Abstract: Bactericidal substrates and methods of functionalizing the surface of substrates with quaternary ammonium and quaternary phosphonium groups using non-equilibrium RF plasmas are provided. The methods include the step of treating the surface of a substrate with a plasma to create surface active sites. Some methods include the step of reacting the surface active sites with linker molecules, which are then reacted with quaternary ammonium precursor molecules to provide a substrate surface functionalized with quaternary ammonium precursor groups. Other methods react the surface active sites with polymer precursor molecules under plasma conditions to form a covalently-bound polymer layer having reactive sites. The polymer reactive sites are reacted with quaternary phosphonium precursor molecules to provide a substrate surface functionalized with quaternary phosphonium groups. Also provided are bactericidal substrates having immobilized, covalently-bound quaternary ammonium or quaternary phosphonium groups.

Abstract: An energy re-claimer is provided for preheating water prior to the water entering a conventional residential, commercial or industrial gas water heater. The energy re-claimer is mounted on top of the water heater between the draft diverter and the hot air flue. The energy re-claimer is preferably a double wall construction that is larger in diameter than the draft diverter and hot air flue in order to allow normal passage of hot air through the system; however, a single wall construction may also be used. Tap water enters a pipe inside the double wall construction and is heated prior to being directed through the water heater. The pipe may be constructed of a number of straight lengths connected by returns or may be in the form of a single straight section connected to a coil made of connected curving sections that surround the axis of the energy re-claimer.

Abstract: Quantum dots having ligands that comprise tiopronin capping groups are disclosed, along with a method for their preparation. The biocompatibility of these quantum dots is also demonstrated. The functionalization of the quantum dots of the present invention with targeting groups is also described using the example of a translocation peptide that allows the quantum dots to penetrate into the nucleus of cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of mediator-enzyme system, which is characterised in that the enzyme comprises a laccase-type enzyme and the mediator comprises a chemical compound which acts as a redox intermediate in the enzymatic oxidation, for the elimination of lipophilic compounds (including, among others, sterols that are free and conjugated in the form of esters and glycosides, triglycerides, fatty alcohols and resin acids) which cause deposits in the product, the machinery and the circuits during the production of pulp and paper (both from hardwood and softwood and non-woody plants). The treatment eliminates up to 100% of the aforementioned lipophilic compounds, depending on the material treated, and, in this way, improves the quality of the pulp obtained, the operation of the industrial installations and the characteristics of the end product.

Abstract: Bactericidal substrates and methods of functionalizing the surface of substrates with quaternary ammonium and quaternary phosphonium groups using non-equilibrium RF plasmas are provided. The methods include the step of treating the surface of a substrate with a plasma to create surface active sites. Some methods include the step of reacting the surface active sites with linker molecules, which are then reacted with quaternary ammonium precursor molecules to provide a substrate surface functionalized with quaternary ammonium precursor groups. Other methods react the surface active sites with polymer precursor molecules under plasma conditions to form a covalently-bound polymer layer having reactive sites. The polymer reactive sites are reacted with quaternary phosphonium precursor molecules to provide a substrate surface functionalized with quaternary phosphonium groups. Also provided are bactericidal substrates having immobilized, covalently-bound quaternary ammonium or quaternary phosphonium groups.

Abstract: A disposable mass transfer system includes a source of dialysis fluid, a waste fluid reservoir, at least one semi-permeable tubular membrane residing in at least one fluid flow channel carrying a flow of a dialysis fluid, and a configurable pump and tubing. The pump and tubing may be configured to pump fresh dialysis fluid into the fluid flow channel, or may be configured to re-circulate partially spent dialysis fluid through the fluid flow channel. The fluid flow channel may be the interior of a flexible sealed reservoir, or may be a semi-rigid or rigid tubular enclosure.

Abstract: A mass transfer device having a fluid permeable core wound with many stands of a hollow fiber. A bulk fluid enters the interior of the core, passes through the side wall of the core, and along the outer surfaces of the hollow fibers. A baffle positioned in the center of the core so that the bulk fluid passes outwardly upstream of the baffle and inwardly through the core along the downstream of the block.

Abstract: An LCD display provides language-independent icons for identifying state and/or activity information about a processor-based system. The LCD display includes a distinct portion for connoting different functional aspects of the system. Icons identifying the power-on state, disk activity, LAN activity, WAN activity, and sensor conditions are supplied.

Abstract: An LCD display provides language-independent icons for identifying state and/or activity information about a processor-based system. The LCD display includes a distinct portion for connoting different functional aspects of the system. Icons identifying the power-on state, disk activity, LAN activity, WAN activity, and sensor conditions are supplied.

Abstract: Process for treating liquid manure, comprising the introduction of homogenized liquid manure into a tank, into which are introduced some polymers/copolymers that bring about an interchange to produce the flocculation of colloidal substances and solids in suspension, which are then separated off with the aid of filters. The flocculation is carried out by feeding the liquid manure in at a constant flow rate and introducing the reagent at the same time in the form of a tertiary or quaternary polymer/copolymer, stirring the mixture for a time of between 5 and 15 minutes and then eliminating the suspended solids by flotation, involving the coalescence of the colloidal particles.

Abstract: A reliable and automated boot process for computer systems of limited access. Both the power-on routine and the operating system report error conditions to common storage during execution, are repeatedly re-executed in an effort to automatically boot successfully, and may diagnose system problems as desired. When failures persist, the computer system may be assisted remotely.

Abstract: A bi-component microporous hollow fiber membrane structure is provided for in vivo propagation of cells and use in testing of the effect of medical treatments on cells within the structure. The structure has an inner structure fabricated from a first bio-compatible polymer and an outer structure fabricated from a different polymer that has a lower tendency for cell adhesion than the inner structure polymer. In this way, the inner structure can be selected to optimize cell propagation and the outer structure can be fabricated from a polymer which optimizes the removal of the bi-component structure from its implanted location. The inner and outer structures may have a pore size between 10 and 1000 Angstroms and 100 and 2000 Angstroms, respectively, and be formed from polysulfone or polyether sulfone and polyvinyledene difuoride, respectively. The membrane structure can form macrocapsules containing media and living cells for implanting.

Abstract: An appliance server system having remote-configurable capability is disclosed. The server system includes a server, a remote interfacing computer, and a network connection. The server receives and extracts configuration upgrade information. The remote interfacing computer formulates and provides the configuration upgrade information. The network connection couples the server to the remote interfacing computer.

Abstract: A bioreactor having an outer shell compartment containing many coaxial pairs of hollow microporous fibers. An annular compartment exists between an outer surface of the inner hollow microporous fiver and the inner surface of the outer hollow microporous fiber. The annular compartment preferably contains blood or plasma. The blood or plasma is, thus, exposed to two microporous hollow fibers which have fluids which can purify or otherwise affect the blood through the walls of two different microporous hollow fibers. An artificial liver or kidney can result when liver or kidney cells are placed in the shell compartment.

Abstract: A battery backup unit can be used to supply backup power to a computer. The battery backup unit includes a charge circuit that is connected to the computer's power supply unit. The charge circuit is also connected to a battery pack that includes a battery. The charge circuit converts an input high DC voltage signal supplied by the power supply unit to a charging signal. The charging signal can be used to charge the battery in the battery pack. The battery backup unit also includes a discharge circuit that is connected to the power supply unit and the battery pack. The discharge circuit converts a battery signal received from the battery pack to an output high DC voltage signal. The output high DC voltage signal can be fed into the power supply unit in order to drive the power supply unit if there is an indication that the AC power input to the power supply unit is inadequate to drive the computer.

Abstract: A processor-based system performs automatic reboot for some initialization failures. The processor-based system runs an operating system. When initialization failures occur, the operating system may reboot the processor-based system and control the direction of a power-on routine. The power-on routine may send a page to a remote processor-based system, enter an emergency mode of operation, update system software, or perform other operations.

Abstract: A bioreactor having an outer shell compartment containing many coaxial pairs of hollow microporous fibers. An annular compartment exists between an outer surface of the inner hollow microporous fiver and the inner surface of the outer hollow microporous fiber. The annular compartment preferably contains blood or plasma. The blood or plasma is, thus, exposed to two microporous hollow fibers which have fluids which can purify or otherwise affect the blood through the walls of two different microporous hollow fibers. An artificial liver or kidney can result when liver or kidney cells are placed in the shell compartment.

Abstract: Process for treating liquid manure, comprising the introduction of homogenized liquid manure into a tank, into which are introduced some polymers/copolymers that bring about an interchange to produce the flocculation of colloidal substances and solids in suspension, which are then separated off with the aid of filters. The flocculation is carried out by feeding the liquid manure in at a constant flow rate and introducing the reagent at the same time in the form of a tertiary or quaternary polymer/copolymer, stirring the mixture for a time of between 5 and 15 minutes and then eliminating the suspended solids by flotation, involving the coalescence of the colloidal particles.

Abstract: A microporous hollow fiber membrane structure for use in the in vivo testing of the effect of medical treatments on cells within the structure. The structure has an inner portion fabricated from a first bio-compatible polymer and an outer structure fabricated from a different polymer than the inner structure. In this way, the inner structure can be selected to optimize cell propagation and the outer structure can be fabricated from a polymer which optimizes the removal of the bi-component structure from its implanted location.

Abstract: A wide variety of substrates can be functionalized to attach spacer molecules therein by exposing the substrates to a cold plasma ignited in dichlorosilane, silicon tetrachloride or hexachlorodisilane gas to implant silicon-chlorine functionalities in the substrate surface. The plasma implanted surface functionalities can then be utilized to initiate second stage gas phase derivatization reactions to form linker molecules attached to the substrate. Active biomolecules such as enzymes can then be bound to the exposed linker molecules to bind the bioactive molecules to the substrate while allowing freedom of movement and conformation of the bound molecule comparable to that of the free molecule.