Abstract: Techniques control a utility vehicle. Such techniques involve storing electric power in a lithium battery of the utility vehicle. Such techniques further involve operating a motor controller of the utility vehicle in a normal mode in which the motor controller provides electric power from a lithium battery of the utility vehicle to an electric motor of the utility vehicle to turn one or more ground engaging members of the utility vehicle. Such techniques further involve, after operating the motor controller in the normal operating mode, operating the motor controller in a walkaway mode in which the motor controller configures the electric motor to provide braking torque.

Abstract: A water supply control system is disclosed that comprises a computer-implemented control system coupled to a plurality of gates, one or more pumps, and a plurality of sensors. The computer-implemented control system is configured to receive a request to transfer excess water from a non-water supply lake to a water supply lake and determine, based at least in part on data from the plurality of sensors and geographic locations of the non-water supply lake and the water supply lake, whether transferring water as requested will cause or worsen a flood event. In response to a determination that transferring water as requested will not cause or worsen a flood event, the computer-implemented control system is further configured to issue a command to cause a gate associated with a dam at the non-water supply lake to open such that water is transferred from the non-water supply lake to the water supply lake.

Abstract: A water supply control system is disclosed that comprises a computer-implemented control system coupled to a plurality of gates, one or more pumps, and a plurality of sensors. The computer-implemented control system is configured to receive a request to transfer excess water from a non-water supply lake to a water supply lake and determine, based at least in part on data from the plurality of sensors and geographic locations of the non-water supply lake and the water supply lake, whether transferring water as requested will cause or worsen a flood event. In response to a determination that transferring water as requested will not cause or worsen a flood event, the computer-implemented control system is further configured to issue a command to cause a gate associated with a dam at the non-water supply lake to open such that water is transferred from the non-water supply lake to the water supply lake.

Abstract: Devices for debilitating airborne infectious agents in an enclosed space, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. A representative device includes a housing extending in an axial direction from a first to a second end. The housing includes an internal chamber defining an airflow pathway extending in the axial direction. The internal chamber includes a surface, at least a portion of which is reflective. The housing also includes a first opening toward the first end and positioned to allow air flow into the internal chamber, and a second opening toward the second end and positioned to allow air flow out of the internal chamber. The device can also include an air mover in fluid communication with the internal chamber and a light emitting diode (LED) component contained in the internal chamber. The LED component is positioned to emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation into the internal chamber toward the reflective surface.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for detecting methicillin-resistant Staphylcoccus aureus.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for producing a plastic container with a barrier coating comprising a) applying at least one coating layer of a first polyvinyl acetal on at least a part of the plastic container; b) applying at least one coating layer of polyvinyl alcohol on the first polyvinyl acetal layer; c) applying at least one top coating layer of a second polyvinyl acetal on the polyvinyl alcohol layer. The surface of the plastic container may be pre-treated before coating. In addition to the barrier coating, the surface energy of at least a part of the inside surface of the plastic container may be increased by applying at least one inner hydrophilic coating layer.

Abstract: The present invention involves extracting from Legionella bacteria, particularly L. pneumophila bacteria, an essentially protein-free O-polysaccharide or carbohydrate antigen, coupling this antigen to an activated chromatographic column through a protein spacer molecule which is first conjugated to the antigen, utilizing the column thus prepared for the affinity purification of raw polyvalent antibodies to the same Legionella bacterium from which the O-polysaccharide or carbohydrate antigen was separated—thereby obtaining antigen-specific antibodies which are useful for the rapid detection of the corresponding Legionella bacterium or its antibody in human bodily fluids such as urine, sputum, blood and the like or in environmental samples suspected of harboring the Legionella bacterium.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for producing a plastic container with a barrier coating comprising a) applying at least one coating layer of a first polyvinyl acetal on at least a part of the plastic container; b) applying at least one coating layer of polyvinyl alcohol on the first polyvinyl acetal layer; c) applying at least one top coating layer of a second polyvinyl acetal on the polyvinyl alcohol layer. The surface of the plastic container may be pre-treated before coating. In addition to the barrier coating, the surface energy of at least a part of the inside surface of the plastic container may be increased by applying at least one inner hydrophilic coating layer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for mounting and locating untethered embedded antenna elements in the dielectric cover of electric utility meters configured for but not limited to wireless remote one way or two way radio communications for automated metering applications such as remote meter reading, remote connect/disconnect, home area networking, meter equipment firmware downloads, load management or locations based services. A multiplicity of untethered integral antenna elements and topologies may be located within a replacement dielectric cover for a direct-connect cable free or cable connection to a radio or microwave modem. Also described is a method and apparatus for retro-fitting the antenna elements on the inner face of an existing utility meter dielectric cover.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for separating a carbohydrate antigen from a Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria in a purified form that contains no more than 10% protein. The separated antigen is coupled to an affinity column, over which polyclonal antibodies to the same bacteria are chromatographed and recovered in a purified form that exhibits high specificity and sensitivity in immunoassays for the raw carbohydrate antigen corresponding to the purified antigen on the column. A particularly preferred form of rapid immunochromatographic assay employing the purified antibodies, which assay is very useful as an aid to rapid diagnosis of diseases caused by bacteria, is disclosed.

Abstract: We describe a method for the isolation of prostate stem cells, typically prostate stem cells which express CD 133 antigen; stem cells and cancer stem cells isolated by the method and their use.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for reducing the gas permeability of a plastic material by applying a barrier coating on the plastic material comprising the steps a) pre-treatment of at least a part of the plastic material; b) applying at least one coating layer of polyvinyl alcohol on the pre-treated surface and c) applying at least on top coating layer of polyvinyl acetal on the polyvinyl alcohol layer.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention an apparatus suitable for testing a connection defined between a customer entity and a network entity, the connection traversing at least a first portion of a packet-enabled network between said apparatus and the network entity is provided. The apparatus comprises a first interface adapted to exchange with the network entity data associated with the connection over a first traffic VLAN and a second interface adapted to exchange with the customer entity data associated with the connection over a second traffic VLAN bridged to the first traffic VLAN by a bridging entity. The apparatus further comprises a third interface adapted to exchange with a management entity data associated with a management connection over a management VLAN.

Abstract: Provided are methods and devices for detecting methicillin-resistant Staphylcoccus aureus.