Abstract: A process for stabilising a natural or synthetic organic polymer or copolymer obtained from a water based latex or emulsion of the polymer or copolymer comprising adding to the later or emulsion prior to coagulation of the polymer or copolymer a substantially water-free self-emulsifying liquid stabiliser mixture comprising (a) a phosphite or phosphonite stabiliser; (b) a phenolic antioxidant and (c) an emulsifying agent. The preferred stabiliser package is a blend of 2 parts by weight liquid phosphite stabiliser to 1 part by weight liquid phenolic antioxidant which has dissolved in it a fatty acid ester emulsifier.

Abstract: A foldable tongs unit of the type having two pivotally joined legs has a storage position in which the legs lie in flush abutting relation so that the total thickness of the tongs unit in its storage position is the thickness of the two legs. Three transversely spaced fingers on each leg, when unstressed, reside in the plane of the leg and provide both the pivotal connection and the resilient bias against which the tongs are operated. The thickness of each of the joined non-flexing fingers is increased at the proximal end of the unit (i.e., at the hinge), permitting the pivot axis to be located substantially in the plane of abutment between the two legs in the storage position of the unit. In the actuation position, the ends of the foreshortened flexing fingers abut non-flexing fingers of the opposite leg to provide the desired resilient gripping function.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel, isolated, tumor-associated antigens, and methods for identifying such antigens in a biological sample, and of screening for the presence of such an antigen in a biological specimen, wherein the tumor antigen identified reacts with serum from a subject treated with a vaccine comprising a cytokine and proliferation-incompetent tumor cells which express the tumor-associated antigen. Also provided are kits for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed that includes at least one polyolefin, at least one organic peroxide, and an antioxidant mixture of a composition of at least one polyolefin, at least one organic peroxide, and an antioxidant mixture. The antioxidant mixture has at least one fast radical scavenger selected from the group consisting of low hindered phenols, low hindered thiophenols, low hindered thiobisphenols, aliphatic amines, aromatic amines, NOR HALS, hydroxylamines, and mixtures thereof, and at least one long term stabilizer selected from the group consisting of low hindered phenols, highly hindered phenols, thiosynergists, aliphatic amines, aromatic amines, HALS, hydroxylamines, and mixtures thereof. The preferred polyolefin is a homopolymer of ethylene or a copolymer of ethylene and the compositions are useful in insulating media for medium and high voltage wire and cable applications.

Abstract: A composition for stabilizing organic polymers comprising a sterically hindered phenol produced by reacting p-cresol and dicyclopentadiene to produce a precursor and alkylating the precursor with isobutylene, and a tertiary amine oxide.

Abstract: A laryngoscope for use with a disposable blade cover is provided. The laryngoscope comprises a handle and a blade. The laryngoscope further comprises an actuator system for selectively securing the disposable blade cover about at least a portion of the blade.

Abstract: A system that supports multi-stage transactions through the use of biometric tokens, such as fingerprint images or iris scans. A user pre-stages a transaction by providing transaction details that can be used a later time to complete the transaction, and the system stores the transaction details in a transaction record that is identified by a biometric token captured from the user. In some systems, the biometric token is captured as part of the pre-staging process. In other systems, the biometric token is retrieved from a data store after the user has provided authentication information, such as a bank card or user-identification code coupled with a secret PIN code. When the user is ready to complete the pre-staged transaction, the system captures a second biometric token from the user and matches the second token to the one identifying the user's transaction record. The transaction details contained in that transaction record are then used to complete the user's transaction.

Abstract: A foldable tongs unit of the type having two pivotally joined legs has a storage position in which the legs lie in flush abutting relation so that the total thickness of the tongs unit in its storage position is the thickness of the two legs. Three transversely spaced fingers on each leg, when unstressed, reside in the plane of the leg and provide both the pivotal connection and the resilient bias against which the tongs are operated. The thickness of each of the joined non-flexing fingers is increased at the proximal end of the unit (i.e., at the hinge), permitting the pivot axis to be located substantially in the plane of abutment between the two legs in the storage position of the unit. In the actuation position, the ends of the foreshortened flexing fingers abut non-flexing fingers of the opposite leg to provide the desired resilient gripping function.

Abstract: A frequency modulated (FM) vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The frequency modulated VCSEL includes a mirror region that has an active region. The frequency modulated VCSEL also includes a phase adjustment region for use in altering the characteristics of the VCSEL. For example, by changing the index of refraction in the phase adjustment region, the wavelength of the VCSEL can be changed, resulting in frequency modulation.

Abstract: An optical signal multiplexer/demultiplexer using an orthogonal pseudorandom (PRN) coding scheme for optical mode modulation to produce a plurality of independent optical signals that may be combined into one multiplex signal for transmission over an optical fiber to the receiving end, where the multiplex signal may be demultiplexed by relying on the orthogonal properties of the PRN code to isolate each independent optical signal from the transmitted multiplex signal. In channels subject to mode modulation distortion, one of the signal components may be used as a pilot signal to obtain a correction for channel mode modulation distortion. The PRN optical signal multiplexer/demultiplexer is particularly useful with polarization mode modulation.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel, isolated, tumor-associated antigens, and methods for identifying such antigens in a biological sample, and of screening for the presence of such an antigen in a biological specimen, wherein the tumor antigen identified reacts with serum from a subject treated with a vaccine comprising a cytokine and proliferation-incompetent tumor cells which express the tumor-associated antigen. Also provided are kits for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel, isolated, tumor-associated antigens, and methods for identifying such antigens in a biological sample, and of screening for the presence of such an antigen in a biological specimen, wherein the tumor antigen identified reacts with serum from a subject treated with a vaccine comprising a cytokine and proliferation-incompetent tumor cells which express the tumor-associated antigen. Also provided are kits for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A flexible circuit having vias disposed to minimize discontinuity in a ground plane separating opposing transmission lines. The flex circuit comprises a first transmission line coupled to a first surface, a second transmission line coupled to a second opposing surface and a ground plane separating the first transmission line and the second transmission line. The flexible circuit also includes a first type of electrical connection pads disposed on the first surface, and electrically coupled to the first transmission line. The flexible circuit also includes a second type of electrical connection pads disposed on the second surface, and electrically coupled to the second transmission line wherein the second type of electrical connection pads have a higher areal density than the first type of electrical connection pads.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel, isolated, tumor-associated antigens, and methods for identifying such antigens in a biological sample, and of screening for the presence of such an antigen in a biological specimen, wherein the tumor antigen identified reacts with serum from a subject treated with a vaccine comprising a cytokine and proliferation-incompetent tumor cells which express the tumor-associated antigen. Also provided are kits for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A method of contaminant sequestering. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention discloses an apparatus for sequestering a contaminant comprising an exothermically reactive structure disposed within a hermetic enclosure. A sorbent material coats a surface of the exothermically reactive structure. The sorbent material reacts with a contaminant contained within an atmosphere of the hermetic enclosure when exposed to heat from an exothermic alloying reaction in the exothermically reactive structure. As such, the contaminant becomes sequestered within the hermetic enclosure.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical communication devices, light emission devices and optical communication methods. Aspects of the present invention provide methods and devices enable provision of modulated output optical signals without providing modulation of total photon populations of cavities of associated lasers. Such avoids or minimizes bandwidth restrictions associated with conventional methods or devices which modulate total photon populations within cavities of lasers. One aspect of the invention includes an optical communication method including providing a data signal comprising data to be communicated and emitting light using a laser. The method further includes modulating the laser across a lasing mode transition responsive to the data signal. The emitting further includes emitting the light during a plurality of lasing modes of the laser to communicate the data responsive to the modulating.

Abstract: A method for supporting heavy equipment at a site is provided. The method includes constructing a plurality of pre-formed reinforced concrete blocks. Each of the concrete blocks is constructed by: providing a concrete form having internal dimensions of at least 1½ feet by 3 feet by 3 feet, inserting a plurality of reinforcing members within the form, pouring concrete into the form over the reinforcing members, allowing the concrete to cure to form a concrete block, and removing the concrete block from the form. The method further includes excavating the site to form an excavated area and placing the plurality of pre-formed reinforced concrete blocks on the excavated area. The present invention also provides a concrete pad which can be formed by the above-described method.

Abstract: An enclosure for an optical communications device having a lid portion and a base portion. Alignment members adapted to interface with an optical connector are formed on the lid portion. The lid portion is affixed to the base portion with a portion of the communications components therebetween. Multiple base portions formed in a unitary piece of material and multiple lid portions formed in another unitary piece of material can be affixed to one another, and then separated into individual devices to minimize time spent aligning each base and lid portion.

Abstract: A transmitter array that has at least one pixel element. Each pixel element includes at least a primary semiconductor laser and a secondary semiconductor laser. In this manner, when the primary semiconductor laser is inoperative, the secondary semiconductor laser is utilized for transmission.

Abstract: A control for a glass forming machine which includes a blank station for forming a parison from a gob of molten glass having a number of mechanisms, a blow station for forming a parison into a bottle, having a number of mechanisms, a feeder system including a shear mechanism for delivering a gob to the blank station, a mechanism for transferring a parison from the blank station to the blow station and a takeout mechanism for removing a bottle from the blank station. The machine has a set cycle time. Each of the mechanisms in the glass forming machine is cycled within the time of one machine cycle. Interferences exist between the motion paths of the gob, the parison, the bottle and individual mechanisms. The thermal forming of the parison and bottle involve a number of thermal forming processes occurring during the time of one machine cycle and having finite durations.