Abstract: A robot accessory and/or device that provides a sample collector device, a sample storage device, and a work surface. Upon activation, the sample collector device performs a full cycle in which an actuator causes the movement (i.e., extension and then retraction) of an actuator arm that simultaneously causes the top link plate, the lance plunger, the plunger guide, and the plunger to likewise move, including the depression and/or compression and release of the pipette. During this full cycle, this single device is able to remotely collect solid, liquid and/or multiphase samples of potentially hazardous materials and reduces human exposure to this hazardous material and dangerous environment.

Abstract: A robot accessory and/or device that provides a sample collector device, a sample storage device, and a work surface. Upon activation, the sample collector device performs a full cycle in which an actuator causes the movement (i.e., extension and then retraction) of an actuator arm that simultaneously causes the top link plate, the lance plunger, the plunger guide, and the plunger to likewise move, including the depression and/or compression and release of the pipette. During this full cycle, this single device is able to remotely collect solid, liquid and/or multiphase samples of potentially hazardous materials and reduces human exposure to this hazardous material and dangerous environment.

Abstract: A diaphragm bottle pump system for dispensing a personal care product includes a bottle, a pump body, and a plurality of valves. The bottle holds the product. Further, the pump body includes a lower pump body and an upper pump body that define a diaphragm chamber therebetween that is acted on by a diaphragm. A first valve allows the product to pass from the bottle to the diaphragm chamber and prevents the product from passing to the bottle from the diaphragm chamber. A second valve allows the product to pass from the diaphragm chamber to an outside of the system and prevents the product from passing to the diaphragm chamber from the outside of the system. Additionally, a third valve allows air to pass from the outside of the system to the bottle and prevents the air from passing to the outside of the system from the bottle.

Abstract: A soil-applied composition for controlling turf-damaging pests is an aqueous solution including a neonicotinoid insecticide, such as an imidacloprid-based insecticide, and a nonionic surfactant. The composition may also include a bio-stimulant to aid in turf recovery, a humectant, or both a bio-stimulant and a humectant. An effective amount of the composition may be applied to a region of soil or turf in order to control turf-damaging pests, such as white grubs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for effecting or maintaining weight loss in an individual in need thereof. The method includes the administration of a weight loss agent in conjunction with a meal replacement formulation. The weight loss agent can be administered separately or co-formulated with the meal replacement agent. The method of the present invention exhibits a beneficial effect wherein the weight loss or weight loss maintenance observed with administration of the weight loss agent with the meal replacement formulation is greater than with the administration of either the weight loss agent or meal replacement formulation alone.

Abstract: A unit train (10) includes a base unit (12). Base unit (12) generates a clock signal and a bit signal. Base unit (12) also receives and interprets a data signal. Unit train (10) also includes a plurality of subunits (14) serially coupled in a certain order. Each subunit (14) receives the clock signal and the bit signal. Each subunit (14) also generates a portion of the data signal. Additionally each of the subunits (14) has a corresponding identity. Also included in the unit train (10) is a clock/data line (67) for relaying the clock signal and the data signal between the base unit (12) and each subunit (14).

Abstract: An apparatus (38) for storing data includes a storage media (14). Also included are a number of vertical bars (40), each providing a vertical edge (50) for defining columns (44), and a number of horizontal bars (42), each providing a horizontal edge (52) for defining rows (46). The vertical bars (40) and the horizontal bars (42) are printed on storage media (14). A number of data blocks (48) are formed, each data block (48) located in a row (46), column (44) position.

Abstract: An apparatus (38) for storing data includes a storage media (14). Also included are a number of vertical bars (40), each providing a vertical edge (50) for defining columns (44), and a number of horizontal bars (42), each providing a horizontal edge (52) for defining rows (46). The vertical bars (40) and the horizontal bars (42) are printed on storage media (14). A number of data blocks (48) are formed, each data block (48) located in a row (46), column (44) position.

Abstract: An electronic learning device (10) uses keys (12a-e) which self-generate an electric signal responsive to a key being pressed. The electric signal is sufficient to drive a display (18) for indicating the correctness of the response. Cards (14) provide a query and a plurality of possible answers, each possible answer associated with one of the keys (12a-e). A correct answer is encoded on the card.

Abstract: An inductive coupled object identification system (FIGS. 2a and 2b) uses inductive coupling to detect and identify objects. Each object includes an object resonance circuit (LT/CT) with a unique object resonance frequency. Base electronics (50) includes an inductive-coupling base coil (L1) coupled to an oscillator circuit (60). To detect an object, the oscillator circuit continually sends START pulses to the base coil. When an object is proximate to the base coil, a START pulse is inductively coupled to the object resonance circuit, causing it to resonate at the object resonance frequency. This resonance condition is detected by the oscillator circuit, which outputs an oscillation signal FREQ at the object resonance frequency. Frequency counting logic (70) is used to determine the object resonance frequency, allowing a microcomputer (80) to identify the object. Two embodiments of the object identification system are described: a dynamic embodiment (FIGS.

Abstract: A synthetic polypeptide that contains about 6 to about 40 amino acid residues that immunologically mimics the early antigen-diffuse (EA-D) protein of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is disclosed, as are receptors raised to that polypeptide, methods of their use and a reagent system. A polypeptide of the present invention has an amino acid residue sequence that corresponds to the sequence of the EBV EA-D protein from about position 350 to about position 362 from the amino-terminus.

Abstract: Antigens, immunogens, inocula, antibodies, diagnostic methods and systems relating to Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen (EBNA) are disclosed. Each of the compounds, compositions, methods or systems contains a synthetic, random copolymer polypeptide having about 6 to about 40 residues, or an antibody containing site that immunoreacts with such a polypeptide. The polypeptide includes the five amino acid residue sequence -Gly-R.sup.1 -Gly-R.sup.2 -Gly-, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different amino acid residues selected from the group consisting of Ala, Asn, Arg, Gly, Leu, Pro, Ser, and Thr, with the provision that R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are not both Gly. The polypeptide contains at least 25 mole percent Gly residues, and when linked to a carrier and introduced in an effective amount into a mammalian host is capable of inducing production of antibodies that immunoreact with EBNA.