Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing detection of optical signals indicating the presence of an analyte of interest in a blood sample are described. In one aspect, a blood culture test vial having a sensor is inoculated with the blood sample, light at an excitation frequency of the sensor is transmitted to the test vial, an intensity of a plurality of fluorescence signals emitted from the test vial is measured, and the plurality of measured fluorescence signals are normalized using by a reference signal that is not dependent on a measured intensity of a fluorescence signal emitted from the test vial. In another aspect, a measurement system measures fluorescence signals from one or more reference vials performing in extreme pH conditions. Fluorescence signals emitted from test vials inoculated with samples under test are measured and compared to the signals measured from the one or more reference vials to address or mitigate variability in hardware components of the measurement system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of enhancing nicotine or other medicament concentrations in a gaseous carrier. The methods are adaptable to the delivery of nicotine or other medicaments for therapeutic effect in various diseases, in particular nicotine for tobacco product use cessation, substitution and/or harm reduction. The disclosure further relates various devices and device design principles for practicing these methods.

Abstract: A payday loan system is provided. An employee is issued a stored value card. The employee's wages are direct deposited to the stored value card. The holders of the stored value card are provided with advances on future wages. The payroll cycle is tracked so that collection is triggered on the pay date. The stored value card account is accessed for the purpose of collecting repayment of the advance. After an employer makes a regular payroll deposit, the amount of the advance is collected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nicotine-impermeable container and a method for fabricating same. Additionally, the invention relates to a nicotine inhaling device which allows a user to ingest nicotine vapors orally. The nicotine inhaling device of the present invention is primarily directed to a device which can be used as a smoking cessation aid.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting microorganisms in a specimen by culturing the specimen in a sealable specimen container with a culture medium and detecting microorganisms in the specimen by measuring changes in pressure within the container caused by their metabolic activity during culturing. Pressure changes are measured using a sensor having a deformable section in communication with the container and a piezoelectric apparatus, such that the piezoelectric apparatus is deformed by changes in pressure within the specimen container and an electrical signal is produced by the deformation. The electrical signal is processed to detect any change in the rate of change of pressure, and thus detect the growth of microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention is to apparatus and method for a plasticizing batch process used in manufacturing building materials such as sheet goods, roofing shingles, and various sizes of dimensional lumber products. Recycled waste plastics and other not plastic materials are used in a batch process to plasticize the waste materials into a mixture used in molding various products. A intensive mixture mixes and plasticizes the waste materials of a predetermined weight until the plasticized mixture reaches a predetermine temperature. The material is then expelled to a material mover to dispense the plasticized material by weight to molds in which the plasticized material is pressed to form various products.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting microorganisms in a specimen by culturing the specimen in a sealable specimen container with a culture medium and detecting microorganisms in the specimen-by measuring changes in pressure within the container caused by their metabolic activity during culturing. Pressure changes are measured using a sensor having a deformable section in communication with the container and a piezoelectric apparatus, such that the piezoelectric apparatus is deformed by changes in pressure within the specimen container and an electrical signal is produced by the deformation. The electrical signal is processed to detect any change in the rate of change of pressure, and thus detect the growth of microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nicotine-impermeable container and a method for fabricating same. Additionally, the invention relates to a nicotine inhaling device which allows a user to ingest nicotine vapors orally. The nicotine inhaling device of the present invention is primarily directed to a device which can be used as a smoking cessation aid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nicotine-impermeable container including a barrier layer of acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate and a method for fabricating same. Additionally, the invention relates to a nicotine inhaling device which allows a user to ingest nicotine vapors orally. The nicotine inhaling device of the present invention is primarily directed to a device which can be used as a smoking cessation aid.

Abstract: An instrument and a sealable, sterilizable vessel for detecting the presence of microorganisms in a specimen, the vessel containing a liquid culture medium and a sensor means with an indicator medium therein. Changes in the indicator medium resulting from pH change or change in CO.sub.2 concentration in the medium are detected from outside the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nicotine-impermeable container and a method for fabricating same. Additionally, the invention relates to a nicotine inhaling device which allows a user to ingest nicotine vapors orally. The nicotine inhaling device of the present invention is primarily directed to a device which can be used as a smoking cessation aid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method of detecting microorganisms in a rapid manner and increasing the number of microorganisms detected during the culturing of a sample by the addition of resinous and non-resin adsorbents and molecular sieves in the growth media. These agents have been found to neutralize or remove inhibitory and antimicrobial substances found in samples and media.

Abstract: An instrument and a sealable vessel for detecting the presence of microorganisms in a specimen, the vessel containing a liquid culture medium communicating with a sensor means containing an indicator medium therein. Changes in the indicator medium resulting from pH change or change in CO.sub.2 concentration in the medium are detected from outside the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing O-ring gaskets under a variety of temperature, pressure, and dynamic loading conditions. Specifically, this apparatus has the ability to simulate a dynamic loading condition where the sealing surface in contact with the O-ring moves both away from and axially along the face of the O-ring.

Abstract: An instrument and a sealable, sterilizable vessel for detecting the presence of microorganisms in a specimen, the vessel containing a liquid culture medium and a sensor means with an indicator medium therein. Changes in the indicator medium resulting from pH change or change in CO.sub.2 concentration in the medium are detected from outside the vessel.

Abstract: An optical ionizing radiation detector system (10) for determining the three-dimensional spatial distribution of all of the secondary electrons produced by the passage of ionizing radiation through a selected gas is provided. The detector system (10) can be used over a wide range of particle energies and gas pressures. The ionizing radiation passing through the gas produces prompt fluorescence and secondary electrons. A coincidence detector (30) recognizes coincident events of prompt fluorescence in the gas contained within that chamber to initialize the system cycle. At that time, an AC electric field is generated by an R.F. pulse generator (40) to localize the secondary electrons proximate their respective positions of production. Cameras (42) and 42'), preferably of a digital type, produce an image of the localized electrons to determine their three-dimensional spatial positions.

Abstract: A device for installation and removal of a wrist pin from a piston includes a press pin having an upper end for engaging a hydraulic ram and a lower end section of reduced diameter which engages into the bore of the upper end of a wrist pin. The lower end of the wrist pin is engaged by an end section of reduced diameter of a guide pin, the end section of reduced diameter having at least one groove encircling its circumference and having an O-ring engaged in the groove. The press pin, wrist pin and guide pin engage together to form a substantially rectilinear rod-like structure, enabling the wrist pin to be inserted through the shaft of the piston and eye of the connecting rod without damage to the shaft.

Abstract: A nicotine dispenser comprising a polyolefin porous plug with reversibly retained nicotine therein. The dispenser is mounted in a tubular configuration to provide a cigarette-shaped product adapted to dispense nicotine vapor when air is drawn therethrough. The polymeric reservoir of nicotine comprises a polyolefin, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene, which reversibly absorbs nicotine.

Abstract: A blood gas-hemoglobin analysis control which simulates whole human blood characteristics comprising a buffered suspension medium containing erythrocytes which have been stabilized with an imidoester protein cross-linking agent while being contacted with a gas consisting of pure oxygen or pure carbon monoxide.

Abstract: This invention describes a novel method for preparing a stable suspension of individual blood platelets for use as a control in both manual and automatic platelet counting procedures.