Abstract: An apparatus (A) for testing an associated construction material sample includes a housing (20) having an internal chamber (22) divided by a wall portion (30) into first and second portions (24, 26). A support in the housing is dimensioned to mount an associated construction material sample therein. A first burner (60) communicates with first portion of the housing for supplying a flame thereto. A second burner (80) communicates with the second portion of the housing for preheating the first portion. The testing method of an associated construction material sample includes installing the sample in the housing, preheating the housing, introducing a flame toward the sample, monitoring the flame as combustion progresses longitudinally along the sample, and recording data regarding the flame progression.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a polyol from a protein-based precursor material, the polyol substitute thus produced, and a process for the use of the protein-based polyol substitute thus prepared for the further preparation of polyurethane.

Abstract: A method is provided for preparing a polyol from a soy-based precursor powder wherein the powder exhibits excellent solubility as compared to soy polyols in the oil form, and a process for the use of the soy-based polyol thus prepared for the further preparation of polyurethane.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a standardized contract is traded. The contract obligates a buyer and a seller to settle the contract based on a price determined for an effective date. The contract is traded over-the-counter or through an exchange and cleared by a clearinghouse that guarantees payment to the buyer of any amount owed to the buyer from the seller as a result of the contract and that guarantees payment to the seller of any amount owed to the seller from the buyer as a result of the contract. An over-the-counter or exchange traded instrument is utilized to determine the rate that is used to determine the price of the contract.

Abstract: Disclosed are cyanine dyes that are useful for labeling and detecting biological and other materials. The dyes are of formula (I) in which groups R3 and R4 are attached to the Z1 ring structure and groups R5 and R6 are attached to the Z2 ring structure, and n=1, 2 or 3; Z1 and Z2 independently represent the carbon atoms necessary to complete a one ring, or two-fused ring aromatic system; at least one of groups R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 is the group -E-F where E is a single bond or a spacer group and F is a target bonding group; one or more of groups R11, R12, R13 and R14 are independently selected from the group —(CH2)k—W, where W is sulphonic acid or phosphonic acid and k is an integer from 1 to 10.

Abstract: Valves are provided for interconnecting a fluid source to two separate collection zones. The valves include a valve body having an inlet port communicating with the source and two outlet ports, each communicating with one of the collection zones. A valve element received within the valve body selectively establishes fluid communication between the inlet port and an outlet port. In a first position, the inlet port is in fluid communication with one of the outlet ports and the associated collection zone. The valve element is rotated to a second position within the valve body to establish fluid communication between the inlet port and the other outlet port, thereby halting flow through the first outlet port and allowing fluid communication with the other collection zone. A safety feature prevents rotation of the valve element beyond the second position or reverse rotation from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: This invention relates to the functionalized cyanine dyes and more particularly, to the synthesis of chiral 3-substituted 2,3?-dymethyl-3H-indole and its derivatives as intermediates for preparation of cyanine dyes, to methods of preparing these dyes and the dyes so prepared.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a layer of foamed plastic material on a roof surface and along a path thereon comprises controlling the movement of a spray applicator along the path such that the rate of movement of the applicator varies for a layer of foamed plastic material deposited on the roof surface to slope relative thereto along the path.

Abstract: A biological suspension processing system is disclosed that may include a suspension treatment device for treating one or more components of a biological suspension, a first fluid flow path for introducing a suspension into the treatment device and a second fluid flow path for withdrawing a constituent of the suspension from the device. At least one microelectromechanical (MEM) sensor communicates with one of the fluid flow paths for sensing a selected characteristic of the fluid therewith. The MEM sensor may be located elsewhere, such as on a container or bag and communicate with the interior for sensing a characteristic of the fluid contained therein. A wide variety of characteristics may be sensed, such as flow rate, pH, cell type, cell antigenicity, DNA, viral or bacterial presence, cholesterol, hematocrit, cell concentration, cell count, partial pressure, pathogen presence, or viscosity.

Abstract: A biological suspension processing system is disclosed that may include a suspension treatment device for treating one or more components of a biological suspension, a first fluid flow path for introducing a suspension into the treatment device and a second fluid flow path for withdrawing a constituent of the suspension from the device. At least one microelectromechanical (MEM) sensor communicates with one of the fluid flow paths for sensing a selected characteristic of the fluid therewith. The MEM sensor may be located elsewhere, such as on a container or bag and communicate with the interior for sensing a characteristic of the fluid contained therein. A wide variety of characteristics may be sensed, such as flow rate, pH, cell type, cell antigenicity, DNA, viral or bacterial presence, cholesterol, hematocrit, cell concentration, cell count, partial pressure, pathogen presence, or viscosity.

Abstract: A threader block assembly disposed in a tape drive, where that threader block assembly includes a first moveable arm, a second moveable arm pivotally connected to the first moveable arm, and a magnet disposed on the second moveable arm. A tape drive which includes the threader block. A data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more tape drives comprising the threader block. A method to attach a tape leader pin to a threader block assembly disposed in a tape drive, where that tape leader pin is disposed on one end of a magnetic tape. The method includes disposing a magnet on the threader block assembly, forming the leader pin from a paramagnetic material, and attaching the leader pin to the threader block assembly with a magnetic force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to monitor the positioning of a tape leader pin in a tape threader block moveably disposed in a tape drive. The' apparatus includes a tape threader block assembly comprising a first circuit having a first coil, a second circuit having a second coil, where that second circuit has an impedance, where the first coil is disposed adjacent the second coil. The apparatus further includes a detection circuit which detects the impedance of the second circuit, where the second circuit has a first impedance when the first circuit is open, and where the second circuit has a second impedance when the second circuit is closed. In the event a tape leader pin is properly releaseably fixtured to Applicants' threader block, the first circuit is closed and the impedance of the second circuit changes. The detection circuit detects that impedance change and provides a signal to a controller indicating that the tape leader pin is properly seated in the threader block.

Abstract: A tool for reattaching a leader pin assembly to the data tape of a data tape cartridge utilizes a base that snaps onto the cartridge body. The tool opens the door of the cartridge and the loose leader tape inside the cartridge is laid in an alignment channel. A leader pin is inserted into a set of receptacles over the tape, and a clip is inserted into a pocket within an arm on the tool. The tape is then folded and pulled down over the leader pin and held in the alignment channel with a finger of the user. The arm of the tool, which retains the clip, is then pivoted from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The clip snaps over a center section of the leader pin and the folded tape to form a leader pin assembly, thereby securing the tape in the leader pin assembly.

Abstract: A threader block assembly disposed in a tape drive, where that threader block assembly includes a first moveable arm, a second moveable arm pivotally connected to the first moveable arm, and a magnet disposed on the second moveable arm. A tape drive which includes the threader block. A data storage and retrieval system which includes one or more tape drives comprising the threader block. A method to attach a tape leader pin to a threader block assembly disposed in a tape drive, where that tape leader pin is disposed on one end of a magnetic tape. The method includes disposing a magnet on the threader block assembly, forming the leader pin from a paramagnetic material, and attaching the leader pin to the threader block assembly with a magnetic force.

Abstract: The present invention provides an infrared-sensitive composition including an initiator system comprising: (a) an infrared absorbing compound; (b) a radical producing compound; and (c) a carboxylic acid co-initiator compound. In some embodiments of the invention, the co-initiator is a monocarboxylic acid. In other embodiments of the present invention, the co-initiator is a polycarboxylic acid. The infrared-sensitive composition further includes a polymeric binder and a free radical polymerizable system consisting of at least one member selected from unsaturated free radical polymerizable monomers, oligomers which are free radical polymerizable, and polymers containing C═C bonds in the back bone and/or in the side chain groups. In some embodiments of the present invention, the acid number of the polymeric binder is 70 mg KOH/g or less. The present invention further provides a printing plate precursor, a process for preparing the printing plate and a method of producing an image.

Abstract: A tool for reattaching a leader pin assembly to the data tape of a data tape cartridge utilizes a base that snaps onto the cartridge body. The tool opens the door of the cartridge and the loose leader tape inside the cartridge is laid in an alignment channel. A leader pin is inserted into a set of receptacles over the tape, and a clip is inserted into a pocket within an arm on the tool. The tape is then folded and pulled down over the leader pin and held in the alignment channel with a finger of the user. The arm of the tool, which retains the clip, is then pivoted from a disengaged position to an engaged position. The clip snaps over a center section of the leader pin and the folded tape to form a leader pin assembly, thereby securing the tape in the leader pin assembly.