Abstract: A punctum plug comprises a distal tip for anchoring the punctum plug in an implanted position in the lacrimal drainage system of the eye, a proximal cap that remains exposed in the eye in the implanted position, and a body connecting the distal tip to the cap. The distal tip includes a plurality of longitudinal depressions along its outer surface to facilitate implantation, and one or more strengthening beams to resist deformation or collapse of the punctum plug.

Abstract: A transportable portable tank for storing, transporting and drying a hygroscopic material and a transportable portable tank assembly. The portable tank comprises an upper, a middle and a lower region. The upper region comprises a materials inlet, a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The middle region comprises a gas disperser. The lower region comprises a materials discharge outlet. The portable tank has a capability to effectively remove and/or exclude moisture and a capability to effectively break up agglomerates of caked hygroscopic material, such as iodine. The present invention further provides a process for drying a hygroscopic material such as iodine within a portable tank.

Abstract: A process for preparing vinyl substituted beta-diketones includes reacting a halogen-containing beta-diketone with an olefin in a reaction zone under Heck coupling reaction conditions in the presence of a catalyst, a base, and an organic phosphine to provide a vinyl substituted beta-diketone product.

Abstract: An information gathering facility is provided which includes a dictionary file data structure having a plurality of inquiries for ascertaining state information on a computer system. The plurality of inquiries are organized into at least one subject group having multiple records of inquiry. These multiple records of inquiry are processed such that if a condition of one record is satisfied then processing terminates for the group, otherwise processing proceeds to a next record and continues until a condition of one of the records of the group is satisfied or until all records have been processed. One or more of the plurality of inquiries comprise instructions which output a result when a condition of the instruction is satisfied. Thus, the state information to be output is defined by the results contained within the instructions of the dictionary file itself.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating a bioaerosol sample is provided which includes detecting frequency and/or time resolution factors that allow discriminate between a plurality of signals emitted by the bioaerosol to selectively detect biological materials contained in the bioaerosol sample from materials of non-biological origin and potentially associated with a pathogenic bioaenosol.

Abstract: A device for measuring and detecting the organophosphonis compounds, such as a pesticides or a nerve agents is provided. The devices function by selectively binding an organophosphorous compound to a luminescent functionality-imprinted copolymer. The copolymers possess a securely bound luminescent lanthamide ion, such as Eu3+, in a coordination complex that has been templated for the chemical functionality.

Abstract: Molecularly imprinted polymer membranes for selectively collecting phosphate, nitrate and ferric ions are disclosed, prepared by copolymerizing a matrix monomer, cross-linking agent, ion imprinting complex, permeability agent and polymerization initiator, after which the ions of the ion imprinting complex are permeability agent are removed. The permeability agent creates channels in the membrane permitting the ion binding sites in the membrane to communicate with the exterior surface of the membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system (10) for enabling use of a communication network by a subscriber. The system includes a database (12) including data on a plurality of subscribers and identification means for remotely identifying subscriber. The system further includes verification means for verifying subscriber details with reference to the database and a stock of enabling codes (20) which, when fed into the network allow communication via the network to a predetermined extent. In use, the subscriber is identified remotely, his details are verified and he is then provided with an enabling code permitting communications via the network.

Abstract: A method and system for predicting the profit attributable to a proposed sales promotion of a product, wherein the product has a wholesale price and a manufacturing cost per unit sales, including establishing a base volume for sales of the product in the absence of promotions; determining a sales lift for the plurality of single promotions; and correlating the sales lift with promotion information to provide a sales lift model. The method and system also include proposing a promotion having a cost per unit sales for a promotion time period and having a planned sale price for the product; applying the sales lift model to the proposed promotion to predict sales of the product for the promotion time period; and calculating manufacturer profit based upon the product's predicted sales, cost per unit sales for promotion, wholesale price, and manufacturing cost per unit sales during the promotion time period.

Abstract: An information gathering facility is provided to gather information on a state of a computer system. The information gathering facility includes a dictionary file data structure having at least one inquiry which comprises at least one instruction to call a pre-existing executable on the computer system. The pre-existing executable is executed in response to processing of the at least one instruction and data is obtained from the executable. This data is used in accordance with the at least one instruction to derive a result to be included as part of the state information on the computer system.

Abstract: An inclusion complex of diclofenac, preferably as diclofenac sodium, and an unsubstituted beta-cyclodextrin has the formula 1 molecule of diclofenac to 1 molecule of the unsubstituted beta-cyclodextrin and preferably from 5 to 11 water molecules. The inclusion complex may be formulated as a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A knee joint prosthesis comprises a tibial component adapted to be received on the upper end of the tibia, a tibial insert having a generally planar table portion and a spheroidal center depression carried by the tibial component and a femoral component adapted to be received on the lower end of the femur, the femoral component includes a portion having a depending generally spheroidal surface which cooperates with the spheroidal depression in the tibial insert.