Abstract: Provided are methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for detecting biomarkers indicative of exposure of a mammal to organophosphate compounds. The interaction of such a biomarker with a receptor bound to a biopolymer results in an optical readout that reports the presence of the biomarker.

Abstract: A testing device for wafer level testing of IC circuits is disclosed. An upper and lower pin (22, 62) are configured to slide relatively to each other and are held in electrically biased contact by an elastomer (80). The elastomer is precompressed from its natural rest state between a top (22) plate and a bottom (70). Pre compression improves the resilient response of the pins. The pin crows (40) are maintained relatively coplanar by the engagement of at least one flang (44a-b) against an up-stop surface 90 of plate 20, thereby insuring coplanarity of the crowns. The pin guide (12) is maintained in alignment with the retainer 14 by establishing a registration corner (506) and driving the guide into the corner by elastomers in at least one diagonally opposite corner.

Abstract: A method for monitoring of siloxane compounds in a biogas includes the step of generating a first absorption spectrum based on a ratio of a first spectral measurement and a second spectral measurement. The first spectral measurement is from a non-absorptive gas having substantially no infrared absorptions in a specified wavelength range of interest and the second spectral measurement is from a sample gas comprising the biogas. The method also includes the step of calculating a concentration of at least one siloxane compound in the biogas using a second absorption spectrum based on, at least, a first individual absorption spectrum for a known concentration of the at least one siloxane compound.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprises the reaction product of an alkoxide or condensed alkoxide of a metal M, selected from titanium, zirconium, hafnium, aluminum, or a lanthanide, an alcohol containing at least two hydroxyl groups, a 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid and a base, wherein the molar ratio of base to 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid is in the range 0.01-0.79:1. The composition is useful as a catalyst for esterification reactions, especially for the production of polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a portable actuator for actuating a trip button and a close button of a circuit breaker. In one embodiment, the trip button is actuated by a linear actuator that transmits rotation forces produced by a motor to the trip button in response to a trip signal. The close button is actuated by a rotating arm that uses an anti-friction roller to apply a rotating motion to the close button in response to a close signal. The portable actuator is configured to receive the input signals from a remote location with a remote controller that is in electronic communication with the portable actuator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electrode holder to be used in welding that has a closed-end structure that removes the gripping problems inherent with open-jawed “tong-type” electrode holders. The electrode holder contains a grooved hole that allows tighter clamping onto an electrode, easing the process of bending an electrode by hand. The electrode holder also has a comfortable handle covered by a sleeve that keeps the electrode holder cool to the touch, allowing a welding lead to be fed through the sleeve and connected to the electrode holder without removing the handle of the electrode holder.

Abstract: Crystal habit modifiers (CHM) are provided to ameliorate deposit-related concerns in nuclear plant systems. The principal targets for utilization of crystal habit modifiers are Pressure Water Reactor (PWR) primary-side fuel rod crud and secondary-side steam generator deposits and Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) coolant system deposits.

Abstract: The different advantageous embodiments provide a method for loading and editing text files. A text file is identified as input. A determination is made as to whether the text file is a columnar text file. If the text file is columnar, data information is retrieved for the text file. Pre-defined cache settings are identified. A determination is made as to whether the data information retrieved fits within the pre-defined cache settings. If the data information retrieved fits within the pre-defined cache settings, a determination is made as to whether the first row of the text file is a header row in a view. If the first row of the text file is not a header row, the text file is normalized. A view mode is selected for load and edit operations of the text file.

Abstract: Disclosed is a removable device to be inserted into the center hole of the cutting tip of a cutting/welding torch that can be easily cleaned without distorting future cuts, minimizes the amount of oxygen needed for a cutting or welding task, concentrates, controls and defines the flow of air and oxygen into a cutting/welding torch, prevents the center hole of a cutting/welding torch from becoming distorted and imprecise over time, improves the quality of a cut, and minimizes the amount of cut steel that must be cleaned up after a cutting/welding task is completed.

Abstract: Described is a workflow and procedure that automates the process of requesting feedback on a software solution from a customer (user). A system facilitates creating a feedback request that is sent to a user, by which the user launches the software solution and a feedback tool. Via the tool, the customer provides rich actionable feedback, which is maintained in a data store for subsequent action, e.g., review by a product owner/development team. The development team may take action on the feedback, and notify the user, closing the loop with the user.

Abstract: An impact and/or vibration absorbent material and protective articles making use of said material. An impact and/or vibration absorbent material of the present invention has at least two material layers. The individual layers of the impact and/or vibration absorbent material may be of different materials, or of the same material with the composition of the material of one layer adjusted to be of dissimilar hardness to an adjacent layer. Each material layer preferably contains a number of holes. The holes in one layer are located and arranged to be offset from the holes in an adjacent layer. The combination of material properties and the inclusion and arrangement of holes renders such a material highly impact and/or vibration absorbent. Through use of a protective article of the present invention, the effects of impact and/or vibration forces on a user of the protective article can be minimized.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprises the reaction product of an alkoxide or condensed alkoxide of a metal M, selected from titanium, zirconium, hafnium, aluminium, or a lanthanide, an alcohol containing at least two hydroxyl groups, a 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid and a base, wherein the molar ratio of base to 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid is in the range 0.01-0.79:1. The composition is useful as a catalyst for esterification reactions, especially for the production of polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate.

Abstract: An inertial weight for physical conditioning includes a hollow housing having an inner cavity with first and second spaced apart opposed ends and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The inner cavity tapers transversely outwardly along the longitudinal axis from a mid section to each of the first and second spaced apart opposed ends. A viscous fluid mass is carried in the inner cavity, the viscous mass filling the inner cavity less than full to allow the viscous mass to move within the inner cavity. An attachment member is affixed to at last one of the opposed ends.

Abstract: A system for remotely controlling a camera is disclosed. The system includes five major subsystems; a first subsystem collocated with the camera; a second subsystem which serves as a gateway between the camera and the third subsystem; a third subsystem to remotely monitor the studio and control the camera; a fourth subsystem located at the destination of the video stream; and a fifth subsystem to receive and re-transmit a video control stream. This system allows the camera to be monitored and controlled by one location, while the primary video stream is transmitted to a different location. In some embodiments, the control video stream is a lower bandwidth signal than the primary video stream. Furthermore, the fifth subsystem is capable of receiving and re-transmitting control video streams from a plurality of cameras simultaneously. The second subsystem allows remote access to the first subsystem, based on approved credentials.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprises the reaction product of an alkoxide or condensed alkoxide of a metal M, selected from titanium, zirconium, hafnium, aluminum, or a lanthanide, an alcohol containing at least two hydroxyl groups, a 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid and a base, wherein the ratio of equivalents of base to —COOH acid equivalents of said 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid is in the range 0.0033-0.2:1. The composition is useful as a catalyst for esterification reactions, especially for the production of polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A collector device (1) includes an elongate handle portion (2) having a loop portion (4) attached at one end. The loop portion (4) supports a receptacle (12) which comprises an upwardly facing, in use, deposition surface (16). The handle (2) and loop portions (4) are of a self supporting sheet material and have a longitudinal fold in the sheet material (8) running along the length of the handle portion (2) and continuing across the whole loop portion (4). The device (1) may be deployed with the handle (2) and loop portions (4) both held partially folded along the longitudinal fold (8) in a V or inverted V conformation to provide increased rigidity and increased load bearing capacity, in cantilever, in comparison with a device where the handle and loop portions are held horizontally planar.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a portable actuator for actuating a trip button and a close button of a circuit breaker. In one embodiment, the trip button is actuated by a linear actuator that transmits rotation forces produced by a motor to the trip button in response to a trip signal. The close button is actuated by a rotating arm that uses an anti-friction roller to apply a rotating motion to the close button in response to a close signal. The portable actuator is configured to receive the input signals from a remote location with a remote controller that is in electronic communication with the portable actuator.

Abstract: A method of crosslinking a protein or peptide for use as a biomaterial, the method comprising the step of irradiating a photoactivatable metal-ligand complex and an electron acceptor in the presence of the protein or peptide, thereby initiating a crosslinking reaction to form a 3-dimensional matrix of the biomaterial.

Abstract: Provided are methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for detecting biomarkers indicative of exposure of a mammal to organophosphate compounds. The organophosphate compound includes pesticides, their metabolites and highly reactive organophosphoryl compounds. In one aspect of the invention, the biomarker results from interaction of the organophosphate compound with a polypeptide such as a serine hydrolase that includes acetylcholiestersae. The interaction of a biomarker so derived with a optical sensor comprising a receptor bound to a biopolymer results in an optical readout that reports the presence of the biomarker. In one aspect of the invention the receptor that is bound to a biopolymer, such as a poly-di-acetylene polymer, is a antibody that selectively recognizes the biomarker.

Abstract: A method for reducing corrosion product transport in a power producing facility. The method includes the steps of selecting a chemical dispersant adapted to reduce the deposition of corrosion products in the recirculation path, and using at least one chemical injector to inject the chemical dispersant into a fluid contained in the recirculation path during recirculation path cleanup to increase corrosion product removal.