Abstract: An anchored implantable pressure monitor.

Abstract: Optical fiber probe tips and methods for fabricating the same are presented. One method entails immersing a distal end of an optical fiber having a cladding and a core into an etching solution and simultaneously etching the cladding and the core using the etching solution for tapering the cladding and the core to form a tapered cladding and a tapered core tip. The optical fiber probe tips are suitable for near-field, scanning, optical microscopy (NSOM).

Abstract: A method is provided for treating at least a portion of a well. The method includes the steps of: (a) simultaneously introducing into a mixer at least: (i) a first stream comprising water; (ii) a second stream comprising a dry, hydratable, viscosity-increasing agent for water, wherein the second stream is substantially free of water; and (iii) a third stream comprising a non-hydratable, insoluble particulate; wherein at least the first and second streams are not mixed prior to being introduced into the mixer; (b) mixing the first, second, and third streams in the mixer to form a pumpable mixture, wherein: (i) the mixer creates at least a sufficiently-high shear rate to disperse the viscosity-increasing agent and the insoluble particulate in the pumpable mixture; and (ii) the pumpable mixture has or is capable of developing a substantially-higher viscosity than the viscosity of the first stream; and (c) introducing a treatment fluid comprising the pumpable mixture into a wellbore.

Abstract: An agglomerate removal device for removing agglomerated particles from a solids-containing stream. The agglomerate removal device can include an agglomerate capture device and an agglomerate withdrawal device. In one embodiment, the agglomerate removal device can be utilized in a process for desulfurizing gasoline or diesel streams in order to remove at least a portion of the agglomerated sorbent particles exiting the fluidized bed regenerator.

Abstract: A small percentage of cells within an established solid tumor have the properties of stem cells. These solid tumor stem cells give rise to both more tumor stem cells and to the majority of cells in the tumor that have lost the capacity for extensive proliferation and the ability to give rise to new tumors. Thus, solid tumor heterogeneity reflects the presence of tumor cell progeny arising from a solid tumor stem cell. We have developed a xenograft model in which we have been able to establish tumors from primary tumors via injection of tumors in the mammary gland of severely immunodeficient mice. These xenograft assay have allowed us to do biological and molecular assays to characterize clonogenic solid tumor stem cells. We have also developed evidence that strongly implicates the Notch pathway, especially Notch 4, as playing a central pathway in carcinogenesis.

Abstract: An aeration and filtration system and process for treating wastewater is described, the system having an ejector able to mix gas and liquid, an oxidation tank able to contain a solution of wastewater and biological sludge, a filtration means, a pipe able to convey the wastewater and biological sludge solution from the oxidation tank to the filtration means. The pipe is connected to the ejector so as to introduce a turbulence inside the pipe; moreover the filtration means is equipped with a membrane which has micropores.

Abstract: The present invention enhances the safety of a stairlift by providing a movement sensor (46) to detect movement of the stairlift chair, such movement being deemed to indicate that a user is attempting to occupy or leave the chair. Upon detection of such movement, the stairlift hand control (38), and remote call controls (22, 24) are rendered inoperative. A chair occupancy sensor (40) may also be provided to restore power to the hand control (38) when the user is safely seated within the chair.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for user interface workflow composition. In an embodiment of the invention, a user interface workflow composition method can include loading a set of references to both human steps of a workflow and also automated steps of a workflow. Each of the human steps of the workflow references a corresponding user interface. Further, each of the human steps and automated steps of the workflow individually include contextual data. Individual graphical elements each representative of a selected one of the human steps and automated steps is placed into a canvas and transitions can be defined between different ones of the human steps and automated steps represented by corresponding ones of the graphical elements in the canvas resulting in the specification of a user interface workflow. Consequently, computer readable instructions can be generated for the user interface workflow.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant, specifically an artificial intervertebral disk, with a central axis, an upper section, suitable for laying onto the base plate of a vertebral body lying on top and lower section, suitable for laying onto the cover plate of a vertebral body lying below, wherein (A) the upper section is provided with a ventral side area, a dorsal side area, two lateral side areas, a top apposition surface and a bottom surface; (B) the lower section is provided with a ventral side area, a dorsal side area, two lateral side areas, a bottom apposition surface and a top surface; (C) the two sections are moveable in relation to each other by means of one joint arranged between the two sections, wherein (D) the joint is a universal joint with two swivel axles standing perpendicular to each other.

Abstract: Silica-coated alumina activator-supports, and catalyst compositions containing these activator-supports, are disclosed. Methods also are provided for preparing silica-coated alumina activator-supports, for preparing catalyst compositions, and for using the catalyst compositions to polymerize olefins.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device comprising at least one supporting solid surface comprising at least one membraneophilic region; a covering layer that is at least partially immobilized to the membraneophilic region, said covering layer consisting of (i) a surfactant membrane, (ii) a lipid mimicking polymer, (iii) a surfactant or emulsion system or (iv) a liquid crystal; and a substance included in or bound to, connected to or associated with the covering layer. Also disclosed are methods wherein the device is used and use of the device.

Abstract: A feeder head includes suction belts to sequentially feed top sheets from a stack of sheets (e.g., paper). Before the belts receive suction and drive power, a suction cup raises the top sheet at a location between the belts to produce a corrugated shape in the top sheet which induce separation of a second sheet that might be adhered to the top sheet. A double sheet detector includes a pair of rollers forming a nip through which a fed sheet passes, causing the rollers to separate. The amount of separation is transmitted to a transducer which generates a signal proportional to the sheet thickness. Signals from the transducer are frequently sensed and averaged, so that signal variations resulting from irregularities in the shape of the rollers are canceled out.

Abstract: A portable well treating fluid mixing system includes: a supply tank having an inlet receiving pneumatically conveyed dry treating material; a cyclone separator having an inlet coupled to the supply tank and receiving dust laden air from the supply tank, and having a first outlet venting clean air and having a second outlet venting solids; a collection container having a first inlet coupled to the cyclone separator second outlet and receiving solids from the cyclone separator and having an outlet; and, a pump having an inlet coupled to the collection container outlet and a pump outlet coupled to the supply tank. In operation, the system continuously conveys dust from the collection container back into the supply tank to maintain the separator in proper operating condition and minimizes venting of dust during the transfer of material to the supply tank.

Abstract: A method to redirect a browser client is disclosed. The method comprises storing information at a payment service web site that includes a return URL (uniform resource locator) corresponding to a web-based interface hosted by a merchant web site. Next, the method comprise extracting the return URL embedded in the information and comparing, the return URL to a reference return URL corresponding to the web-based interface hosted by the merchant web site. Finally, the method comprises identifying the return URL matches the reference return URL and redirecting the browser client to the web-based interface hosted by the merchant web site responsive to the identifying the match.

Abstract: A complex polarizer system (“cross-polarizer”) including an arrangement of at least three polarizing beam splitting layers P1,P2,P3. P1 and P2 are arranged such that a beam transmitted by P1 is reflected by P2 without further polarization rotating components; P3 is arranged such that a beam reflected by P1 transmits P3 without further polarization rotating components. The congeneric processing of the two sub-beams of a beam split at P1 (both sub-beams go through a transmission and a reflection) eliminates the intrinsic asymmetries of simple polarizers with respect to purity and folding. Coupling of cross-polarizers results in efficient arrangements of systems which operate with complementarily polarized radiation, e.g. 2-channel image display systems with reflective spatial light modulators (e.g. Liquid Crystal on Silicon displays).

Abstract: The invention relates to a Bacillus spore specific antigen. Compositions and methods relating to the antigen are provided along with antibodies against the antigen. The antigen is specific for Bacillus spores relative to the vegetative form of the cells. The antigen is detectable on ungerminated spores. The antibodies may be used to detect the presence of Bacillus spores by use of methods provided herein. The invention also relates to articles of manufacture as well as kits comprising the antibodies which may be used in the detection methods of the invention.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an electrodynamic machine a stator and a rotor arrangement mounted along a rotatable shaft. The rotor arrangement is disposed within the stator and forms an air gap between the rotor arrangement and the stator. At least one sensor is disposed in the air gap and/or within the stator. Measurement signals are detected that are dependent on a magnetic field produced by the electrodynamic machine. The measurement signals are used as a basis for detecting oscillations of the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides isothermal multitube reactors suitable for the production of chlorinated and/or fluorinated propene and higher alkenes from the reaction of chlorinated and/or fluorinated alkanes and chlorinated and/or fluorinated alkenes. The reactors utilize a feed mixture inlet temperature at least 20° C. different from a desired reaction temperature.

Abstract: Process for preparing an alkenone, which comprises (a) reacting a carboxylic acid halide with a vinyl ether by introducing vinyl ether into a liquid reaction medium containing carboxylic acid halide to form a halogenated precursor of the alkenone and (b) eliminating hydrogen halide from said precursor to form the alkenone.

Abstract: A peptide of less than 10 000 molecular weight comprising the amino acid sequence FHTYTI DWTKDAVTW or a portion thereof, or a variant thereof wherein the side chains of one or two of the amino acid residues are altered, wherein the portion or variant is capable of binding HLA-DRB1*04. The peptide, certain polypeptide fusion molecules and certain polynucleotides encoding the same may be useful in combating Aspergillus infection or allergies. In particular, they may be used in processes for preparing Aspergillus-specific T cells for adoptive immunotherapy.