Abstract: An underdrain system for a filter having filter media. The underdrain system preferably includes a bottom formed of concrete having a plurality of generally cone-shaped depressions formed therein. Fluid flows through the plurality of generally cone-shaped depressions during filtration and washing. The underdrain system further includes a fluid distributor operably associated with at least one of the generally cone-shaped depressions. The fluid distributor preferably has a plurality of elongated slots for distributing the flow of fluid passing into and out of the generally cone-shaped depressions. The slots are sized to prevent filter media supported by the fluid distributor from passing therethrough. An optional insert may be provided to ensure even distribution of fluid through the fluid distributor.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for increasing the activity of agrichemicals and controlling their drift by specially formulating an deposition agent with fertilizer. This unique combination has been seen to allow lower use rates of fertilizers as pesticide efficacy enhancers and improved deposition of sprays.

Abstract: The invention is a low cost, low input power eye viewing device well suited for viewing wide field retinal images through an undilated pupil. Included in the device are a converging light illumination system and an aperture stop. The converging light illumination system provides ease of entry of light rays into an eye, wide field retinal illumination, reduced glare and reduced power consumption. The aperture stop blocks unwanted received glare light not forming part of the retinal image. The device is made especially well suited for retinal viewing through an undilated pupil if the aperture is sized in accordance with the diameter of an undilated pupil.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating liquid egg white while not decreasing egg white functionality or causing difficulties in processing of the egg whites, such as gelation. In accordance with the invention, egg whites are blended with an amount of hydroxide solution which is effective for raising egg white pH to at least about 8.2.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied in as a canopy system for a vehicle, such as a golf cart. The invention may include nested support members and/or a housing.

Abstract: Exemplary compositions comprise at least one aldopentonic acid, such as xylonic acid; and further comprise a lignin, a lignosulfonic acid or its salt, an additional sugar acid such as a aldohexonic acid or salt, a conventional admixture (such as a polyacrylate superplasticizer, a corrosion inhibitor, a set retard, a set accelerator, etc.), or a mixture thereof. Exemplary methods for obtaining microbiologically or enzymatically converted sugar acids are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for making a concrete floor slab using sub-grade waterproofing in a manner that favors the use of water-based adhesives for affixing floor covering materials. The method comprises casting a hydratable cementitious composition onto a flooring membrane, the composition having a shrinkage reduction admixture and a water:cementitious binder ratio sufficiently low that substantially all of the water moisture is retained in the hydration reaction, and achieving a fully adhered bond with the flooring membrane.

Abstract: A data-display system employs a display in which the representations of data objects are caused to move on the display in order to convey information about the represented data objects. In one example, icons in a link-analysis display that represent data objects satisfying a selection criterion are made to execute distinctive motion. In another example, three-dimensional models of moving bodies in whose features components of respective data objects are encoded are projected onto a screen plane, and the resultant values are used to generate the display.

Abstract: A housing is mounted to a slide that transports a series of preforms downward under the influence of gravity through a pre-heating apparatus toward a reheat blow molding machine. The housing is coupled to the slide so that a selected portion of each of the series of preforms is shielded from the general enviroment, and heating elements and directing elements are fixed within the housing so that heat from the heating elements is directed toward the selected portion of each series of preforms as the preforms desend down the slide to achieve a persistent thermal gradient in the preforms prior to the re-heating and blow-molding of the preform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for producing a ?-lactone of the formula: using an acyl halide of the formula: wherein R1, R2 R3 and X are described herein, as well as novel intermediates. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for enantioselectively producing the (R)-?-lactone.

Abstract: The effectiveness of a prefabricated earth drain installed in a generally vertical manner in soil is improved for enhancing the expelling of pore water from the soil to the surface. The soil surrounding the earth drain is hydraulically fractured either while the drain is in place or while the earth drain is being installed. Propping agents may also be supplied to the surrounding soil after hydraulic fracturing for propping fractures in the soil to maintain continuous flow to the drain. Radially extending fissures may also be formed in the surrounding soil either mechanically or through the use of hydraulic jetting and a propping agent is supplied to these fissures either in the form of particulate material or a continuous ribbon of porous filter fabric.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic element comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion wherein fog density development is imagewise inhibited in exposed areas of the image upon thermal development. In one embodiment of the invention, a density-inhibiting agent is released during thermal development which agent inhibits the thermal development of unexposed silver salts in the exposed areas relative to the unexposed areas. The method preferably comprises imagewise exposing the film with a non-solarizing amount of radiation/energy to form a latent image and thermally developing the latent image in a single development step to produce a positive image in the element. The present invention is also directed to a photothermographic element that can be used in the present process in which a positive image characterized by high speed and discrimination is formed when exposed and thermally heated above 150° C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic element comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion wherein fog density development is imagewise inhibited in exposed areas of the image upon thermal development, the element further comprising a developer or precursor thereof and an oxidized developer scavenging agent to accelerate development by removing oxidized developer as it is formed during the thermal development step. In one embodiment of the invention, in which a density-inhibiting agent is released during thermal development that inhibits the thermal development of unexposed silver salts in the exposed areas relative to the unexposed areas, the method comprises imagewise exposing the film with a non-solarizing amount of radiation/energy to form a latent image and thermally developing the latent image in a single development step to produce a positive image in the element.

Abstract: The invention pertains to new composition and a method for increasing the solubility of various agricultural compounds in water at a low pH. The compounds included in this patent are typically not soluble at pH ranges less than 7 to produce commercially viable liquid concentrates. This method requires the use of amine-containing surfactants and organic acids to lower the pH of various compounds and also keep them soluble in water.

Abstract: The invention is a hand-held eye viewing device adapted to be readily positioned in an operative radial displacement, angular orientation and axial standoff position relative to an eye. The eye viewing device includes an eye cup extending from a patient end of the device having a patient end adapted to be received at a patient's eye orbit. By allowing the eye viewing device to be stabilized against an eye orbit the eye cup eases the task of maintaining an operative position once an operative position has been achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for producing a &dgr;-lactone of the formula: using an acyl halide of the formula: wherein R1, R2 R3 and X are described herein, as well as novel intermediates. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for enantioselectively producing the (R)-&dgr;-lactone.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions, organic electronic devices, and methods for preparing organic electronic devices are described. The compounds of the invention contain at least two carbon-carbon triple bonds and a heteroaromatic ring having at least one —C═N— unit. The compounds can be used as electron transport agents in organic electronic devices such as organic electroluminescent devices.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions are provided that can be used as electron transport agents in organic electronic devices such as organic electroluminescent devices. The compounds are non-polymeric and have an aromatic core conjugated to end capping groups. The aromatic core contains a phenylene group arylene or naphthalene group arylene having a pendant heteroaryl group that includes a —C═N— unit.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for increasing the activity of agrichemicals and controlling their drift by specially formulating an deposition agent with fertilizer. This unique combination has been seen to allow lower use rates of fertilizers as pesticide efficacy enhancers and improved deposition of sprays.

Abstract: An adapter for permitting a medical diagnostic instrument having an illumination source including at least one LED (light emitting diode) to be used with a power supply normally configured for use with a diagnostic instrument having at least one incandescent lamp as an illumination source. The adapter includes circuitry for compensating LED specific characteristics for permitting the power supply to be used with the LED.