Abstract: A system and method for forming infrared glass optical components are provided. The system includes first and second mold halves having first and second respective faces. The first and second mold halves are configured to be removably coupled such that the first face and the second face form an interface that defines a lens-shaped cavity. A tapered surface of the first face cooperates with a tapered surface of the second face to enhance centering of the first face with respect to the second face.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing chalcogenide glass are provided that allow for larger quantities of glass to be produced with lower production costs and less risks of environmental hazards. The system includes a reaction container operable to hold chalcogenide glass constituents during a glass formation reaction, a stirring rod operable to mix the contents of the reaction container, a thermocouple operable to measure the temperature inside the reaction container, and a reaction chamber operable to hold the reaction container. The method includes placing chalcogenide glass constituents in a reaction container, heating the chalcogenide glass constituents above the melting point of at least one of the constituents, promoting dissolving or reaction of the other constituents, stirring the reaction melt, maintaining an overpressure of at least one atmosphere over the reaction melt, and cooling the reaction melt to below the chalcogenide glass transition temperature.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for the automated casting of infrared glass optical components is provided. The system includes a mold for casting infrared glass into lenses, a mold chamber operable to heat the mold to a temperature above the melting temperature of the infrared glass, and a casting chamber operable to fill the mold with molten infrared glass. The method includes heating a mold in a mold chamber to a temperature above the melting temperature of infrared glass, casting molten infrared glass into the mold in a casting chamber; and cooling the mold to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the infrared glass.

Abstract: An unliganded form of Staphylococcus aureus NAD synthetase (S. aureus NadE) has been crystallized, and the three-dimensional x-ray crystal structure has been solved to 2.3 Å resolution. The x-ray crystal structure is useful for solving the structure of other molecules or molecular complexes, and designing inhibitors of S. aureus NadE activity.

Abstract: The x-ray crystal structure of FemA and/or FemA-like proteins is useful for solving the structure of other molecules or molecular complexes, and identifying and/or designing modifiers of FemA activity.

Abstract: Base transmitters (116) of a wireless messaging system are pre-programmed (802) with location identifiers (216) for identifying the positions at which the base transmitters are located. In response to an inbound message from a portable subscriber unit (122), a fixed portion (102) of the wireless messaging system makes an estimate (808) of a location at which the portable subscriber unit is positioned. A controller (112) sends (812) an outbound message (614) and the estimate to the base transmitters, and the base transmitters calculate (812) distances between themselves and the portable subscriber unit, based upon the location identifiers and the estimate. In addition, the base transmitters independently make a decision (818) whether to transmit the outbound message, based upon a comparison of a predetermined rule with the distance of the base transmitter from the portable subscriber unit.

Abstract: A positioning guide for accurately positioning and guiding lengths of elongated rubber, plastic and other resiliant stock material having a predominately cylindrical exterior surface configuration being fed along a feed path to a cutting machine having a rotary knive and a pair of endless drive belts flanking the feed path. The positioning guide is formed of an integral elongated plate-like body of a length greater than the span of the drive belts along the feed path having a straight guide bore extending therethrough of circular cross-section at its opposite end. The plate-like body has a width and thickness greater than the diameter of the guide bore at the ends and having a pair of opposite elongated flat-bottomed depressions each forming a relief cavity in top and bottom faces of a plate-like body for receiving the confronting reaches of the drive belts so that the stock material is exposed in the region of the depressions for driving and positioning contact with the confronting drive belt portions.