Abstract: A magnetic docking apparatus includes a support member having an electromagnet attached thereto. The support member includes a fastener for attaching the magnetic docking apparatus to a vessel. The support member and the fastener cooperate to position the electromagnet external to the vessel. When the vessel is positioned proximate a docking point that includes a ferrous object, the magnetic docking apparatus is operable to energize the electromagnet. When energized the electromagnet creates a magnetic attraction between itself and the ferrous object, and the magnetic attraction causes the vessel to be held at the docking point. The electromagnet is also operable to be de-energized to release the vessel from the docking point. In another aspect of the present invention, a method includes attaching a magnetic docking apparatus to a vessel. The magnetic docking apparatus includes a support member having an electromagnet attached thereto.

Abstract: A keratin hydrogel-filled implantable prosthetic device. One device is a breast implant for augmenting or reconstructing a human breast including an envelope containing a keratin hydrogel. One keratin hydrogel is formed from a solid precursor which forms a keratin hydrogel upon addition of water. One source of keratin is human hair. In one method, an envelope suitable for implantation and a solid keratin hydrogel precursor are provided. The solid can be in fibrous or powder form. The solid precursor can be inserted into the envelope interior. A small incision near the breast can be made and the envelope inserted into the incision. After insertion, water can be injected into the envelope interior, preferably through the incision and through a self-sealing port in the envelope. In one method, the implant is provided as a kit, with the envelope and keratin hydrogel provided. The hydrogel can be injected into the envelope either before or after insertion into the breast area.

Abstract: Novel polystyrene grafted polyolefin compositions having a high level of grafting are made using a novel process which involves suspending styrene in water. The polystyrene grafted polyolefin compositions can then be converted into ion exchange membranes that are particularly useful in electrolytic cells.

Abstract: An improved on-stream analyzer for monitoring sulfur or nitrogen content of liquid petroleum or beverage products is described. It consists of the following main components: a sample injector for injecting predetermined fixed volumes of the liquid into a thermal oxidizer (pyrolyzer) at a preset, controlled rate, a thermal oxidizer in which an inert carrier gas and oxygen are introduced at measured and preset, controlled rates to thermally oxidize the sample at a temperature of about 1050° C., sample conditioner to control the relative humidity and temperature of the resulting gas mixture, an electrochemical cell sensitive to sulfur dioxide (SO2) or NO to measure the concentration of SO2 or NO in the gas mixture, and a programmable logic controller (PLC) to calculate the sulfur content of the original sample and manage the analyzer.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions, including vectors, and methods for the rapid subcloning of nucleic acid sequences in vivo and in vitro. In particular, the invention provides vectors used to contain a gene of interest that comprise a sequence-specific recombinase target site. These vectors are used to rapidly transfer the gene or genes of interest into any vector that contains a sequence-specific recombinase target site located downstream of a regulatory element so that the gene of interest may be regulated.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the integrity or quality of a gravel pack positioned between the casing and gravel pack screen of a subterranean borehole, with the method including azimuthally scanning the gravel pack for radiation, with detection of the radiation limited to a limited angular arc of the gravel pack at any one time, with the apparatus including shielded or collimated radiation source and/or detector.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting a labeled sample molecule bound to an immobilized probe by electrochemiluminescence. The method comprises providing a multiplexed molecular analysis system comprising a reaction chamber comprising a reaction substrate comprising a plurality of biosites, each biosite comprising a plurality of similar capture probes attached to the reaction substrate, the reactions substrate comprising an embedded conductive material connected to an electrical source and providing a sample comprising a plurality of molecules labeled with a electrochemiluminescent label; adding a solution comprising this sample to the reaction chamber; applying a voltage from the electrical source to the conductive material after sufficient time has passed for a labeled molecule to bind to a capture probe, thereby inducing an electrochemical event within the electrochemiluminescent label that releases a detectable amount of electromagnetic energy; and, detecting the released electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: Telephony call control functionality is divided into a set of components. Each component provides a specific portion of the call control. The components communicate with each other via a unique telephony protocol. The unique telephony protocol is defined as a set of events. A component sends/receives events to other components that are involvement in a call. Sets of components are located together on telephony servers. Because communication between components is via a protocol, the components may be located on many different servers.

Abstract: A keratin hydrogel-filled implantable prosthetic device. One device is a breast implant for augmenting or reconstructing a human breast including an envelope containing a keratin hydrogel. Another device is an implant for the intervertebral disc space. One keratin hydrogel is formed from a solid precursor which forms a keratin hydrogel upon addition of water. One source of keratin is human hair. In one method, an envelope suitable for implantation and a solid keratin hydrogel precursor are provided. The solid can be in fibrous or powder form. The solid precursor can be inserted into the envelope interior. A small incision near the breast can be made and the envelope inserted into the incision. After insertion, water can be injected into the envelope interior, preferably through the incision and through a self-sealing port in the envelope. In one method, the implant is provided as a kit, with the envelope and keratin hydrogel provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for using the S(+) enantiomer of desmethylselegiline (N-methyl-N-(prop-2-ynyl)-2-aminophenylpropane), for the treatment of selegiline-responsive diseases and conditions. Diseases and conditions responsive to selegiline include those produced by neuronal degeneration or neuronal trauma and those due to immune system dysfunction. Effective dosages are a daily dose of at least about 0.015 mg/kg of body weight.

Abstract: A self-contained foul air eliminator comprises a housing with an intake port an impeller, a converter, and an exhaust port. The converter includes an oxidizing agent and an aqueous solution of a promoter. The eliminator is typically portable to eliminate malodors foul air from a toilet or another environment. The device is powered by a battery or a household current.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for alleviating the symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy. The neuropathy may be the result of a genetically inherited condition, systemic disease or exposure to a toxic agent. A reduction or elimination of symptoms is obtained by administering the drug selegiline. The invention is also directed to a method for treating patients with cancer by administering a chemotherapeutic agent known to have a toxic affect on peripheral nerves together with selegiline.

Abstract: A computer-based system generating audible feedback to assist with guidance of at least one trackable point in space is provided. Surgical embodiments include generating audible feedback (to supplement visual and tactile feedback) to a surgeon moving the tip of a probe, for example, in a surgical field with respect to a volume of interest such as a tumor. Other surgical embodiments include generating audible feedback to assist with the precise insertion of a pedicle screw. In such surgical embodiments, as a surgeon moves a probe or instrument within the surgical field, a computer analyzes the current position of the probe and/or instrument in space with respect to a system of fiducial markers.

Abstract: A multi-port valve useful in chromatography or other analytical chemistry processes utilizes a ferrule and clamp assembly to connect a number of tubes or capillaries to a common port in the valve. The use of the clamping assembly, as opposed to conventional connectors such as nuts and/or bolts, permits the capillary ends to be positioned in extremely close proximity to the valve rotor and to each other, thus minimizing the volume between two capillaries when they are in brought into fluid communication with each other. At the same time, the clamps allow for easier connection and disconnection of the tubes or capillaries from the valve body. An operator can twist a screw to tighten the clamp and create a sealed connection without the need for special tools.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting ferrous changes passing axially through a cylindrical space. In one embodiment, the method comprises surrounding the cylindrical space with a nonmagnetic cylinder having an outer wall and a cylindrical axis; creating an alternating magnetic field in the cylindrical space, the magnetic field created by a rotatable permanent magnet; monitoring the magnetic field with magnetic flux sensors placed outside the outer walls; and detecting changes in the magnetic field as ferrous matter passes axially through the cylindrical space. In other embodiments, the apparatus identifies ferrous changes as the tool joints that connect a jointed tubing string as the tubing string is moved in or out of a well bore, or as the presence or absence of a coiled tubing string in the well bore.

Abstract: Subterranean reservoir monitoring method, computer system with programming code for implementing the method, and computer readable media and data signal embodying such programming code, the method including one or more of: (a) reservoir screening; (b) reservoir modeling; (c) generating model seismic data from a model; (d) model modification based on current VSP data; (e) repeating step (c) and step (d) until differences between the model and VSP data are as desired; (f) obtaining model production data from a reservoir model, and if necessary modifying the model and returning to step (c); (g) generating seismic model data for time t; and (h) comparing seismic model data with actual seismic data for time t, and if necessary modify the reservoir model and return to step (f) or modify the model of the subteranean and return to step (c).