Abstract: An assay device including a loading zone for a sample that may contain an analyte, an activator in communication with the loading zone from which at least one activator is displaced by presence of the analyte, an amplifier in an inactive state in communication with the activator that becomes activated in the presence of the activator, a biomatrix barrier in communication with the activated amplifier that is degraded or modified by the activated amplifier, and an indicator responsive to the degradation or modification of the biomatrix barrier, which in turn reflects a concentration of the analyte in the sample loaded on the device. The selection of analyte or displacement of the activator by presence of the analyte may occur off-platform and/or may rely on use of non-covalent interactions. The activator may include an enzyme or other reagent that activates the amplifier. Also, associated methods.

Abstract: A combination bite block, tongue elevator/retractor and airway for establishing and maintaining an open airway while preventing emergence clenching and the resulting dental and soft tissue damage associated with emergence clenching in procedures where anesthesia and/or sedation are used, or when the patient is not in control of their own airway, regardless of the cause. The inventive subject matter includes a tongue elevator/retractor component in both right and left conformations; and a bite block component. The bite block component is a wedge shaped, compressible component that is inserted between the upper and lower molars on either the right or left side of the mouth. The tongue elevator component is comprised by a flat portion of that is inserted into the side of the bite block, and an optional curved portion that retracts the tongue off of the posterior pharynx when in place.

Abstract: A method for measuring the direction and velocity of a target in a measurement volume in a laser Doppler velocimetry system includes selecting a discrete number of grating positions for an electrically switchable grating, placing the electrically switchable grating in a light path of a laser source. The laser source outputs a laser beam along the light path. The method further includes switching the electrically switchable grating sequentially through the discrete number of grating positions at a grating frequency to generate diffracted light beams from the laser, directing the diffracted light beams through a lens, focusing the diffracted light beams on a measurement volume, passing a target through the measurement volume in a target direction at a target velocity and receiving scattered light in a detector and calculating the power spectrum of light intensity fluctuations. The power spectrum includes a maximum peak.

Abstract: A system and method of an atomic tile including an elemental symbol for a corresponding element and a dot representation of at least one valance electron of the corresponding element. The dot representation are proximate to corresponding edges of the octagonal shape.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a flexible fastener for coupling members. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible fastener may be used to couple members that are non-parallel, non-aligned, or in specific instances when selective compliance in a member is desired. The present invention is directed generally to a fastener that comprises a spiral set of teeth. The spiral set of teeth are configured to allow a nut to travel along at least a portion of the spiral set of teeth. A selectively compliant core material runs completely internally to the spiral set of teeth, so that the fastener is laterally flexible along a length of the fastener. The selectively compliant core material is connected to the spiral set of teeth.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a flexible fastener for coupling members. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible fastener may be used to couple members that are non-parallel, non-aligned, or in specific instances when selective compliance in a member is desired. The present invention is directed generally to a fastener that comprises a spiral set of teeth. The spiral set of teeth are configured to allow a nut to travel along at least a portion of the spiral set of teeth. A selectively compliant core material runs completely internally to the spiral set of teeth, so that the fastener is laterally flexible along a length of the fastener. The selectively compliant core material is connected to the spiral set of teeth.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a flexible fastener for coupling members. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible fastener may be used to couple members that are non-parallel, non-aligned, or in specific instances when selective compliance in a member is desired. The present invention is directed generally to a fastener that is laterally flexible along its length, comprising a shank covered with a spiral set of teeth and a flexible core material running internally to the shank and along the length of the shank, wherein the shank and the flexible core material are coupled at both distal ends of the fastener. In a preferred embodiment, a means for imparting rotational movement to the fastener is attached at a distal end. The preferred means are a bolt head and a screw head.

Abstract: A semi-artificial diet of monarch butterfly larva and a process for making such a diet are provided. The diet consists of a substantial amount of dried milkweed powder and small but effective amounts of mold inhibitor and antibiotic.

Abstract: A method for the establishment and maintenance of colonies of Lepidoptera which are free of contamination with protozoa is provided. The colonies consists of individuals capable of breeding and producing viable, noncontaminated butterflies.

Abstract: A nozzle flow thrust vector measurement system employs a thrust vector table, and a gas supply. The thrust vector table employs a thrust measurement table; a reference table; and at least three load cell assemblies coupled to the thrust measurement table and the reference table. The gas supply system employs a gas supply conduit substantially fixed relative to the reference table; a gas supply manifold substantially fixed relative to the thrust vector table; and a zero force connecting system coupled between the gas supply conduit and the gas supply manifold, wherein the zero force connecting system applies substantially zero net force to the gas supply manifold allowing substantially all force applied to the thrust vector table to act on said load cell assemblies.

Abstract: A method of making melt-controlled cheese and a melt-controlled cheese are described. The method includes mixing a curd produced by adding acid to hot milk and a curd product by rennet coagulation. A cheese with taste and texture similar to natural cheese but with desirable melting properties is produced.

Abstract: A heat-stable cheese is provided which comprises about 48-55% moisture, about 20-22% protein, about 300-600 milligrams calcium per 100 grams cheese, about 18-21% fat and having a pH of about 5.1-5.5. The cheese will not melt at temperatures below about 400.degree. F. It can be colored, flavored or both.

Abstract: A process for making cheese including the addition of calcium chloride to milk, heating the milk slowly to about 85.degree. C., holding the milk at 85.degree. C. for about 30 minutes, adding hot food-grade organic acid to the milk to reduce pH to about 4.4 to form a curd, removing the whey and cooling curd rapidly to about 8.degree. C. The process lends to making Queso Blanco (white cheese).

Abstract: The present invention to certain immunosuppressive .omega.-(alkoxycarbonyl)alkyl m-fluorodithiocarbanilates. These compounds surprisingly and unexpectedly exhibit useful immunosuppressive effects in the treatment of tissue transplantation rejection phenomena and are useful in the symptomatic treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides certain novel .omega.-(alkoxycarbonyl)alkyl esters of dithiocarbanilic acid and certain aryl-substituted acids related thereto. These compounds are disclosed as immunoregulatory agents, useful in the treatment of organ transplant reject phenomena and autoimmune diseases such as arthritis.Additionally, there is described by the present invention the immunoregulatory use of .omega.-carboxyalkyl and .omega.-(alkoxycarbonyl)alkyl esters of dithiocarbanilic acid and certain aryl-substituted acids related thereto.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to mono- and dithiocarbamates (hereinafter thiocarbamates) corresponding to the formula RNHCXSR'COOR" wherein R is paraphenylazophenyl or metafluorophenyl, X is oxygen when R is paraphenylazophenyl and X is sulfur when R is metafluorophenyl, R' is an alkylene radical having generally from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms and R" is hydrogen or an alkyl radical having generally from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. The thiocarbamates, in acid form, can be prepared by blocking the carboxyl group of a mercaptoalkanoic acid with a carboxyl blocking agent; interacting the carboxyl blocked, mercaptoalkanoic acid with paraphenylazophenyl isocyanate or metafluorophenyl isothiocyanate to produce a thiocarbamate reaction product; and treating the thiocarbamate reaction product to remove the carboxyl blocking agent and to obtain the product in carboxylic acid form.