Abstract: Devices and methods for controlling and monitoring the progress and properties of multiple reactions are disclosed. The method and apparatus are especially useful for synthesizing, screening, and characterizing combinatorial libraries, but also offer significant advantages over conventional experimental reactors as well. The apparatus generally includes multiple vessels for containing reaction mixtures, and systems for controlling the stirring rate and temperature of individual reaction mixtures or groups of reaction mixtures. In addition, the apparatus may include provisions for independently controlling pressure in each vessel, and a system for injecting liquids into the vessels at a pressure different than ambient pressure. In situ monitoring of individual reaction mixtures provides feedback for process controllers, and also provides data for determining reaction rates, product yields, and various properties of the reaction products, including viscosity and molecular weight.

Abstract: A financial communications network incorporating a data health monitor is provided that includes a plurality of data sources, a plurality of data collection systems, a client site terminal and a network connecting these components. Each data collection system includes a processor for receiving and formatting financial data received from the data sources, wherein the formatted financial data has a data field including a first data source identifier identifying the data source of the formatted financial data and a first system identifier identifying the data collection system formatting the formatted financial data. The collection system also includes a status code generator for generating and transmitting a status code, and a heartbeat signal generator for generating and periodically transmitting a heartbeat signal. Based on information in data fields, status codes, and heartbeat signal, client site terminals select a real-time or stale display mode for displaying the financial data.

Abstract: Fluid monitoring methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed. Preferred embodiments comprise one or more flexural resonator sensing elements. In preferred embodiments a sensor or a sensor subassembly is ported to multiple fluidic systems.

Abstract: A financial communications network incorporating a data health monitor includes a plurality of data sources, a plurality of data collection system, a client site terminal and a network connecting these components. Each data collection system includes a processor for receiving and formatting financial data received from said data sources, wherein the formatted financial data has a data field including a first data source identifier identifying the data source of said formatted financial data and a first system identifier identifying the data collection system formatting said formatted financial data. The data collection systems also include a status: code generator for generating and transmitting a status code, wherein the status code generator automatically updates the status code when the operating status of a corresponding data source changes; and a heartbeat signal generator for generating and periodically transmitting a heartbeat signal.

Abstract: A financial communications network incorporating a data health monitor is provided that includes a plurality of data sources, a plurality of data collection system, a client site terminal and a network connecting these components. Each data collection system includes a processor for receiving and formatting financial data received from the data sources, wherein the formatted financial data has a data field including a first data source identifier identifying the data source of the formatted financial data and a first system identifier identifying the data collection system formatting the formatted financial data. The collection system also include a status code generator for generating and transmitting a status code, and a heartbeat signal generator for generating and periodical transmitting a heartbeat signal. Based on information in data fields, status codes, and heartbeat signal, client site terminals select a real-time or stale display mode for displaying the financial data.

Abstract: A talking trading card playing system consists of a portable card player and a plurality of trading cards. Each card includes a card body having front and back surfaces, flexible sheets affixed to the front surface and to the back surface of the housing, and a voice chip for storing and generating sound patterns. The portable player comprises a power source located in the housing for supplying electrical power to the voice chip, and sound generation components. The subject trading card and player may be activated by aligning the card with electrical contacts on the face of the player, thereby establishing electrical contact between the card and the player.

Abstract: A financial communications network incorporating a data health monitor includes a plurality of data sources, a plurality of data collection system, a client site terminal and a network connecting these components. Each data collection system includes a processor for receiving and formatting financial data received from said data sources, wherein the formatted financial data has a data field including a first data source identifier identifying the data source of said formatted financial data and a first system identifier identifying the data collection system formatting said formatted financial data. The data collection systems also include a status code generator for generating and transmitting a status code, wherein the status code generator automatically updates the status code when the operating status of a corresponding data source changes; and a heartbeat signal generator for generating and periodically transmitting a heartbeat signal.

Abstract: A trading card capable of generating sounds comprises a thin housing having front and back surfaces, flexible sheets affixed to the front surface and to the back surface of the housing, a voice chip located in the housing for generating patterns of sounds, a battery located in the housing for supplying electrical power to the voice chip, and a switch located in the housing for activating the voice chip. The subject trading card may be activated by squeezing the flexible sheets between the thumb and forefinger at a selected switch location.

Abstract: A talking trading card playing system consists of a portable card player and a plurality of trading cards. Each card includes a card body having front and back surfaces, flexible sheets affixed to the front surface and to the back surface of the housing, and a voice chip for storing and generating sound patterns. The portable player comprises a power source located in the housing for supplying electrical power to the voice chip, and sound generation components. The subject trading card and player may be activated by inserting the card into the player, thereby establishing electrical contact between the card and the player.

Abstract: A trading card capable of generating sounds comprises a thin housing having front and back surfaces, flexible sheets affixed to the front surface and to the back surface of the housing, a voice chip located in the housing for generating patterns of sounds, a battery located in the housing for supplying electrical power to the voice chip, and a switch located in the housing for activating the voice chip. The trading card preferably has a piezoelectric driver coupled to a foam sound board for increasing the volume of sound. The subject trading card may be activated by squeezing the flexible sheets between the thumb and forefinger at a selected switch location.

Abstract: An electrical utility box locator (11) is provided for convenient and accurate location of electrical utility boxes on the studs of a framed-in wall. The locator has a paddle shaped body (12) with a bottom portion (13) that rests against the floor and against a sole plate of the framed-in wall. The side of the paddle rests against a vertical stud extending upwardly from the sole plate. A recess is formed in the middle section (15) intermediate the top and bottom sections (13 and 14) of the body for receiving the front rim of a utility box to be affixed to the stud. The depth of the recess corresponds to the distance that the forward edge of the utility box is to protrude outwardly from the side of the stud to which it is attached. In use, the locator of this invention is positioned with its bottom portion resting on the floor and against a sole plate, its side resting against a vertical stud, and the side of a utility box in the recess also resting against the stud.

Abstract: A trading card capable of generating sounds comprises a thin housing having front and back surfaces, flexible sheets affixed to the front surface and to the back surface of the housing, a voice chip located in the housing for generating patterns of sounds, a battery located in the housing for supplying electrical power to the voice chip, and a switch located in the housing for activating the voice chip. The subject trading card may be activated by squeezing the flexible sheets between the thumb and forefinger at a selected switch location.

Abstract: An elongated blade (20) has a slot (22) for receiving a contact bar (15) and an eyelet (30) at one end for receiving passing yarn (11). The eyelet (30) has a curled lip (34). The upper end of the slot has a slanted, or oblique, edge (23) which forms an angle with each side of the slot (22). A flange which includes an oblique edge flange (24) and side edge flanges (26, 28), extends around the perimeter slot (22) except at the intersection of the oblique edge (23) and the longer side of the slot. In one preferred embodiment of the drop wire (10), the blade is twisted (32) between the slot (22) and the eyelet (30) to position the eyelet (30) and slot (22) 90.degree. with respect to one another. In another embodiment (12), the blade is flat.

Abstract: An ambient temperature-curing aqueous urethane-epoxy emulsion coating composition is provided comprising an essentially organic solvent-free emulsion in water of:(a) a urethane oligomer, terminated with primary amine functional groups which are reactive with epoxides, said oligomer being the reaction product of an isocyanate-terminated polyurethane prepolymer and a mono- or polyketimine compound containing one other functional group bearing a single active hydrogen atom which reacts with the isocyanate groups to yield a ketimine-terminated urethane oligomer, said ketimine-terminated urethane oligomer being emulsified into the water by conversion of the ketimine groups into primary amine groups and formation of acid salt of 25-50% of the amine groups by a volatile organic acid; and(b) a polyepoxide in an amount sufficient to provide a ratio of total primary amino group hydrogen atoms to epoxide groups of about 0.9 to 2.

Abstract: A crosslinked and chain extended urethane polymer coating with good performance properties typical of existing solvent borne solution coatings results from cure at ambient temperatures (e.g. 70.degree. F.). The aqueous system is a primary amine-terminated urethane oligomer in which no less than about 25% and no more than about 40% of the amine functionality is substituted by a salt of a volatile acid which aids dispersion of the oligomer. Minimal organic solvent is present, and as the acid evaporates the product lacquer dries.

Abstract: A crosslinked and chain extended urethane-epoxy copolymer coating with high performance properties typical of two part urethane solution coatings results from cure at ambient temperatures (e.g. 70.degree. F.) when the two aqueous systems are merely mixed, stirred and spread at the site. One aqueous system is a dispersion of polyepoxides. The other aqueous system is a primary amine-terminated urethane oligomer in which no less than about 25% and no more than about 40% of the amine functionality is substituted by a salt of a volatile acid which aids dispersion of the oligomer. Minimal organic solvent is present, and as the acid evaporates, the primary amine is restored for linking with the epoxy groups.

Abstract: A table has a table top the height of which can be adjusted between an elevated position and a lower position so that the table can be used, for example, both as a billiards table and as a domestic dining table.Adjustment of the height of the table top is effected with a mechanism, incorporating a support member which can be moved from a retracted position into an extended position at which it acts to support the elevated table top on a support structure. This movement of the support member is effected on lifting of the table top by engagement of a cam follower with a cam surface. Lifting of the table top beyond the elevated position may act to return the support member to its retracted position via engagement of a further cam follower with a further cam surface.

Abstract: A rack for an elongated implement, particularly a billiards cue has a lower base member and an upper side support. The bottom end of the implement can rest on the base member while the implement is supported at the side thereof by the side support. The base member provides a low friction support surface and the implement can be moved into and out of engagement with the side support while its bottom end remains in moving engagement with the low friction support surface.

Abstract: The core tank of a liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactor of the pool kind has thermal insulation cladding its inner wall surface. The thermal insulation comprises a plurality of spaced layers of stainless steel sheet material each layer comprising rectilinear panels in spaced array in vertical and horizontal rows. Closure members of cruciform shape close the spaces between adjacent panels.

Abstract: A cable for electrically connecting a plurality of seismic receivers to a central data collecting unit contains a single electrical channel. The output signal of each seismic receiver is used to modulate a carrier signal having its own distinct frequency. The plurality of modulated carrier signals are frequency division multiplexed onto the single electrical channel and transmitted to the central collecting unit. There, narrowband filters are used to demultiplex the individual modulated carriers so that the signals may then be demodulated to recover the individual seismic receiver signals. A feedback loop is used to bias the amplifier at the central collecting station so as to minimize cross-modulation distortion occurring therein.