Abstract: Method of detecting chronic exposure of an organism to a stressor, and for evaluating biological damage due to chronic exposure to sublethal levels of stressors and kits for carrying out the method are disclosed. The methods comprise: (a) sampling at least one organism in order to determine whether it has been chronically exposed to a sublethal concentration of one or more stressors in its environment, under sampling conditions that do not induce any additional heat shock protein (hsp) response in the organism; (b) obtaining a sample of cells or secretions of said organism, suspected of having elevated levels of heat shock proteins and solubilizing the heat shock proteins in the sample; and (c) measuring the concentration of a heat shock protein in said sample.

Abstract: A grapple includes a ferrous body with a plurality of tines pivotally connected thereto. A magnetic coil is disposed within the ferrous body. When the magnetic coil is energized, it creates a magnetic field within the area defined by the tines. The tines are also magnetized by the field. Additional magnetic coils may be added to one or more of the tines.

Abstract: A ball has a core formed from a sponged and vulcanized mixture of rubber and cork. Methods for making a ball and a ball core are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for distributing electrical power from power substation circuits. The apparatus of the present invention is responsive to overcurrent conditions and selectively actuates a switching network so as to restore power to at least a portion of the users connected to the faulty circuit of the power distribution system.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is disclosed having a plurality of stacked plate pairs with a core thickness of less than 25 mm. Each plate of a plate pair has asymmetrically arranged parallel ribs disposed at an oblique angle of less than 32 degrees to provide two point contact between the ribs on adjacent plate pairs.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a method of lubricating a mold (1) for the continuous casting of a metal product (16), of the type including a vigorously-cooled vertically-oscillating metal tubular element (2) defining a passage (4) for the cast metal and intended to cause, in contact with its wall (3) in said passage, the solidification of said metal product, in which a lubricant in the liquid state is injected through said metal tubular element toward said metal product being solidified, wherein said injection is carried out at points distributed annularly at a single level of said tubular element, said level lying at a distance greater than 20 cm from the lowest level at which solidification of said product is able to be initiated, and in that the flow rate of said lubricant is sufficient to cause a fraction of said lubricant to rise up along said wall to the level at which solidification of said product is effectively initiated.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pivoted lifting device having a main support frame selectively pivotable about a horizontal axis and engagement arms connected to the main support frame by a pivot pin. The engagement arms include an engagement surface. The pivoted lifting device allows the entire engagement surface to contact an article prior to the article being moved from an at rest position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of diagnosing and screening for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Urine from an individual suspected of having transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is analyzed for the presence of an increased level of scatter factor, an increased level of scatter factor indicating that said individual has bladder cancer. This invention further relates to a method of monitoring bladder cancer activity by measuring the level of scatter factor in urine, and to a method of determining the prognosis of an individual having bladder cancer by measuring the level of scatter factor in tumor extract from the individual.

Abstract: A flat plate type heat exchanger or evaporator is disclosed for use in automobile air conditioning systems. The heat exchanger includes a set of stacked plate pairs having refrigerant fluid passageways extending laterally between the plates of each plate pair while the spaces between the plate pairs define air flow passageways having fins located therein. In one aspect, fluid inlet and outlet passages are formed when differently sized tubes in adjacent plate pairs are telescoped together and subsequently brazed together to form a high surface area, fluid tight joint. The resulting fluid tight joint formed between tubes in adjacent plate pairs exhibits greater rupture resistance than that formed with drawn cup assemblies currently in use. These refrigerant fluid inlet and outlet passageways are spaced inwardly from the edges of the evaporator and extend transversely through the stack, the inlet and outlet passages being in communication with the fluid passageways.

Abstract: A storage battery having various cell constructions to increase the surface-to-weight ratio of active material exposed to electrolyte ions, to reduce internal resistance, and to extend the life of the battery is provided. One configuration for the battery cell utilizes pleated positive and negative plates which are monolithically coupled to respective electrodes. Another configuration for the battery cell utilizes a single positive plate and a single negative plate which are interrelated in, for example, a serpentine configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for economically dispatching electrical power. The present invention utilizes real-time heat rates for a plurality of power generating units, e.g., steam turbines, and corresponding emission data for each unit, to dispatch electrical power at the lowest possible cost. The method of the present invention also compares the cost associated with generating power to the cost to purchase power from other electric utilities to achieve maximum cost savings associated with the dispatching of the electrical power.