Abstract: A roofing tool assembly for rolling and transporting a roll of roofing paper includes a handle that has a first portion which slidably engages a second portion such that the handle has a telescopically adjustable length. A grip is coupled around the handle to enhance gripping the handle. A tube is coupled to the handle and the tube is curved to conform to the curvature of a roll of roofing paper. In this way the roll of roofing paper can be rolled without requiring the user to stand on the roll of roofing paper. A skid plate is coupled to the tube such that the skid plate can be dragged along a support surface for transporting the roll of roofing paper.

Abstract: Animal bedding is disclosed. The animal bedding comprises a juniper tree cut at ground level, the juniper tree having needles and a trunk. The juniper tree is naturally dried until the needles are brown, then ground using a screen that is 3 inches or less. The ground juniper tree is hammer milled and dust of 20 mesh minus is extracted from the hammer milled tree, which is then placed in a bagging machine and dust is vacuumed from the juniper tree. The juniper tree is then bagged.

Abstract: A bolt carrier that facilitates seating a full magazine in the lower receiver of a magazine-fed gas-operated firearm with the bolt in a closed position. The bolt carrier includes a recessed portion that aligns with a top cartridge in a full magazine when the bolt carrier is in a closed position to provide additional space for the full magazine to be inserted into the magazine well. The recessed portion provides a space for the top cartridge to nest when the bolt carrier is in the closed position.

Abstract: A bolt carrier that facilitates seating a full magazine in the lower receiver of a magazine-fed gas-operated firearm with the bolt in a closed position. The bolt carrier includes a recessed portion that aligns with a top cartridge in a full magazine when the bolt carrier is in a closed position to provide additional space for the full magazine to be inserted into the magazine well. The recessed portion provides a space for the top cartridge to nest when the bolt carrier is in the closed position.

Abstract: A method for producing animal bedding is provided. A juniper tree is cut at ground level, the juniper tree having needles and a trunk. The tree is naturally dried until the needles are brown, then ground using a screen less than 3 inches. The ground juniper is hammer milled and dust of 20 mesh minus is extracted from the hammer milled tree, which is then placed in a bagging machine and dust is vacuumed from the juniper tree. The juniper tree is then bagged.

Abstract: A roofing tool assembly for rolling and transporting a roll of roofing paper includes a handle that has a first portion which slidably engages a second portion such that the handle has a telescopically adjustable length. A grip is coupled around the handle to enhance gripping the handle. A tube is coupled to the handle and the tube is curved to conform to the curvature of a roll of roofing paper. In this way the roll of roofing paper can be rolled without requiring the user to stand on the roll of roofing paper. A skid plate is coupled to the tube such that the skid plate can be dragged along a support surface for transporting the roll of roofing paper.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method of aiding the diagnosis of dysplasia in a subject that includes providing a sample from the oesophagus of the subject; assaying the sample for expression of each of the genes shown in the ‘40 genes’ column of Table 1; normalising the expression levels of the genes in step (b) to expression levels of reference gene(s) from a non-dysplastic sample; and determining from the normalised expression levels of step (c) a gene signature score for the sample, wherein a gene signature score greater than a reference threshold indicates presence of dysplasia in the subject. Some embodiments also relate to devices, compositions, primer sets, arrays, methods of treatment and computer programs.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and methods for controlling a mass spectrometer are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the mass spectrometer includes a plurality of discrete functional modules, each operable to perform a predetermined function of the mass spectrometer, wherein the modules are individually addressable and connected in a network. The mass spectrometer can also include a scheduler operable to introduce discrete packets of instructions to the network at predetermined times to instruct at least one module to perform a predetermined operation.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer and methods for controlling a mass spectrometer are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the mass spectrometer includes a plurality of discrete functional modules, each operable to perform a predetermined function of the mass spectrometer, wherein the modules are individually addressable and connected in a network. The mass spectrometer can also include a scheduler operable to introduce discrete packets of instructions to the network at predetermined times to instruct at least one module to perform a predetermined operation.

Abstract: An improved spray nozzle assembly for use in a steam desuperheating device that is adapted to spray cooling water into a flow of superheated steam. The nozzle assembly is of simple construction with relatively few components, and thus requires a minimal amount of maintenance. In addition, the nozzle assembly is specifically configured to, among other things, prevent thermal shock to prescribed internal structural components thereof, to prevent “sticking” of a valve element thereof, and to create a substantially uniformly distributed spray of cooling water for spraying into a flow of superheated steam in order to reduce the temperature of the steam.

Abstract: An improved spray nozzle assembly for use in a steam desuperheating device that is adapted to spray cooling water into a flow of superheated steam. The nozzle assembly is of simple construction with relatively few components, and thus requires a minimal amount of maintenance. In addition, the nozzle assembly is specifically configured to, among other things, prevent thermal shock to prescribed internal structural components thereof, to prevent “sticking” of a valve element thereof, and to create a substantially uniformly distributed spray of cooling water for spraying into a flow of superheated steam in order to reduce the temperature of the steam.

Abstract: An improved spray nozzle assembly for use in a steam desuperheating device that is adapted to spray cooling water into a flow of superheated steam. The nozzle assembly is of simple construction with relatively few components, and thus requires a minimal amount of maintenance. In addition, the nozzle assembly is specifically configured to, among other things, prevent thermal shock to prescribed internal structural components thereof, to prevent “sticking” of a valve element thereof, and to create a substantially uniformly distributed spray of cooling water for spraying into a flow of superheated steam in order to reduce the temperature of the steam.

Abstract: An improved spray nozzle assembly for use in a steam desuperheating device that is adapted to spray cooling water into a flow of superheated steam. The nozzle assembly is of simple construction with relatively few components, and thus requires a minimal amount of maintenance. In addition, the nozzle assembly is specifically configured to, among other things, prevent thermal shock to prescribed internal structural components thereof, to prevent “sticking” of a valve element thereof, and to create a substantially uniformly distributed spray of cooling water for spraying into a flow of superheated steam in order to reduce the temperature of the steam.

Abstract: A pumping mechanism that utilizes wave and tidal energy to operate. The mechanism relies on the depth of the fluid or sea and the length of the pump cylinder to accommodate shifting wave and tide patterns. Alternatively, the mechanism is imbedded or placed in an excavation in the fluid or ocean bed of sufficient depth and width to accommodate the piston cylinder, its' easing and the shifting wave and tide conditions. The invention relies on a buoy or float for the lift of a ballast weighted piston and the ballast weighted piston, when descending, provides the means of creating pressure on the water entrapped in the cylinder, thus causing a pumping action. The pump may be used individually or in concert with other pumps. The pump is intended to move large or small volumes of water at high or low pressures, singularly or in concert with other pumps.

Abstract: A handheld apparatus (2) for checking the tension of the wire (15) includes a support (3) with two spaced pegs (5,6) mounted on it. A spring (7) mounted on the support (3) between the two pegs. A strain gauge (14) is mounted on the spring and measures the displacement of the spring (7). A fully portable power supply is connected to a computer (9) with a readout (8). In use, the wire (15) is arranged in a predetermined path over and/or under the pegs (5,6) so that it presses against the spring (7). The amount the spring (7) is displaced, which is related to the tension, is measured by the signal from the strain gauge. The signal is passed to the computer (9), which calculates the tension from this measurement and displays the result on the readout (8).

Abstract: Methods and systems using voice recognition can obtain complex data from a database using simple data obtained from a user. The database associates and stores complex data with simple data. The interactive voice response system prompts the user for simple information, such as a phone number, which can be interpreted using voice recognition. The speech-obtained simple data is then matched with the simple data stored in the database. If a match is found, the complex data (e.g., a street address) stored with the simple data is communicated to the IVR system. The IVR system communicates the complex data to the user and prompts the user to confirm whether the complex data is accurate. The database can be a third-party database such as a computer accessible phone directory or a credit bureau.

Abstract: The invention provides reactive sorbents and methods of making and using the same in order to decontaminate surfaces contaminated with toxic agents, such as chemical warfare agents and/or industrial toxins. The reactive sorbents are of two general types, one of which comprises dehydroxylated aluminum oxide and the other comprises porous carbon impregnated with a reactive solution, so that both sorbents take up and then detoxify toxic agents.

Abstract: A pumping mechanism that utilizes wave and tidal energy to operate. The mechanism relies on the depth of the fluid or ocean and the length of the pump cylinder to accommodate shifting wave and tide patterns. Alternatively, the mechanism is imbedded or placed in an excavation in the fluid or ocean bed of sufficient depth and width to accommodate the piston cylinder, its' casing and the shifting wave and tide conditions. The invention relies on a buoy or float for the lift of a weighted piston and the weighted piston, when descending, provides the means of creating pressure on the water entrapped in the cylinder, thus causing a pumping action. The pump may be used individually or in concert with other pumps. The pump is intended to move large or small volumes of water at high or low pressures, singularly or in concert with other pumps.

Abstract: A three-dimensional position and orientation tracking system uses accelerometers to measure acceleration of a moveable object (e.g., a head-mounted display unit or a data glove). A tracking processor generates both position and orientation information on the object relative to a simulation environment as a function of the acceleration data. In one embodiment, a simplified radar-based tracking system is disposed relative to the object and periodically provides additional tracking data on the object to the tracking processor. The tracking processor uses the additional data to correct the position and orientation information using a feedback filter process. The position and orientation information signals generated can be used, for example, in a simulation or virtual reality application. Position and orientation information is received by a simulation processor relative to the object. The simulation processor modifies a simulation environment as a function of the position and orientation information received.

Abstract: A cylindrical canister or respirator filter for use in conjunction with a s mask for individual protection against respiratory hazards, including a frustum shaped carbon bed and a layered array of different size carbon particles in the carbon bed. The interior wall of the canister or respirator is dimpled to afford greater packing density of the carbon particles, and the carbon particles have hollow rectangular or cylindrical extrudate shapes. A chromium-free carbon is used to reduce health risks to users.