Abstract: Disclosed is a device for determining a concentration of cells of a given size in a sample of fluid, the sample comprising a plurality of cells, comprising: a light source arranged to emit light along a central axis to illuminate the plurality of cells in the fluid sample; a detector arranged to receive light at a plurality of displacements from the central axis, the light having passed through the plurality of cells in the fluid sample, and to produce a plurality of signals, each associated with, and indicative of an intensity of the received light at, a respective one of the plurality of displacements; and a processor arranged to determine a concentration of cells of a given size, based on the plurality of signals from the detector, wherein the processor is arranged to compare the plurality of signals from the detector with one or more pre-stored thresholds or profiles, indicative of a particular concentration.

Abstract: A framing optimization method and framing optimization system that generates a plan using concepts of a genetic algorithm. The framing optimization method first receives a boundary of a framing task then generates a plan having at least one primary frame member and at least one secondary frame member. Generating the plan includes generating at least one primary frame member which defines at least one zone in the boundary. Each primary frame member has respective first values of length, width, and location. Further, the method generates at least one secondary frame member. Each secondary frame member has respective second values of length, width, and location. The method further optimizes, using a genetic algorithm, the plan by repeatedly generating preliminary plans using the at least one primary frame member and the at least one secondary frame member.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a plurality of beverage sources each containing a beverage component, and at least one flow valve connected to one or more of the beverage sources and operable to control a flow of the beverage component therefrom. The system further includes a graphical display that presents a plurality of available beverages and a gesture capture device that receives a selection gesture input to select a beverage from the plurality of available beverages. A controller is also included that adjusts the at least one flow valve based on the selection gesture input to dispense the selected beverage.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a plurality of beverage sources each containing a beverage component, and at least one flow valve connected to one or more of the beverage sources and operable to control a flow of the beverage component therefrom. The system further includes a graphical display that presents a plurality of available beverages and a gesture capture device that receives a selection gesture input to select a beverage from the plurality of available beverages. A controller is also included that adjusts the at least one flow valve based on the selection gesture input to dispense the selected beverage.

Abstract: A video recording device adapted to be resistive to thermal and mechanical shocks experienced in a catastrophic event, the device including a plurality of interchangeable components, the device comprising: a housing; a video component releasably mounted in the housing and having a lens for capturing images from an external environment of the device and a digital processor for producing digital data from the captured images; a memory component releasably mounted in the housing and releasably coupled to the video component adapted for storing the digital data received from the video component, the memory component including a non-volatile memory unit and an enclosure adapted for inhibiting the transfer of thermal and mechanical shocks from the external environment to the non-volatile memory unit, the non-volatile memory unit enclosed in the enclosure; and an interface component releasably mounted in the housing and releasably coupled to the video component and the memory component, the interface component adapt

Abstract: A recovery system for a frozen product dispenser accommodates automatic recovery and continued operation of the dispenser in response to the output torque of a beater bar and scraper assembly drive motor exceeding a selected upper limit due to transient conditions. A controller monitors the output torque of the drive motor and, upon sensing an output torque in excess of the selected upper limit, shuts off the drive motor and operates a refrigeration system to defrost a freeze barrel within which the beater bar and scraper assembly is rotated, for a time sufficient to defrost product in the barrel. The controller then turns on the drive motor, operates the refrigeration system to refreeze product in the barrel and continues to monitor the output torque of the drive motor. The foregoing operation is repeated several times, if and as necessary, before a system error is generated.

Abstract: A video recording device adapted to be resistive to thermal and mechanical shocks experienced in a catastrophic event, the device including a plurality of interchangeable components, the device comprising: a housing; a video component releasably mounted in the housing and having a lens for capturing images from an external environment of the device and a digital processor for producing digital data from the captured images; a memory component releasably mounted in the housing and releasably coupled to the video component adapted for storing the digital data received from the video component, the memory component including a non-volatile memory unit and an enclosure adapted for inhibiting the transfer of thermal and mechanical shocks from the external environment to the non-volatile memory unit, the non-volatile memory unit enclosed in the enclosure; and an interface component releasably mounted in the housing and releasably coupled to the video component and the memory component, the interface component adapt

Abstract: A recovery system for a frozen product dispenser accommodates automatic recovery and continued operation of the dispenser in response to the output torque of a beater bar and scraper assembly drive motor exceeding a selected upper limit due to transient conditions. A controller monitors the output torque of the drive motor and, upon sensing an output torque in excess of the selected upper limit, shuts off the drive motor and operates a refrigeration system to defrost a freeze barrel within which the beater bar and scraper assembly is rotated, for a time sufficient to defrost product in the barrel. The controller then turns on the drive motor, operates the refrigeration system to refreeze product in the barrel and continues to monitor the output torque of the drive motor. The foregoing operation is repeated several times, if and as necessary, before a system error is generated.

Abstract: A novel manufacturing process is described for producing quaternary ammonium compounds having a selected anion, which may be useful in wood preservative formulations. The process involves reacting a trialkylamine with an alkyl bromide to form a quaternary tetraalkylammonium bromide salt, converting the quaternary tetraalkylammonium bromide salt to a quaternary tetraalkylammonium hydroxide salt by using an ion exchange resin, and converting the quaternary tetraalkylammonium hydroxide salt to the quaternary tetraalkylammonium salt of the selected anion.

Abstract: Sulfur trioxide is formed by a process wherein a first gaseous stream comprised of SO2, SO3, and oxygen and/or air is passed into a bed of a vanadium-containing catalyst that oxidizes S02 to SO3and that releases therefrom a second gaseous stream comprised of sulfur trioxide. This process is improved in a first case by providing vaporized sulfur in the first gaseous stream so that the resultant mixture passes through a substantial portion of the catalyst bed, and maintaining the catalyst bed at one or more temperatures in the range of about 450 to about 700° C. The sulfur is oxidized to S02. As a result, the second gaseous stream released from the downstream end portion of the catalyst bed has an enriched content of sulfur trioxide, which can be used for production of compounds such as tetrabromophthalic anhydride. In a second case, a stream of sulfur dioxide is generated from sulfur and an oxidant, and this stream is introduced into the first gaseous stream referred to above.

Abstract: A method of converting a tetraalkylammonium salt of a first anion to a tetraalkylammonium salt of a second anion is described which involves forming a solution comprising the tetraalkylammonium salt of the first anion in a solvent which includes water and a polar organic co-solvent, contacting the solution with an ion exchange resin in the form of the second anion and forming a tetraalkylammonium salt of the second anion in solution and an ion exchange resin complexed with the first anion. The solution containing the tetraalkylammonium salt of the second anion can be recovered.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a non-heat treated high amino acid feed and to the dry milling process used to produce the feed and ethanol. In particular, the invention relates to a high amino acid feed having highly digestible proteins including amino acid residues substantially free of thermal input related damage.

Abstract: Termite repellant treated cellulosic substrates and methods or producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of quaternary ammonium compounds in the prevention of microbial growth such as mold, fungus, and mildew in new and/or existing construction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellulosic substrates in direct or indirect contact with the ground, the cellulosic substrates comprising quaternary ammonium compounds.

Abstract: Termite repellant treated cellulosic substrates and methods or producing the same.

Abstract: A method of supplying a ruminant with its nutritional requirements for methionine is provided wherein an ester of 2-hydroxy-4(methylthio)butanoic acid that is available for absorption by a ruminant is administered to the ruminant. Preferably, the ruminant is administered an ester of 2-hydroxy-4(methylthio)butanoic acid is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, butyl, and 3-methylbutyl, and salts thereof.