Abstract: A system and method for indexing a data record from an information source into a database, the database containing a plurality of data records, is provided comprising receiving a data record from an information source, the received data record having a predetermined number of fields containing information about a particular entity, standardizing and validating the data in the received data record. A system and method is also provided for retrieving records that refer to an entity characterized by a specific set of data values by comparing a predetermined number of fields within the received data record with a predetermined number of fields within the data records already in the database, selecting data records already in the database as candidates having data within some of the predetermined fields that is identical to the data in the fields of the received data record, and scoring the candidates to determine data records having information about the same entity.

Abstract: A static mixer head that provides not only distributive mixing, but also dispersive mixing. Distributive mixing is accomplished by providing a series of baffles along the length of the mixing tube, each baffle being angled relative to the previous baffle. Dispersive mixing is accomplished by utilizing baffles that define a converging pathway for the mixing materials. The converging pathway promotes elongation and corresponding dispersion of the mixing materials. In one embodiment, the baffles are teardrop-shaped, and are arranged so that multiple baffles are generally parallel and adjacent to one another. Preferably, the baffles are oriented such that the mixing materials flow from the small tail portion of the baffles toward the larger head portion of the baffles, thereby encountering a gradual compressive force and corresponding elongation.

Abstract: An exhaust apparatus for a combustion engine having a combustion chamber and an exhaust pipe for conveying exhaust gas in an exhaust stream from the combustion chamber is disclosed, wherein the exhaust apparatus includes a fan member disposed downstream of the combustion chamber and substantially sealingly associated with the exhaust pipe and an air inlet for introducing air relative to the fan member whereby the fan member is driven by the exhaust stream and air so as to create an area of low pressure between the fan member and the combustion chamber whereby extraction of exhaust gas from the combustion chamber is facilitated.

Abstract: An enterprise-wide integrated computer system for storing, processing and reporting pricing information regarding a plurality of products in a plurality of stores in a plurality of markets, including a pricing function for pricing and re-pricing products responsive to market price changes. Pricing and re-pricing are accomplished on a product-by-product and a market-by-market basis.

Abstract: A splatterless urinal having a chamber for the reception of urine in the form of a truncated right circular cone. One side of the cone shaped interior chamber is positioned vertically so that the base of the cone is at an angle to the vertical, whereby the incoming urine stream is captured and retained within the body of the urinal.

Abstract: A method for imaging or reconstructing an image of an object includes the following steps: obtaining multiple original views of the object, each original view being obtained at a different relative orientation of the object from each other view; combining the multiple original views in an image plane to obtain a first composite image; phase inverting the first composite image to obtain a phase inverted composite image; combining the phase inverted composite image with each original view to obtain a second composite image; determining a differential between the second composite image and each original view to obtain a plurality of differentials; applying the plurality of differentials to the second composite image to obtain a resulting composite image; and optionally amplifying the resulting composite image to obtain a reconstructed image. Apparatus for carrying out the method may use analog circuitry, a high speed computer or a combination of analog and digital techniques may be used.

Abstract: A hair roller includes an elongated body, a hair clip, and an elastic anchoring element. The body has an annular shape around which hair can be wound for styling person's hair. The hair clip has a hair-engagable blade portion and a lever portion. The blade portion is disposed along an exterior side portion of the body and has an arcuate shape conforming to the shape of the body. The lever portion is attached to and extends from the blade portion for actuation by a finger of a user.

Abstract: A multiple hair setting roller heating apparatus includes a telescopic enclosure open at its top and having a heating chamber defined therein and a heating element disposed within the heating chamber. The enclosure is movable telescopically between an extended condition in which the heating chamber has a first volume for containing a first plurality of rollers and a contracted condition in which the heating chamber has a second volume smaller than the first volume for containing a second plurality of rollers smaller than the first plurality of rollers. The telescopic enclosure is adapted to hold a quantity of water such that when the heating element is activated, the water boils producing steam and the rollers disposed within the heating chamber are heated simultaneously and generally evenly.

Abstract: A brake block comprises a brake pad (1), a support body (2) and indicator device (4) for indicating when the brake pad (1) is worn down to a predetermined level (7), the indicator being visible on the support body (2) and being triggered from a first to a second state when the pad is worn to the predetermined level (7). The second state is more visible than the first state and provides a brake wear indicator which is not readily overlooked. The visible indicator is normally recessed within the confines of the brake block's backing plate or lining support so as to be substantially concealed but is spring-biassed out of the concealed state by triggering structure to be visible to indicate brake wear.

Abstract: A mechanical plating process and composition for applying tin- and nickel-containing mechanically plated coatings, which exhibit improved brightness and corrosion resistance, to metal articles.

Abstract: An exhaust apparatus for a combustion engine having a combustion chamber and an exhaust pipe for conveying exhaust gas in an exhaust stream from the combustion chamber wherein the exhaust apparatus includes a fan member disposed within the exhaust pipe and driven by the exhaust stream so as to create an area of low pressure between the fan member and the combustion chamber whereby extraction of exhaust gas from the combustion chamber is facilitated.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus for determining the dissolved oxygen (DO) content and the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of multiple test samples includes a sample set containing several test sample containers, a robotic arm capable of motion toward the sample set, DO probes releasibly attached to the robotic arm, and a programmable computer interfaced with the robotic arm and controlling the robotic arm. To measure the DO of test samples within the test sample containers, DO probes (which are connected to respective DO meters) are positioned adjacent a set of test sample containers and inserted within, the DO meters determine the DO within the test sample containers, the DO values are recorded by use of a programmable computer, and the DO probes are then removed from the set of test sample containers.

Abstract: Poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate is produced by providing a culture of Escherichia coli bacterial host cells transformed by a DNA sequence coding for the biosynthetic pathway of poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate and a DNA sequence coding for the lysozyme gene; growing the culture and obtaining expression of the poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate biosynthetic pathway and the lysozyme gene in each Escherichia coli bacterial host cell; lysing the Escherichia coli bacterial host cells and collecting the poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate. An Escherichia coli HMS174(p4A BstB!, pLysS) deposited with the American Type Culture Collection under Accession No. 69001, comprising a plasmid containing a biosynthetic pathway coding for poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate and a plasmid containing a lysozyme gene is disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanical plating process and composition for applying tin- and cobalt-containing mechanically plated coatings, which exhibit good brightness and corrosion resistance, to metal articles.

Abstract: A mechanical plating process and composition for applying tin- and nickel-containing mechanically plated coatings, which exhibit improved brightness and corrosion resistance, to metal articles.

Abstract: A power-driven hand tool including a housing having first and second housing parts having first and second coaxial openings therethrough. A driving element is movably positioned between the housing parts and has a third opening in coaxial alignment between the first and second openings. A motor is mounted on the housing and connects through a motion-transfer device to the driving element for causing angular oscillation thereof about a tool-driving axis. An annular socket-driving member is rotatably supported within the first opening and has a bore therethrough coaxial with the axis for releasably but drivingly engaging a removable socket. The socket-driving member has a gear rotatably positioned in the third opening. First and second pawls are mounted on the driving element for engagement with the gear for respectively causing rotational driving movement of the socket in opposite first and second directions.

Abstract: The invention related to recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology and, more particularly, to a process whereby poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymers can be synthesized in a recombinant host strain containing the poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) biosynthetic genes of Alcaligenes eutrophus.

Abstract: A five stage treatment system for treating oily wastewater to fit it for discharge to surface waters comprising a coalescer for separating free oil, an ultrafiltration unit for separating emulsified oil, an activated carbon filter for separating residual light organic compounds, a cation exchanger for removing heavy metal ions, a pH adjusting unit for adjusting the treated water to substantially neutral pH prior to discharge, and a controller for regulating the operation of the system. An optional gravity separation stage and/or a clarifier stage may also be included, if desired. Flow of permeate from the ultrafiltration stage is monitored and control valves admitting feed solution to the ultrafiltration unit or discharging retentate from the ultrafiltration unit are adjusted in response to the measured values to maintain a desired rate of permeate flow.

Abstract: A method for making a dual wall tank for storing fluids by producing an inner wall for storing the said fluid, positioning a fabric exteriorally against the inner wall, applying a liquid resin exteriorally to the fabric so as to penetrate partially into the fabric, and curing the liquid resin so as to form simultaneously an outer wall for containing any leakage of the fluid from the inner wall and an interstice consisting of an intermediate layer of fabric permeable to any leakage of the fluid through the first wall; and includes the dual wall container formed thereby.