Abstract: A system and method for creating, scheduling, and managing time slots for installation appointments. Embodiments of the present invention permit a trading partner to offer a customer the ability to schedule installation of cable services on-line. A cable operator maintains an inventory of time slots. One or more time slots from the time slot inventory are offered to a customer based on ordering information received from the customer. A customer selects a time slot from the one or more offered time slots. A cable operator then assigns an installation appointment to the customer within the time slot selected by the customer. A cable operator may also determine the status of the inventory of time slots (e.g., time slots allocated, time slots consumed, and time slots available) for a system, a location, or a trading partner.

Abstract: A system and method uses a digital phone order management (DPOM) system to manage the ordering and provisioning of digital telephone services in a cable system. A centralized datastore of customer, order, telephone number inventory and provisioning information is accessible to access devices used by a customer service representative (CSR) of a cable operator, a voice provisioning specialist (VPS) of a local exchange carrier (CLEC), and a cable operator installation technician to schedule and provision based on permissions granted by an administrator. The sharing of information allows a CSR to manage orders for digital telephone services and to coordinate installation and provisioning so as to reduce the time to complete an order and use installation resources efficiently.

Abstract: A system and method for creating, scheduling, and managing time slots for installation appointments. Embodiments of the present invention permit a trading partner to offer a customer the ability to schedule installation of cable services on-line. A cable operator maintains an inventory of time slots. One or more time slots from the time slot inventory are offered to a customer based on ordering information received from the customer. A customer selects a time slot from the one or more offered time slots. A cable operator then assigns an installation appointment to the customer within the time slot selected by the customer. A cable operator may also determine the status of the inventory of time slots (e.g., time slots allocated, time slots consumed, and time slots available) for a system, a location, or a trading partner.

Abstract: A system and method for creating, scheduling, and managing time slots for installation appointments. Embodiments of the present invention permit a trading partner to offer a customer the ability to schedule installation of cable services on-line. A cable operator maintains an inventory of time slots. One or more time slots from the time slot inventor are offered to a customer based on ordering information received from the customer. A customer selects a time slot from the one or more offered time slots. A cable operator then assigns an installation appointment to the customer within the time slot selected by the customer. A cable operator may also determine the status of the inventory of time slots (e.g., time slots allocated, time slots consumed, and time slots available) for a system, a location, or a trading partner.

Abstract: The disclosure encompasses composition, method and apparatus that provide improved and convenient removal of biofilm from surfaces. Surfaces cleaned according to the invention comprise the inner wall of conduits such as those employed in dental clinics, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an antimicrobial composition characterized by synergistic antibacterial and antifungal efficacy and comprising a pyrithione salt or pyrithione acid, and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of benzyl and lower alkyl esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, salts thereof, carboxylic acids, salts thereof, and combinations thereof. Also disclosed is a method of imparting antimicrobial activity to a composition comprising water or an organic solvent which comprises adding thereto an antimicrobially effective amount of the above-described antimicrobial composition.

Abstract: Solid residues formed as byproducts during the refining of sugars (e.g., beet sugar or cane sugar) are employed to sorb acidic gases such as oxides of sulfur or nitrogen. Calcines of the solid residues can also be used. Sorption of acidic gases from gaseous mixtures containing acidic gases is thus accomplished.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an antimicrobial composition characterized by synergistic antibacterial and antifungal efficacy and comprising a pyrithione salt or pyrithione acid, and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of benzyl and lower alkyl esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, salts thereof, carboxylic acids, salts thereof, and combinations thereof. Also disclosed is a method of imparting antimicrobial activity to a composition comprising water or an organic solvent which comprises adding thereto an antimicrobially effective amount of the above-described antimicrobial composition.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for accomplishing improved separation and purification of an analyte by mass transfer between immiscible phases employing microporous hollow-fiber membranes. The invention eliminates several problems of the prior art. A number of possible modes of separation by mass transfer are possible according to the invention, including liquid-liquid extraction, back extraction, simultaneous forward and back extraction, gas absorption into a liquid, gas stripping from a liquid and simultaneous gas absorption and stripping.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for accomplishing improved liquid-liquid extraction employing microporous hollow-fiber membranes. A number of possible modes of liquid-liquid extraction are possible according to the invention.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for the bioconversion of toxic substrates with increased yields of product. The invention makes use of immobilized cells as biocatalyst and complexing agent in either dissolved or solid form. The invention also employs various schemes and apparatus for separating immobilized cells and complexing agent for recycle and re-use in bioconversion reactions. A preferred embodiment of the invention produces improved yields and titers of L-phenylacetyl carbinol by the bioconversion of acetaldehyde using yeast cells.

Abstract: A particle which is capable of removing heavy metal ions from aqueous solution, which comprises chitin having formed thereon a layer of chitosan, wherein the particle has a size of from 0.2 to 1.5 cm, and the chitosan layer on the surface thereof has a depth of form 0.01 microns to 10% of the particle diameter.

Abstract: An activated carbon sorbent in which oxygen has been substantially removed from said carbon by outgassing and said oxygen has been replaced by subsequent reaction of the outgassed carbon with a passivating substance.

Abstract: Electrochemical method and associated apparatus permit carbonaceous materials to be gasified to carbon oxides under mild conditions with the attendant formation of fuels or high energy intermediates such as hydrogen, or light hydrocarbons and production of electric power.

Abstract: Electrochemical gasification of carbonaceous materials by anodic oxidation produces oxides of carbon at the anode and hydrogen or metallic elements at the cathode of an electrolysis cell. In another embodiment carbonaceous materials are hydrogenated at the cathode by electrochemical reactions during which carbonaceous material may also be anodically reacted within the anode compartment of an electrolysis cell.

Abstract: Insoluble supports are preactivated by precipitating thereon a hydrous metal oxide employing a hydrolysis reaction of a salt of said metal in the presence of said insoluble support. The resulting composite materials are employed as supports for immobilizing biologically active substances.

Abstract: A liquid stream containing the reactants is passed through a bed of enzyme catalyst, made up of enzymes bonded to small, dense particles of carrier or support materials, in a manner which causes the bed to expand or fluidize and a chemical reaction is thereby carried out in a process that is simultaneously free from limitations due to plugging and excessive pressure drop and which also has the advantage of the high mass transfer rates that can be realized between the liquid and small particles.

Abstract: A liquid stream containing the reactants is passed through a bed of enzyme catalyst, made up of enzymes bonded to small, dense particles of carrier or support materials, in a manner which causes the bed to expand or fluidize and a chemical reaction is thereby carried out in a process that is simultaneously free from limitations due to plugging and excessive pressure drop and which also has the advantage of the high mass transfer rates that can be realized between the liquid and small particles. Reactions are carried out in this manner using enzymes bound to porous and non-porous inorganic supporting particles. This process has been employed for treating cheese whey with the enzyme lactase in a fluidized bed of inert particles to which the lactase is bound.