Abstract: An apparatus for draining reservoirs includes a pump disposed in contact with a lower surface of the vessel to be drained, wherein the pump is connected to a discharge pipe inserted into the vessel through an insertion tube connected to a retrofit assembly of the vessel. The apparatus also includes seals within the insertion tube and within the discharge pipe to prevent gases from within the vessel from passing through the insertion tube and discharge pipe and into the atmosphere. An expansion joint unit attaches to the discharge pipe to prevent the rotation of the pump relative to the discharge pipe. The expansion joint unit also maintains the pump in substantial contact with the lower surface of the vessel even when thermal expansion causes the vessel to expand and the position of the discharge pipe to lift.

Abstract: A wireless hearing assist device including a microphone unit and a receiver unit. The microphone unit includes a microphone that receives audio signals, a frequency profile adjustment control circuit that adjusts frequency profile of the received audio signals based on input by a user, and a transmitter that wirelessly transmits the adjusted audio signals. The receiver unit is adapted to be worn by the user and includes a receiver that wirelessly receives the adjusted audio signals transmitted by the transmitter, and a speaker that generates sound based on the adjusted audio signals. In at least one embodiment, the microphone unit includes a Bluetooth enabled RF communication link for wireless communication with an external device other than the receiver unit.

Abstract: A home test for measuring glycated albumin levels in saliva. The saliva sample is collected at home using a standardized saliva collection kit and mailed to a testing laboratory that performs the test and reports the result directly back to the customer via the internet. The home test can be used to monitor glucose control in diabetics and in healthy individuals. It may also be used as a diagnostic aid in identifying individuals with diabetes, or who are at risk of developing diabetes.

Abstract: A control circuit (1) includes two input terminals (2, 3) for respectively electrically connecting with the active and neutral conductors (4, 5) of a mains power source (6). Two output terminals (7, 8) electrically connect with a load in the form of a two pin domestic electrical appliance (9). Conductors (4, 5) terminate at a domestic power outlet socket, and terminals (7, 8) are incorporated into a two pin plug for insertion into that socket. That is, terminals (7, 8) include elongate bundled conductors for extending between the outlet socket and the circuit. Appliance (9) has a conductive component, in this instance a housing (10) that, under normal operating conditions, is electrically insulated or otherwise electrically isolated from conductors (4, 5). The housing provides a reference point for circuit (1), and is electrically connected to that circuit by way of a conductor (11).

Abstract: A method for encoding defect locations on a storage medium into compact defect map is described. The method comprises creating a first list which defines a sequence of retrievable portions and non-retrievable portions of the disk or storage medium, compressing this first list of retrievable/non-retrievable portions into a second list of encoded sequences, and then storing the second list of encoded sequences for future retrieval.

Abstract: A system for determining a brake rotor characteristic includes test instrumentation. The test instrumentation includes at least one pair of linear variable displacement transducers placed on opposing side surfaces of a brake rotor. The brake rotor is mounted on a motor vehicle. The test instrumentation also includes a rotation detector oriented toward the brake rotor. The test instrumentation further includes a brake test controller powered by a power source of the motor vehicle and/or an internal device battery. The brake test controller is configured to acquire data from the at least one pair of linear variable displacement transducers and the rotation detector. A method for determining a brake rotor characteristic includes collecting data from the brake rotor and analyzing the data to produce test results representative of the characteristic of the brake rotor.

Abstract: A structure including a grating and a semiconductor nanocrystal layer on the grating, can be a laser. The semiconductor nanocrystal layer can include a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals including a Group II-VI compound, the nanocrystals being distributed in a metal oxide matrix. The grating can have a periodicity from 200 nm to 500 nm.

Abstract: This invention describes a rapid assay for measuring the ratio of glycated albumin to total albumin in blood. Patients with diabetes have elevated levels of glucose in their blood that can react with plasma albumin to form glycated albumin. The amount of glycated albumin formed is directly correlated with the level of plasma glucose that the albumin has been exposed to over a period of time. The ratio of glycated albumin to total albumin in blood will provide an indication of the average amount of protein glycation that occurred over the preceding 2-3 week period. The test is performed using a disposable strip or cassette that contains the testing reagents and the results are measured in a measuring instrument that automatically reads; calculates and displays the final result: The results of tests performed over a period of time are stored in the instrument's memory presented in a numerical or graphical format so that the individual's glycated albumin level can be monitored over time.

Abstract: This invention describes a rapid immunochromatographic assay for measuring the ratio of glycated albumin to total albumin in saliva. Patients with diabetes have elevated levels of glucose in their blood that can react with plasma albumin to form glycated albumin. The amount of glycated albumin formed is directly correlated with the level of plasma glucose that the albumin has been exposed to over a period of time. Saliva albumin is derived from plasma albumin and therefore contains glycated and non-glycated albumin fractions that can be measured. The ratio of glycated albumin to total albumin in saliva will provide an indication of the average amount of protein glycation that occurred over the preceding 2-3 week period. The test is performed using a disposable strip that contains the testing reagents and the results are measured in a measuring instrument that automatically reads, calculates and displays the final result.

Abstract: A maskless lithography system is disclosed that includes a spatial light modulator, first and second imaging areas, and first folding optics. The spatial light modulator receives illumination from an illumination source and provides a modulated illumination beam having a first cross-sectional line length in a length-wise direction and a first cross-sectional width in a width-wise direction that is substantially smaller than said first cross-sectional length. The first imaging area receives a first portion of the modulated illumination beam. The first folding optics provides a second portion of the modulated illumination beam that is adjacent the first portion of the modulated illumination beam in the length-wise direction at a second imaging area that is not adjacent the first imaging area in the length-wise direction.

Abstract: A rapid immunochromatographic assay system is provided for measuring the amount of glycated albumin in a blood sample relative to the total level of albumin in the sample. The assay system is comprised of a disposable cassette that contains the test strips and testing reagents, and a measurement device that automatically reads, calculates and displays the test results over a period of time. The test cassette contains two test strips that are used to measure glycated albumin and total albumin respectively. The strips are contiguous beneath the single sample application well so that the same sample is tested simultaneously by both test strips. Part of the sample will migrate thru the glycated albumin test strip where it will react with the glycated albumin test reagents to yield a glycated albumin result, while part of the sample will migrate thru the total albumin test strip where it will react with the total albumin test reagents to yield a total albumin result.

Abstract: A fluid flow actuated valve for controlling the fluid flow in a conduit comprises a support structure adapted to be mounted within the conduit and at least one flap member pivotally mounted to the support structure. The at least one flap member is pivotable between an first position for a minimum fluid flow and a second position for a maximum fluid flow. A torsion spring is attached to the at least one flap member to urge the same to pivot against a fluid pressure differential, from the first position to the second position when the fluid pressure differential is smaller than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A lithography system includes a source of radiation energy and a zone plate array to focus the radiation energy to create an array of images in order to produce a permanent pattern on a substrate. A phase-shift mask is optically located between the source of radiation energy and the zone plate array. The modulated wavefront produced by the phase-shift mask alters the field diffracted by the zone plate array, and the center lobe of the point-spread function narrows as a result.

Abstract: A lithography system is disclosed that provides an array of areas of imaging electromagnetic energy that are directed toward a recording medium. The reversible contrast-enhancement material is disposed between the recording medium and the array of areas of imaging electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A lithography system is disclosed that includes an array of focusing elements for directing focused illumination toward a recording medium, and a reversible contrast-enhancement material disposed between the recording medium and the array of focusing elements.

Abstract: This invention uses “targeted apheresis” to treat rheumatoid arthritis patients. “Targeted Apheresis” is a process whereby the RF and immune complexes responsible for causing the disease symptoms are selectively removed from the blood by passing the blood through a cartridge containing immobilized IgG. The RF and immune complexes are bound out and the cleaned blood is returned to the patient Removal of circulating RF and immune complexes will ameliorate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: This invention uses “targeted apheresis” to treat pregnant women who are at risk of developing eclampsia. “Targeted Apheresis” is a process whereby the sFlt-1 receptors responsible for causing the disease symptoms are selectively removed from the blood by passing the blood through a cartridge containing either immobilized PIGF, and/or through a cartridge containing immobilized anti-sFlt-1 antibody. The sFlt-1 receptor is bound out and the cleaned blood is returned to the patient Removal of circulating sFlt-1 receptors will diminish the risk of developing eclampsia during pregnancy.

Abstract: A beam, from a short-coherence-length source, is split and recombined by diffraction gratings not necessarily equal in spatial period. The recombining beams overlap and expose a common area on a substrate. The exposed area on the substrate is defined or shaped by at least one aperture in the beam paths. After exposure of one shaped area, relative translation between components permits exposure of another shaped area on the substrate. Additionally or alternatively, by introducing either rotation or translation between components during each exposure, the exposed area is made larger than the original shaped area.

Abstract: This invention describes a method of utilizing soluble receptors such as tumor necrosis factor receptor or interleukin receptor to carry pharmaceutical compounds to areas of inflammation. Patients with inflammatory disease such as arthritis, or cardiomyopathy or other inflammatory conditions may benefit from this treatment.