Abstract: A particle-capturing device. The particle-capturing device includes a component having a surface that is configured to be disposed inside an enclosure, and is configured to make contact with an air-stream carrying particles within the enclosure. The component includes an electrostatic particle-capturing portion that includes a dielectric electrically insulating portion, and a plurality of charged portions. The charged portions are embedded in the dielectric electrically insulating portion, and are configured to generate an electrostatic field coupled with the surface that captures the particles from a flow of the air-stream and confines the particles at the surface. In addition, the component is configured to provide at least one additional function within the enclosure exclusive of capturing particles.

Abstract: A composition for use in the detection of an intoxicating drug comprising: (i) a first compound that absorbs UV radiation and generates emitted UV radiation at a wavelength absorbable by said intoxicating drug; and (ii) a second compound that absorbs UV radiation emitted by said intoxicating drug upon absorption by said intoxicating drug of said emitted UV radiation and that emits radiation in the visible spectrum is provided. In addition, methods for detecting an intoxicating drug in a sample comprising irradiating with UV radiation a sample contacted with one or two compounds that absorb UV radiation are provided.

Abstract: A particle-capturing device. The particle-capturing device includes a component having a surface that is configured to be disposed inside an enclosure, and is configured to make contact with an air-stream carrying particles within the enclosure. The component includes an electrostatic particle-capturing portion that includes a dielectric electrically insulating portion, and a plurality of charged portions. The charged portions are embedded in the dielectric electrically insulating portion, and are configured to generate an electrostatic field coupled with the surface that captures the particles from a flow of the air-stream and confines the particles at the surface. In addition, the component is configured to provide at least one additional function within the enclosure exclusive of capturing particles.

Abstract: The invention provides a wafer boat for housing a semiconductor or a solar wafer that includes at least one wafer support member containing at least one slot capable of receiving at least a portion of a peripheral edge of a wafer, wherein in the wafer support member comprises silicon carbide; and at least one structural member for conveying the wafer boat into and out of a processing device connected to the wafer support member , wherein the structural member is comprised of a ceramic material that is not silicon carbide. Also included are methods of manufacturing a wafer boat having increased durability and/or chip resistance.

Abstract: A function-oriented user interface presents users with selections related to what they want to do, rather than selections related to what tool they want to use. Functions may be dragged onto elements (data objects) or elements may be dragged onto functions to initiate activity. The elements themselves may present icons representing functions that are available such as adding a voice note or addressing to another person.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an evaporator device to assist breathing comprising a low profile body adapted to house heating means (9), a liquid reservoir (8), an evaporation site and means (15) to supply liquid from the reservoir to the evaporation site such that the device can humidify the air in the immediate environment. The heating means may comprise PCMs, means to connect to external power, a heating mat and/or encapsulated materials which generate heat through an exothermic chemical reaction. The liquid may be water or a solution including or consisting of an active agent, for example a decongestant. The device may be used to produce nitric oxide to assist breathing.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for assembling, solubilizing and/or purifying a membrane associated protein in a nanolipoprotein particle, which comprise a temperature transition cycle performed in presence of a detergent, wherein during the temperature transition cycle the nanolipoprotein components are brought to a temperature above and below the gel to liquid crystalling transition temperature of the membrane forming lipid of the nanolipoprotein particle.

Abstract: Provided herein are nanolipoprotein particles that comprise a membrane associated hydrogenase and related assemblies, devices, methods and systems.

Abstract: A composition for use in the detection of an intoxicating drug comprising: (i) a first compound that absorbs UV radiation and generates emitted UV radiation at a wavelength absorbable by said intoxicating drug; and (ii) a second compound that absorbs UV radiation emitted by said intoxicating drug upon absorption by said intoxicating drug of said emitted UV radiation and that emits radiation in the visible spectrum is provided. In addition, methods for detecting an intoxicating drug in a sample comprising irradiating with UV radiation a sample contacted with one or two compounds that absorb UV radiation are provided.

Abstract: Component malfunctions in passive optical networks (PON) can increase bit error rates and decrease signal-to-noise ratio in communications signals. These faults may cause the receivers of the signals, either the optical line terminal (OLT) or optical network terminals (ONTs), to experience intermittent faults and/or may result in misinterpreted commands that disrupt other ONT's communication, resulting in a rogue ONT condition. Existing PON protocol detection methods may not detect these types of malfunctions. An embodiment of the present invention identifies faults in a PON by transmitting a test series of data patterns via an optical communications path from a first network node to a second network node. The test series is compared to an expected series of data patterns. An error rate may be calculated as a function of the differences between the test series and expected series. The error rate may be reported to identify faults in the PON.

Abstract: A combination gas grill, charcoal grill, and smoker having multiple cooking areas and multiple heat sources, where heat and/or smoke flow upwards and exits through a vent system. The covered grill area may act as a gas grill by sliding the gas burner tube drawer to the position directly under the grill area. Alternatively the covered grill area may act as a charcoal grill by sliding the gas burner tube drawer to the position away from the frill area, and placing coals on grates directly beneath the grill area. Alternatively the entire center area may be used as a smoker by sliding the gas burner tube drawer to the position away from the grill area and placing coals in the fire box.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic or self plumbing device and method for maintaining survey or data collection or reflection equipment in a vertical plumb position despite horizontal and/or vertical changes of position of the device or vehicle with the device attached thereto. The invention also provides a means for maintaining survey or data collection or reflection equipment in a vertical plumb position and at a constant height above ground or surface to be surveyed. The invention provides a means for mounting or attaching the device to a vehicle or other mobile prime mover and a means for remotely changing the position of the device mounted on the vehicle from within the vehicle for accurate, efficient, and timely collection of data while the device and vehicle are stationary or in motion.

Abstract: Described is a technology by which a circuit, such as one incorporated into a USB-like cable, couples a client computing device to a server computing device. The circuit outputs identification information to each computing device to indicate that the circuit corresponds to a type of hardware device, (e.g., a CD-ROM player) and an attribute (e.g., a migration cable). The circuit then allows the communication of data between the first computing device and the second computing device. For example, the server recognizes the migration cable attribute and can emulate the CD-ROM device recognized by the client, whereby the server may provide data including software code to the client computing device by emulating the CD-ROM device. Via the software code, the client computing device is bootstrapped to recognize that it is connected to the server instead of the hardware device. Data may then be migrated from the client to the server.

Abstract: A function-oriented user interface presents users with selections related to what they want to do, rather than selections related to what tool they want to use. Functions may be dragged onto elements (data objects) or elements may be dragged onto functions to initiate activity. The elements themselves may present icons representing functions that are available such as adding a voice note or addressing to another person.

Abstract: A method for assembling seatbelt webbing with a sill-end bracket using an apparatus for feeding seatbelt webbing through a sill-end bracket has a form-feeding member with a tapered channel for receiving one end of a length of seatbelt webbing on an assembly line. A webbing pull-through member is fed through the sill-end bracket and engages one end of the webbing. The pull-through device is then drawn back through the sill-end bracket thus drawing the webbing through the tapered channel of the form feeding member.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling seatbelt webbing with a sill-end bracket has a form-feeding member with a tapered channel for receiving one end of a length of seatbelt webbing on an assembly line. A webbing pull-through member engages one end of the webbing. A bracket sensor senses the presence of a bracket at a correct position in the bracket support. Means responsive to a signal from a sensor may be provided for indicating the correct positioning of the sill-end bracket for feeding the pull-through member through the sill-end bracket. Means for driving the webbing into the tapered channel are provided so that said one end is located at a predetermined position relative to the form-feeding member. A method of manual or automatic assembling seatbelt webbing with a sill-end bracket is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling seatbelt webbing with a sill-end bracket has a form-feeding member with a tapered channel for receiving one end of a length of seatbelt webbing on an assembly line. A webbing pull-through member engages one end of the webbing. A bracket sensor senses the presence of a bracket at a correct position in the bracket support. Means responsive to a signal from a sensor may be provided for indicating the correct positioning of the sill-end bracket for feeding the pull-through member through the sill-end bracket. Means for driving the webbing into the tapered channel are provided so that said one end is located at a predetermined position relative to the form-feeding member. A method of manual or automatic assembling seatbelt webbing with a sill-end bracket is also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated network switch system which can uniquely and consistently detect and designate each processor on a bus without the relative position information, and allow a dynamic reallocation of the processors according to their designations. A pseudo code residing within each processor is implemented to effect the detecting and designating operation of the integrated network switch system. Additionally, a shared RAM and a hardware register which are made accessible to all processors on the bus at a fixed location are used to assist the designating operation of the system, and each processor's memory is used to assist the delaying operation of the system. This assures that tasks among the processors are distributed according to their designations, and that each of the processors can be removed or added without any hard coded information.

Abstract: An integrated network switch system which can uniquely and consistently detect and designate each processor on a bus without the relative position information, and allow a dynamic reallocation of the processors according to their designations. A pseudo code residing within each processor is implemented to effect the detecting and designating operation of the integrated network switch system. Additionally, a shared RAM and a hardware register which are made accessible to all processors on the bus at a fixed location are used to assist the designating operation of the system, and each processor's memory is used to assist the delaying operation of the system. This assures that tasks among the processors are distributed according to their designations, and that each of the processors can be removed or added without any hard coded configuration.