Abstract: A photoluminescence measurement system can include an optical source.

Abstract: A marketing method utilising electronic networking media, the method including the steps of providing a branded advertismg interface on a computer network to at least one user; offering the at least one user one or more incentives to provide a personal comment with brand identifying information related to the brand advertised on the branded interface, posting said personal comment with brand identifying information to a personal portion related to the user on at least one personal networking media; and posting said personal comment with brand identifying information to a corporate portion related to the brand advertised on the branded interface on at least one networking media.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods to reduce the levels of contaminants in effluent produced in industrial operations, e.g., refinery operations. In particular, the invention relates to method to reduce the level of organic contaminants in industrial effluent wherein said effluent lacks sufficient dissolved oxygen to support enzymatically-catalyzed removal of organic contaminants comprising adding to the effluent one or more enzymes in an amount effective to reduce the level of organic contaminants in said effluent, wherein said enzymes require oxygen for enzymatic activity; and adding an in situ source of dissolved oxygen.

Abstract: A method of generating a pool of matched content pieces from an available pool of content pieces based on a selected sample, including providing at least one consumer database containing a plurality of consumer profiles with consumer preference identifying data stored on a data storage device, providing at least one brand database containing details of brand clients, each having one or more branding parameters stored on a data storage device, providing at least one content database containing a plurality of pieces of content provided by at least one content provider with each piece of content having one or more content profile identifiers stored on a data storage device, selecting a number of representative content pieces based on one or more branding parameters of a brand client to convey a brand identity, testing the representative content pieces against a set of constraints based on one or more content profile identifiers to establish that a minimum number of content piece identifiers are chosen using a da

Abstract: A photoluminescence measurement system can include an optical source.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods to reduce the levels of contaminants in effluent produced in industrial operations, e.g., refinery operations. The invention relates to method to reduce the level of organic contaminants in industrial effluent wherein said effluent lacks sufficient dissolved oxygen to support enzymatically-catalyzed removal of organic contaminants comprising adding to the effluent one or more enzymes in an amount effective to reduce the level of organic contaminants in said effluent, wherein said enzymes require oxygen for enzymatic activity; and adding an in-situ source of dissolved oxygen. The enzyme may be an oxidoreductase (laccase, tyrosinase, or other oxidoreductase enzyme which requires oxygen for enzymatic activity).

Abstract: A method of generating a pool of matched content pieces from an available pool of content pieces based on a selected sample, including providing at least one consumer database containing a plurality of consumer profiles with consumer preference identifying data stored on a data storage device, providing at least one brand database containing details of brand clients, each having one or more branding parameters stored on a data storage device, providing at least one content database containing a plurality of pieces of content provided by at least one content provider with each piece of content having one or more content profile identifiers stored on a data storage device, selecting a number of representative content pieces based on one or more branding parameters of a brand client to convey a brand identity, testing the representative content pieces against a set of constraints based on one or more content profile identifiers to establish that a minimum number of content piece identifiers are chosen using a da

Abstract: A computer implemented method for producing and displaying content representing a brand persona, the method including the steps of providing at least one consumer database containing a plurality of consumer profiles with consumer preference identifying data stored on a data storage device, providing at least one brand database containing details of brand clients, each having one or more branding parameters stored on a data storage device, providing at least one content database containing a plurality of pieces of content provided by at least one content provider with each piece of content having one or more content profile identifiers stored on a data storage device, a brand specific interface accessible by at least one consumer, the brand specific interface generated by a data processor by matching at least one branding parameter of a brand client with one or more pieces of content and displaying the pieces of content on a branded interface presented to a consumer at no cost to the consumer whilst charging a

Abstract: An advertising system including at least one consumer database containing a plurality of consumer profiles with consumer preference identifying data, at least one brand database containing details of brand clients, each having one or more branding parameters, at least one content database containing a plurality of pieces of content provided by at least one content provider with each piece of content having one or more content profile identifiers, and a content matching engine which matches the branding parameters of the brand clients with one or more of pieces of content and provides these pieces of content to one or more consumers upon the consumer request, based on the matching of the branding parameters and the consumer preference identifying data at no cost to the consumer whilst charging an advertising fee to the brand client and paying a content provision fee to the content provider.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating odors in wastewater treatment bodies. The pH of the body is preferably established above about 6 and most preferably above about 7, usually by adding a base to the body. The oxidation reduction potential of the body is established at about ?300 mV or higher and more preferably about ?200 mV or higher, usually by adding an oxidizing agent such as oxygen or nitrates. After these conditions are established, sulfur oxidizing bacteria are added to the body. These preferably include Paracoccus denitrificans (formerly called Thiosphaera pantotropha) ATTC number 35,512. The sulfur oxidizing bacterial population should be established at levels of at least about 1×104 cfu/mL and more preferably at levels of 1×105 to 1×106 cfu/mL or higher. The increased ORP and pH levels make sulfate reduction thermodynamically unfavorable. Additionally, the presence of an alternative electron acceptor such as oxygen or nitrate allows the sulfur oxidizing bacteria to oxidize organic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wastewater treatment composition and a process of decolorizing pulp and paper mill wastewater and, more specifically, to a process for treating wastewater effluent from a pulp or paper mill with a microorganism whereby color bodies in the pulp and paper wastewater are thereby removed and the wastewater is decolorized.

Abstract: A partially collapsible structure made from foldable sheet material includes a series of longitudinal folds and transverse folds defining alternate longitudinal rigid strips and longitudinal collapsible strips. Each longitudinal rigid strip includes a series of generally rectangular portions joined in the longitudinal direction and substantially equidistant in the transverse direction. In an alternate form, each longitudinal strip is a series of generally quadrilateral portions joined in the longitudinal direction and substantially equidistant in the transverse direction. Each longitudinal collapsible strip includes a generally quadrilateral-shaped portion such that all quadrilateral shaped portions within each longitudinal collapsible strip are not comprised of a series of folds defining 3 right isosceles triangular shaped areas. The structure may be laminated on either or both sides for additional strength.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating odors in wastewater treatment bodies. The pH of the body is preferably established above about 6 and most preferably above about 7, usually by adding a base to the body. The oxidation reduction potential of the body is established at about −300 mV or higher and more preferably about −200 mV or higher, usually by adding an oxidizing agent such as oxygen or nitrates. After these conditions are established, sulfur oxidizing bacteria are added to the body. These preferably include Paracoccus denitrificans (formerly called Thiosphaera pantotropha) ATTC number 35,512. The sulfur oxidizing bacterial population should be established at levels of at least about 1×104 cfu/mL and more preferably at levels of 1×105 to 1×106 cfu/mL or higher. The increased ORP and pH levels make sulfate reduction thermodynamically unfavorable.

Abstract: A head loading apparatus and method for a disk drive device adapts the head load characteristics of a disk drive in order to minimize the velocity of the heads during loading of the heads onto the surface of a data storage medium. The apparatus is characterized by attempting to load the heads onto engagement with a medium, determining whether the heads actually load, measuring the head load velocity, and adjusting the load characteristics of the drive based on the measured head load velocity. Preferably, the pulse width of the loading current applied to the actuator of the drive is adaptive, either increasingly or decreasingly, in response to the measured head load velocity. This adaptive soft head load characteristic of the drive allows the head load velocity to be minimizes to a velocity sufficient to move the read-write heads off of a load ramp and onto the surface of a data storage medium without damaging the head, the medium, or both.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (2) includes a first connector in the form of a printed circuit board header (10) and a second connector in the form of a plug connector that can be attached to wires in a wiring harness. One of the connectors is mounted in an opening (6) in a panel so that the connector is free to float in an X and a Y direction. A protruding alignment post (30) on one connector is received within an alignment cavity (70) on the other connectors so that the connector positioned in the panel opening (6) will shift laterally so that pin terminals (22) in one connector will be aligned with receptacle terminals (50) in terminal cavities of the other connector will be aligned before they are mated. A mechanical assist member, such as a bolt (90) extends through a central opening (32) in the alignment post (30) and through the mating alignment cavity (70) to increase the force available to mate the two connectors.

Abstract: Bacterially generated polymers used as coagulants and flocculents for the removal of suspended solids from wastewater. Polymer producing bacteria such as Bacillus polymyxa NRRL 21881 are added to wastewater treatment systems. The bacteria reproduce in the system, substantially increasing the number of coagulants. Throughout their lives, the bacteria treat BOD5 in the system. When BOD5 levels are sufficiently low, the bacteria will produce polymers to increase their ability to capture organic matter. The polymers will capture the suspended particles in the water, creating strands of polymer connected particles. As different strands come into contact, they will become entwined, creating flocs. These flocs will combine and absorb the suspended particles which they encounter. If the flow of the system becomes laminar, the flocs will agglomerate to densities sufficient to allow them to fall out of suspension. The result is a reduction in effluent TSS without an offsetting increase in BOD5.

Abstract: The invention comprises the use of bacterially generated polymers as coagulants and flocculents for the removal of suspended solids from wastewater. Polymer producing bacteria such as Bacillus polymyxa NRRL 21881 are added to wastewater treatment systems. The bacteria will reproduce in the system, substantially increasing the number of coagulants over the amount of original bacteria introduced. Throughout their life cycles, the bacteria will biologically treat BOD5 in the system. When the BOD5 levels are sufficiently low, the bacteria will produce polymers to increase their ability to capture organic matter. The polymers will capture the suspended particles in the water, creating strands of polymer connected particles. As the strands come into contact with one another, the strands will become entwined, creating flocs. These flocs will combine and will absorb the suspended particles which they encounter.

Abstract: The invention comprises the use of bacterially generated polymers as coagulants and flocculents for the removal of suspended solids from wastewater. Polymer producing bacteria such as Bacillus polymyxa NRRL 21881 are added to wastewater treatment systems. The bacteria will reproduce in the system, substantially increasing the number of coagulants over the amount of original bacteria introduced. Throughout their life cycles, the bacteria will biologically treat BOD.sub.5 in the system. When the BOD.sub.5 levels are sufficiently low, the bacteria will produce polymers to increase their ability to capture organic matter. The polymers will capture the suspended particles in the water, creating strands of polymer connected particles. As the strands come into contact with one another, the strands will become entwined, creating flocs. These flocs will combine and will absorb the suspended particles which they encounter.