Abstract: A wall system for a structure including elongate furring strips having a multiplicity of transversely oriented air passages. The elongate furring strips are arranged on a first envelope layer of a wall and covered with a second envelope layer. The furring strips space the first and second envelope layers apart, forming a plurality of enclosed cavities or air spaces. The cavities are in fluid communication with each other through the air passages in the furring strips, and may be in fluid communication with the outside atmosphere. Air is thusly enabled to circulate from the outdoors through substantially all portions of the cavities, promoting drying of the first and second envelope layers, which may be sheathing and finish siding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of synthetic polymeric microfiltration membrane materials that are fabricated to separate liquids from solids contained therein. One aspect of the invention relates to a highly asymmetric, hydrophilic microfiltration membrane with high surface porosity. The membrane is rendered hydrophilic through co-casting the sulfone polymer with a hydrophilic polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone. The membranes of the invention are highly useful in testing devices for the quick detection of properties or components contained in liquid samples, such as diagnostic applications, as well as for other filtration applications that demand relatively large pore sizes, thick membranes, high asymmetry, and/or high lateral wicking speeds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving and extracting piles that includes a vibration/tension load absorber assembly mounted between a housing and the vibratory unit which includes shear-type vibration absorbers connected between the housing and the vibratory unit and operating in combination with at least one compression-type vibration absorber positioned to be compressed between first and second compression plates when the tension load reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac device is configured and programmed to assess a patient's cardiopulmonary function by evaluating the patient's minute ventilation response. Such evaluation may be performed by computing a minute ventilation response slope, defined as the ratio of an incremental change in minute ventilation to an incremental change in measured activity level. The minute ventilation response slope may then be compared with a normal range to assess the patient's functional status.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to perioperative bleeding and, in particular, to methods of identifying individuals at risk of perioperative bleeding. The present invention relates, in general, to perioperative renal dysfunction and, in particular, to methods of identifying individuals at risk of perioperative renal dysfunction. The present invention relates, in general, to perioperative stroke and, in particular, to methods of identifying individuals at risk of perioperative stroke.

Abstract: An insulated tile or stone block wall assembly. The main element is composed of an outer and inner tile or stone facing bonded to an insulating core. The blocks are stacked and adhered together. The core geometry provides voids for forming concrete and placing steel and utilities. The resulting structure is a decorative, structural, and weatherproof finished product that is easy to install and cost effective to build. Drainage channels are provided behind a cast stone or stone facing to prevent water intrusion. The block insulation shapes are easy to cut making expensive molds unnecessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for associating information with a carrier and/or at least one biological reagent is provided. The apparatus can include a carrier adapted to retain at least one biological reagent and at least one non-silicon Radio Frequency Identification Tag (RFID). The RFID tag can comprise information in the form of an information pointer that can be resolved by an information pointer resolution device. The information pointer and/or resolution device can be used to access a remote system. The carrier can be configured, for example, as a microfluidic processing device or a multi-well plate. Methods and systems using the apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Biological reagent carrier devices and methods are disclosed, which employ RFID techniques to associate information with biological reagents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of synthetic polymeric microfiltration membrane materials that are fabricated to separate liquids from solids contained therein. One aspect of the invention relates to a highly asymmetric, hydrophilic microfiltration membrane with high surface porosity. The membrane is rendered hydrophilic through co-casting the sulfone polymer with a hydrophilic polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone. The membranes of the invention are highly useful in testing devices for the quick detection of properties or components contained in liquid samples, such as diagnostic applications, as well as for other filtration applications that demand relatively large pore sizes, thick membranes, high asymmetry, and/or high lateral wicking speeds.

Abstract: A tile support arrangement comprising interlocking panels adapted to support thereon a plurality of tiles, battens which support thereon the interlocking panels, the battens secured to load bearing frame members of an inclined roof or a wall of a building, wherein each batten includes an upright portion which supports the interlocking panels in spaced relationship to the frame members and wherein the securing of the battens to the load bearing frame members comprises a plurality of elongated beams having first longitudinal axes and which are secured in end to end relationship upon each load bearing frame member. Each frame member having a second longitudinal axis, the relationship being such that there is alignment of the first and second longitudinal axes, wherein for each load bearing frame member, a lower portion of a batten is sandwiched between facing surfaces of opposing ends of adjacent elongated beams and is secured to at least one of the opposing ends.

Abstract: A wall system for a structure including elongate furring strips having a multiplicity of transversely oriented air passages. The elongate furring strips are arranged on a first envelope layer of a wall and covered with a second envelope layer. The furring strips space the first and second envelope layers apart, forming a plurality of enclosed cavities or air spaces. The cavities are in fluid communication with each other through the air passages in the furring strips, and may be in fluid communication with the outside atmosphere. Air is thusly enabled to circulate from the outdoors through substantially all portions of the cavities, promoting drying of the first and second envelope layers, which may be sheathing and finish siding.

Abstract: A precipitation resistant ventilator for a structure enclosing an interior space. The ventilator encloses a space that is in communication with the structure interior space. A thin sheet of air permeable water resistant material is disposed within the ventilator interior. The thin sheet of air permeable water resistant material forms a barrier that excludes the entry of precipitation and other foreign matter into the roof structure while still allowing air exchange.

Abstract: A thin film piezoelectric material employs a metallic backer plate to provide high output, non-resonant ultrasonic transmissions suitable for quantitative ultrasonic measurement and/or imaging.

Abstract: A thin film piezoelectric material employs an array of metallic backer plates to provide high output, non-resonant ultrasonic transmission and reception suitable for ultrasonic measurement and/or imaging.

Abstract: A tile support arrangement (10) has interlocking panels (30) adapted to support thereon a plurality of tiles (32), the interlocking panels (30) being supported by battens (18). The battens (18) are secured to load bearing frame members, such as timber rafters (12), of an inclined roof or a wall of a building.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for loading a channel device for electrophoretic separation including cilia which can be deflected into wells of a multi-well tray.

Abstract: A system for cross attribute analysis for sales data in a multi-dimensional planning system. The system includes a set of processing modules that performs cross attribute analysis and manipulation in online analytical processing (OLAP) and multi-dimensional planning applications by dimension splitting. A number of processing module are utilized to perform the required processing. The system includes a hierarchy processing module for aggregating data up a hierarchical data structure, a dimension splitting module for creating pseudo-hierarchical data structures from data within the hierarchical data structure, and a multi-dimensional data viewing module for displaying a set of multi-dimensional data set according to the hierarchical data structure in a multi-dimensional spreadsheet. A single dimension corresponds to an attribute of the data contained within the hierarchical data structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of synthetic polymeric microfiltration membrane materials that are fabricated to separate liquids from solids contained therein. One aspect of the invention relates to a highly asymmetric, hydrophilic microfiltration membrane with high surface porosity. The membrane is rendered hydrophilic through co-casting the sulfone polymer with a hydrophilic polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone. The membranes of the invention are highly useful in testing devices for the quick detection of properties or components contained in liquid samples, such as diagnostic applications, as well as for other filtration applications that demand relatively large pore sizes, thick membranes, high asymmetry, and/or high lateral wicking speeds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of synthetic polymeric microfiltration membrane materials that are fabricated to separate liquids from solids contained therein. One aspect of the invention relates to a highly asymmetric, hydrophilic microfiltration membrane with high surface porosity. The membrane is rendered hydrophilic through co-casting the sulfone polymer with a hydrophilic polymer, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone. The membranes of the invention are highly useful in testing devices for the quick detection of properties or components contained in liquid samples, such as diagnostic applications, as well as for other filtration applications that demand relatively large pore sizes, thick membranes, high asymmetry, and/or high lateral wicking speeds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to composite filters and methods for preparing same. More specifically, it is directed to filter laminates of multiple discreet layers of material bonded together, with at least one of the layers being an asymmetric membrane.