Abstract: A sanitizing spray system includes a Nitrogen generation system that produces Nitrogen used as a carrier gas source for spraying an alcohol-based disinfecting and sanitizing composition without flashing.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that comprises a base having first and second reservoirs, each having an inlet and an outlet, and a channel layer comprising an inlet channel in fluid communication with the inlets of the reservoirs, one or more outlet channels in fluid communication with the outlets of the reservoirs, and a channel network comprising at least one channel extending therebetween. In a forward tilted position, a first fluid circuit is formed from the outlet of the first reservoir, through the one or more outlet channels, through the channel network, through the inlet channel, to the both the inlet and outlet of the second reservoir. In a reverse tilted position a second fluid circuit is formed from the outlet of the second reservoir, through the one or more outlet channels, through the channel network, through the inlet channel, to both the inlet and outlet of the first reservoir. Methods of using the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for culturing cells, termed a microscale cell culture analog (?CCA), is provided. The microfluidic device allows multiple cell or tissue types to be cultured in a physiologically relevant environment, facilitates high-throughput operation and can be used for drug discovery. The microfluidic device uses gravity-induced fluidic flow, eliminating the need for a pump and preventing formation of air bubbles. Reciprocating motion between a pair of connected reservoirs is used to effect the gravity-induced flow in microfluidic channels. Bacterial contamination is reduced and high throughput enabled by eliminating a pump. The microfluidic device integrates a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model to enable PK-PD analyses on-chip. This combined in vitro/in silico system enables prediction of drug toxicity in a more realistic manner than conventional in vitro systems.

Abstract: A microfluidic device for culturing cells, termed a microscale cell culture analog (?CCA), is provided. The microfluidic device allows multiple cell or tissue types to be cultured in a physiologically relevant environment, facilitates high-throughput operation and can be used for drug discovery. The microfluidic device uses gravity-induced fluidic flow, eliminating the need for a pump and preventing formation of air bubbles. Reciprocating motion between a pair of connected reservoirs is used to effect the gravity-induced flow in microfluidic channels. Bacterial contamination is reduced and high throughput enabled by eliminating a pump. The microfluidic device integrates a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model to enable PK-PD analyses on-chip. This combined in vitro/in silico system enables prediction of drug toxicity in a more realistic manner than conventional in vitro systems.

Abstract: A device is disclosed in one embodiment that has multiple identical sets of programmable functional elements, programmable routing resources, and majority voters that correct errors. The voters accept a mode input for a redundancy mode and a split mode. In the redundancy mode, the programmable functional elements are identical and are programmed identically so the voters produce an output corresponding to the majority of inputs that agree. In a split mode, each voter selects a particular programmable functional element output as the output of the voter. Therefore, in the split mode, the programmable functional elements can perform different functions, operate independently, and/or be connected together to process different parts of the same problem.

Abstract: A device is disclosed in one embodiment that has multiple identical sets of programmable functional elements, programmable routing resources, and majority voters that correct errors. The voters accept a mode input for a redundancy mode and a split mode. In the redundancy mode, the programmable functional elements are identical and are programmed identically so the voters produce an output corresponding to the majority of inputs that agree. In a split mode, each voter selects a particular programmable functional element output as the output of the voter. Therefore, in the split mode, the programmable functional elements can perform different functions, operate independently, and/or be connected together to process different parts of the same problem.

Abstract: In a window frame track, a U-shaped channel having a front wall connecting a pair of side walls includes a block, a cam rotatably mounted in the block, an axial opening in the cam generally concentric with an opening through the front wall, a sash attached to the cam by a bar extending through the opening through the front wall into the axial opening in the cam, a plate extendable from the block axially against said track contacting the cam prevents vertical movement of the U-shaped cannel in the track when the sash is rotated out of the window frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described that filters an electrical signal. The filtering uses a capacitor multiplier circuit where the capacitor multiplier circuit uses at least one amplifier circuit and at least one capacitor. A filtered electrical signal results from a direct connection from an output of the at least one amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an acquisition system includes a plurality of sensor input signal lines. At least one of the plurality of sensor input signal lines operatively connects to at least one of a plurality of amplifier circuits. At least one of the plurality of amplifier circuits operatively connects to at least one of a plurality of filter circuits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition, which includes a hepatitis B surface antigen stabilized with a milk protein and/or a milk protein component. This composition can be used in an oral vaccine for treatment of hepatitis B. The present invention further relates to methods of immunizing a subject against hepatitis, methods of administrating the composition of the present invention, and methods of producing a stabilized hepatitis B surface antigen protein.

Abstract: A delay circuit includes a first network having an input and an output node, a second network having an input and an output, the input of the second network being coupled to the output node of the first network. The first network and the second network are configured such that: a glitch at the input to the first network having a length of approximately one-half of a standard glitch time or less does not cause the voltage at the output of the second network to cross a threshold, a glitch at the input to the first network having a length of between approximately one-half and two standard glitch times causes the voltage at the output of the second network to cross the threshold for less than the length of the glitch, and a glitch at the input to the first network having a length of greater than approximately two standard glitch times causes the voltage at the output of the second network to cross the threshold for approximately the time of the glitch.

Abstract: A delay circuit includes a first network having an input and an output node, a second network having an input and an output, the input of the second network being coupled to the output node of the first network. The first network and the second network are configured such that: a glitch at the input to the first network having a length of approximately one-half of a standard glitch time or less does not cause the voltage at the output of the second network to cross a threshold, a glitch at the input to the first network having a length of between approximately one-half and two standard glitch times causes the voltage at the output of the second network to cross the threshold for less than the length of the glitch, and a glitch at the input to the first network having a length of greater than approximately two standard glitch times causes the voltage at the output of the second network to cross the threshold for approximately the time of the glitch.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a connector that comprises a coupling comprising a first portion, a second portion that is located adjacent the first portion, a top surface, and a bottom planar surface that is located opposite the top surface. The bottom planar surface is continuous through the first portion and the second portion. The top surface is substantially planar through the first portion while defining a shape through the second portion that is asymmetrical in two dimensions about a set of perpendicular axes centered in the second portion. The present invention also provides a connection system, a portable assembly, and a method of assembling a portable structure that utilizes the coupling.

Abstract: A delay circuit includes a first network having an input and an output node, a second network having an input and an output, the input of the second network being coupled to the output node of the first network. The first network and the second network are configured such that: a glitch at the input to the first network having a length of approximately one-half of a standard glitch time or less does not cause the voltage at the output of the second network to cross a threshold, a glitch at the input to the first network having a length of between approximately one-half and two standard glitch times causes the voltage at the output of the second network to cross the threshold for less than the length of the glitch, and a glitch at the input to the first network having a length of greater than approximately two standard glitch times causes the voltage at the output of the second network to cross the threshold for approximately the time of the glitch.

Abstract: A delay circuit includes a first network having an input and an output node, a second network having an input and an output, the input of the second network being coupled to the output node of the first network. The first network and the second network are configured such that: a glitch at the input to the first network having a length of approximately one-half of a standard glitch time or less does not cause the voltage at the output of the second network to cross a threshold, a glitch at the input to the first network having a length of between approximately one-half and two standard glitch times causes the voltage at the output of the second network to cross the threshold for less than the length of the glitch, and a glitch at the input to the first network having a length of greater than approximately two standard glitch times causes the voltage at the output of the second network to cross the threshold for approximately the time of the glitch.

Abstract: A single celled organism, vector, and method are provided for continuous production of excreted proteins in the absence of substantial host cell replication and without the necessity for the addition of antibiotics to control cell replication. The vector has (1) an inducible promoter capable of activating a gene for a protein to be produced under conditions that substantially inhibit host cell replication, and (2) a hybrid gene containing a signal sequence fused to a gene for the protein to be produced. Large quantities of the transformed single celled organisms containing the vector can be grown in the absence of inducing conditions, thereby reducing the problem of plasmid loss. Further, the protein is produced under conditions that substantially inhibit host cell replication, thereby allowing immobilization of the single celled organism by entrapment or attachment within or onto a solid support surface. The single celled organism can be immobilized after, before or simultaneously with induction.

Abstract: A single celled organism, vector, and method are provided for continuous production of excreted proteins in the absence of substantial host cell replication and without the necessity for the addition of antibiotics to control cell replication. The vector has (1) an inducible promoter capable of activating a gene for a protein to be produced under conditions that substantially inhibit host cell replication, and (2) a hybrid gene containing a signal sequence fused to a gene for the protein to be produced. Large quantities of the transformed single celled organisms containing the vector can be grown in the absence of inducing conditions, thereby reducing the problem of plasmid loss. Further, the protein is produced under conditions that substantially inhibit host cell replication, thereby allowing immobilization of the single celled organism by entrapment or attachment within or onto a solid support surface. The single celled organism can be immobilized after, before or simultaneously with induction.

Abstract: Non-carboxylated sulfated polyanions have been successfully used to rapidly obtain and maintain stable single-cell suspension of BTI-TN5B1-4 cells, a cell line which has a high intrinsic capacity for the expression of recombinant protein, but which clumps severely in suspension reducing its effectiveness as a host for foreign protein production with the baculovirus expression vector system. The three most effective polyanions for inducing a single-cell suspension were dextran sulfate, polyvinyl sulfate, and pentosan sulfate. The cost of dextran sulfate treatment is low compared to heparin treatment, which required a 20-fold higher lever to induce single-cell suspension. More importantly, dextran sulfate does not block vital infection at MOI.gtoreq.1 whereas heparin is known to seriously inhibit infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro system for physiological and metabolic evaluation of substances for use in living beings. The system includes one or more cell culture chambers, each containing cells in a culture medium and a gas-liquid exchange device for contacting the culture medium with oxygen-containing gas so that the culture medium absorbs that gas and desorbs carbon dioxide-containing gas. The conduit system conducts culture medium between the gas-liquid exchange device and the cell culture chambers. A circulation mechanism is used to circulate culture medium through the conduit system, the cell culture chambers, and the gas-liquid exchange device. In use, the substance to be evaluated is added to the culture medium of the system and circulated through the system. The cells in each of the cell culture chambers are then evaluated for effects resulting from the presence of the substance.

Abstract: Root organ cultures of the monocot genus Allium were successfully grown in culture medium. In a preferred bioreactor system, the roots themselves can be grown and harvested as a source of various Allium flavors and/or the growing roots can be reacted with various nutrients to produce Allium flavor compounds independent of the root harvesting. The root cultures of the present invention produce quantities of onion and onion-like flavor compounds comparable to those found in onion bulbs.Flavor precursors arThis invention was made in part under NSF Grant No. 85-03183. The U.S. Government has certain rights to this invention.