Abstract: Reagents for the immobilization of biopolymers, processes for their preparation and their subsequent use in the immobilized of biopolymers for analytical and diagnostic procedures are described. One type of reagent includes a solid support fabricated of a polymeric material having at least one surface with pendant acyl fluoride functionalities, Another reagent includes solid supports fabricated of polymeric materials including ethylene acrylic acid or ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers and activated polypropylene. Processes for preparing reagents include derivatizing polymeric materials to form acyl fluoride functionalities or derivatizing ethylene acrylic acid copolymers and ethylene methacrylic acid copolymers to form active acyl functionalities.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of viral induced hepatitis B in mammals, particularly humans, by injecting a thymosin is described. The method is particularly effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B using bovine calf thymosin fraction 5 which contains thymosin alpha.sub.1 or bovine calf or synthetic thymosin alpha.sub.1.

Abstract: A frame for a cabinet for a deodorant particularly for commodes and urinals in public facilities. The frame is composed of separate back plate, top member and bottom member composed of a resilient plastic. The top member and bottom member are snap-locked to the back plate and secured further by projections from the top and bottom members in slots in the back plate. The bottom member is a liquid-tight tray capable of processing deodorants in bottles through wicks or can with wicks, absorbent surcotas and wafers. There is a bottle holder snap-locked to the underside of the top member. A battery-blower assembly is snap-locked to the back plate. The battery poles are joined to the wires from the blower-motor by a clip. The tube which drips deodorant into a commode or urinal is secured to the outlet from the tray by ribs and bulkhead fittings are dispensed with.

Abstract: A rigid or semi-rigid reinforcement member is inserted into or over the damaged portion of an injured tendon or ligament. The tendon or ligament is connected to the reinforcement member such that the cord-member combination can immediately withstand normal tensile forces. The interconnection can be mechanical, such as by pins extending through the sleeve reinforcement member and cord. The sleeve can be bioabsorbable over a sufficiently long period of time that the cord is healed by the time the sleeve is absorbed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a bus bar contact having a body with two mating ends. One of the mating ends has a tab contact portion. The other of the mating ends having a receptacle contact portion. The receptacle contact portion has a plurality of resilient fingers for providing an electrical interface. The resilient fingers are stamped and formed from the body member wherein adjacent resilient fingers are sheared from each other thereby removing no material from between the adjacent resilient fingers.

Abstract: A system and method is provided by the present invention for transmitting or receiving data to or from a computer system by reprogramming the computer system's clock. The invention provides an executive processor which interfaces to an operating system and initiates a reprogramming of the clock upon an occurrence of a predetermined condition. The reprogramming of the system clock includes a method for determining a resolution constant which is used to generate a clock counter value. The method of determining the resolution constant includes methods of determining CPU interrupt latency CPU index speed, computer system UART baud rate.

Abstract: In a sensor for measuring an analyte in a biological sample whose measuring surface is covered by or comprises a membrane, the membrane has free groups on the surface facing the sample. The surface is modified such that a hydrophilic component is immobilized on the surface in such a manner that chains of the hydrophilic component are chemically bonded to free groups on the surface. Thus, the surface is provided with a more hydrophilic character relative to its unmodified state.

Abstract: A method of anesthetizing a tooth requiring tooth preparation, caries removal or manual manipulation thereof is disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying a composition having a high concentration of potassium to the tooth requiring tooth preparation, caries removal or manual manipulation, the composition being adapted to anesthetize the tooth so that the tooth may be drilled or manually manipulated, whereby the potassium enters the dentinal tubules and odontoblastic fibrils and penetrates the pulpal tissues of the tooth for anesthetizing the tooth. The improvement consists essentially of applying a solution of EDTA, EGTA, and citric acid to the tooth before the application of the potassium composition, the solution of EDTA, EGTA, and citric acid effectively removing a smear layer from the tooth so as to facilitate the penetration of the potassium solution through the dentinal tubules and odontoblastic fibrils.

Abstract: An message handling system for handling the delivery of critical and time critical messages for a near-real-time or real-time simulation environment. A message delivery type (38) accompanies each message (34) to designate whether the message (34) is delivery critical (46) or time critical (42). A message receiver (50) receives the message (34). A message delivery selector (58) selects a protocol based on the message delivery type (38) as determined by a message type determinator (54). The selected protocol conforms to a message format which has a common header and a message component. The message (34) is then sent to the intended recipient computer via the selected protocol.

Abstract: A laser based inspection tool (LIT) for inspecting planar surfaces is described. In a preferred embodiment the LIT can simultaneously inspect both planar surfaces of disks for use in disk drives. In an embodiment of the invention, the incident beam is directed onto the surface to be inspected at an angle slightly offset from perpendicular so that the reflected beam is physically separated from the incident beam. Although slightly offset the reflected beam is routed back through the telecentric lens and scanner which are used for the incident beam. Preferably an aperture mask is placed in the path of the reflected beam and the incident beam to limit the cone of scattered light. Since the incident and reflected beams are physically separated, there may be an aperture for each beam, but the two masks may be physically connected. The aperture masks may also be used for alignment adjustments of the beams.

Abstract: The level of powdered toner in a toner reservoir of a printer or copier is determined by ascertaining the time that it takes a stirring paddle to rotate from a second of two fixed ridges adjacent the top of the reservoir until the toner is engaged. A sensor, which is preferably a piezoelectric element or a strain gauge, is preferably mounted on the end of the stirring paddle to engage each of the two fixed ridges. When the sensor flexes after engaging each of the ridges, two closely spaced electrical pulse are produced. When the sensor engages the toner, another electrical pulse is produced, and the time between the second and third pulses is used to determine the level of the toner in the toner reservoir. If the stirring paddle is flexible, it may engage the ridges and the toner so that the sensor could be mounted on the stirring paddle to not engage the ridges or the toner but only to sense flexing of the stirring paddle for producing the electrical pulses.

Abstract: Methods are provided for close-range intraoperative, endoscopic and intravascular deflection and treatment of lesions, including tumors and non-malignant lesions. The methods use antibody fragments or subfragments labeled with isotopic and non-isotopic agents. Also provided are methods for detection and treatment of lesions with photodynamic agents and methods of treating lesions with a protein conjugated to an agent capable of being activated to emit Auger electron or other ionizing radiation. Compositions and kits useful in the above methods are also provided.

Abstract: The combination in an instrument of a multimeter and an instrument having apparatus for determining a non-contact measurement of radiation perceived at a distance from a surface. The instrument may further have an apparatus for determining temperature of that surface by direct contact therewith. The non-contact apparatus may have optical sighting means and laser sighting means, and means for determining emissivity of the surface. Provision may be made for recording data, e.g. a data logger. Audio output may be provided in accordance with temperature determinations, and may include speech synthesizing. Conveniently, the instrument is adapted for holding in the hand, for example by a pistol-grip handle, and/or for mounting on a tripod as well as a threaded connection with a wrist strap or a tripod. Temperatures derived respectively from infrared radiation, and from direct contact, have separate displays. The multimeter and the temperature instrument may have means for their control by vocal command.

Abstract: A method of providing number portability for the treatment of calls from a calling party to a specific number of a ported called party is disclosed. Once the dialed digits are received at a switching office serving the calling party, a determination is made of whether the call is a number that has been ported. If the number has been ported, the new routing information is obtained from an enhanced directory number table resident at the originating office. In the event that the originating office is unable to offer LRN service, information is obtained at an alternate office. Routing information is updated automatically and directly from a network Service Management System (SMS) to each telephone exchange.

Abstract: It has been discovered that improved poured-in-place sandwich panels may be made which have a planar, rigid, cellular polyisocyanurate or polyurethane foam core, an interior facer on one side of the polyisocyanurate foam core and a metal skin on the other, opposite side of the polyisocyanurate foam core. Adhesion of the metal skin to the polyisocyanurate or polyurethane foam core is improved through the use of a primer layer, such as a polyurea or a polyepoxide. Preferably, glass fibers are provided in the polyisocyanurate or polyurethane foam core as reinforcement and as fire retardant.

Abstract: The invention is of a vehicle interlock system which utilizes non-invasive, optically based methods for detecting and measuring levels of certain target chemical substances in the blood or tissues of a user in preventing operation of the vehicle by persons exhibiting higher (or lower) than prescribed levels of such chemicals. The system of the present invention is not limited to simply measuring blood alcohol levels as are presently available breathalizer-based interlock systems, but lends itself to use in detecting unacceptable systemic levels of virtually any chemical for which the system if programmed to measure. In addition, the present system includes components for positively identifying, and during the course of vehicle operation, re-identifying the intended user and alcohol or drug user testee.

Abstract: In the broader aspects of the invention, there is provided a new and improved pneumatic conveying machine comprising a vertically sided hopper, and a material agitator/conditioner within the hopper. The hopper has a discharge opening at the bottom of the hopper. An air lock is positioned in the discharge opening through which shredded material is discharged into an air duct. The air blower is operatively connected to the air duct. The material can be reduced in density by the agitator/conditioner and transferred into the air stream by the air lock and conveyed continuously at a continuous rate of flow without plugging the air duct.

Abstract: An underdrain unit of the type having air and water backwash for backflushing a granular filtration system has improved retention structure for retaining folded, perforated stainless steel underdrain plates against the floor of the tank drain. The retention structure is in the form of hollow horizontal tubes which not only hold the folded plates in place but also serve to deliver backwashing air. Thus, instead of air delivery tubes being mounted above a series of brackets that hold the folded plates in place against the floor, the air delivery in the system of the invention is via the same structural element which retains the folded plates. Embodiments are described for gravel bed systems and for sand filter systems.

Abstract: A minimum recirculation flame control (MRFC) solid fuel nozzle tip (12) that is suited to being cooperatively associated with a pulverized solid fuel nozzle (34) of a firing system in a pulverized solid fuel-fired furnace (10). The MRFC solid fuel nozzle tip (12) includes a secondary air shroud (46), secondary air shroud support (50) operative for supporting the primary air shroud (48) relative to the secondary air shroud (46), and a splitter plate (52) mounted in supported relation within the primary air shroud (48).

Abstract: A communications network has a plurality of nodes interconnected by an optical transmission medium. The transmission medium is capable of a carrying a plurality of wavelengths organized into bands. A filter at each node for drops a band associated therewith and passively forwards other bands through the transmission medium. A device is provided at each node for adding a band to the transmission medium. Communication can be established directly between a pair of nodes in the network sharing a common band without the active intervention of any intervening node. This allows the network to be protocol independent. Also, the low losses incurred by the passive filters permit relatively long path lengths without optical amplification.