Abstract: A color cathode-ray tube having an evacuated envelope with an electron gun therein for generating at least one electron beam is disclosed. The envelope further includes a faceplate panel having a luminescent screen with phosphor lines on an interior surface thereof. A tensioned focus mask, having a plurality of spaced-apart strands, is located adjacent to an effective picture area of the screen. The spacing between the strands defines a plurality of slots substantially parallel to the phosphor lines on the screen. Each of the strands has a substantially continuous insulating material layer formed on a screen-facing side thereof. A plurality of cross-wires are oriented substantially perpendicular to the plurality of strands and are bonded thereto by the insulating material layer. The plurality of cross-wires are bonded to busbars (located at opposite ends of the focus mask) with a resistive coating that has adhesive properties.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant for fusing vertebrae is disclosed. The implant has a body with curved, substantially parallel posterior and anterior faces separated by two narrow implant ends, superior and inferior faces having a plurality of undulating surfaces for contacting upper and lower vertebral endplates, and at least one depression at a first end for engagement by an insertion tool. The arcuate implant configuration facilitates insertion of the implant from a transforaminal approach into a symmetric position about the midline of the spine so that a single implant provides balanced support to the spinal column. The implant may be formed of a plurality of interconnecting bodies assembled to form a single unit. An implantation kit and method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming a wellbore casing. An annular piston is displaced in the axial direction by pressurizing an annular piston chamber. The axial displacement of the piston radially expands a tubular member into contact with a preexisting tubular member. The radially expanded liner hanger is then decoupled from the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming or repairing a wellbore casing, a pipeline, or a structural support. An expandable tubular member is radially expanded and plastically deformed by an expansion cone that is displaced by hydraulic pressure. Before or after the radial expansion of the expandable tubular member, a sliding sleeve valve within the apparatus permit a hardenable fluidic sealing material to be injected into an annulus between the expandable tubular member and a preexisting structure.

Abstract: A wellbore casing formed by extruding a tubular liner off of a mandrel. The tubular liner and mandrel are positioned within a new section of a wellbore with the tubular liner in an overlapping relationship with an existing casing. A hardenable fluidic material is injected into the new section of the wellbore below the level of the mandrel and into the annular region between the tubular liner and the new section of the wellbore. The inner and outer regions of the tubular liner are then fluidicly isolated. A non hardenable fluidic material is then injected into a portion of an interior region of the tubular liner to pressurize the portion of the interior region of the tubular liner below the mandrel. The tubular liner is then extruded off of the mandrel.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for imparting a smooth surface to gypsum fiber panels. The method involves imparting energy to the surface of a slurry as the slurry is dewatered just prior to rehydration. The apparatus used to impart the energy is a water spray including a source of pressurized water such as a pump, a distribution manifold and a plurality of nozzles to direct the water spray at the surface of the slurry. In operation, the water spray is directed against the surface of the slurry. The flow disrupts the slurry to a fraction of its total depth, thus dispersing clumps or flocs of commingled crystals and fibers in the depth that would give the surface of the finished panel a rough surface if they were allowed to remain.

Abstract: Compounds according to general formulae (1 and 2), wherein G1 is an azepine derivative and G2 is a group according to general formulae (9-11) are new. Compounds according to the invention are vasopressin V2 receptor agonists. Pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds are useful as antidiuretic agents.

Abstract: In one aspect, invention relates to the field of monitoring chemical reactions and, in one aspect, provides methods and kits for detecting the presence of nitrites and/or cyanide. In one aspect, the invention provides methods and kits for assaying catalytic activity of a material, such as an enzyme, in a chemical or biochemical process, or assaying catalytic activity of a material in a biological sample, such as a whole cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining information from a utility meter. A digital camera is used to take a digital image of information displayed on the utility meter. The digital image is passed to a computer that is arranged to extract information displayed on the utility meter from the image. The information may be used for a variety of purposes such as updating databases with details of utility meters and for billing purposes.

Abstract: External job scheduling capabilities are provided to a local job control system lacking or having insufficient job scheduling capabilities. This is accomplished by encapsulating running of a user job by the local job control system (LJCS) within running of a marker job at a node management system, which is responsive to an external resource scheduler. The technique includes starting a marker job by the resource scheduler external to the local job control system, wherein the marker job corresponds to a user job to be run by the LJCS; responsive to starting of the marker job, starting the user job by the LJCS; and upon termination of the user job, ending the marker job started by the resource scheduler, wherein starting of the user job by the LJCS is responsive to the resource scheduler's starting of the marker job and wherein ending of the marker job is responsive to termination of the user job.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyester composition comprising:

Abstract: This invention provides amidases, polynucleotides encoding the amidases, methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention provides enzymes having secondary amidase activity, e.g., having activity in the hydrolysis of amides, including enzymes having peptidase, protease and/or hydantoinase activity. In alternative aspects, the enzymes of the invention can be used to used to increase flavor in food (e.g., enzyme ripened cheese), promote bacterial and fungal killing, modify and de-protect fine chemical intermediates, synthesize peptide bonds, carry out chiral resolutions, hydrolyze Cephalosporin C. The enzymes of the invention can be used to generate 7-aminocephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) and semi-synthetic cephalosporin antibiotics, including caphalothin, cephaloridine and cefuroxime. The enzymes of the invention can be used as antimicrobial agents, e.g., as cell wall hydrolytic agents.

Abstract: A microstructure is provided including a base layer underlying a first and second structural plates. Operation of the microstructure is capable of overcoming stiction. Methods of operation include providing an edge of the first structural plate in contact with a contact point. A second structural plate is deflected in a way that overcomes stiction between the first structural plate and the contact point. Such deflection can include providing a prying force to lift the first structural plate or a hammering force to disturb any stiction related forces at the contact point.

Abstract: An apparatus for radially expanding a tubular member.

Abstract: A method for the production of a polyestercarbonate comprises (i) providing at least one dihydroxyaromatic compound (ii) providing a carbonate precursor and (iii) providing at least one solid, biosynthetically derived, aliphatic alpha-omega dicarboxylic acid having about 10 to about 22 carbon atoms and having a nitrogen content of not more than about 55 ppm, and reacting interfacially in the presence of a base said dihydroxyaromatic compound, said carbonate precursor and said dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: A device containing a light source, a sample support and a temperature control compartment. The sample support is positioned to support multiple sample vessels for irradiation by the light source. The temperature control compartment maintains the temperature of the sample vessels within a desired range. The light source, sample support and temperature control compartment are all contained within an opaque housing.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of discovering nitroreductases and biocatalytic methods for reducing compounds comprising a nitro group.

Abstract: A color cathode-ray tube (CRT) having an evacuated envelope with an electron gun therein for generating at least one electron beam is disclosed. The envelope further includes a faceplate panel having a luminescent screen with phosphor lines on an interior surface thereof. A tension focus mask, having a plurality of spaced-apart first electrodes, is located adjacent to an effective picture area of the screen. The plurality of spaced-apart first electrodes has a screen-facing side having a predetermined width and a relatively wider electron-gun-facing side. Each side forming sharp corner edges extending along the length of each first electrodes. A substantially continuous insulating material is deposited on the screen-facing side and on the corners of the first electrodes to shield the sharp corner edges of the first electrodes. A plurality of second electrodes are oriented substantially perpendicular to the plurality of first electrodes and are bonded thereto by the insulating material layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for housing an optical element are provided. A ring is configured with a symmetry that corresponds to that of the optical element and for bonding with the optical element on an optical surface at a periphery of the optical element. An axial retaining spring may be provided for securing the optical element within an optical-system assembly. The axial retaining spring includes axial constraint fingers to engage a subsequent optical component and structures adapted to apply a point load at selected locations on the optical element.

Abstract: Ad-hoc timing signals are transferred from a first circuit to a second circuit by determining a system transit delay, detecting an edge of an ad-hoc signal and the frame and timeslot that correspond with the edge, and regenerating the ad-hoc timing signal based on the system transit delay and the frame and timeslot that correspond with the edge.