Abstract: The inventors have discovered some striking, and not previously predicted structural similarities and differences between the structure of Novamyl and the reported structures of CGTases, and based on this they have constructed variants of maltogenic alpha-amylase having CGTase activity and variants of CGTase having maltogenic alpha-amylase activity. Further, on the basis of sequence homology between Novamyl® and CGTases, the inventors have constructed hybrid enzymes with one or more improvements to specific properties of the parent enzymes, using recombinant DNA methodology.

Abstract: A method for designing acid treatments provides for the selection of optimal treatment for well stimulation wherein reservoir characteristics are obtained to further select the reaction kinetic data on the minerals of interests, the treatment to the reservoir is scaled up using a mathematical model and real time damage are computed based on bottomhole pressure and injection rate and compared to that predicted by the mathematical model to adjust the treatment. The model generated facilitates optimization of matrix treatments by providing a rapid quantitative evaluation of various treatment strategies for a formation. Stimulation with non-traditional fluid recipes containing mixtures of inorganic and organic acids, and chelating agents can be readily computed. The computed values can then be used in an economic model to justify the additional costs associated with the use of the non-traditional fluids.

Abstract: A chair having height-adjustable arm assemblies respectively mounted adjacent opposite sides of a seat. Each arm assembly includes a horizontally elongate armrest connected to an upper end of an arm upright. The arm upright includes a vertically oriented support segment which has a guide bore defined therein. The armrest includes a vertically elongate slide tube and a horizontally elongate arm element connected to an upper end of the slide tube. A lower end of the slide tube is movably mounted within the guide bore. A lock arrangement functions to permit the slide tube to be positioned relative to the support segment at any one of a plurality of height positions. The lock arrangement includes a cartridge assembly that has a gear which is rotatably supported and carried by the slide tube. The gear has a plurality of gear teeth which engage with a series of vertically spaced notches defined within the support segment.

Abstract: An ionizing radiation detector having an enclosure filled with a rare gas within which is located a proportional counter. An absorption zone is formed between the counter and the upper wall of the enclosure in which radiation is ionized. The counter has at least one anode and at least one cathode which are parallel to one another and separated by an insulating material layer. The cathode and the insulating material layer have at least one opening in which there is a substantially uniform electric field and which constitutes a multiplication zone for electrons which result from the ionization of the radiation.

Abstract: There is disclosed a variety of PC Card interfaces to interface from many different types of input devices to Personal Digital Assistants or palmtop computers through PCMCIA slots.The disclosed interfaces can receive data in undecoded format from laser based, wand based or CCD based barcode scanning engines, decode the data to alphanumeric characters and pass the decoded data to the PDA via the PCMCIA 68 pin bus. Other PC Card based interfaces are also disclosed which can accept input data in the form of ASCII or EBCDIC characters from virtually any type of input device which a standard serial or parallel output or custom output bus and input that data to the PDA through the PCMCIA bus.

Abstract: A display stand for articles of merchandise, such as electronic calculators, which prospective customers may be expected to operate in order to test the suitability of the merchandise. The display stand comprises a housing having back and end walls and a front panel which is pivotally mounted along its top edge to permit the bottom edge to be moved outwardly from the back and end walls of the housing. The top of the display stand comprises a display shelf pivotally mounted along its bottom edge to permit the top edge to be moved between a first position in which it is in overlapping relationship with the front panel and a second position which permits access to the interior of the housing. A lock is provided on the top panel to permit securing of the top panel and the display shelf in the overlapping position to preclude access to the interior of the housing which includes a source of electrical power in the form of a typical 115 volt AC outlet.