Abstract: An annular seal assembly for forming a seal between two annular surfaces. The seal assembly includes an annular base including a sealing surface. The seal assembly also includes a pair of spaced apart rims extending from the annular base opposite the base sealing surface and in opposite directions, the rims also including sealing surfaces. The base is elastically deformable and the rims are elastically deformable relative to the base to effect a self-energized seal between the two annular surfaces.

Abstract: A compound of the formula (I) wherein each Z is the same or different and is formula (a) or —Y wherein each X is the same or different and is a multivalent aminyl group or diaminyl-terminated spacer; each Y is the same or different aminyl group; and M is a support matrix.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium are provided for compressing a packet of data sent across a wireless transmission path to reduce power consumption in a wireless input device. The wireless input device preferably includes a human interface device that sends a report that is of variable length and compressed by refraining from transmitting unused bytes of a packet containing the report. Certain byte fields can be swapped, such as a first scan code byte field with a modifier key byte. Also, any reserved bytes that are not used can be removed in order to convert a standard HID report format into the present compressed report format. By removing unused bytes and optimally swapping the more prevalently used byte into the first field while removing any reserved bytes, the compressed report reduces the amount of power consumed to transmit the compressed report, relative to a non-compressed and fixed-length report of conventional HID input devices.

Abstract: A method of setting a self-drilling chemically anchorable fastening element (11; 51) includes mounting of an adaptor (31) on the second end (18; 58) of the shaft (12; 52) of the fastening element (11; 51), connecting the drilling power tool (41) with the adaptor (31), the adaptor having an engagement element (32) for the tool chuck (42), drilling a borehole (7) in the constructional component (6) with the self-drilling fastening element (11; 51), rotating the fastening element (11; 51) in a first rotational direction (R1), forcing out the hardenable mass located in the receiving space of the shaft of the fastening element from the fastening element with an ejection device, and pre-stressing the fastening element (11; 51) after at least partial hardening of the hardenable mass (15; 55) by rotating the adaptor (31) in a second rotational direction (R2) opposite the first rotational direction (R1), with at least a section of the adaptor (31) being displaced in a direction of the first end (17; 57) of the shaft (

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of albumin from a yeast culture medium which has extremely low levels of or is essentially free of colorants, metal ions, human proteins, host proteins, fragments of albumin, polymers or aggregates of albumin and viruses, and which is essentially non-glycated, relatively high in free thiol and with an intact C-terminus. The process comprises separating the yeast from the culture medium to yield an albumin solution; subjecting the albumin solution to positive mode cation exchange, affinity, and positive mode anion exchange chromatography; and concentrating and formulating the albumin with sodium octanoate and sodium chloride.

Abstract: A tape measure having a case, in which is a spooled concave measuring blade, the blade being extendable from the case via an opening, the tape measure having a spring which acts to urge the blade back into its spooled configuration, and an end piece at the free end of the measuring blade, wherein the tape measure further comprises at least one aperture in the casing to allow direct access to the spooled blade.

Abstract: An apparatus removes soil samples at intervals over a field of interest. The apparatus comprises a sampling assembly (60) that rotates on a track (32) riding on a plurality of idler wheels (29, 31). A probe (66) extends and retracts under the action of a scissored frame assembly (70), mechanically manipulated by passage of the scissored frame assembly (70) along a guide assembly (108). The probe (66) is extended into the ground and retracted on each revolution. An ejector (68) pushes soil from the probe (66) as it passes over a hopper (88) to retain the cores. The cores are pneumatically transferred from the hopper (88) to a plurality of sample collection containers (126). An electronic control system uses GPS location information to deposit collected cores in the appropriate container (126) based upon the current location of the apparatus in the field of interest.

Abstract: An insurance product model comprising insurance policy metadata is provided (101) in a computer memory. The insurance policy metadata may comprise, at least in part, data that describes information that comprises a given corresponding insurance policy. A computer then serves to substantively interpret (102) this insurance product model to facilitate obtaining supplemental policy-specific data. The supplemental policy-specific data and the insurance policy metadata comprise separate and discrete data models and may, if desired, be stored (103) separately from one another. So configured, these teachings further support using (104) the insurance product model and the supplemental policy-specific data to facilitate an insurance-related action.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of albumin which has extremely low levels of or is essentially free of colorants, metal ions, human proteins, host proteins, fragments of albumin, polymers or aggregates of albumin and viruses, and which is essentially non-glycated, relatively high in free thiol and with an intact C-terminus. The process comprises passing albumin (preferably expressed and secreted by transformed yeast) through positive mode cation exchange and then positive mode anion exchange chromatography. Other steps may also be employed, ultrafiltration, gel permeation chromatography, affinity chromatography binding the albumin by using blue dyes) and affinity chromatography binding contaminants by using an aminophenylboronic acid resin. Elution of albumin, with a compound having affinity for albumin, from a material having no specific affinity for albumin is also disclosed, as is removal of ammonium ions with a counter-ion.

Abstract: A method for designing a base includes (1) selecting a location of a first center of expansion of a child part (CEchild) relative to a parent part; (2) determining a location of a second center of expansion of a bond joint (CEbond) bonding the child part to the base; and (3) determining a location of a third center of expansion of the base (CEbase) on a centerline, which is defined by the CEchild and the CEbond, so the CEchild does not substantially move relative to the parent part under a temperature change. To determine the location of the CEbase, the method further includes (a) determining a length change to the child part from the CEbond to the CEchild under the temperature change; (b) determining a length of the base that produces the same length change under the temperature change; and (c) locating the CEbase at the length away from the CEbond.

Abstract: An apparatus removes soil samples at intervals over a field of interest. The apparatus comprises a sampling assembly (60) that rotates on a track (32) riding on a plurality of idler wheels (29, 31). A probe (66) extends and retracts under the action of a scissored frame assembly (70), mechanically manipulated by passage of the scissored frame assembly (70) along a guide assembly (108). The probe (66) is extended into the ground and retracted on each revolution. An ejector (68) pushes soil from the probe (66) as it passes over a hopper (88) to retain the cores. The cores are pneumatically transferred from the hopper (88) to a plurality of sample collection containers (126). An electronic control system uses GPS location information to deposit collected cores in the appropriate container (126) based upon the current location of the apparatus in the field of interest.

Abstract: A computer-based insurance claim processing system (500) provides for the formation and segregated storage of associations (510) that link various active insurance claims (506) to one another. In addition, if desired, the associations can comprise additional information regarding, for example, the nature or type of association and/or other information as a user may wish to include to inform, control, or otherwise characterize the association and/or the associated claims.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for automatically determining a resolution of an encoder, automatically calibrating the encoder resolution, and automatically determining a length of a workpiece from the encoder resolution and encoder count. The system comprises an encoder for generating an encoder signal indicative of linear movement of a moving workpiece traveling along a path. The system also comprises a first sensor positioned along the path traveled by the workpiece, the first sensor generating a first sensor signal in response to sensing an identifying characteristic of the workpiece. The system further comprises a second sensor positioned along the path traveled by the workpiece, the second sensor generating a second sensor signal in response to sensing the identifying characteristic of the workpiece, said second sensor being positioned a known distance from the first sensor along the path traveled by the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying the protein human serum albumin extracted from serum or recombinant human albumin produced by transforming a microorganism with a nucleotide coding sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of human serum albumin. The present invention provides highly purified albumin.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of albumin which has extremely low levels of or is essentially free of colorants, metal ions, human proteins, host proteins, fragments of albumin, polymers or aggregates of albumin and viruses, and which is essentially non-glycated, relatively high in free thiol and with an intact C-terminus. The process comprises passing albumin (preferably expressed and secreted by transformed yeast) through positive mode cation exchange and then positive mode anion exchange chromatography. Other steps may also be employed, for example ultrafiltration, gel permeation chromatography, affinity chromatography binding the albumin (for example using blue dyes) and affinity chromatography binding contaminants (for example using an aminophenylboronic acid resin). Elution of albumin, with a compound having affinity for albumin, from a material having no specific affinity for albumin is also disclosed, as is removal of ammonium ions with a counter-ion.

Abstract: The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system introduced in this application provides data from an underground medium of the same caliber as that provided by conventional radars in air or space applications. This includes direction as well as distance to all targets, and some indication of target shape and orientation, within a conical volume of the underground having a solid angle of about 90 degrees and a radial depth of about 100 feet, under ideal conditions, as depicted in FIG. 9. The key to this capability is depicted in FIG. 3, and is a hemispheric dome (6) which is placed against the smoothed surface (1) of the underground medium (2), and which has a relative dielectric constant (ER) substantially equal to that of the underground medium (2).

Abstract: Stable compositions containing biotinylated molecules, such as enzymes, are provided. The compositions include a biotinylated biomolecule, a biomolecule protectant, a buffer, a bulking agent selected from one or more water soluble, nonionic polymers and preferably a terminal sterilization protectant. The compositions can be utilized either as aqueous solutions or preferably in dried form, e.g., as a lyophilized, powder cake. They have applicability in any case where avidin/biotin technology is used and are particularly important as compositions containing a thrombin-like enzyme, e.g., for preparation of a fibrin monomer and fibrin monomer-based fibrin sealants.

Abstract: The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) system introduced in this application provides data from an underground medium of the same caliber as that provided by conventional radars in air or space applications. This includes direction as well as distance to all targets, and some indication of target shape and orientation, within a conical volume of the underground having a solid angle of about 90 degrees and a depth of about 100 feet under ideal conditions. The key to this capability is depicted in FIG. 3, and is a hemispheric dome (6) which is placed against the smoothed surface (1) of the underground medium (2), and which has a relative dielectric constant (ER) substantially equal to that of the underground medium (2). A microwave horn antenna (3) is placed against the surface (7) of this dome (6) and moved from side to side (8) causing the radar beam (9) of the horn antenna (3) to systematically scan the entire conical volume. FIG.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel affinity ligand-matrix conjugates comprising a ligand with the general formula (a) ##STR1## which ligand is attached to a support matrix in position (A), optionally through a spacer arm interposed between the matrix and ligand. The invention furthermore relates to these novel affinity ligand-matrix conjugates and the preparation and use thereof in the purification of proteinaceous materials such as e.g. immunoglobulins, insulins, Factor VII, or human Growth Hormone or analogues, derivatives and fragments thereof and precursors.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for avidin immobilized on an inert support material, e.g. agarose, are disclosed. The compositions have high activity levels of avidin and may further include a bulking agent, e.g., maltose, and a protectant to maintain the stability and integrity of the avidin agarose during lyophilization and terminal sterilization processes. These compositions have applicability in any instance where avidin agarose and/or the avidin/biotin technology are useful. In particular, the present compositions are useful in an enzyme capture system to prepare fibrin monomer useful for fibrin sealants. The fibrin is prepared by subjecting a fibrinogen-containing composition to a biotinylated enzyme to convert the fibrinogen in the composition to a corresponding fibrin monomer. A fibrin monomer/biotinylated enzyme mixture is formed.