Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical detection cell for detecting inorganic analytes in an aquatic environment. The optical detection cell comprises a microfluidic channel defining an optical detection path. First and second transparent windows are bonded at opposite locations on the microfluidic channel. The optical detection cell is provided with a UV-LED, and light detector respectively positioned proximally to the first and second transparent windows. The UV-LED configured to be driven by a constant electrical current having a value between 2.5 mA and 50.0 mA.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical detection cell for detecting inorganic analytes in an aquatic environment. The optical detection cell comprises a microfluidic channel defining an optical detection path. First and second transparent windows are bonded at opposite locations on the microfluidic channel. The optical detection cell is provided with a UV-LED, and light detector respectively positioned proximally to the first and second transparent windows. The UV-LED configured to be driven by a constant electrical current having a value between 2.5 mA and 50.0 mA.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical detection cell for detecting inorganic analytes in an aquatic environment. The optical detection cell comprises a microfluidic channel defining an optical detection path. First and second transparent windows are bonded at opposite locations on the microfluidic channel. The optical detection cell is provided with a UV-LED, and light detector respectively positioned proximally to the first and second transparent windows. The UV-LED configured to be driven by a constant electrical current having a value between 2.5 mA and 50.0 mA.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical detection cell for detecting inorganic analytes in an aquatic environment. The optical detection cell comprises a microfluidic channel defining an optical detection path. First and second transparent windows are bonded at opposite locations on the microfluidic channel. The optical detection cell is provided with a UV-LED, and light detector respectively positioned proximally to the first and second transparent windows. The UV-LED configured to be driven by a constant electrical current having a value between 2.5 mA and 50.0 mA.

Abstract: Methods and systems for observing/analyzing interactive behavior are presented. In one instance, the method for observing/analyzing interactive behavior includes interacting, using a robot, with a subject and obtaining data from interaction between the subject and the robot, the data from the data acquisition components, the data being used for diagnosis and/or charting progress. In one instance, the robot includes data acquisition components, interaction inducing components (such as, but not limited to, movable eyelids, movable appendages, sound generating components), a control component operatively connected to the interaction inducing components and a processing component operatively connected to the control component and the data acquisition components, the processing component being configured to obtain data from the data acquisition components, the data being used for diagnosis and/or charting progress.

Abstract: A valve for a pouch for collecting biological fluids includes a valve stem, at least a portion of which is formed from a polymeric material including oleamide.

Abstract: Methods and systems for observing/analyzing interactive behavior are presented. In one instance, the method for observing/analyzing interactive behavior includes interacting, using a robot, with a subject and obtaining data from interaction between the subject and the robot, the data from the data acquisition components, the data being used for diagnosis and/or charting progress. In one instance, the robot includes data acquisition components, interaction inducing components (such as, but not limited to, movable eyelids, movable appendages, sound generating components), a control component operatively connected to the interaction inducing components and a processing component operatively connected to the control component and the data acquisition components, the processing component being configured to obtain data from the data acquisition components, the data being used for diagnosis and/or charting progress.

Abstract: A valve for a pouch for collecting biological fluids includes a valve stem, at least a portion of which is formed from a polymeric material including oleamide.

Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly for boring into the earth is disclosed. The percussion drilling assembly includes a top sub, a casing coupled to the top sub, and a feed tube assembly disposed within the top sub and the casing. The feed tube assembly includes a non-rigid coupling having a throughbore and a tubular body disposed therein. The tubular body is translatable in the radial position and/or rotatable relative to a longitudinal centerline extending through the non-rigid coupling.

Abstract: Methods and systems for observing/analyzing, interactive behavior are presented. In one instance, the method for observing/analyzing interactive behavior includes interacting, using a robot, with a subject and obtaining data from interaction between the subject and the robot, the data from the data acquisition components, the data being used for diagnosis and/or charting progress. In one instance, the robot includes data acquisition components, interaction inducing components (such as, but not limited to, movable eyelids, movable appendages, sound generating components), a control component operatively connected to the interaction inducing components and a processing component operatively connected to the control component and the data acquisition components, the processing component being configured to obtain data from the data acquisition components, the data being used for diagnosis and/or charting progress.

Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly for drilling a borehole, the assembly including a tubular casing having a central axis defined therethrough and a lower end, a driver sub having an upper end threadingly engaged with the lower end of the tubular casing, and an annular locking member disposed between the tubular easing and the driver sub. The annular locking member is configured to engage the tubular casing and the driver sub, and is configured to prevent separation of the driver sub from the tubular casing. The annular locking member includes a deformable elongate member.

Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly for boring into the earth is disclosed. The percussion drilling assembly includes a top sub, a casing coupled to the top sub, and a feed tube assembly disposed within the top sub and the casing. The feed tube assembly includes a non-rigid coupling having a throughbore and a tubular body disposed therein. The tubular body is translatable in the radial position and/or rotatable relative to a longitudinal centerline extending through the non-rigid coupling.

Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly for boring into the earth is disclosed. The percussion drilling assembly includes a top sub, a casing coupled to the top sub, and a feed tube assembly disposed within the top sub and the casing. The feed tube assembly includes a non-rigid coupling having a throughbore and a tubular body disposed therein. The tubular body is translatable in the radial position and/or rotatable relative to a longitudinal centerline extending through the non-rigid coupling.

Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly for boring into the earth is disclosed. The percussion drilling assembly includes a top sub, a casing coupled to the top sub, and a feed tube assembly disposed within the top sub and the casing. The feed tube assembly includes a non-rigid coupling having a throughbore and a tubular body disposed therein. The tubular body is translatable in the radial position and/or rotatable relative to a longitudinal centerline extending through the non-rigid coupling.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing a building's (or building complex's) components, including all important entrances, egresses, and stairwells, collecting demographic information associated with locating people in a building, evacuating the building, and rescuing people still left in the building, etc., linking the building's components and demographic information to each other, and providing this information to authenticated users. The data can be made available through an internet connection, through a hand-held device, etc. Emergency workers and others can easily perform tasks such as directing building evacuation, dispatching other workers such as utility workers, and notifying neighbors, because the building's location, floor plan, emergency contacts, etc. are electronically interrelated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel computer interface for trading municipal bonds. Aspects of the invention include a trading engine hosted by a broker's broker and which is accessed by a number of brokers (or the like) via client-machine that are networked to the trading engine. The interface allows the broker to provide search criteria for municipal bonds that may be available as offerings or as bid-wanteds. The interface can also allow the same broker to provide requests for bids for municipal bonds, so that the broker's broker can conduct a bid-wanted process. Each time the search information is updated, a notification is pushed to the broker's client-machine. Likewise, when the bids responsive to the bid-wanted process have been aggregated by the broker's broker, a notification is pushed to the broker's client-machine.

Abstract: A system and method for characterizing a building's (or building complex's) components, including all important entrances, egresses, and stairwells, collecting demographic information associated with locating people in a building, evacuating the building, and rescuing people still left in the building, etc., linking the building's components and demographic information to each other, and providing this information to authenticated users. The data can be made available through an internet connection, through a hand-held device, etc. Emergency workers and others can easily perform tasks such as directing building evacuation, dispatching other workers such as utility workers, and notifying neighbors, because the building's location, floor plan, emergency contacts, etc. are electronically interrelated.

Abstract: This invention relates to a recombinant nucleic acid vector comprising a first expression cassette comprising a first promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a syncytium-inducing polypeptide, wherein the first expression cassette is flanked on either side by a site recognized by a recombinase. The invention also includes a second expression cassette comprising a tissue-specific promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a recombinase. The invention also includes cells and compositions including these expression cassettes and methods of reducing tumor volume by expression of these expression cassettes.

Abstract: A switched amplifying device for use in a wireless telecommunications receiver as an amplifier of an RF signal has an amplifying device electrically connected in parallel with a switch. The switched amplifying device has a bypass mode in which an electrical path of the RF signal bypasses the amplifying device and is connected to an RF output port. The switched amplifying device also has an amplification mode in which the electrical path of the RF signal flows through the amplifying device prior to presentation of the RF signal at the RF output. In the bypass mode, the amplification device is in an off state. Similarly, in the amplification mode, the bypass device is in an off state. Use of the switched amplifying device according to the teachings of the present invention in a receiver permits accommodation of a larger dynamic range in amplitude of received signal with less signal degradation and noise figure than in prior art amplification devices.

Abstract: A switched amplifying device for use in a wireless telecommunications receiver as an amplifier of an RF signal has an amplifying device electrically connected in parallel with a switch. The switched amplifying device has a bypass mode in which an electrical path of the RF signal bypasses the amplifying device and is connected to an RF output port. The switched amplifying device also has a amplification mode in which, the electrical path of the RF signal flows through the amplifying device prior to presentation of the RF signal at the RF output. In the bypass mode, the amplification device is in an off state. Similarly, in the amplification mode, the bypass device is in an off state. Use of the switched amplifying device according to the teachings of the present invention in a receiver permits accommodation of a larger dynamic range in amplitude of received signal with less signal degradation and noise figure than in prior art amplification devices.