Abstract: A stone cutting system effective for mechanically delineating defined datum points in a Cartesian coordinate system by positioning at least one datum point defining means per coordinate comprising a combination blocking and clamping device, a table of a computer numerically controlled (CNC) stoneworking machine, a locating means positioned on the table, the blocking and clamping device being in the form of a parallelepiped including a bottom surface having a plurality of apertures adapted to enable positioning about the locating means, a top surface having a first blocking edge and a second clamping edge, including at least one means for clamping a workpiece within said top surface second clamping edge, a left side surface, a right side surface, a front surface, a rear surface, and at least one means for fixation of said device on said table.

Abstract: A system for providing anti-islanding protection of a synchronous machine based distributed generator includes a frequency sensor configured to generate a generator frequency signal, a bandpass filter configured for filtering the generator frequency signal, a governor controller configured for using the filtered frequency signal to generate a power feedback signal, and a governor summation element configured for summing the filtered frequency signal, the power feedback signal, and a reference power to provide an electrical torque signal. Another system includes a voltage sensor configured to generate a generator terminal voltage signal, a feedback power calculator configured for generating a reactive feedback power signal, a bandpass filter configured for filtering the terminal voltage signal, and a PI controller summation element configured for summing the filtered terminal voltage signal, the reactive power feedback signal, and a reference reactive power to provide an error signal.

Abstract: Error-testing of merchant messages to be used with point-of-sale (POS) devices is performed by an automated system that receives a formatted message to be tested from a merchant or an agent of the merchant, performs a computer-implemented evaluation of the message according to predefined message-validation rules to detect one or more errors, and notifies the merchant or the agent of evaluation results. The evaluation results include a listing of each detected error, if any.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods of detecting a target using a labeled substrate or substrate analog. The methods comprise reacting the substrate or substrate analog in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction which produces a labeled moiety with independently detectable signal only when such substrate or substrate analog reacts. The present invention, in particular, describes methods of detecting a nucleic acid in a sample, based on the use of terminal-phosphate-labeled nucleotides as substrates for nucleic acid polymerases. The methods provided by this invention utilize a nucleoside polyphosphate, dideoxynucleoside polyphosphate, or deoxynucleoside polyphosphate analogue which has a colorimetric dye, chemiluminescent, or fluorescent moiety, a mass tag or an electrochemical tag attached to the terminal-phosphate. When a nucleic acid polymerase uses this analogue as a substrate, an enzyme-activatable label would be present on the inorganic polyphosphate by-product of phosphoryl transfer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting interactions, particularly peptide to peptide interactions, using fluorescence. Nucleic acids encoding fragments of fluorescent protein, a peptide of interest and a linker portion of different lengths interposed between the peptide of interest and a fragment of fluorescent protein is provided together with a peptide-interaction system and methods of using the same.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing small quantities of cigarettes in a substantially simultaneous fashion while maintaining consistent quality between the cigarettes. The apparatus provides for arranging loose tobacco into tobacco charges and simultaneously inserting the charges into pre-formed tubular cigarette wrappers.

Abstract: A method is provided of restricted substance management and recycling in a manufacturing environment. The method includes the steps of inputting restricted substances and recycle content data of parts supplied by an inputter of information and receiving the inputted data by a receiver of information via a computer system. The method also includes the steps of reviewing the inputted data and determining parts with banned or recycled content or substances over predetermined thresholds. The method further includes the steps of reporting the determined parts to the inputter of the information and the receiver of the information.

Abstract: A device for remotely operating a circuit breaker apparatus is provided. Such a circuit breaker apparatus includes a trip device and a reset device that are externally accessible with respect to an enclosure enclosing the circuit breaker apparatus. The device comprises at least one actuator capable of being operably engaged with the circuit breaker apparatus, externally to the enclosure, and in physical engagement with at least one of the trip and reset devices. A remotely disposed controller device is in communication with the at least one actuator and is capable of selectively actuating the at least one actuator, from a remote location with respect to the circuit breaker apparatus, so as to at least one of actuate the trip device to trip the circuit breaker apparatus and actuate the reset device to reset the circuit breaker apparatus. An associated assembly and method are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for prevention and clinical treatment of various forms of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) by using inhibitors of adenosine deaminase (ADA). In particular, various formulations and dosing regimens of ADA inhibitors such as pentostatin are provided for the treatment of all forms of GVHD, especially steroid-refractory acute and chronic GVHD.

Abstract: Cigarettes are manufactured using modified automated cigarette making apparatus. Those cigarettes possess smokable rods having paper wrapping materials having additive materials applied thereto as patterns. The additive materials, which can have the forms of liquid or paste formulations, can be applied to the paper web using application apparatus possessing rollers. One of those rollers can have a series of pockets in its roll face to receive additive formulation from a reservoir and to define the pattern of the formulation on the paper. A radiant dryer can be used to dry the additive material that has been applied to the paper web. The radiant dryer can be located on one component of a two component assembly that is used to manufacture cigarettes. Spectrometric techniques can be used to ensure proper registration of the additive material on the cigarette rods so manufactured, and to ensure proper quality of those cigarettes.

Abstract: An offshore riser system has riser joints, each having a pin and a box. The pin has an external grooved profile that is engaged by a locking element carried by the box of another riser joint. An actuating ring engages with the locking element to move it into the locked position. A retractable spider supports the string of riser while the new joint is being made up. A makeup tool on the riser deploying floor moves the ring relative to the locking element, causing the locking element to move to the locked position.

Abstract: An offshore riser system has riser joints, each having a pin and a box. The pin has an external grooved profile that is engaged by a locking element carried by the box of another riser joint. An actuating ring engages with the locking element to move it into the locked position. A retractable spider supports the string of riser while the new joint is being made up. A makeup tool on the riser deploying floor moves the ring relative to the locking element, causing the locking element to move to the locked position.

Abstract: A shell and tube heat exchanger particularly of enhanced diameter size of use, particularly, in the manufacture of sulfuric acid and having a plurality of an adjacent pair of longitudinal baffle plates located symmetrically and intermittently between and extending the length of the tube bundle. The exchanger is most advantageously made from segments which may be shipped to off-site locations for in situ manufacture of the heat exchanger, particularly when oversized heat exchangers are required when transportation of such large heat exchangers from an off-site manufacturing facility is not possible.

Abstract: Small quantities of cigarettes may be manufactured in a substantially simultaneous fashion while maintaining consistent quality between the cigarettes using the disclosed apparatus and methods. The apparatus and method include features for simultaneously inserting charges of tobacco into pre-formed tubular cigarette wrappers. In another aspect, a system enables making cigarettes from pre-formed tubular cigarette wrappers and pre-packaged charges of tobacco.

Abstract: A test assembly for testing electrical performance of microcircuits contained in leadless packages has Kelvin contacts. Slider contacts in a plurality of contact assemblies slide compliantly to accommodate lack of coplanarity in terminals on the package. A resilient elastomeric block may be inserted through interior spaces of the contact assembly and in interfering relation with features of a housing that supports and aligns the contact assemblies, to apply force to the slider contacts to force them against the microcircuit terminals.

Abstract: Provided is a novel approach for generating oligonucleotide probes and the use of these probes in gene expression profiling, by hybridization to test oligonucleotides on arrays or beads. This approach involves labeling of the complement oligonucleotide probes using a mixture of dye or hapten labeled-ddNTPs in solution. The labeled oligonucleotide probes are then used to hybridize to the test oligonucleotides on the solid support. Success in hybridization is monitored by associated signal on the solid support. This approach greatly reduces hybridization time, due to the simplification of the probe content. It is especially useful when analyzing a small number of genes, such as a signature set of genes for a disease or condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing small quantities of cigarettes in a substantially simultaneous fashion while maintaining consistent quality between the cigarettes. The apparatus provides for arranging loose tobacco into tobacco charges and simultaneously inserting the charges into pre-formed tubular cigarette wrappers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing small quantities of cigarettes in a substantially simultaneous fashion while maintaining consistent quality between the cigarettes. The invention provides an apparatus and method for simultaneously inserting charges of tobacco into pre-formed tubular cigarette wrappers.

Abstract: A device and method for loading a cartridge with pre-formed tubular wrappers for cigarette manufacture. The device provides for dispensing pre-formed tubular wrappers from a container to a cartridge without directly touching the wrappers.

Abstract: A device and method for loading cigarettes from a cartridge into a package. The device provides for transferring cigarettes from a cartridge supporting them to a package.