Abstract: An IV catheter system may have a catheter component and a needle component. The catheter component may have a catheter hub, a cannula extending distally from the catheter hub, and a push feature extending outward from the catheter hub. The push feature may have an outer surface that receives contact from a digit to move the IV catheter system from an insertion configuration, in which the needle is within the cannula, to a fluid delivery configuration, in which the needle is outside the catheter hub. The needle component may have a needle hub and a needle extending distally from the needle hub along an axis. The push feature may be formed of a flexible material that causes the push feature, in response to pressure exerted on the outer surface by a dressing securing the catheter component to a patient, to deflect the outer surface toward the cannula axis.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, test units, systems, assays and kits for qualitative and/or quantitative detection of microorganisms or microbes. Some aspects of the invention utilize a test strip comprising a test area and a self-calibrating control area that permits quantitative measurements to be obtained rapidly at the test site. The test strip is ready-to-use and does not require any preparation. The present systems and methods provide valuable tools for sensitive early detection of microbial contamination.

Abstract: A method of insuring military draftees for the reduction of income due to involuntary active military duty includes collecting payments on behalf of a draftee, amounts of the payments being based upon civilian income of the draftee and desired compensatory income during times of active military duty, and providing the desired compensatory income for the draftee during at least a portion of a first time period of active military duty of the draftee in response to receiving a request for compensatory income on behalf of the draftee.

Abstract: A method of insuring military reserve component personnel for reduction of income due to active military duty includes collecting payments on behalf of a reservist, amounts of the payments being based upon civilian income of the reservist and desired compensatory income during times of active military duty, and providing the desired compensatory income for the reservist during at least a portion of a first time period of active military duty of the reservist in response to receiving a request for compensatory income on behalf of the reservist.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for processing returned mail includes the steps of encoding pieces of mail with data including the identity of the intended recipient, mailing the pieces of mail to the intended recipients, collecting at a processing location those pieces of mail that are returned as undeliverable, scanning the data from the returned pieces of mail, electronically updating at least address information for the intended recipients of the returned mail, and electronically transmitting the updated address and other information to a subscriber for updating the subscriber's database of recipient addresses.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for processing returned mail includes the steps of encoding pieces of mail with data including the identity of the intended recipient, mailing the pieces of mail to the intended recipients, collecting at a processing location those pieces of mail that are returned as undeliverable, scanning the data from the returned pieces of mail, electronically updating at least address information for the intended recipients of the returned mail, and electronically transmitting the updated address and other information to a subscriber for updating the subscriber's database of recipient addresses.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting microorganisms in air, water, or deposited on surfaces. The sensor includes a source of light, a waveguide receptive to the source of light, a fluorochrome coating on the waveguide, and a detector which detects the Stokes shift of light passing through the waveguide in response to microorganisms fluorescing as they come into contact with the fluorochrome coating on the waveguide.

Abstract: Wood is impregnated with a solution of tannic acid followed by impregnation with a solution of a metal in the form of a salt. The metal selected is one that will complex with both the impregnated tannic acid and the wood.

Abstract: A magnetic separation method for recovering single cell protein from single cell organisms including dispersing magnetic seed in a fluid medium containing single cell organisms, to allow the attachment of the seed to the single cell organisms in the mixture to occur; submitting the resulting mixture to a magnetic separator to attract and hold by magnetic forces the seed and attached single cell organisms to concentrate the single cell organisms in the magnetic separator; lysing the entrapped single cell organisms to break the cell walls of the single cell organisms and release protein from the single cell organisms into the fluid medium; and recovering the released protein by discharging the fluid medium from the magnetic separator while the seed and remaining portions of the cells attached to the magnetic seed are held by the magnetic forces.

Abstract: A method of controlling a laminating press in accordance with a predetermined time-temperature command profile and apparatus for use therein, are disclosed.