Abstract: A modular scaffold component of different material components advantageously uses the durability and reliability of conventional type steel ledger heads adhesively secured to by an aluminum or aluminum alloy structural member. In a preferred embodiment the structural member is an extruded elongate tube and in a further preferred structure the elongate tube is of a non circular cross section having thickened top and bottom portions preferably interior to a circular outer surface. These thickened portions provide additional strength and structural characteristics such that the component can be freely substituted for the equivalent steel component. In this way the component may be added to existing systems to take advantage of the reduced weight thereof without requiring a dedicated system or rendering an existing system obsolete.

Abstract: A module arrangement (5) according to an embodiment of the invention consists of a plurality of membrane modules (6) arranged in a two dimensional array (7) and extending between upper and lower block-type manifolds (8) and (9), respectively. The array of modules is further divided into sub-groups of modules (10) separated from each other by space (11) extending transversely across the membrane array (7). An integrated support frame (12) is positioned in the space (11) between the sub-groups (10) and is fixed to the upper and lower manifold blocks (8) and (9) to form an integrated support structure within the module array (7).

Abstract: A module arrangement (5) according to an embodiment of the invention consists of a plurality of membrane modules (6) arranged in a two dimensional array (7) and extending between upper and lower block-type manifolds (8) and (9), respectively. The array of modules is further divided into sub-groups of modules (10) separated from each other by space (11) extending transversely across the membrane array (7). An integrated support frame (12) is positioned in the space (11) between the sub-groups (10) and is fixed to the upper and lower manifold blocks (8) and (9) to form an integrated support structure within the module array (7).

Abstract: Methods and devices for drain assemblies including those for building into a floor. Such drain assemblies including a drain body which can be built into the floor and which has at the top an inlet zone with a periphery, a peripheral flange with an upper surface, extending substantially in a horizontal plane from this periphery, a water-sealing layer arranged adheringly on the upper surface of the peripheral flange, a sealing mat with the form of a frame with an inner periphery fitting around the periphery, wherein a portion of the sealing mat overlaps at least the outer periphery of the water-sealing layer, and wherein the sealing mat and the water-sealing layer are adapted to be water-sealing and to adhere well to tile adhesive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for obtaining clonal HIV-1 sequence information from a clinical isolate derived from an HIV-1 infected individual to guide highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) comprising the following steps; a) extracting cell-associated viral nucleic acid b) amplifying said nucleic acid c) obtaining clonal sequence information d) interpreting the clonal sequence information and determining the ratio of the minority viral species by bio-informatics means whereby the ratio obtained is used to guide HAART.

Abstract: A surgical retrieval apparatus includes an elongate tubular member having a drive rod slidably disposed therein. A support member is operably coupled to a distal end of the drive rod. A pouch is attached to the support member and has a closed end and an open end. The pouch may be releasably coupled to the support member. An end effector is repositionable with respect to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member. The support member may include an expandable member.

Abstract: A method of processing waste containing an amount of thermoplastic material and an amount of non-thermoplastic material as constituent materials to produce an output material capable of being used as an ingredient or component in a subsequent manufacturing process, said method comprising the steps of: increasing the temperature of the waste; supplying said waste to a densifier to cause densification of the waste and heat transfer contact between the constituent materials such that the thermoplastic materials soften to at least partially surround said non-thermoplastic materials; and extruding the densified waste to produce an extruded material.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the changing of a baby's soiled sanitary wear comprising a lamina (101) including a recess adapted to receive the torso of a baby whose soiled sanitary wear is to be changed and lamina-positioning means (103, 104) for positioning the lamina (101) transversely of and orthogonal to a base member (102) upon which the said baby can be laid, wherein the lamina positioning means comprises a pair of collapsible supports (103, 104) positioned on either side of each end of the lamina (101).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for eliminating nitrogenous organic compounds from a salt-containing water which contains more than 0.5% by weight of salt in the form of CaCl2 or NaCl, less than 200 ppm of dissolved carbonic acid or carbonates and more than 50 ppm of nitrogenous organic compounds, by treating the water by wet oxidation at a temperature of below 100° C. with chlorine or a chlorine-containing oxidizing agent and feeding this, preferably after additional oxidation with a gaseous oxidizing agent and/or by adsorption with an adsorbent, to an electrolysis for producing chlorine and/or sodium hydroxide solution.

Abstract: An article comprises an electronic signalling device embedded in a foamed plastics material e.g. plastics material, to allow one or more of location, identification, tracking etc. of the article. The embedding provides thermal and mechanical protection and can be used to conceal the device from external view and/or surreptitious removal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a finings formulation comprising pectin and methods of using pectin in a fining process to produce fined beverages, particularly beers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for eliminating nitrogenous organic compounds from a salt-containing water which contains more than 0.5% by weight of salt in the form of CaCl2 or NaCl, less than 200 ppm of dissolved carbonic acid or carbonates and more than 50 ppm of nitrogenous organic compounds, by treating the water by wet oxidation at a temperature of below 100° C. with chlorine or a chlorine-containing oxidizing agent and feeding this, preferably after additional oxidation with a gaseous oxidizing agent and/or by adsorption with an adsorbent, to an electrolysis for producing chlorine and/or sodium hydroxide solution.

Abstract: A modular membrane filtration system (5) includes a number of banks (6) of membrane modules (7). Each module (7) includes upper and lower modular manifolds (8) and (9), respectively which are connected to one another to form upper and lower common manifolds (10) and (11) for each bank (6). The upper and lower manifolds (8) and (9) are used for delivery of feed and removal of filtrate and waste liquid from the modules (7). A gas feed manifold (12) runs along the top of the module banks (6) and feeds gas to lower gas manifold (13) through drop lines (14). A further manifold (15) runs in parallel with the common upper and lower manifolds (10) and (11) and is connected thereto at connections points (16) between the manifold banks (6).

Abstract: A removal system for membranes in a membrane filtration system of the type where the membranes (12) are supported on a membrane support rack (13) in a tank or vessel (6) which, in use, contains liquid to be filtered. The tank (6) comprises a selectively operable opening (9) which in an open position allows the removal of the membranes (12) from the tank (6). The membrane support rack (13) is movable relative to the tank (6) to move said membranes (12) through the opening (9), in its open position, to a position outside the tank (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for the production of finely divided blowing agent powders.

Abstract: An inspection system for removably mounting to a platform movable in relation to a generally upright mast for inspection of the mast has a mounting support assembly removably fixable to the platform. The mounting support assembly for scanning the mast carries a detector device and collecting mast scanned information. A power supply is carried by one or more of the mounting support assembly or the detector device and is connected to the detector device. A communications device is carried by one or more of the mounting support assembly or the detector device and is connected to the detector device for receiving and relaying the collected mast scanned information.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a supplemental promoter in conjunction with a noble-metal-containing catalyst comprising a carbon support in catalyzing liquid phase oxidation reactions, a process for making of an improved catalyst comprising such a supplemental promoter, and an improved catalyst comprising such a supplemental promoter. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a supplemental promoter (most preferably bismuth or tellurium) is used in conjunction with a noble-metal-containing catalyst comprising a carbon support in a liquid phase oxidation process wherein N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (i.e., “PMIDA”) or a salt thereof is oxidized to form N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (i.e., “glyphosate”) or a salt thereof. The benefits of such a process include increased oxidation of the formaldehyde and formic acid by-products, and, consequently, decreased final concentrations of those by-products as well as other undesirable by-products, most notably N-methyl-N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (i.e., “NMG”).

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved catalyst, comprising a carbon support having a noble metal at its surface, for use in catalyzing liquid phase oxidation reactions, especially in an acidic oxidative environment and in the presence of solvents, reactants, intermediates, or products which solubilize noble metals; a process for the preparation of the improved catalyst; a liquid phase oxidation process using such a catalyst wherein the catalyst exhibits improved resistance to noble metal leaching, particularly in acidic oxidative environments and in the presence of solvents, reactants, intermediates, or products which solubilize noble metals; and a liquid phase oxidation process in which N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (i.e., “PMIDA”) or a salt thereof is oxidized to form N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (i.e., “glyphosate”) or a salt thereof using such a catalyst wherein the oxidation of the formaldehyde and formic acid by-products into carbon dioxide and water is increased.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to improved methods and herbicidal glyphosate compositions for use in controlling the growth of weeds and unwanted vegetation, and particularly for use in controlling weeds in a crop of transgenic glyphosate-tolerant cotton plants by over-the-top, foliar application of a herbicidal glyphosate formulation.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods, systems, and apparatus for measuring a pulse rate. One aspect includes a method for measuring a pulse rate of an individual. The method can include providing at least one sensor adapted to monitor a pulse associated with a user, and further adapted to monitor motion associated with the user. Furthermore, the method can include detecting a pulse associated with a user with the at least one sensor, and detecting motion associated with a user with the at least one sensor. In addition, the method can include generating a signal based at least on the detected pulse associated with the user, and modifying the signal based at least on the motion associated with the user. Moreover, the method can include determining a pulse rate associated with the user based at least on the modified signal.