Abstract: A mechanical device including two concentric space frame structures is used to enhance plant growth. Essentially identical in shape but with the inner space frame smaller than the outer by a 4:5 relationship the space frame structures independently rotate about a common axes line. Each space frame consists of a right square pyramid of rods with its apex pointing upward and a second similar pyramid directly below it by a distance approximately two and one half times the length of each rod comprising the pyramid. The second, lower pyramid however has its apex pointing downward and is turned 45-degrees about a line connecting the two apex points. Eight additional rods complete each space frame. They each, respectively connect a corner of the upper pyramid base to a corner of the lower pyramid base in a manner that is symmetric.

Abstract: A mechanical device including two concentric space frame structures is used to enhance plant growth. Essentially identical in shape but with the inner space frame smaller than the outer by a 4:5 relationship the space frame structures independently rotate about a common axes line. Each space frame consists of a right square pyramid of rods with its apex pointing upward and a second similar pyramid directly below it by a distance approximately two and one half times the length of each rod comprising the pyramid. The second, lower pyramid however has its apex pointing downward and is turned 45-degrees about a line connecting the two apex points. Eight additional rods complete each space frame. They each, respectively connect a corner of the upper pyramid base to a corner of the lower pyramid base in a manner that is symmetric.

Abstract: An assay comprising more than one primer pair and more than one detection probe, a low copy number synthetic amplicon corresponding to each of the primer pairs. The assay can detect and distinguish between various sub-types and strains of an influenza virus using any suitable nucleic acid amplification technique. Related kits and methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an impact resistant sheet material that helps provide exterior walls of a building with resistance to impacts so that the building structure can meet building standards, such as the Miami-Dade County Large Missile Impact Test, for resisting impacts in high wind areas. In one embodiment, sheet material comprises an impact resistant layer that attached to fibrous substrate. The impact resistant layer provides impact resistance to the sheet material so that a wall structure employing the sheet material is able to successfully withstand an impact from a projectile comprising a 9 pound, 7 foot two-by-four (“2×4”) traveling at a speed of at least 34 miles per hour. The impact resistant sheet material may comprise a moisture vapor permeable, water-impermeable barrier layer having a hydrohead of at least 55 cm and a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 35 g/m2/day. Such a sheet material is particularly useful in barrier applications, such as a house wrap.

Abstract: The present invention provides an impact resistant sheet material that helps provide exterior walls of a building with resistance to impacts so that the building structure can meet building standards, such as the Miami-Dade County Large Missile Impact Test, for resisting impacts in high wind areas. In one embodiment, sheet material comprises an impact resistant layer that attached to fibrous substrate. The impact resistant layer provides impact resistance to the sheet material so that a wall structure employing the sheet material is able to successfully withstand an impact from a projectile comprising a 9 pound, 7 foot two-by-four (“2×4”) traveling at a speed of at least 34 miles per hour. The impact resistant sheet material may comprise a moisture vapor permeable, water-impermeable barrier layer having a hydrohead of at least 55 cm and a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 35 g/m2/day. Such a sheet material is particularly useful in barrier applications, such as a house wrap.

Abstract: An assay comprising more than one primer pair and more than one detection probe, a low copy number synthetic amplicon corresponding to each of the primer pairs. The assay can detect and distinguish between various sub-types and strains of an influenza virus using any suitable nucleic acid amplification technique. Related kits and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of removing undesirable material from grapes comprising the steps of: a) obtaining an air blower 1 capable of generating and releasing a non-linear substantially disrupted air flow, and b) directing the non-linear disrupted air flow at bunches of grapes on a vine to remove at least a significant amount of necrotic plant matter from the bunches.

Abstract: A turbine assembly comprising a blade assembly having a plurality of curved blades with an inner end of each of the curved blades terminating at a cavity. The cavity has an open side with a generator located within the cavity and coupled to the blade assembly. The turbine assembly is suitable for underwater use. Multiple turbine assemblies may be connected to form a power generation station.

Abstract: A vehicle barrier having an impact side, a reflection side opposite the impact side, and a plurality of interior walls extending between the impact side and the reflection side. The refection side, the impact side, and the plurality of interior walls are formed from vertically-oriented sheets of barrier material (when in the deployed configuration). Further, the refection side, the impact side, and the plurality of interior walls define multiple chambers. The chambers can be packed with fill material to stop an oncoming vehicle.

Abstract: A ballistics barrier having a multitude of vertically stacked layers. Each layer comprised of a plurality of horizontally-offset, interconnected laterally collapsible cells formed from multiple sheets of ballistics fabric. The perimeter interface between two vertically stacked layers is sealed by a skirt extending between the top of one layer and the bottom of the vertically adjacent layer.

Abstract: A method of repairing a ballistics barrier, the barrier comprised of a plurality of horizontally-offset, interconnected collapsible cells formed from a ballistics fabric. The method includes removing the damaged section of the barrier and replacing it with a substitute ballistics fabric section that is attached to the barrier so that the substitute section mimics the horizontally-offset, interconnected cell structure of the barrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides an impact resistant sheet material that helps provide exterior walls of a building with resistance to impacts so that the building structure can meet building standards, such as the Miami-Dade County Large Missile Impact Test, for resisting impacts in high wind areas. In one embodiment, sheet material comprises an impact resistant layer that attached to fibrous substrate. The impact resistant layer provides impact resistance to the sheet material so that a wall structure employing the sheet material is able to successfully withstand an impact from a projectile comprising a 9 pound, 7 foot two-by-four (“2×4”) traveling at a speed of at least 34 miles per hour. The impact resistant sheet material may comprise a moisture vapor permeable, water-impermeable barrier layer having a hydrohead of at least 55 cm and a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 35 g/m2/day. Such a sheet material is particularly useful in barrier applications, such as a house wrap.

Abstract: A handle for a medical device comprises a frame, a transmission, a slide, a first rack, a sheath, and a cable assembly. The transmission is mounted to the frame. The slide is moveably attached to the frame and coupled with the transmission. The first rack is moveably attached to the frame and coupled with the transmission. The sheath is secured to the first rack. The cable assembly is secured to the frame and extends through the sheath.

Abstract: A wavelength selective laser system and associated method are provided that produce laser beams having wavelengths that are only slightly different, but that permit a composite return signal to be selectively processed in accordance with the wavelengths of the signals that comprise the composite return signal. The wavelength selective laser system includes first and second lasers for producing respective laser beams. Each of the first and second lasers define a nominal gain spectrum. However, the wavelength selective laser system also includes a magnetic field generator disposed about the second laser for altering the gain spectrum of the second laser such that the wavelengths of the laser beams produced by the first and second lasers differ by at least one part per million. As such, the first laser will emit signals having a first wavelength and the second laser will emit signals having a second wavelength.

Abstract: An improved process for fabricating photovoltaic charging circuits including the steps of: 1. fabricating a circuit board by conventional techniques with photovoltaic piece mounting pads, islands, and traces suitable for interconnecting photovoltaic pieces in series with a LED and the cells of the rechargeable battery; 2. fabricating a suitable solder screen; 3. using the screen to apply solder dots to the piece mounting pads and the LED mounting pads; 4. using a pick and place machine to automatically place the pieces, conductive side up, onto the piece mounting pads and the LED onto the LED mounting pads; 5. heating the assembly to cause soldering of the rears of the pieces to the piece mounting pads and the LED to the LED mounting pads; and 6. electrically connecting the conductive sides to the islands.

Abstract: A cryogenic air separation system wherein base load pressure energy is supplied to the feed air by a base load compressor and custom load pressure energy is supplied to the feed air by a bridge machine having one or more turbine booster compressors and one or more product boiler booster compressors, all of the compressors of the bridge machine driven by power supplied through a single gear case.

Abstract: A system for liquefying low boiling point gases wherein a mixture of feed gas and recirculating refrigerant gas is compressed, a first portion turboexpanded, a second portion compressed to a supercritical pressure, and the supercritical fluid cooled against the turboexpanded fluid to produce cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing additional charging power by means of natural and man made surrounding light sources to a communication device comprises a generally square frame member defining a front and second side, the first side of the frame member having embedded a plurality of photo-voltaic cells and the second side housing an adhesive for attachment to the second side of the communication device. The photo-voltaic cells are interconnected to each other and attached to an electrically thin ribbon wire which protrudes through the second side of the frame member. At the end of the ribbon wire is an applicator for attaching the ribbon wire into a battery plug socket located within the communication device's battery compartment. The first side of the frame member also houses a light emitting diode (LED) electrically connected between the plurality of photo-voltaic cells and the ribbon wire to indicate if auxiliary photoelectric charge is being provided to the communication devices battery.