Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of alkene(s) from a feedstock comprising of at least one monohydric aliphatic paraffinic alcohol by using a reactive distillation reactor for the dehydration of mixed alcohols.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus used to deliver breathable gases to a person, which is integrally formed within the hollow frame of a pair of spectacles or eyeglasses, wherein oxygen is delivered from a supply or source directly to a user of the apparatus via the hollow frame of the spectacles or eyeglasses. The apparatus of the present invention is a hingeless, seamless, spectacle-shaped oxygen delivery system and delivery apparatus that is constructed, in whole or in part, of hollow tubular delivery members that are cast as a singe piece and rigidly connected to a base frame.

Abstract: A surface profile measuring instrument has a means for measuring the profile of a surface and a means for storing measurements produced by the means for measuring the profile of a surface. The instrument may have a tip physically coupled to a sensor. The instrument may also have means for processing the measurements and/or for analysing the measurements. The instrument may be connected to an external device such as a printer and/or to a display unit.

Abstract: A keyboard for one-handed data input is disclosed. The keyboard includes a primary keypad including a first set of keys. The primary keypad is defined by a first side and an opposed second side. The keyboard also includes an auxiliary keypad including a second set of keys, as well as an input selection pad with a multiple position switch. The switch is used to selectively map the keyboard to various input value sets. The auxiliary keypad is attached to the first side, while the input selection pad is attached to the second side. There is also a rest pad centrally mounted to the primary keypad.

Abstract: A recombinant microorganism comprises an asporogenic Bacillus subtilis strain in which a gene encoding a protease enzyme has been downregulated or inactivated. In particular sigma factorspoIIAC is inactivated such that the strain is asporogenic. These strains are particularly useful as expression vehicles for proteins such as protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis.

Abstract: The method of providing includes providing an assessment of the maintenance and technical service needs of a plant, as broadly defined, and recommending services for outsourcing selected from a menu of services. The services are modular and may be mixed and matched to a customized fit with the needs of the plant. Categories of services are directed to technical services, motor maintenance, electro-mechanical services, etc. A generic approach to all plant maintenance provides a framework in which to offer the services. Services are offered throughout the life cycle of a plant. Particular industries are targeted for outsourced services.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes a micro-machined pressure transducer for monitoring tire pressure. The device is configured having a micro-machined cavity that is sealed with a flexible conductive membrane. When an external tire pressure equivalent to the cavity pressure is detected, the membrane makes contact with ridges on the backside of the surface acoustic wave device. The ridges are electrically connected to conductive fingers of the device. When the detected pressure is correct, selected fingers on the device will be grounded producing patterned acoustic reflections to an impulse RF signal. When the external tire pressure is less than the cavity reference pressure, a reduced reflected signal to the receiver results. The sensor may further be constructed so as to identify itself by a unique reflected identification pulse series.

Abstract: A dispensing aid is disclosed for facilitating removal of an individual product from a compressed package. The compressed package has multiple sides and contains a plurality of compressed products arranged in a row. Each of the products has first and second major surfaces. An opening is formed in the compressed package and is aligned perpendicular to the first major surface of at least one of the products. The opening is sized to allow the products to be individually withdrawn. A sheath is sized to contain one of the products to be withdrawn from the compressed package. The sheath to an adjacent sheath has an average coefficient of friction value which is lower than the average coefficient of friction value of a first product to an adjacent product. The sheath functions to reduce the force needed to remove the contained product from the compressed package.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes a micro-machined pressure transducer for monitoring tire pressure. The device is configured having a micro-machined cavity that is sealed with a flexible conductive membrane. When an external tire pressure equivalent to the cavity pressure is detected, the membrane makes contact with ridges on the backside of the surface acoustic wave device. The ridges are electrically connected to conductive fingers of the device. When the detected pressure is correct, selected fingers on the device will be grounded producing patterned acoustic reflections to an impulse RF signal. When the external tire pressure is less than the cavity reference pressure, a reduced reflected signal to the receiver results. The sensor may further be constructed so as to identify itself by a unique reflected identification pulse series.

Abstract: A device for adapting a transtracheal catheter to a tracheostomy tube includes a plurality of projections for engaging a security flange of the transtracheal catheter. The device provides for proper orientation of a beveled end of the catheter tube when the security flange is oriented as directed with it longest flat side up. A method of adapting a transtracheal catheter to a patient's tracheostomy tube is also provided for providing the delivery of heated and/or humidified gas to tracheotomized patients and/or for weaning a ventilator-dependent patient from the ventilator.

Abstract: A removably mountable ornament assembly as a temporary or permanent fitting to a wall and/or ceiling is provided. The ornament may be a cornice or skirting board, and a bracket is provided for releasably engaging and mounting the cornice or skirting board to a wall and/or ceiling. The arms of the bracket each terminate in mating portions that releasably engage respective complementary channels in the cornice. The ornament assembly provides an alternative to traditional plaster cornices and may be mounted to cover an existing cornice or moulding.

Abstract: The RF power passing through a given position in a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) is determined using the Seebeck effect. The MMIC includes at least certain components of a voltage creating circuit, including a first Seebeck junction on the MMIC at a given position and a second Seebeck junction at a different position. The voltage generated between the two junctions as a result of differential heating caused by the passage of RF power through the given position is measured with a voltmeter. By calibration, the RF power is related to a measured Seebeck voltage created when the circuit is in operation and hence can be determined. The Seebeck circuitry may be independent of the MMIC circuitry or be integrated into the active circuitry of the MMIC itself.

Abstract: A prevention-based network auditing system includes a plurality of heterogeneous information sources gathering information about the network. An audit server invokes the heterogeneous information sources via a uniform communications interface to gather information about the network, and converts the information gathered by the information sources into a normalized data format such as, for example, into XML (Extensible Markup Language). The converted information is then stored in an audit repository for security and regulatory policy assessment, network vulnerability analysis, report generation, and security improvement recommendations.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing the possibility of disease in a body part is described. The system includes an electrode array containing a plurality of electrodes capable of being electrically coupled to the body part. A first measurement unit makes an electrode assessment measurement with the electrode array. An electrode assessment module determines whether the plurality of electrodes are suitably coupled to the body part based on the electrode assessment measurement. If there is suitable coupling, a second measurement unit makes a diagnosis measurement with the electrode array. An electrical property module obtains an electrical property of the body part, such as impedance, based on the diagnosis measurement. A diagnosis module diagnoses the possibility of disease based on the measured electrical property.

Abstract: Described is a method for analysing at least one sample in an array of samples, the method including recording an image of the position of at least one sample relative to the other samples; utilising the recorded image to allow the application of a reagent or a succession of reagents to at least one sample in situ; and analysing at least one sample for a reaction with the reagent(s). Also described is an apparatus for analysing at least one sample in an array of samples, the apparatus including (a) a device to record an image of the position of at least one sample relative to the other samples; (b) a device to apply a reagent or sequence of reagents to at least one sample in situ; (c) a device to analyse at least one sample for a reaction with the reagent(s); and (d) a device to control the application of reagent(s) to the samples.

Abstract: A recombinant microorganism comprises an asporogenic Bacillus subtilis strain in which a gene encoding a protease enzyme has been downregulated or inactivated. In particular sigma factorspoIIAC is inactivated such that the strain is asporogenic. These strains are particularly useful as expression vehicles for proteins such as protective antigen (PA) of Bacillus anthracis.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing hydrogen for a fuel cell by (a) reacting a fuel comprising a hydrocarbon and/or an oxygenate with steam, under steam reforming conditions in a reforming reactor to produce a product stream comprising hydrogen, (b) feeding at least part of the hydrogen produced in step a) to a fuel cell, to produce electric power and a waste stream comprising hydrogen, (c) reacting at least part of the waste stream from step b) with an oxygen-containing gas in a combustion reactor, and (d) using the heat energy produced in step c) to supply energy to the steam reforming reaction in step a) in which the combustion reactor is positioned within the reforming reactor to facilitate heat transfer between the stages.

Abstract: A removably mountable ornament assembly as a temporary or permanent fitting to a wall and/or ceiling is provided. The ornament may be a cornice or skirting board, and a bracket is provided for releasably engaging and mounting the cornice or skirting board to a wall and/or ceiling. The arms of the bracket each terminate in mating portions that releasably engage respective complementary channels in the cornice. The ornament assembly provides an alternative to traditional plaster cornices and may be mounted to cover an existing cornice or moulding.

Abstract: A method of producing IgG1 subclass antibodies reactive to the surface of Crystosporidium oocysts, the method comprising: (a) separating at least a protion of the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall from the internal sporozoites to form an oocyst-wall preparation; (b) treating the separated oocyst-wall preparation so as to obtain an oocyst antigen preparation capable of eliciting a detectable IgG1 immune response in an animal to the surface of the oocyst; (c) immunizing an animal with the oocyst antigen preparation so as to elicit an IgG1 immune response in the animal; and (d) obtaining from the animal IgG1 antibodies reactive to the surface of Cryptosporidium oocysts. IgG1 antibodies reactive to the surface of Cryptosporidium oocysts.