Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for an ion generation device that includes an elongate housing having a back portion and a pair of side portions extending from the back portion and forming a cavity therein. A conductive portion is disposed within the cavity and connected to a power supply for providing power to the conductive portion. A plurality of tines are engaged to the conductive portion.

Abstract: A system for large-scale, distributed remediation of particulate air pollution using existing building HVAC cooling towers is described herein. The system consists of a generator section which captures, redirects, and accelerates exhaust air from a cooling tower, a venturi inlet and nozzle, and at least one air scrubber stage. In another embodiment, a portion of the exhaust air from an HVAC cooling tower fan is used to draw atmospheric air directly into a scrubber unit that fits compactly at the top of the exhaust assembly of the cooling tower.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and methods for notifying first responders of a security crisis or threat. The alarm system can be scaled to allow the alarm system to be used effectively in facilities of differing sizes and layouts. The system is also flexible, enabling the system to integrate with currently existing systems or to operate with new devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and methods for notifying first responders of the general or specific location of a security crisis or threat in a building or public location, and the type of threat or crisis that has occurred, while notifying building occupants or others in the public location of the crisis and how to respond. The crisis notification system alarm system can provide critical information to the first responders, including location of crisis and whether the crisis location is changing, audio and video of the crisis arena, communications with designated occupants in the crisis arena, and other information. The crisis notification system can be scaled to allow the effective use in facilities of differing sizes and layouts. The system is also flexible, enabling the system to integrate with currently existing systems or to operate with new devices.

Abstract: A laryngoscope with integrated and controllable suction includes a handle and a blade. A suction port is at the proximal end of the handle and is configured for connection to an air source. The suction port defines an opening into one or more air flow paths defined through the laryngoscope, which each terminate at one or more intake ports. In some embodiments, a valve is interposed into each air flow path to regulate air flow along each air flow path. Such a valve is operably connected to a switch mounted on an exterior surface of the laryngoscope, such that manipulation of the switch causes the valve to open or close, thus allowing the physician or other medical professional to control the air flow and selectively apply constant or intermittent suction.

Abstract: The instant description provides reporter constructs, transgenic cells, and transgenic organisms and methods for identifying agents that can regulate gene expression and improve plant performance and yield. Compounds that increase plant performance or yield are identified by contacting a test compound with a plant cell that comprises a target promoter sequence operably linked to a polynucleotide sequence encoding a DNA sequence-specific transactivator, and a reporter polynucleotide that is operably linked to a promoter sequence that is recognized by the DNA sequence-specific transactivator. The target promoter sequence can be recognized by a transcriptional regulatory polypeptide capable of modulating specific signaling pathways that enhance plant performance or yield.

Abstract: A drill guide employs multiple layers of materials with different mechanical properties in order to achieve concurrent goals of rigidity, fit and retention. For example, a rigid exterior shell and a soft interior may be used together to securely and precisely fit a drill guide to a surgical site.

Abstract: An inventive method for treatment or prevention of vascular diseases of the retina is provided. A Norrin compound is optionally administered to a subject either directly and/or as expressed by a cell. The presence of the compound is either protective of or therapeutic for a pathological condition of the retina. Preferred pathological conditions are those linked to the absence of or mutation of norrin protein and are preferably Norrie disease, FEVR, or macular degeneration.

Abstract: An indoor electrical wall outlet cover permitting functional use of an electrical wall outlet while fully concealing the plug contact openings of the outlet. The cover has a functional electrical plug that inserts into the wall outlet and is connected to an extended electrical cord having at its distal end one or more functional electrical receptacles for indirect use of the wall outlet. In one embodiment, the cover is essentially featureless in outward appearance, and when positioned over the wall outlet, the cover fully hides the wall outlet from view, including the perimeter dimension of the wall outlet. The functional electrical plug has electrical connection pins that are bent at a angle enabling the cover to function without extending any significant degree outward of the wall outlet, so that furniture may be positioned effectively flush against the wall in front of the covered wall outlet.

Abstract: A method for approving or refusing a transaction is based on the use of an identification card having card data thereon, the card data identifying account information pertaining to the authorized user of the identification card. The method includes storing issuer secondary security data in association with the account information. A transaction approval request is received from a vendor, the transaction approval request including the card data and transaction secondary identifier (secondary ID) data. The transaction is refused if the transaction secondary ID data does not correlate properly to the stored issuer secondary security data. Optionally, a post-transaction confirmation request is issued if the transaction is not refused.

Abstract: An atomizer for use in waste water evaporation includes a motor having a rotor shaft, at least one conduit for receiving the waste water, a housing supporting the motor and the at least one conduit, and a hub having a plurality of holes for distributing waste water in the form of water droplets. The motor is a variable speed motor and is cooled by waste water flowing through the at least one conduit. The hub is connected to the rotor shaft and spins at a variable speed with the rotor shaft. The atomizer may be used in a waste water evaporation system that further includes an anemometer and a control system. The control system receives a wind speed input from the anemometer and provides a signal to the variable speed motor to adjust the speed of the variable speed motor and hub, thereby adjusting the water droplet size in response to varying wind conditions.

Abstract: An adjustable storage rack configured to support a variety of devices, including valve regulated or flooded lead acid batteries. In one embodiment, the adjustable storage rack includes a series of stanchions, a series of side rails extending between at least two of the stanchions, and a series of end rails extending between two of the side rails. The adjustable storage rack may also include a stanchion adjustment assembly slidably coupling one of the stanchions to one of the side rails. The adjustable storage rack may also include first and second end rail adjustment assemblies. The first end rail adjustment assembly slidably couples a first end portion of one of the end rails to one of the side rails, and the second end rail adjustment assembly slidably couples a second end portion of the end rail to a second one of the side rails.

Abstract: A method for treating incontinence includes positioning a transcutaneous electrode on skin of a patient adjacent a stimulation site; inserting a leading end of a percutaneous needle electrode through the skin adjacent the stimulation site, the percutaneous needle electrode including a lead wire disposed opposite the leading end; securing a neurostimulator unit to the transcutaneous electrode such that the neurostimulator unit is electrically coupled to the transcutaneous electrode with no lead wire disposed between the neurostimulator unit and the transcutaneous electrode, the neurostimulator unit including a pulse generator; connecting the lead wire of the percutaneous needle electrode to the neurostimulator unit for electrically coupling the needle electrode to the neurostimulator unit; and activating the pulse generator such that current pulses traverse the stimulation site by passing between the transcutaneous electrode pad and the percutaneous needle electrode.

Abstract: A spider and method for supporting a tubular within a well bore. Radial dogs, controlled by cylinders that extend and retract simultaneously, are operable to support the tubular by the lower lip of a box connector. When a tubular connector is set down upon the dogs so as to depress one or more triggers located thereon, an interlock in a control system is actuated to prevent movement of the dogs. However, even while the spider is thus loaded, the dogs may nevertheless be retracted via an emergency override mechanism thereby allowing the tubular to be dropped into the wellbore. When the tubular has been lifted off of the triggers, the interlock is deactivated, and the dogs of the spider can be operated once again. The triggers may actuate sensor valves located within the dogs, which in turn actuates an interlock valve isolating the flow path of the cylinders.

Abstract: An integrated mobile phone protective case and carrier drawer system for securely containing small personal items, comprising: a regular mobile phone protective case portion; a drawer space integrally contained inside a rear part of the integrated mobile phone protective case; a drawer cover separate from the integrated mobile phone protective case, configured to mate onto the rear part of the integrated mobile phone protective case; a latching extension integrally affixed with the drawer cover; a latch integrally affixed with the integrated mobile phone protective case and configured to latch together with the latching extension; and a release actuator for releasing the latching extension from the latch; wherein: after the drawer cover has been slid onto the integrated mobile phone protective case, the latching extension simultaneously becomes latched together with the latch thereby preventing any personal items contained within the personal item carriage drawer from being removed from the drawer.

Abstract: A shelter assembly has a frame having a plurality of fillable support members, each having a hollow portion for receiving a filling material. The support members are configured to form a structure wherein the support members form walls of the structure. The shelter assembly has a plurality of columns which form corner posts of a structure and a plurality of walls which are removably attached to a pair of adjacent columns. The walls have support members to which at least one panel is attached. The support members are secured to a pair of adjacent columns via fasteners. An upper portion forms a roof of the structure wherein the columns are attached to coupling members of the upper portion.

Abstract: Polynucleotides and polypeptides incorporated into expression vectors are introduced into plants and were ectopically expressed. These polypeptides may confer at least one regulatory activity and increased yield, increased light use efficiency, increased photosynthetic capacity, increased photosynthetic rate, increased photosynthetic resource use efficiency, greater vigor, and/or greater biomass as compared to a control plant.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using automatic speech recognition to analyze a voice interaction and verify compliance of an agent reading a script to a client during the voice interaction. In one aspect of the invention, a method may include a voice interaction, wherein the agent follows the script via a plurality of panels. The voice interaction is evaluated via the plurality of panels employing panel-by-panel playback with an automatic speech recognition component adapted to analyze the voice interaction. As such, it may be determined, via generating a score using confidence level thresholds of an automatic speech recognition component such that confidence level thresholds are assigned to each of the plurality of panels and evaluating the score against at least one of a static standard and a varying standard, whether the agent has adequately followed the script.