Abstract: Methods of decreasing the amount of one or more contaminants in contaminated soil comprise introducing polymer-coated nanoparticles into the contaminated soil, optionally with other reagents. The polymer-coated nanoparticles exhibit an enhanced ability to migrate through the soil and provide greater control of the rate of activation of other chemicals, such as oxidants, in the contaminated soil.

Abstract: A method for in-situ reduction of contaminants in soil that uses chemical oxidation and biodegradation.

Abstract: A method for in-situ reduction of contaminants in soil.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for heating an electrically conductive fluid, such as potable water, and to a method of heating the same. The heating apparatus includes a plurality of electrodes in an array, and a controller for selectively energizing the plurality of electrodes, in different combinations, to thereby adjust the electrical resistance observed across the electrode array, in order to maximize the current drawn by the apparatus.

Abstract: A self-lubricated actuator for a rotor blade flap of a helicopter having a housing; a motor having a shaft disposed in a bearing is provided. The actuator further has an output rod and a mechanism operatively associated with the motor and the output rod to transmit movement from the motor to the output rod. The housing includes a lubrication medium capable of substantially immersing the bearing, the motor shaft and the mechanism during operation.

Abstract: Thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives, articles employing such thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives and methods for making such thermoplastic heteropolysaccharide derivatives are provided.

Abstract: The invention is a method and associated instrument for microwave assisted chemistry. The invention includes the steps of directing a continuous flow of fluid through a microwave cavity while applying microwave radiation to the cavity and to the continuous flow of materials therein, monitoring the pressure of the fluid in the cavity; and cooling the fluid in the cavity when the pressure exceeds a predetermined setpoint pressure.

Abstract: An instrument and method for accelerating the solid phase synthesis of peptides are disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting a protected first amino acid linked to a solid phase resin by admixing the protected linked acid with a deprotecting solution in a microwave transparent vessel while irradiating the admixed acid and solution with microwaves, activating a second amino acid, coupling the second amino acid to the first acid while irradiating the composition in the same vessel with microwaves, and cleaving the linked peptide from the solid phase resin by admixing the linked peptide with a cleaving composition in the same vessel while irradiating the composition with microwaves.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a landing gear system that includes a landing gear strut rotatable between stowed and deployed positions. An actuator is connected to the landing gear strut, and includes main and emergency drives housed within a common body and operable independently from one another. A controller in communication with the actuator is configured to command the actuator between the stowed and deployed positions in response to an input. The controller commands the main drive during a normal operating condition and commands the emergency drive in a failure condition of the main drive. The actuator includes a body supporting emergency and main leadscrews arranged coaxially with one another. Main and emergency motors respectively are coupled to the main and emergency leadscrews. An output rod is supported by and extends from the body. The output rod is threadingly coupled to and is coaxial with the main leadscrew and configured to move axially in response to rotation of the main leadscrew.

Abstract: An instrument and associated method are disclosed for the accelerated synthesis of peptides by the solid phase method. The instrument includes a microwave cavity, a microwave source in communication with the cavity, a column in the cavity formed of a material that is transparent to microwave radiation, a solid phase peptide support resin in the column, respective filters for maintaining the solid phase support resin in the column, a first passageway for adding starting compositions to the column, a second passageway for removing compositions from the column, and a third passageway for circulating compositions from the column into the third passageway and back to the column.

Abstract: An instrument and method for accelerating the solid phase synthesis of peptides is disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting a protected first amino acid linked to a solid phase resin by admixing the protected linked acid with a deprotecting solution in a microwave transparent vessel while irradiating the admixed acid and solution with microwaves, then activating a second amino acid by adding the second acid and an activating solution to the same vessel while irradiating the vessel with microwaves, then coupling the second amino acid to the first acid while irradiating the composition in the same vessel with microwaves, and cleaving the linked peptide from the solid phase resin by admixing the linked peptide with a cleaving composition in the same vessel while irradiating the composition with microwaves.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus having a one-dimensional or two-dimensional hydrodynamic flow system to control stable and proper digitally coded bead orientation through the optical detection area of a bioanalysis system. The hydrodynamic system include one core flow, which carries the rectangular barcode beads, and sheath flows, on the sides of or about or around the outer periphery of the core flow, pull the core flow into a proper orientation. The sheath flows, at much higher flow speed but lower volume flow rate, can be pushed or pulled by vacuum, gravity, or pressure. By this method, the coded bead will align themselves in line and flow reliably, without wobbling or flipping, in the core flow channel through the detection zone. By adjusting the relative flow rate of core flow and sheath flows, the coded beads flow reliably in the flow system, thus it can be decoded and detected by an optical system accurately.

Abstract: An instrument and process for accelerating the solid phase synthesis of peptides is disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting a protected first amino acid linked to a solid phase resin by admixing the protected linked acid with a deprotecting solution in a microwave transparent vessel while irradiating the admixed acid and solution with microwaves, then activating a second amino acid by adding the second acid and an activating solution to the same vessel while irradiating the vessel with microwaves, then coupling the second amino acid to the first acid while irradiating the composition in the same vessel with microwaves, and cleaving the linked peptide from the solid phase resin by admixing the linked peptide with a cleaving composition in the same vessel while irradiating the composition with microwaves.

Abstract: An instrument and process for accelerating the solid phase synthesis of peptides is disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting a protected first amino acid linked to a solid phase resin by admixing the protected linked acid with a deprotecting solution in a microwave transparent vessel while irradiating the admixed acid and solution with microwaves, then activating a second amino acid by adding the second acid and an activating solution to the same vessel while irradiating the vessel with microwaves, then coupling the second amino acid to the first acid while irradiating the composition in the same vessel with microwaves, and cleaving the linked peptide from the solid phase resin by admixing the linked peptide with a cleaving composition in the same vessel while irradiating the composition with microwaves.

Abstract: An instrument and method for accelerating the solid phase synthesis of peptides is disclosed. The method includes the steps of deprotecting a protected first amino acid linked to a solid phase resin by admixing the protected linked acid with a deprotecting solution in a microwave transparent vessel while irradiating the admixed acid and solution with microwaves, then activating a second amino acid by adding the second acid and an activating solution to the same vessel while irradiating the vessel with microwaves, then coupling the second amino acid to the first acid while irradiating the composition in the same vessel with microwaves, and cleaving the linked peptide from the solid phase resin by admixing the linked peptide with a cleaving composition in the same vessel while irradiating the composition with microwaves.

Abstract: In a method and system for automatically notifying a user when financial transactions (e.g., debit card transactions and credit card transactions) are carried out in association with the user's credit card or other financial account, each time a financial transaction is completed, a notification message is generated and transmitted to a user-designated terminal. Examples include transmitting e-mails, other text messages, or audio messages to the user's home computer terminal or mobile phone or other wireless unit. The notification message contains information identifying the user account and specifying the nature of the transaction, such as monetary amount, time of day and date, and where the transaction occurred. The notification is generated and transmitted substantially immediately after the transaction is completed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media are disclosed for processing financial transactions. According to one embodiment, a method for processing financial transactions prior to a collection of payment for the transactions can comprise receiving information related to a plurality of transactions from a party to the transactions. One or more rules can be applied to the information related to the plurality of transactions. The one or more rules can define dispositions of the payment for the transactions to provide for collection of fees associated with the transactions. Payment for the transactions can be handled based on applying the one or more rules.

Abstract: An array of tampons having one or more benefit indicators. The array includes a first tampon having a first tampon body having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and an outer surface. The first tampon further includes a first visually perceptible benefit indicator. The array also includes a second tampon having a second tampon body having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and an outer surface. The second tampon also includes a second visually perceptible benefit indicator.