Abstract: A valve system is provided having a housing including a first end, a second end and a first passageway. The housing has a first port and a second port. A valve member is disposed within the housing and movable relative thereto. The valve member defines a portion of the first passageway that includes a first opening configured for alignment and sealed fluid communication with the first port and the second port. The portion of the first passageway further includes a second opening having a greater relative dimension than the first opening. The valve member is manipulable to establish sealed fluid communication between the first opening and the first port or the second port while maintaining continuous sealed fluid communication between the second opening and the first passageway adjacent to the second end of the housing. The valve member can be disposed within the housing for rotation relative thereto.

Abstract: A vehicle side fairing having a first fairing panel fixedly secured to the underside of a trailer box, and a second fairing panel slidable mounted to plural cylindrical bars mounted on the underside of the trailer box in a fore and aft orientation. The second fairing panel is secured to the wheel set with a mechanical fastener that selectively joins and releases the second fairing panel and the wheel set.

Abstract: A docking mechanism provided for analytical apparatus, such as an acoustic bio-sensor apparatus. The mechanism is operable releasably to receive a cartridge (58) for use in analysing a sample comprising a fluid and having a flow cell (104, 106; 304, 306) for the sample and an electrically operated sensor (92) for performing the analysis. The docking mechanism has a clamping mechanism (12, 8, 10) for urging fluid connector means such as ferules (50, 52) against the cartridge to provide a fluid connection between the flow cell inlet and a sample delivery means.

Abstract: A cartridge for apparatus for analysing a sample comprising a fluid as a flow cell for receiving the sample. The cell is formed from a substantially rigid support surface (102), a sensor comprising an electrical mechanical transducer (92), for example a wafer of quartz crystal and adhesive means, such as double sided adhesive tape (100) attaching the sensor to the support surface. The support surface and sensor are spaced from each other by a membrane, which may form part of the double sides adhesive tape so as to define the flow cell between the support surface and the sensor. The flow cell also has an opening (for example, 111) through which, in use, the sample passes. The sensor, forming part of the flow cell, comes into contact with the sample to enable the sample to be analysed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dispensing a beverage, the beverage comprising a liquid-beverage portion and a frozen-beverage portion. The apparatus comprises means for dispensing into a receptacle the liquid beverage portion, means (102) for freezing a portion of beverage so as to provide the frozen beverage portion and means (104, 104? for dispensing the frozen-beverage portion into the receptacle. The present apparatus also provides a method for dispensing a frozen beverage portion by providing one or more cooling chambers (102) cooled by cooling means, supplying at least one of the cooling chambers with a portion of beverage, freezing the portion of beverage to provide at least one beverage frozen-beverage portion and ejecting one frozen beverage portion from its cooling chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides an inhaler of the non-reservoir kind (i.e. one which operates by dispensing individually packaged doses) characterised by the feature that a moisture-proof barrier—which may optionally comprise substantially or partly an external region of the inhaler-encloses the dose-storage region of the inhaler without enclosing the doses individually, and incorporates a similarly moisture-proof aperture through which the medicament doses can, in use, be individually dispensed. The invention also provides a method of filling such an inhaler.

Abstract: A vehicle backing guide for marking a parking area into which a vehicle may be backed, comprising an elongate strap, a plurality of bright segments spaced apart longitudinally along the strap having a high visual contrast with the strap and an indicator member that indicates to the vehicle driver when the vehicle has obtained it preferred position in the parking area. The strap is of length representative of a length of a vehicle to be backed into a parking area therein substantially defining a side boundary of the parking area, the bright segments providing a measure of distance along the strap and hence the parking area, at least a portion of the bright segments being of a same length and mutually spaced apart a same distance longitudinally along the strap, the measure of distance providing the driver an indicator of backing progress into the parking area.

Abstract: Devices and methods are presented for elevating seat devices. The device allows a vertical and forward motion of a seat from a first position to a second position. Such motion more resembles a natural body motion during the standing motion. A similar but converse motion is also possible with movement from a standing position to a sitting position.

Abstract: Methods for delivering potentially therapeutic or prophylactic protein and peptide agents to mammalian cells are provided. The agents are delivered by mutant trypanosomatid protozoa that have been genetically manipulated to code for such protein or peptide agents. The mutant protozoa additionally lack certain enzymes within the heme biosynthetic pathway, making the mutants susceptible to porphyria and eventual lysis.

Abstract: A vehicle backing guide for marking a parking area into which a vehicle may be backed, comprising an elongate strap, a plurality of bright segments spaced apart longitudinally along the strap having a high visual contrast with the strap and an indicator member that indicates to the vehicle driver when the vehicle has obtained it preferred position in the parking area. The strap is of length representative of a length of a vehicle to be backed into a parking area therein substantially defining a side boundary of the parking area, the bright segments providing a measure of distance along the strap and hence the parking area, at least a portion of the bright segments being of a same length and mutually spaced apart a same distance longitudinally along the strap, the measure of distance providing the driver an indicator of backing progress into the parking area.

Abstract: A method for producing poultry with CLA enhanced nutritional properties includes preparing a CLA containing diet, selecting a poultry species, feeding the CLA containing diet to the selected poultry species and harvesting at least one of a plurality of CLA enhanced poultry products. A system for producing poultry with CLA enhanced nutritional properties is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for providing purified drinking water for populations and persons having minimal access to modern water purification systems and therefore rely on water sources which contain microorganisms known to cause illness and death to large segments of such populations. Membranes are known which are pervious to water and impervious to the contaminants in such drinking water. The invention provides for gravity flow passage of water from the dirty (contaminated) water containment area to a clean (purified) water containment area and a filter including such a membrane whereby the flow of water has to penetrate through the membrane and in the process filters out the illness-producing microorganisms. The invention enables the use of commonly available jugs or jars requiring only a gravity flow passage between the jugs or jars and the filter contained in the passage.

Abstract: A valve system is provided having a housing including a first end, a second end and a first passageway. The housing has a first port and a second port. A valve member is disposed within the housing and movable relative thereto. The valve member defines a portion of the first passageway that includes a first opening configured for alignment and sealed fluid communication with the first port and the second port. The portion of the first passageway further includes a second opening having a greater relative dimension than the first opening. The valve member is manipulable to establish sealed fluid communication between the first opening and the first port or the second port while maintaining continuous sealed fluid communication between the second opening and the first passageway adjacent to the second end of the housing. The valve member can be disposed within the housing for rotation relative thereto.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a work tool. The method and apparatus includes receiving a command to engage a vibratory mode of the work tool, actuating the vibratory mode, and increasing at least one of an amplitude and a frequency of vibration as a function of time during receipt of the command.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for transducing neurons with heterologous genes using retrograde viral transport. The methods disclosed employ substantially non-toxic vectors, such as adeno-associated virus vectors, that are capable of retrograde axonal transport to introduce and express genes in the neurons. This method has applications in the mapping of neural pathways, in stimulating or inhibiting the growth of neurons, and in the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for managing policies on a computer having a foreign operating system. Policies may specify hardware or software configuration information. Policies on a first computer with a native operating system are translated into configuration information usable on a second computer having a foreign operating system. In an embodiment, a translator manager manages the association between the policy on the first computer and the translator on the second computer. Computer management complexity and information technology management costs are reduced by centralizing computer management on the native operating system. Further reductions in management complexity are realized when the present invention is used in conjunction with network directory services.

Abstract: A radar and laser detection device for mounting upon a motorcycle is described which provides increased concealment, security, safety, ease of use and functionality specific to the needs of motorcycle drivers. A method of semi-permanently mounting the device is described which requires no permanent alterations to the vehicle while providing improved visibility of alarm signals, a simple display technique, and controls which do not require the operator to remove his/her hands from the vehicle handlebars.