose dormancy is thus extended) and on fibrous substrates, particularly human hair (which thus becomes heat-settable).