Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for isolating and identifying a microorganism from a sample known to contain or that may contain a microorganism.

Abstract: A dripless atomizing nozzle may include a nozzle body having a liquid orifice in fluid communication with a liquid inlet, a gas orifice in communication with a gas inlet, and a liquid passage connecting the liquid inlet and the liquid orifice, and a piston body having a piston passage communicating with the gas inlet; the nozzle body may include a connecting portion shaped to enable the piston body to be selectively removed from and attached to the nozzle body. A piston positioned in the piston passage may include a stem and a bias element connected to move the piston and stem within the piston passage such that the presence of gas above a predetermined pressure in the piston passage overcomes a force of the bias element to displace the piston to move the tip away from the liquid orifice to open the liquid orifice.

Abstract: A dripless atomizing nozzle may include a nozzle body having a liquid orifice in fluid communication with a liquid inlet, a gas orifice in communication with a gas inlet, and a liquid passage connecting the liquid inlet and the liquid orifice, and a piston body having a piston passage communicating with the gas inlet; the nozzle body may include a connecting portion shaped to enable the piston body to be selectively removed from and attached to the nozzle body. A piston positioned in the piston passage may include a stem and a bias element connected to move the piston and stem within the piston passage such that the presence of gas above a predetermined pressure in the piston passage overcomes a force of the bias element to displace the piston to move the tip away from the liquid orifice to open the liquid orifice.

Abstract: A method of administering a rewards scheme, including the steps of: receiving a plurality of Electronic Extract Reports (EERs) corresponding to a plurality of eligible transactions, each eligible transaction being a purchase transaction effected using an electronic transaction terminal between a business member of the rewards scheme and a customer member of the rewards scheme; identifying from the EERs the business member and customer member party to each eligible transaction and a cash amount associated with the eligible transaction; obtaining a credit from the business member for a predetermined percentage of the cash amount of each eligible transaction; providing a first portion of the credit to the customer member party to the eligible transaction for which the credit was obtained; and using a second portion of the credit to fund advertisement in favor of the business member.

Abstract: A method of coating a surface of an article with a chemical vapour deposition coating such as a diamond like carbon by, for example, pulse DC PACVD or RF PACVD, comprising providing an active electrode, shielding the active electrode with a dielectric shield having at least one aperture to permit access to the active electrode, closing the aperture with a dielectricly shielded support post comprising an electively conductive core in electrical communication via the aperture with the active electrode, placing an article to be coated on the dielectricly shielded support post in electrical communication with the electively conductive core and applying a plasma to the article in presence of an electrical current to the article to provide a coating. The article may be, for example, a piston. A contiguous array of a plurality of similar articles may be simultaneously coated by the method.

Abstract: A method of administering a rewards scheme, including the steps of: receiving a plurality of Electronic Extract Reports (EERs) corresponding to a plurality of eligible transactions, each eligible transaction being a purchase transaction effected using an electronic transaction terminal between a business member of the rewards scheme and a customer member of the rewards scheme; identifying from the EERs the business member and customer member party to each eligible transaction and a cash amount associated with the eligible transaction; obtaining a credit from the business member for a predetermined percentage of the cash amount of each eligible transaction; providing a first portion of the credit to the customer member party to the eligible transaction for which the credit was obtained; and using a second portion of the credit to fund advertisement in favour of the business member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air pressure monitoring system for monitoring the air pressure being supplied to an air tool during use. The air pressure monitoring system of the present invention provides a binary indication of whether the air pressure within an operating tool is inside a pre-determined pressure range or outside the pre-determined pressure range utilizing a mechanical pressure gauge. The invention also concerns a continuous flow air tool that incorporates an air pressure monitoring system.

Abstract: A door assembly includes a door automatically operable relative to a floor and further comprises an electromechanical power device disposed beneath the floor and providing a rotary output on a shaft. The support apparatus includes a spindle adapted to receive power from the rotary shaft beneath the floor and to extend above the floor into a coupled relationship with the door. A bearing included in the support apparatus supports the spindle and at least a portion of the weight of the door beneath the floor. The electromechanical device can be of the type commonly used in overhead systems, in which case the power device can be retrofitted with the support apparatus for disposition beneath the floor. A coupling mechanism in the support apparatus can include pulleys, sprockets and gears, and power transfer devices such as belts and chains.

Abstract: A firearm in the form of a submachine gun which can fire in either a semiautomatic or full automatic mode. The firearm is provided with a front sear, a front trigger and a rear sear/trigger in a construction which allows the operator to instantly change between the semi and fully automatic mode without a selector switch, even while firing. Other features include capability for ambidextrous operation, the use of two magazines each located in a separate handgrip and an improved muzzle brake configuration. In addition, an improved ejector and magazine catch assembly are provided. The firearm of the present invention employs fewer moving parts so as to require no pins or screws for the trigger, sear, bolt guide or bolt stop.