Abstract: A process for converting organic waste materials into useable products and products thereof is disclosed. According to the process, organic waste materials are contacted with ozone thereby converting said waste material to a substrate or medium. The substrate is a product of the process and it may be further contacted with organisms for bioconversion to further products. The organisms can include bacteria, yeast, fungi, plant cells, animal cells and genetically engineered organisms which are selected for their ability to bioconvert the substrate and produce a selected product.

Abstract: The thermoelectric properties (resistivity, thermopower and thermal conductivity) of single crystals of the low-dimensional pentatelluride materials are disclosed. The pentatellurides are well suited for use in thermoelectric devices. In general, the pentatellurides include hafnium pentatelluride and zirconium pentatelluride, which can both be substituted with selective amounts of various metals, including titanium, selenium, and antimony.

Abstract: A method of forming bricks, tiles, and the like by treating clay, shale or other clay ceramic raw materials containing pyrite is disclosed. Such clay, ceramic raw materials may be ground, and then mixed with an oxidizer in a pre-oxidation step to disperse the oxidizer within the clay to expose the maximum amount of clay surface to the oxidizer. One oxidizer that may be used is an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide. Clay is shaped into clay products and then heated to elevated temperatures. Pyrite within the clay is oxidized, thereby removing sulfur-containing compounds such as sulfur dioxide from the clay. The application of the invention may assist in preventing efflorescense by ensuring complete or nearly complete removal of pyrite from products oxidation treatment and subsequent firing at elevated temperatures. Similarly, by enhancing the oxidation of pyrite, faster firing cycles may be possible which facilitates reduced fuel consumption and faster process time.

Abstract: Refrigerant compositions include mixtures of at least three different components, including a fluorinated sulfur-containing compound with at least one of a fluorinated ether or a fluorinated hydrocarbon. Also, methods for cooling a body include compressing such a refrigerant composition and bringing the body into heat transfer relation to it. The disclosed refrigerant compounds have refrigerant-significant properties similar to those of R-22, and they can be employed as drop-in substitutes in refrigeration apparatus designed for R-22 application.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to various methods for treating the laminitis syndrome in animals. These benefits are obtained by administering to the animals a composition containing an &agr;-adrenergic antagonist that does not substantially cross the blood brain barrier. In one embodiment, the &agr;-adrenergic antagonist is domperidone. The domperidone can be administered to the animal either orally, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly and can be used to treat animals suffering from symptoms of laminitis.

Abstract: Fluoropolymers consisting of alternating perfluorocyclobutane and aryl ether linkages possess suitable properties for optical waveguides and other devices using refractive properties of the polymers. Perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) polymers having aryl groups alternating on an ether chain have shown useful physical properties for optical waveguide applications. Processes for micromolding such polymeric films by replicating a pattern or image directly from a silicon master, rather than from a polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) mold) are disclosed.

Abstract: A deformable, shrinkable fiber that is dimensionally stable at normal body temperatures of approximately 37° C. in the dry state, but is dimensionally unstable (i.e. shrinks and distorts) when wet at the same temperature. The fiber comprises a fiber forming polymer that has a dry glass transition temperature (“dry Tg”) of greater than or equal to 42° C. and a wet glass transition temperature (“wet Tg”) of less than or equal to 32° C. A method of making said fiber and absorbent article(s) made therefrom are also disclosed.

Abstract: A biocompatible, biodegradable, copolymer is prepared from cross-linking a polylactic acid with a polysaccharide such as dextran. The resulting copolymer is a biodegradable hydrogel or solid having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties and provides for a mechanism in which biologically active agents may be covalently bonded to the dextran prior to incorporation of the dextran into a copolymer, and the subsequent release of the biologically active agents as the copolymer degrades.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation and identification of a JOINTLESS gene from a tomato plant (genus Lycopersicon). More specifically, the invention relates to novel nucleic acid molecules isolated from a tomato plant, proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, and antibodies raised against such proteins. The present invention is also directed to a nucleic acid homolog of a JOINTLESS gene and a method to identify a homolog in plants other than tomato.

Abstract: The ability to transport body liquids in consumer products such as diapers, incontinents and feminine napkins is a key factor in their performance. This invention is designed to provide specific high fluxes (volume of liquid/(time*mass of polymer) of aqueous liquids in designated directions using bundles of new specially designed fibers. The key factors for the bundles are a high specific adhesion for the liquid of interest, a high specific volume of the bundle itself, and alignment of the fibers within the bundle. The invention includes novel liquid acquisition/distribution systems and absorbent products that include a liquid acquisition/distribution system which may incorporate the novel bundles of fibers.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to various methods for treating the laminitis syndrome in animals. These benefits are obtained by administering to the animals a composition containing an &agr;-adrenergic antagonist that does not substantially cross the blood brain barrier. In one embodiment, the &agr;-adrenergic antagonist is domperidone.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a process and system for treating animal waste. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a process and system for treating animal waste effluent with ozone to decompose the organic material within and improve the odor of the animal waste. The process of the present invention also reduces biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total bacterial content and coliform bacterial count of the animal waste. The process of this present invention comprises collecting an animal waste solution, containing a mixture of water and animal fecal material; contacting the waste solution with ozone in an amount sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the organic material contained within; and feeding the ozone treated waste solution to a solids separating device prior to collecting the waste solution in a biobasin or, alternatively, recycling the ozone treated waste solution for use as a source of irrigation or flushwater.

Abstract: The ability to transport body liquids in consumer products such as diapers, incontinents and feminine napkins is a key factor in their performance. This invention is designed to provide specific high fluxes (volume of liquid/(time*mass of polymer) of aqueous liquids in designated directions using bundles of new specially designed fibers. The key factors for the bundles are a high specific adhesion for the liquid of interest, a high specific volume of the bundle itself, and alignment of the fibers within the bundle. The invention includes novel liquid acquisition/distribution systems and absorbent products that include a liquid acquisition/distribution system which may incorporate the novel bundles of fibers.

Abstract: The ability to transport body liquids in consumer products such as diapers, incontinents and feminine napkins is a key factor in their performance. This invention is designed to provide specific high fluxes (volume of liquid/(time*mass of polymer) of aqueous liquids in designated directions using bundles of new specially designed fibers. The key factors for the bundles are a high specific adhesion for the liquid of interest, a high specific volume of the bundle itself, and alignment of the fibers within the bundle. The invention includes novel liquid acquisition/distribution systems and absorbent products that include a liquid acquisition/distribution system which may incorporate the novel bundles of fibers.

Abstract: The ability to transport body liquids in consumer products such as diapers, incontinents and feminine napkins is a key factor in their performance. This invention is designed to provide specific high fluxes (volume of liquid/(time*mass of polymer) of aqueous liquids in designated directions using bundles of new specially designed fibers. The key factors for the bundles are a high specific adhesion for the liquid of interest, a high specific volume of the bundle itself, and alignment of the fibers within the bundle. The invention includes novel liquid acquisition/distribution systems and absorbent products that include a liquid acquisition/distribution system which may incorporate the novel bundles of fibers.

Abstract: A method for joining two or more substrates with a seam is provided. The seam is formed with a thermoplastic tape that is capable of forming an adhesive bond and a physical bond with a substrate. For instance, in one embodiment, the thermoplastic tape is formed from a polyurethane film. In addition, the seam can be utilized in a flat configuration or folded into a variety of different shapes, such as in a z-shaped configuration. As a result of the present invention, it has been discovered that a seam can be formed to have improved strength without substantially sacrificing the desired functional properties of the substrate materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining particle size distribution in undiluted suspensions using spectral measurements of transport-scattering co-efficients using continuous photon-migration techniques is provided. Particle size distribution for concentrated suspensions is determined by a regularized inverse algorithm and may be obtained without a priori distribution function assumptions.

Abstract: The disclosure provides compositions prepared by combining nanomaterials with a halide-containing polymer, thereby forming a combined polymer matrix having dispersed nanomaterials within the matrix. The nanomaterials may be carbon-based nanotubes, in some applications. A halide-containing monomer is combined with nanotubes, and then polymerized in some compositions. In other applications, a halide-containing polymer is solution processed with nanotubes to form useful compositions in the invention. Also disclosed are probes for near field detection of radiation.

Abstract: The process includes the steps of combining silica with the spent pot liner in order to convert a majority of the spent pot liner into silicon carbide. Specifically, the silica reacts with carbon in the spent pot liner to form silicon carbide. In order to form the silicon carbide, the materials are heated, such as in an electric resistance heater. The formed silicon carbide is free of contaminants and can be used for many useful purposes.

Abstract: The distal end of a basic tube element including a stopper device with an expandable plug is positioned in a pre-drilled hole in a rock face. Rotating a force control wheel threaded on the tube element exerts force on a sleeve that in turn causes the plug component of the stopper means to expand and seal the distal end of the tube in the hole. Gas under known pressure is introduced through the tube element. A thin capillary tube positioned in the tube element connects the distal end of the tube element to means to detect and display pressure changes and data that allow the permeability of the rock to be determined.