Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a fluorescence reader for assessing a fluorescence intensity of one or more substance samples. The fluorescence reader may comprise a sample support structure for accepting sample wells containing corresponding samples therein, an illumination structure positioned below the sample support structure and configured to illuminate one or more samples positioned within the sample wells, and an imaging structure positioned above the sample support structure and configured to detect a fluorescence emitted by the one or more samples. The illumination structure may comprise one or more reflective perimeter walls, together with the support structure, defining an enclosed illumination cavity, and one or more light sources positioned within the enclosed illumination cavity and configured to emit light causing the one or more samples to fluoresce.

Abstract: A method of growing a single plant in a single growth chamber such that the plant may be continously harvested with the replacement of a nutrient media in the chamber. The method of growing the single plant comprises the step of positioning an immature portion of a plant in a growth pod. The method also comprises positioning the growth pod in an aperture of a cap comprising a material that prevents the transmission of light through the cap. The method also comprises supporting the cap on a housing comprising a material that prevents the transmission of light through the housing. The method further comprises placing a liquid nutrient solution in the housing, such the upper surface of the liquid nutrient solution is lower than the lower surface of the growth pod.

Abstract: Technologies are described for formulations and methods to produce sublingual antidepressant lozenges. The lozenges may comprise troche base and ketamine. The lozenges may comprise 0.35 weight percent to 0.65 weight percent ketamine. The methods may comprise placing troche base into a chamber. The methods may comprise applying heat to the chamber. The heat may be sufficient to melt the troche base in the chamber. The methods may comprise adding a first ingredient into the chamber. The first ingredient may include ketamine. The methods may comprise mixing the first ingredient into the melted troche base in the chamber to form a melted mixture. The methods may comprise pouring the melted mixture into a mold. The methods may comprise cooling the melted mixture in the mold to form the lozenge.

Abstract: Technologies are described for a formulation and production of a formulation. The methods may comprise depositing a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) compound, a calcium channel blocker, an immunosuppressive component, an anti-hypertensive, a hormone, a steroid, and an enzyme inhibitor into a chamber. The methods may comprise milling and mixing the NSAID compound, the calcium channel blocker, the immunosuppressive component, the anti-hypertensive, the hormone, the steroid, and the enzyme inhibitor into a powder. The methods may comprise adding a solvent with the powder. The methods may comprise mixing the solvent with the powder to form the formulation.

Abstract: Technologies are described for a formulation and production of a formulation. The methods may comprise depositing a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) compound into a chamber. The methods may comprise depositing a muscle relaxant into the chamber. The methods may comprise depositing a calcium channel blocker into the chamber. The methods may comprise depositing a general anesthetic into the chamber. The methods may comprise depositing a local anesthetic into the chamber. The methods may comprise milling and mixing the NSAID compound, the muscle relaxant, the calcium channel blocker, the general anesthetic, and the local anesthetic into a powder. The methods may comprise adding a solvent with the powder. The methods may comprise mixing the solvent with the powder to form a solution. The methods may comprise adding a base cream to the solution. The methods may comprise mixing the base cream and the solution to form the formulation.

Abstract: The present invention is an efficient high voltage sensing mechanism that operates only when an individual needs to test the voltage across a wire. The present invention attaches around a tested wire using a jaw and a hook. The hook is tensioned using an expansion spring. The operator propels the hook outwards from the jaw, around the tested wire; thereafter, the expansion spring retracts to latch onto the tested wire against the jaw. An on-off switch is integrated into the mechanical hook device. As the hook is propelled outwards, the on-off switch moves into the “on” position, which powers the electrical processing and voltage analysis equipment. Once the hook is returned to the initial position, the on-off switch moves to the “off” position. This arrangement allows the present invention to remain unpowered for any instance a wire is not being tested. The present invention detects voltage through capacitive coupling.

Abstract: A method for joining first and second metal portions includes welding together the portions such that a weld nugget joins them, compressively stressing the weld nugget throughout its volume, and heat treating the compressively stressed weld nugget to recrystallize metal therein. A method for strengthening a metal element includes imparting compressive stress within a region of the metal element, and heat treating it such that metal of the region recrystallizes with a finer grain structure than was present in the region before the step of imparting the compressive stress. A repaired metal part includes a first, original section made of metal alloy, and a second, repair section of metal alloy joined to the original section by a recrystallized metal weld having crystals within +/?3 ASTM-112 grain sizes of the size of the crystals of the original and repair sections.

Abstract: A cost-effective system architecture and apparatus for programmable automatic power supply testing. The system utilizes board level interface between various system testing modules and an Automatic Test Controller (ATC). The ATC receives coded test requests from the software on an industrial PC and control the various testing modules inside ATC to execute the tests. Test results were sent back to the PC and saved in a result file. A single industrial PC can control two or more ATC's and test two or more power supply units simultaneously. The ATC based test system is lower cost than the conventional Automatic Test Equipment which uses device level interface and standardized test devices.

Abstract: A method for modifying standard ANSI body sizing charts extrapolation sizes outside of the standard sizes if necessary. In a subsequent step, the user may incorporate different upper and lower body sizes. Correction factors are then applied if a tall/short, full/slender body type is selected. A new chart is output to the user in human readable form.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for coating the surface of substrates such as a sheet, film, foam, fiber, etc., with a curable liquid resin or solution of curable resin, then in one embodiment, stably attaching a superabsorbent polymeric powder to such resin, and then curing the resin to form a coated superabsorbent product. Such substrates may include polymeric materials. Other process embodiments utilizing curable and thermoplastic resinous powders may be used instead of curable liquid resins and resulting products are included in the invention. The coated product may be utilized for water and nutrient retention in combination with irrigation, erosion control, to direct plant root growth, and to clean up standing water and petroleum spills.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for coating the surface of substrates such as a sheet, film, foam, fiber, etc., with a curable liquid resin or solution of curable resin, then in one embodiment, stably attaching a superabsorbent polymeric powder to such resin, and then curing the resin to form a coated superabsorbent product. Such substrates may include polymeric materials. Other process embodiments utilizing curable and thermoplastic resinous powders may be used instead of curable liquid resins and resulting products are included in the invention. The coated product has reduced particle agglomeration and particle loss due to the curing or melting steps. The thin, superabsorbent powder adhered, films may be used as an absorbent core for a wide variety of absorbent products. The product can be interposed between sheets to form disposable absorbent products such as diapers, bandages, water and nutrient retention elements, erosion control devices and elements thereof, etc.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for coating the surface of substrates such as a sheet, film, foam, fiber, etc., with a curable liquid resin or solution of curable resin, then in one embodiment, stably attaching a superabsorbent polymeric powder to such resin, and then curing the resin to form a coated superabsorbent product. Such substrates may include polymeric materials. Other process embodiments utilizing curable and thermoplastic resinous powders may be used instead of curable liquid resins and resulting products are included in the invention. Other embodiments involve affixing a container at least partially filled with superabsorbent polymeric powder to a substrate, placing the container proximate to the element, or affixing the container to a separate member. The products may be utilized for water and nutrient retention in combination with irrigation, erosion control, to direct plant root growth, and to clean up standing water and petroleum spills.

Abstract: A microsurgical instrument is constructed to an extremely small scale with serrations formed on opposed operative microsurgical surfaces of the instrument by electric discharge machining.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for coating the surface of substrates such as a sheet, film, foam, fiber, etc., with a curable liquid resin or solution of curable resin, then in one embodiment, stably attaching a superabsorbent polymeric powder to such resin, and then curing the resin to form a coated superabsorbent product. Such substrates may include polymeric materials. Other process embodiments utilizing curable and thermoplastic resinous powders may be used instead of curable liquid resins and resulting products are included in the invention. The coated product may be utilized for water and nutrient retention in combination with irrigation, erosion control, to direct plant root growth, and to clean up standing water and petroleum spills.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for coating the surface of substrates such as a sheet, film, foam, fiber, etc., with a curable liquid resin or solution of curable resin, then in one embodiment, stably attaching a superabsorbent polymeric powder to such resin, and then curing the resin to form a coated superabsorbent product. Such substrates may include polymeric materials. Other process embodiments utilizing curable and thermoplastic resinous powders may be used instead of curable liquid resins and resulting products are included in the invention. The coated product has reduced particle agglomeration and particle loss due to the curing or melting steps. The thin, superabsorbent powder adhered, films may be used as an absorbent core for a wide variety of absorbent products. The product can be interposed between sheets to form disposable absorbent products such as diapers, bandages, water and nutrient retention elements, erosion control devices and elements thereof, etc.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for coating the surface of polymeric materials such as a sheet, film, foam, fiber, etc., with a curable liquid resin or solution of curable resin, then in one embodiment, stably attaching a superabsorbent polymeric powder to such resin, and then curing the resin to form a coated superabsorbent product. Other process embodiments and resulting products are included in the invention. The coated product has reduced particle agglomeration and particle loss due to the curing step. The product can be interposed between sheets to form disposable absorbent products such as diapers, bandages, etc. or used on one side to form cleaning products.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for discharging ash from a plurality of fossil-fuel boiler hoppers through actuator opened gate valves by opening only selected gate valves during a given discharge cycle and bypassing other hoppers. The time required to discharge a given hopper is determined and compared with a desired time range that would be required to discharge the hopper, if the hopper was filled to a desired percentage. Opening of a given hopper during subsequent cycles is based on a comparison of the actual discharge time with a desired discharge time range. If the actual discharge time is less than the minimum time of the desired time range, a time increment is assigned to the given hopper, and the hopper is bypassed on subsequent cycles until the assigned time increment has expired.

Abstract: Removal of combustion deposits from a fossil fuel boiler surface is optimized by using a sootblower to direct a cleaning medium in accordance with adjustable operating parameters against a surface of the boiler to remove accumulated deposits. Following the sootblowing operation, a parameter indicative of the extent of deposits remaining on the surface is measured to determine the efficiency of the sootblowing operation with the operating parameters used. If deposit removal is inadequate, at least one of the sootblower operating parameters is adjusted to increase its aggressiveness. If deposit removal is acceptable, at least one of the sootblower operating parameters in adjusted to decrease its aggressiveness, thereby reducing operating costs and/or the risk of damage to boiler surfaces. Additional steps of periodically measuring deposit accumulation and initiating a subsequent sootblowing operation when the deposit accumulation reaches a predetermined level can be included.