Abstract: A configurable lens cover configured to be disposed over a lens of a sensor to control an area monitored by a sensor and/or to block light from undesirable directions from striking the lens of the sensor. The configurable lens cover includes a collar that has an inner edge which defines a central opening. Further, the configurable lens cover includes detachable panels that extend angularly and inward towards a central axis and the central opening of the configurable lens cover from the inner edge of the collar. The detachable panels may be partially separated from each other along the side edges and top end of each detachable panel. Furthermore, the configurable lens cover includes perforations formed adjacent a bottom end of each detachable panel that is coupled to each other and the collar. The perforations define a living hinge along which each detachable panel is breakable.

Abstract: A configurable lens cover configured to be disposed over a lens of a sensor to control an area monitored by a sensor and/or to block light from undesirable directions from striking the lens of the sensor. The configurable lens cover includes a collar that has an inner edge which defines a central opening. Further, the configurable lens cover includes detachable panels that extend angularly and inward towards a central axis and the central opening of the configurable lens cover from the inner edge of the collar. The detachable panels may be partially separated from each other along the side edges and top end of each detachable panel. Furthermore, the configurable lens cover includes perforations formed adjacent a bottom end of each detachable panel that is coupled to each other and the collar. The perforations define a living hinge along which each detachable panel is breakable.

Abstract: A configurable lens cover configured to be disposed over a lens of a sensor to control an area monitored by a sensor and/or to block light from undesirable directions from striking the lens of the sensor. The configurable lens cover includes a collar that has an inner edge which defines a central opening. Further, the configurable lens cover includes detachable panels that extend angularly and inward towards a central axis and the central opening of the configurable lens cover from the inner edge of the collar. The detachable panels may be partially separated from each other along the side edges and top end of each detachable panel. Furthermore, the configurable lens cover includes perforations formed adjacent a bottom end of each detachable panel that is coupled to each other and the collar. The perforations define a living hinge along which each detachable panel is breakable.

Abstract: A method of phosphorodiamidite production comprising the steps of reacting a phosphorus trihalide with a dialkyl amine in a polar solvent to form an intermediate compound. This intermediate compound is then subsequently reacted with an hydroxylalkyl compound and a dialkyl amine in the presence of a non-polar cosolvent. Following filtration to remove the solid by-product the two solvents form separate layers. This is advantageous as the upper, non-polar solvent, layer contains the high-purity phosphorodiamidite product.

Abstract: A method for making ?-ketophosphonates by reacting a trialkyl phosphonocarboxylate (such as triethyl phosphonoacetate) with an acyl halide (such as acetyl chloride) in a reaction involving ester formation, followed by decarboxylation, followed by purification. The reaction is run in a single solvent, which is not removed from the reaction mixture until the purification stage. Suitable solvents for this purpose include halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (such as mono-chlorobenzene).

Abstract: In a method for making bisphosphonates by reacting a carbonyl compound with a phosphorus halide, the reaction is carried out in a solvent/carrier system which is a mixture of an amine hydrochloride, phosphorous acid and optionally phosphoric acid.

Abstract: A method for making &bgr;-ketophosphonates by reacting a trialkyl phosphonocarboxylate (such as triethyl phosphonoacetate) with an acyl halide (such as acetyl chloride) in a reaction involving ester formation, followed by decarboxylation, followed by purification. The reaction is run in a single solvent, which is not removed from the reaction mixture until the purification stage. Suitable solvents for this purpose include halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (such as mono-chlorobenzene).

Abstract: The invention provides chimeric proteins and nucleic acids encoding these which can be used to generate vaccines against selected antigens. In one aspect, a chimeric protein comprises an antigen sequence and a domain for trafficking the protein to an endosomal compartment, irrespective of whether the antigen is derived from a membrane or non-membrane protein. In one preferred aspect, the trafficking domain comprises a lumenal domain of a LAMP polypeptide. Alternatively, or additionally, the chimeric protein comprises a trafficking domain of an endocytic receptor (e.g., such as DEC-205 or gp200-MR6). The vaccines (DNA, RNA or protein) can be used to modulate or enhance an immune response against any kind of antigen. In one preferred aspect, the invention provides a method for treating a patient with cancer by providing a chimeric protein comprising a cancer-specific antigen or a nucleic acid encoding the protein to the patient.

Abstract: In a method for making bisphosphonates by reacting a carbonyl compound with a phosphorus halide, the reaction is carried out in a solvent/carrier system which is a mixture of an amine hydrochloride, phosphorous acid and optionally phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Halogen-free, oligomeric or polymeric, alkylene-bridged alkyl phosphonates having the general formula ##STR1## where n is a whole number of from 1 to 20;R.sup.1 and R.sup.5 are each C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl;R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 are each C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkyl andR.sup.3 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkyl.The use of such phosphonates as, or in connection with, a flame-retardant (e.g. for polyurethane foams, resins and composites, epoxy resins, phenolic resins, paints, varnishes or textiles).

Abstract: A method for producing alkyl derivatives of phosphonic acids together with hexyl-bis?5-ethyl-2-hexyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinan-5-yl)methyl!ester, P,P'dioxide as a novel product and the use of such a product as, or in connection with, a flame retardant.