Abstract: A short detection apparatus, system and method detect short circuits in an inkjet printhead using a comparison of measured current consumption and an estimate of current consumption based on print data. The apparatus includes a current sensor to measure current consumed by the printhead to eject a droplet of ink, a current estimator to estimate a current consumption of the printhead due to print data provided to the printhead, and a comparator to compare the measured consumed current to the estimated consumed current. A short circuit in the printhead is indicated when the comparison exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A gas igniter includes a heating element, a bushing and a mounting bracket. The bushing is formed of a generally rigid electrically insulating material and supports the heating element. The bushing includes an elongated slot extending through the bushing. The mounting bracket includes a first connecting portion and a second mounting portion. The first connecting portion is inserted through the elongated slot located on the bushing for connecting the mounting bracket to the bushing. The second mounting portion is configured to attach the gas igniter to an associated support surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel approach to prevent or treat mastitis both in humans and animals through the use of mammal milk-derived microorganisms obtained from healthy hosts of the homologous species; to those new probiotic microorganisms obtained from milk able to reduce infectious mastitis and the method of screening used for their obtaining; to the use of these probiotic bacteria for the prophylaxis or treatment against mastitis and other diseases; and finally, to compositions comprising these compounds.

Abstract: A gas igniter comprising an heating element and a mounting bushing. The heating element includes an elongated high resistance cylindrical nose coil and two rear terminal elements electrically insulated from each other, and an input lead connected to each of the elements. The bushing is formed from a generally rigid electrically insulating material for mounting the heating element onto an external support structure. A passage in the bushing receives the heating element with a gap between the heating element and the passage, an adhesive mass in the gap secures the heating element into the bushing and a sheet metal mounting bracket is integrally formed with the insulating material of the bushing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the selection of new probiotic strains which comprises the following steps: a) selecting for non-pathogenic strains which are capable of surviving in breast milk and/or amniotic fluid, and b) selecting for non-pathogenic strains which are able to be transferred to breast milk and/or amniotic fluid after oral intake in healthy individuals without colonizing other internal organs except mucousas. The invention also provides new Lactobacillus strains, which are: CECT5711 (Lactobacillus coryniformis), CECT5713 (Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius), CECT5714: (Lactobacillus gasseri, formerly L. acidophilus), CETC5715: (Lactobacillus gasseri), and CECT5716: (Lactobacillus fermentum); and refers to their use for the prophylaxis or treatment against digestive, infective, neuro-degenerative and immune related diseases such as allergies or inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A water quality analyzer for real-time detection according to the invention comprises a biased AC electro-osmosis (ACEO) cell for receiving a fluid to be analyzed having a plurality photosynthetic organisms therein, and concentrating the plurality photosynthetic organisms into at least one concentrated region. A photodetector is provided for obtaining a measured photosynthetic activity of the plurality of photosynthetic organisms in the concentrated region; wherein chemical, biological or radiological agents reduce a nominal photosynthetic activity of the photosynthetic organisms. An electronics package analyzes the measured photosynthetic activity to indicate a presence of the chemical, biological or radiological agents in the fluid.

Abstract: A gas igniter comprising an heating element and a mounting bushing. The heating element includes an elongated high resistance cylindrical nose coil and two rear terminal elements electrically insulated from each other, and an input lead connected to each of the elements. The bushing is formed from a generally rigid electrically insulating material for mounting the heating element onto an external support structure. A passage in the bushing receives the heating element with a gap between the heating element and the passage, an adhesive mass in the gap secures the heating element into the bushing and a sheet metal mounting bracket is integrally formed with the insulating material of the bushing.

Abstract: A freeze resistant buoy system includes a tail-tube buoy having a thermally insulated section disposed predominantly above a waterline, and a thermo-siphon disposed predominantly below the waterline.

Abstract: A method of biosensor-based detection of toxins includes the steps of providing a fluid to be analyzed having a plurality of photosynthetic organisms therein, wherein chemical, biological or radiological agents alter a nominal photosynthetic activity of the photosynthetic organisms. At a first time a measured photosynthetic activity curve is obtained from the photosynthetic organisms. The measured curve is automatically compared to a reference photosynthetic activity curve to determine differences therebetween. The presence of the chemical, biological or radiological agents, or precursors thereof, are then identified if present in the fluid using the differences.

Abstract: A method of biosensor-based detection of toxins comprises the steps of providing at least one time-dependent control signal generated by a biosensor in a gas or liquid medium, and obtaining a time-dependent biosensor signal from the biosensor in the gas or liquid medium to be monitored or analyzed for the presence of one or more toxins selected from chemical, biological or radiological agents. The time-dependent biosensor signal is processed to obtain a plurality of feature vectors using at least one of amplitude statistics and a time-frequency analysis. At least one parameter relating to toxicity of the gas or liquid medium is then determined from the feature vectors based on reference to the control signal.

Abstract: An adapter bracket for securing a gas igniter to a support surface. The gas igniter having an axis and including a cylindrical outer surface having an outer diameter. The adapter bracket being formed by a bracket body extending in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end wherein the bracket body is curved about a clip axis transverse to the longitudinal direction thereby forming a clip portion near the first end of the body. The clip portion being shaped to receive the cylindrical outer surface of a gas igniter having an opening sized smaller than the outer diameter of the igniter outer surface to retain the gas igniter relative to the bracket such that the igniter axis is parallel to the clip axis. The bracket body further including a slot near the second end which extends at a slot angle from the longitudinal direction wherein the slot angle is between 45° and 90°.

Abstract: The invention relates to monoclonal antibody capable of specific binding to the molecular weight of 20 kDa variant of human growth hormone. This monoclonal antibody has no substantial binding to hGH of molecular weight 22 kDa. The invention also relates to the use of this monoclonal antibody for measurement of hGH 20K, especially in body fluids. The antibodies can be used for detection and quantification of hGH 20K, especially in serum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the selection of new probiotic strains which comprises the following steps: a) selecting for non-pathogenic strains which are capable of surviving in breast milk and/or amniotic fluid, and b) selecting for non-pathogenic strains which are able to be transferred to breast milk and/or amniotic fluid after oral intake in healthy individuals without colonizing other internal organs except mucousas. The invention also provides new Lactobacillus strains, which are: CECT5711 (Lactobacillus coryniformis), CECT5713 (Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius), CECT5714: (Lactobacillus gasseri, formerly L. acidophilus), CETC5715: (Lactobacillus gasseri), and CECT5716: (Lactobacillus fermentum); and refers to their use for the prophylaxis or treatment against digestive, infective, neuro-degenerative and immune related diseases such as allergies or inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A genset monitoring and control device that interactively monitors and can control a genset having an internal network over which engine data is communicated is implemented with a network interface for coupling with the genset's internal network to receive engine data therefrom and pass data and commands thereover. The genset monitoring and control device's processor uses the engine data received directly from the genset's internal network via the network interface to control and monitor the operation of the genset. Also, the genset monitoring and control device can request various engine data from the genset's internal network, and command new data to be collected in response to a command. The internal network is preferably a controller area network (CAN), and the engine data is preferably communicated on the CAN in the SAE J1939 messaging protocol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determinating cytokine receptor, especially growth hormone receptor (GHR), activation, by the use of an antibody capable of discriminating between an activated and an inactive cytokine receptor conformation, especially GHR or growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) conformation, the method comprising: contacting the antibody and the cytokine receptor to form a complex, contacting a candidate ligand to the complex, measuring the antibody binding to inactive cytokine receptor and thereby discriminating between an activated and an inactive conformation. The invention also relates to an antibody directed to the hinge spanning subdomains I and II of the growth hormone receptor extracellular region and which is capable of discriminating between an activated and an inactive receptor conformation. The invention also relates to the use of the antibody for e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determinating cytokine receptor, especially growth hormone receptor (GHR), activation, by the use of an antibody capable of discriminating between an activated and an inactive cytokine receptor conformation, especially GHR or growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) conformation, the method comprising: contacting the antibody and the cytokine receptor to form a complex, contacting a candidate ligand to thc complex, measuring the antibody binding to inactive cytokine receptor and thereby discriminating between an activated and an inactive conformation

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determinating cytokine receptor, especially growth hormone receptor (GHR), activation, by the use of an antibody capable of discriminating between an activated and an inactive cytokine receptor conformation, especially GHR or growth hormone binding protein (GHBP) conformation, the method comprising: contacting the antibody and the cytokine receptor to form a complex, contacting a candidate ligand to the complex, measuring the antibody binding to inactive cytokine receptor and thereby discriminating between an activated and an inactive conformation. The invention also relates to an antibody directed to the hinge spanning subdomains I and II of the growth hormone receptor extracellular region and which is capable of discriminating between an activated and an inactive receptor conformation. The invention also relates to the use of the antibody for e.g.

Abstract: The present patent of invention describes the obtention of lasers in solid condition of dyes of the family of Rhodamines. More particularly, it describes lasers in which said dye or chromophore is to be found covalently anchored to a solid matrix, consisting in a transparent organic polymer and suficiently stable to the pumping radiation. Its application is the production of the laser emittance by an organic dye in a solid matrix and polymers containing rhodamines.