Abstract: A method of conducting an audio-visual conference among a number of conference rooms comprising storing predetermined conference configuration data in a computer system for a plurality of room types and a plurality of combinations of configuration factors, receiving conference variable data, generating a room list of included conference rooms, generating interconnection data for each included conference room according selected by said a computer system performing a recursive process until a feasible set of configuration data is found which permits interconnection to every other included conference room, and if no applicable set of configuration data is feasible, the distribution process returns to a next higher room in said room list.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for recovering a vinyl acid monomer by providing an aqueous fermentation broth which undergoes microbial fermentation of a nutrient medium containing a carbon source including at least one microorganism to produce a vinyl acid monomer. The method provides a direct overall route to bio-based polymers of the vinyl acid monomer, and in particular, polymers of polyitaconic acid.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method, using pure niobium as a transient liquid reactive braze material, for fabrication of cellular or honeycomb structures, wire space-frames or other sparse builtup structures or discrete articles using Nitinol (near-equiatomic titanium-nickel alloy) and related shape-memory and superelastic alloys. Nitinol shape memory alloys (SMAs), acquired in a form such as corrugated sheet, discrete tubes or wires, may be joined together using the newly discovered joining technique. Pure niobium when brought into contact with nitinol at elevated temperature, liquefies at temperatures below the melting point and flows readily into capillary spaces between the elements to be joined, thus forming a strong joint.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a system for detecting nuclear material based on at least one source of probing radiation and the radiation signatures generated from interrogating an object under inspection. In addition, the present specification describes a threshold-activation detector capable of detecting prompt neutrons, via the activation, after the source's blinding radiation has stopped. The threshold-activation detector can be manufactured from liquid fluorocarbons that allow for the detection of beta radiation and gamma rays.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and polymers based upon vinyl type monomers that contain pendant carboxylic acid groups and ester group functionality. The polymerization methods include regulation of heat flow such that parameters of monomer conversion, acid functionality, molecular weight, tacticity and/or copolymer composition may be adjusted to selected levels for a selected application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pyrolytic destruction of polymer products including whole vehicle vulcanised rubber tyres is disclosed. The apparatus 111 has a reaction chamber 153 into which a tyre can be placed, and immersed for pyrolytic decomposition in a molten alloy of zinc with a minor proportion of aluminium. The apparatus 111 has a heated reservoir 155 in which the alloy is maintained in a molten state, and from where it can be transferred to the reaction chamber 153 to immerse the tyre. Fluid hydrocarbon byproducts are drawn off for condensation and recovery, and solid zinc sulphides are also recovered. Where steel belted tyres are processed, carbon and steel residues are also recovered.

Abstract: Methods of forming a shaped article having a matrix that contains sintered fly ash are disclosed that include forming a fly ash dough that includes fly ash and water. In one form a superplasticiser is added in the dough. A green article is formed in a desired shape from the fly ash dough that is subsequently fired so that the shaped article is hardened by sintering its fly ash matrix. In one form, the green article is cured under conditions of moderate heating and high humidity. A building element having a matrix of sintered fly ash is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method, using pure niobium as a transient liquid reactive braze material, for fabrication of cellular or honeycomb structures, wire space-frames or other sparse builtup structures or discrete articles using Nitinol (near equiatomic titanium-nickel alloy) and related shape-memory and superelastic alloys. Nitinol shape memory alloys (SMAs), acquired in a form such as corrugated sheet, discrete tubes or wires, may be joined together using the newly discovered technique. Pure niobium when brought into contact with Nitinol at elevated temperature, liquefies at temperatures below the melting point and flows readily into capillary spaces between the elements to be joined, thus forming a strong joint. A series of diagrams of the interface at various stages of brazing is illustrated by FIG. 10.

Abstract: Methods of forming a shaped article having a matrix that contains sintered fly ash are disclosed that include forming a fly ash dough that includes fly ash and water. In one form a superplasticiser is added in the dough. A green article is formed in a desired shape from the fly ash dough that is subsequently fired so that the shaped article is hardened by sintering its fly ash matrix. In one form, the green article is cured under conditions of moderate heating and high humidity. A building element having a matrix of sintered fly ash is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method, using pure niobium as a transient liquid reactive braze material, for fabrication of cellular or honeycomb structures, wire space-frames or other sparse builtup structures or discrete articles using Nitinol (near-equiatomic titanium-nickel alloy) and related shape-memory and superelastic alloys. Nitinol shape memory alloys (SMAs), acquired in a form such as corrugated sheet, discrete tubes or wires, may be joined together using the newly discovered joining technique. Pure niobium when brought into contact with nitinol at elevated temperature, liquefies at temperatures below the melting point and flows readily into capillary spaces between the elements to be joined, thus forming a strong joint.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method, using pure niobium as a transient liquid reactive braze material, for fabrication of cellular or honeycomb structures, wire space-frames or other sparse builtup structures or discrete articles using Nitinol (near-equiatomic titanium-nickel alloy) and related shape-memory and superelastic alloys. Nitinol shape memory alloys (SMAs), acquired in a form such as corrugated sheet, discrete tubes or wires, may be joined together using the newly discovered joining technique. Pure niobium when brought into contact with nitinol at elevated temperature, liquefies at temperatures below the melting point and flows readily into capillary spaces between the elements to be joined, thus forming a strong joint.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of selecting animals that are genetically resistant to one or more intestinal parasite infections by testing mucus samples for the presence of an antibody against one or more of said intestinal parasites and segregation and selecting the animals that test positive. The animals that test negative are less parasite resistant and can be subjected to parasite management regimes.

Abstract: A method of conducting an audio-visual conference among a number of conference rooms comprising storing predetermined conference configuration data in a computer system for a plurality of room types and a plurality of combinations of configuration factors, receiving conference variable data, generating a room list of included conference rooms, generating interconnection data for each included conference room according selected by said a computer system performing a recursive process until a feasible set of configuration data is found which permits interconnection to every other included conference room, and if no applicable set of configuration data is feasible, the distribution process returns to a next higher room in said room list.

Abstract: A Dual Input, Single Output Low Dropout Regulator (LDO) includes two linear regulator circuits and control circuitry that produce an overlap period during change-over between a regulated supply voltage and an unregulated supply voltage wherein both supply voltages are coupled to the LDO output pin. The unregulated supply voltage is supplied, e.g., by a battery, and the regulated supply voltage is supplied from a switching-type DC-DC converter. First and second output devices are connected between the LDO output terminal and the unregulated and regulated supply voltages, respectively. The first regulator circuit causes the first output device to supply the desired regulated output voltage while the switching regulator ramps up. The regulator circuits then turn on the second output device and gradually turn off the output device, whereby the regulated output voltage transitions from the unregulated supply voltage to the regulated supply voltage is achieved without severe voltage transients.

Abstract: A method of carrying out an amplification reaction, said method comprising supplying to a well in a disposable unit (a) a sample which contains or is suspected of containing a target nucleic acid sequence (b) primers, nucleotides and enzymes required to effect said amplification reaction and (c) a buffer system, and subjecting the unit to thermal cycling conditions such that any target nucleic acid present within the sample is amplified; wherein the disposable unit comprises a thermally conducting layer and a facing layer having one or more reagent wells of up to 1000 microns in depth defined therebetween; and the reaction mixture comprises at least one of the following: A) a buffer system wherein the pH is above 8.3; B) a detergent; and/or C) a blocking agent. Apparatus for effecting the method as well as disposable units for use in the method are described. The method is particularly suitable for rapid PCR reactions.

Abstract: A trap device comprises means for separating a liquid compound from a waste stream exhaust from a process chamber, means for collecting the liquid compound separated from the waste stream, means for selectively isolating the collected liquid compound from the waste stream, and means for evaporating the collected liquid compound to return the compound in gaseous form to the waste stream. This can enable a volatile liquid to be collected at a defined location, isolated from the waste stream, and, when so desired, returned to the waste stream in the form of a gas for subsequent abatement.

Abstract: A method of carrying out an amplification reaction, said method comprising supplying to a well in a disposable unit (a) a sample which contains or is suspected of containing a target nucleic acid sequence (b) primers, nucleotides and enzymes required to effect said amplification reaction and (c) a buffer system, and subjecting the unit to thermal cycling conditions such that any target nucleic acid present within the sample is amplified; wherein the disposable unit comprises a thermally conducting layer and a facing layer having one or more reagent wells of up to 1000 microns in depth defined therebetween; and the reaction mixture comprises at least one of the following: A) a buffer system wherein the pH is above 8.3; B) a detergent; and/or C) a blocking agent. Apparatus for effecting the method as well as disposable units for use in the method are described. The method is particularly suitable for rapid PCR reactions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to thermal management apparatus for a circuit substrate having heat generating components mounted on one or both sides thereof. The apparatus and method includes a circuit assembly having a first thermally conductive layer disposed on each side of the circuit substrate and being thermally coupled to one or more heat generating components of the circuit substrate. The apparatus and method includes a second thermally conductive layer disposed on each side of the circuit substrate and being thermally coupled to the first thermally conductive layer. The first thermally conductive layer and the thermally conductive layer can be shaped, sized, and/or configured to provide cooling of the one or more heat generating components disposed on each side of the circuit substrate by transferring and spreading the heat to the outside of the circuit assembly.

Abstract: In a method of inhibiting the deposition of aluminium within a vacuum pump during the pumping from a process chamber of a gas stream containing an organoaluminium precursor, chlorine is supplied to the gas stream upstream of the vacuum pump to react with the precursor to form aluminium chloride, which can pass harmlessly through the pump in its vapour phase.

Abstract: A disk drive having reduced electromagnetic emission quasi-peaks is provided. The repetition rate of servo blocks or data is reduced, spread or otherwise altered. In one embodiment, the number of data zones is increased to achieve an emissions reduction goal. In one embodiment, the disk drive is configured to effectively have one track per zone. In one embodiment, the rotation rate of the disk is varied or the effective data bit density, as detected by the read/write head, is otherwise varied. In one embodiment, servo-sectors are intentionally positioned to vary the length, along the track, of inter-servo intervals.