Abstract: A portable sand plant may include portable equipment disposed at a site adjacent to a fines recovery pit and a main mine pit. In addition, timber or composite matting may be laid on a surface of the site. The portable equipment is placed to form a portable wet plant and a portable dry plant directly on the surface of the site, or the timber or composite matting, or the combination thereof. Further, some of the portable equipment may be skid mounted. Furthermore, the portable sand plant may also include one or more relocatable sand storage buildings formed on the site.

Abstract: A method for renewing a placement area may include one or more of the following steps. A dredge barge may be disposed inside a placement area containing materials dredged from one or more other locations and disposed within the placement area. Material may be dredged from the placement area. The dredged material may be processed. Water may be added to the placement area to maintain a flotation level of the dredge barge. The dredge barge may be removed from the placement area. The water may be removed from the placement area. This process may allow a placement area to be continually renewed and may allow useful materials to be recovered from a placement area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for printing by a client computer reduce network usage and print delay, while performing print configuration and management at a centralized print server. The print server controls enablement of a branch office printing mode. When the branch office printing mode is enabled, the client computer sends spooled print data directly to a selected printer in the branch office. When the branch office printing mode is disabled, the client computer sends the spooled print data to the centralized print server, and the print server routes the print data to the selected printer. The print server performs configuration and management functions for the client computer in both operating modes. The print server may enable and disable the branch office printing mode on a per queue basis.

Abstract: Digital preservation is realized in this invention by providing a method and system for long term error-free storage, having means for requested files to be retrieved error-free from the storage, and having means for interpretation of the retrieved files, for all the time span that the storage continues on. User-requested files, when retrieved from the long term error-free digital storage, are retrieved without possibility of corruption of the files of the storage. The storage of the files is continued on in time, by being forward copied, error-free, from one-era storage media to next-era storage media. Planning for the timing of forward copy from the one-era media is accomplished by methods for contemporaneous determination of the actual lifetime of the one-era media, through monitoring scans of the written-to media.

Abstract: A collection system for collecting, testing and transporting liquid biological specimens that limits exposure of a tester to the liquid sample and keeps the collected samples pristine even after exposing some of the sample to test strips. The system includes a collection body for receiving and holding a liquid sample, a lid that is coupled to the body, and a test strip housing. The lid includes a transfer conduit while the test strip housing includes an opening defined within the test strip housing. The transfer conduit and the opening are aligned when the test strip housing is coupled to the lid. When the system is moved or tilted, some of the liquid sample moves through the transfer conduit and the opening into the test strip housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for rapid detection of analytes in a sample. Surprisingly, it has been found that bulking materials having non-sugar sweeteners effectively enhance chromatographic detection methods by providing component stability and controlled release. Thus, the novel components and methods disclosed herein provide a completely new modality of chromatographic analyte detection.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for rapid detection of analytes in a sample. Surprisingly, it has been found that bulking materials having starch reagents effectively enhance chromatographic detection methods by providing component stability and controlled release. Thus, the novel components and methods disclosed herein provide a completely new modality of chromatographic analyte detection.

Abstract: The invention provides a packaging means for retaining vapour active pyrethroids comprising a holder and a cellulosic based substrate or matrix impregnated and/or dosed with the vapour active pyrethroid, wherein the holder comprises a topl), a bases and a longitudinal member vertically extending from between the topw and base, and wherein the cellulosic matrix has a honeycomb configuration adapted to be retained between the top and base and has a surface area so as to achieve sufficient emanation of the vapour active pyrethroid to control flying insects. The invention also provides methods of emanating vapour active pyrethroids and the use of packaging means according to the invention for retaining and emanating vapour active pyrethroids.

Abstract: A pole holder is provided that includes a shell, a stem, and a pivot joint. In one embodiment, the holder includes a clamp that enables the holder to be attached to a variety of structures. In another embodiment, the holder includes an auger that allows the holder to be secured within a solid medium such as ice.

Abstract: A collection system for collecting, testing and transporting liquid biological specimens that limits exposure of a tester to the liquid sample and keeps the collected samples pristine even after exposing some of the sample to test strips. The system includes a collection body for receiving and holding a liquid sample, a lid that is coupled to the body, and a test strip housing. The lid includes a transfer conduit while the test strip housing includes an opening defined within the test strip housing. The transfer conduit and the opening are aligned when the test strip housing is coupled to the lid. When the system is moved or tilted, some of the liquid sample moves through the transfer conduit and the opening into the test strip housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for rapid detection of analytes in a sample. Surprisingly, it has been found that bulking materials having starch reagents effectively enhance chromatographic detection methods by providing component stability and controlled release. Thus, the novel components and methods disclosed herein provide a completely new modality of chromatographic analyte detection.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for rapid detection of analytes in a sample. Surprisingly, it has been found that bulking materials having non-sugar sweeteners effectively enhance chromatographic detection methods by providing component stability and controlled release. Thus, the novel components and methods disclosed herein provide a completely new modality of chromatographic analyte detection.

Abstract: Top cone for an aerosol can, including a formed metal sheet extending around a longitudinal central axis, and having a contour that includes, as seen in longitudinal cross section from the top downward, a top section intended for holding a valve cap, a cone section connected to the top section and leading to a countersink section and a flange section. The countersink section is essentially U-shaped whereby the outer leg of the essential U-shape, that is the leg being furthest removed from the central axis, is bent away from the central axis to form the flange section, and which cone section has a continuously increasing transversal diameter, wherein the top cone comprises strengthening means for strengthening the countersink section against pivoting toward the central axis.

Abstract: A method of making a patient's dental prosthesis (e.g., a prosthesis tooth, crown, veneer, or bridge) by acquiring an image of the patient's teeth that contains black and white normalization references. These references are black and white porcelain, for example, that allow software of the invention to determine absolute black and absolute white within the color image. The acquired color image is then normalized in accordance with the normalization references, which corrects the image for variations in lighting conditions and image source. The normalized image is then standardized by matching the pixels of the normalized image to selected shade standards. The dental prosthesis can then be manufactured by a lab technician by referring to the standardized image. The tooth shade analysis and matching system is also applicable to direct restorations of natural teeth, such as repair of chipped or broken teeth. Methods of whitening teeth are also disclosed.

Abstract: An archival system of the present invention includes a controller and multiple storage mediums that are used for long-term storage of vast amounts of digital data. The archival system verifies that the original digital data remains intact and error-free, byte-by-byte, through time. The archival system makes it possible to migrate the digital data files onto new storage media, correct byte-by-byte to the original files, as new storage media and machines are developed and proven. The system also allows data to be accessed that is then-currently needed, while the storage of the data continues on in time, undisturbed and uncorrupted. The archival system enhances the physical security of the archived data through physical movement of duplicated archival data storage mediums to remote locations. This invention for long-term, error free storage of digital files solves (provides the solution for) the problems of backward-read compatibility and the uncertainty of storage media failure.

Abstract: An archival system of the present invention includes a controller and multiple storage mediums that are used for long-term storage of vast amounts of digital data. The archival system verifies that the original digital data remains intact and error-free, byte-by-byte, through time. The archival system makes it possible to migrate the digital data files onto new storage media, correct byte-by-byte to the original files, as new storage media and machines are developed and proven. The system also allows data to be accessed that is then-currently needed, while the storage of the data continues on in time, undisturbed and uncorrupted. The archival system enhances the security of the archived data through physical movement of duplicated archival data storage mediums to remote locations. This invention for long-term, error free storage of digital files solves (provides the solution for) the problems of backward-read compatibility and the uncertainty of storage media failure.

Abstract: An electronic thermostat having high and low voltage control capability and varied functional capabilities. The thermostat is particularly suited for use with fan coil heating and cooling units. Specifically the thermostat uses relays to actuate external devices such as heating and cooling equipment, fans and dampers. The use of relays permits control voltages for these external devices to be different (e.g. 24 VAC, 208-230 VAC or 277 VAC).