Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for an ultraviolet sanitation device. An apparatus includes an ultraviolet (“UV”) light emitter configured to emit UV light at a predefined wattage. The predefined wattage includes a wattage sufficient for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. The apparatus includes a connector that corresponds to a connection port of a mobile device such that the UV light emitter is activated in response to the connector being connected to the connection port of the mobile device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a toolless screw including a body portion which comprises a shaft portion and a screw portion which includes a shank portion and a tip portion. The shank portion includes at least two helical threads which extend off the shank either at different angles, different distances, or a combination thereof. The tip portion is positioned at an end of the shank portion and has a diameter which is less than the diameter of the shank portion and extends to a point. The body portion is integrated with a screw portion at the end of the shank portion which is opposite the end where the tip portion is positioned.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of analyzing protein binding sequence, a method of making sequencing library, and compositions for performing such methods, which employs a transposome complex.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a toolless screw including a body portion which comprises a shaft portion and a screw portion which includes a shank portion and a tip portion. The shank portion includes at least two helical threads which extend off the shank either at different angles, different distances, or a combination thereof. The tip portion is positioned at an end of the shank portion and has a diameter which is less than the diameter of the shank portion and extends to a point. The body portion is integrated with a screw portion at the end of the shank portion which is opposite the end where the tip portion is positioned.

Abstract: Disclosed is a switching device for facilitating data communication between at least one initiator device and multiple target devices. The switching device includes at least one input port configured to receive data from the at least one initiator device. The at least one input port is communicatively coupled to at least one internal bus corresponding to the at least one initiator device. The switching device includes multiple output ports configured to transmit data to the multiple target devices. The multiple output ports are communicatively coupled to a multiple internal bus corresponding to the multiple target devices. The switching device includes at least one routing module communicatively coupled with each of the at least one input port and the multiple output ports. The at least one routing module is configured to route data from the at least one input port to at least one output port of the multiple output ports.

Abstract: The present application provides a method of analyzing protein binding sequence, a method of making sequencing library, and compositions for performing such methods, which employs a transposome complex.

Abstract: A centralized dispute resolution system for use in commercial credit or debit card transactions. The inventive system utilizes a common data storage, interfaces, processes, procedures, rules, and other elements of a dispute resolution system that are made available to cardholders, merchants, card issuers, payment processors, and other parties that may be involved in a dispute or in a process intended to resolve a dispute. The system may be implemented using a client-server architecture with communication between clients and one or more server elements provided by a communications network.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for producing advertisements on a transaction record for a transaction between a consumer and a merchant involving the use of a portable consumer device such as a credit or debit card. Advertisers may specify criteria so that the advertisements are specifically targeted.

Abstract: In a power plant which produces electricity by boiling water with heat generated from a nuclear or fossil fuel source, and uses the steam to drive a generator to produce electricity, the spent steam is condensed in the vacuum produced by a column that is disposed beneath the surface of an adjacent sea or other large body of water. The distilled condensate is pumped back to the boiler providing a closed-loop condensing system. The system improves the Carnot efficiency of the plant by exhausting the steam to a lower pressure than previous condensers which operate at near atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An electric power generating plant using nuclear or fossil fuel to produce steam in a boiler which powers a turbine to generate electricity is disposed adjacent to a body of sea water or fresh water. Spent steam from the turbine is cooled in a primary heat exchanger with water from the body. The heated water from the heat exchanger is cooled in a near-vacuum chamber at the upper end of a column having its lower end in the body of water. The vapor produced in the evaporator is fed to a near-vacuum space in a second condenser supported below the sea level so as to be cooled by the sea water. The condenser has its lower end disposed in a sump of fresh water which is vented to atmosphere or sealed and pressurized, to provide support for the column. Fresh water produced by the condensation may be used for drinking water or other purposes and is pumped for utilization.

Abstract: A subatmospheric pressure desalinating still employs a closed top, open bottom pipe filled with source water to be distilled, such as seawater, having a height greater than the height of a column of seawater that can be supported by the pressure at the bottom of the tank so that a subatmospheric pressure volume is formed at the top. Water from the source is also pumped into the subatmospheric volume and passed through an evaporator which enlarges its surface volume. A small percentage of the water is vaporized and the balance is cooled to provide the heat of vaporization and falls into the top of the seawater column, creating a downward flow. The vapor is drawn from the vacuum and condensed, preferably in a second subatmospheric volume above a column of fresh water. A degasser for the water to be distilled prevents the accumulation of gases dissolved in the seawater or the like in the subatmospheric volume.

Abstract: A sub-atmospheric pressure desalinating still employs a closed top, open bottom pipe filled with source water to be distilled, such as seawater, having a height greater than the height of a column of seawater that can be supported by the pressure at the bottom of the tank so that a subatmospheric pressure volume is formed at the top. Water from the source is also pumped into the subatmospheric volume and passed through an evaporator which enlarges its surface volume. A small percentage of the water is vaporized and the balance is cooled to provide the heat of vaporization and falls into the top of the seawater column, creating a downward flow. The vapor is drawn from the vacuum and condensed, preferably in a second subatmospheric volume above a column of fresh water.

Abstract: A lung and breath control exercise device includes an elongated body with an upwardly open channel. An array of pegs are rotatably mounted on an axle extending along the channel and the pegs may be rotated from a first position against one wall of the channel to a second position against the opposite wall. In use, the pegs are positioned in one position and the device is placed on a level surface a predetermined distance from a human user. The user then blows his or her breath on the pegs to blow them to their second positions in a predetermined order or sequence or to keep selected pegs suspended between positions. This exercises the user's lungs and develops breath control. The immediate feedback provided by the moving pegs is a measure of success and progress, which encourages the user to engage and continue to engage in breath and lung exercises with the device.

Abstract: A lung and breath control exercise device and methodology is provided. The device includes an elongated body with an upwardly open channel. An array of pegs are rotatably mounted on an axle extending along the channel and the pegs may be rotated from a first position against one wall of the channel to a second position against the opposite wall. In use, the pegs are positioned in one position and the device is placed on a level surface a predetermined distance from a user. The user then blows on the pegs to blow them to their second positions in a predetermined order or sequence. The immediate feedback provided by the moving pegs is a measure of success and progress, which encourages the user to engage and continue to engage in breath and lung exercises. In an enhanced embodiment, an on-board microprocessor is coupled to a clock, to sensors for detecting the conditions of the pegs, and to LEDs, which indicate a particular peg when lit.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for modulating phosphate homeostasis and renal phosphate transport by delivering agents that alter the expression of the FRP-4 gene or alter the activity of the FRP-4 protein. The methods of the invention are useful for modulating bone mineralization, renal phosphate transport, alleviating oncogenic osteomalacia-associated symptoms and treating phosphate homeostasis-related disease. The invention further provides methods for reducing phosphate re-absorption by delivering to a subject FRP-4 protein or polynucleotides that encode this protein. In addition, the invention provides methods for detecting and monitoring expression of the FRP-4 gene and modulating the phenotype of a neoplastic cell associated with oncogenic osteomalacia. Finally, the invention provides methods for screening candidate agents to identify compositions that modify the activity of the FRP-4 gene and protein.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated polynucleotides encoding an oncogenic osteomalacia-related factor and polypeptides encoded by this polynucleotide. Expression systems, including gene delivery vehicles such as liposomes and vectors, and host cells containing the polynucleotides are further provided by this invention. The present invention also provides proteins encoded by the polynucleotides and antibodies that specifically recognize and bind to these proteins. In one embodiment the proteins that modulate bone mineralization and phosphate metabolism as characterized by the methods described herein. The present invention also provides methods for modulating bone mineralization activity and phosphate metabolism and for treating diseases related to abnormal bone mineralization and abnormal phosphate metabolism.

Abstract: A photoluminescence sensor for detecting a photoluminescent light from a toluminescent material is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the photoluminescence sensor comprises: a source of light; a concave mirror having at least one perforation for passing the source light through the at least one perforation; an optical waveguide having proximal and distal ends with the photoluminescent material being disposed at the distal end; an objective for directing the source light into the proximal end of the waveguide; an objective for receiving photoluminescent light and for focusing the photoluminescent light onto the perforated concave mirror; a liquid filter for passing the photoluminescent light reflected from the perforated concave mirror to a detector to detect the photoluminescent light.

Abstract: The present invention is a technique for a defrosting operation of a heat pump. External air provides the heat for defrosting the exterior heat exchanger by operating the exterior fan during times when the compressor is not operating, the temperature of the exterior heat exchanger is below freezing and the exterior air temperature is above freezing. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the temperature of the exterior heat exchanger and the exterior are measured via separate temperature sensors. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the exterior heat exchanger temperature is measured via a single temperature sensor and the exterior fan is operated for a predetermined interval of time after the compressor is stopped. Thereafter the exterior fan is operated only so long as the temperature remains at freezing. In a still further embodiment, the exterior fan is operated only so long as it remains less than or equal to freezing and does not reach a plateau at less than freezing.

Abstract: The present invention is a technique for a defrosting operation of a heat pump. External air provides the heat for defrosting the exterior heat exchanger by operating the exterior fan during times when the compressor is not operating, the temperature of the exterior heat exchanger is below freezing and the exterior air temperature is above freezing. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the temperature of the exterior heat exchanger and the exterior are measured via separate temperature sensors. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the exterior heat exchanger temperature is measured via a single temperature sensor and the exterior fan is operated for a predetermined interval of time after the compressor is stopped. Thereafter the exterior fan is operated only so long as the temperature remains at freezing. In a still further embodiment, the exterior fan is operated only so long as it remains less than or equal to freezing and does not reach a plateau at less than freezing.