Abstract: A trailer (T) and a dock (D) are provided with substantially identical slat conveyors (10, 12). Each conveyor (10, 12) has alternating conveyor slats (36, 36?) and lifting/holding slats (38, 38?). The trailer (T) is backed up to the dock (D). Upper portions of the lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) are coupled together at their ends. The confronting ends of the conveying slats (36, 36?) are also coupled together. A mechanism carried by the dock (D) raises and lowers the upper portions of the two sets of lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) a drive mechanism carried by the dock (D) where it reciprocates both sets of conveying slats (36, 36?).

Abstract: A connection for releasable connecting confronting first and second portions of first and second members. The first portion has a first passageway has a second portion has a second passageway. An elongated coupler member is in the first passageway. A shim projects endwise outwardly from the first portion on one side of the first passageway. A coupler member is extendable endwise outwardly from the first passageway beyond the shim. When so extended, the coupler member is insertable into an entry portion of the second passageway. The first portion is movable relatively towards the second portion when the coupler member is extended. The extended coupler portion is moved into and through the entry portion of the second passageway. The shim is moved into the entry portion of the second passageway along side the coupler member.

Abstract: A relatively low cost, easy to install and aesthetically pleasing multi-band, multi-port digital video broadcast from satellite (DVBS) elliptical horn antenna designed as part of a reflector antenna system to simultaneously receive satellite television broadcast signals with circular polarity on two frequency channels. This type antenna may be implemented with a single antenna feed horn with multiple feed horns that may be arranged separately or in one or more integral feed horn blocks. The antennas may be designed to achieve acceptable circular polarity performance over broad and multiple frequency bands through the use of oppositely sloped differential phase differential sections.

Abstract: A system and method compares aggregated spending transactions of a target entity with those of a collection of entities. The system and method aggregates spending transactions of the target entity, and compares with the corresponding aggregated spending transactions of the collection of entities.

Abstract: A screw (114) is rotated to move a head (110, 110?) against a first squeeze bar (30) and through a threaded opening (114) in a second squeeze bar (32), for moving the squeeze bars (30, 32) relatively together. This movement rotates cam bars (100, 102, 104, 106) in position, causing them to move a lower spread bar (24) away from an upper spread bar (22). This pulls downwardly on a bolt (16) which is connected to the lower spread bar (24). As the bolt (16) moves downwardly, its head (18) pushes downwardly on an upper clamp member (52?), moving it towards a lower clamp member (54?). This firmly clamps bottom flanges (78, 80) on a conveyor slat (70) between the upper and lower clamps member (52?, 54?), firmly securing the slat (70) to a transverse drive beam (56?).

Abstract: A stent graft extends in a flow lumen to span a defective portion of the flow lumen and seal the defective portion from further blood contact. The stent graft includes a pair of apertures, from which extensions project into the renal arteries to seal the passage of blood into the renal arteries from the abnormality. The apertures are larger than the opening of the renal arteries, such that the apertures need not be centered with the renal arteries to enable placement of the extensions. The aperture opening and side branch extensions contain hook and loop structures to provide a variably positionable seal of the aperture opening.

Abstract: A draft force sensor is provided for a coupling member coupled between a towing vehicle and a towed earth engaging implement, such as a scraper. The draft force sensor includes first and second bores extending through the coupling member. Each bore has a horizontal axis which extends perpendicular to a main fore-and-aft axis of the coupling member. The second bore is positioned above the first bore and spaced apart from the first bore. Each of the bores is surrounded by an outer cylindrical wall. Four electrical strain gauges are spaced apart and placed on the wall of each of the bores. A center line bisects an axis line which extends between the axes of the first and second bores. The axis of each bore is spaced apart from the center line by a distance which is less than a diameter of the bores. The strain gauges are connected electrically in a circuit which generates a draft force signal in response to draft forces applied to the coupling member.

Abstract: A relatively low cost, easy to install and aesthetically pleasing digital video broadcast from satellite (DVBS) elliptical horn antenna designed as part of a reflector antenna system to receive satellite television broadcast signals with circular polarity. This type antenna may be implemented with a single antenna feed horn with multiple feed horns that may be arranged separately or in one or more integral feed horn blocks. The antennas may be designed to achieve acceptable circular polarity performance over broad and multiple frequency bands through the use of oppositely sloped differential phase differential sections.

Abstract: A relatively low cost, easy to install and aesthetically pleasing digital video broadcast from satellite (DVBS) elliptical horn antenna designed to receive satellite television broadcast signals with circular polarity. This type antenna may be implemented as a multi-beam, multi-band antenna with closely spaced antenna feed horns operable for simultaneously receiving signals from multiple satellites that are closely spaced from the perspective of the antenna.

Abstract: An improved process for the purification of antibodies from human plasma or other sources is disclosed. The process involves suspension of the antibodies at pH 3.8 to 4.5 followed by addition of caprylic acid and a pH shift to pH 5.0 to 5.2. A precipitate of contaminating proteins, lipids and caprylate forms and is removed, while the majority of the antibodies remain in solution. Sodium caprylate is again added to a final concentration of not less than about 15 mM. This solution is incubated for 1 hour at 25° C. to effect viral inactivation. A precipitate (mainly caprylate) is removed and the clear solution is diluted with purified water to reduce ionic strength. Anion exchange chromatography using two different resins is utilized to obtain an exceptionally pure IgG with subclass distribution similar to the starting distribution. The method maximizes yield and produces a gamma globulin with greater than 99% purity. The resin columns used to obtain a high yield of IgG retain IgM and IgA.

Abstract: The system and method provide an intuitive and user-friendly way to store information about physical locations on a computer network. In particular, a physical location information collection is created and stored on a computer network at a network address that corresponds to the physical address of the physical location to which the information pertains. The network address for information about the physical location at 123 Main Street, for example, incorporates at least a portion of 123 Main Street. The physical address can be incorporated into a Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) domain name, such as, for example, www.123mainstreet.com. Alternatively, the physical address can be incorporated into another portion of a network address, such as, for example, www.buildingaddress.com/123mainstreet/.

Abstract: A cutter bar is provided for trimming debris away from the wheel-track interface of a tracked vehicle. A pivot attachment is provided wherein a knife having a cutting edge is removably mounted to a bracket by way of fasteners which will shear when a pre-selected force is applied to them. The bracket is mounted to the vehicle structure so that the knife is disposed in close proximity to the drive wheel and endless track of the vehicle. Accordingly, when a piece of tough debris is encountered by the knife edge some of the fasteners will shear and the knife pivots out of the way so that the debris can pass by without causing damage to the wheel or track. The knife and fasteners being readily serviceable with inexpensive parts.

Abstract: Disclosed is both a process for producing a reversibly inactive acidified plasmin by activating plasminogen and a process for producing a purified plasminogen. The produced plasmin is isolated and stored with a low pH-buffering capacity agent to provide a substantially stable formulation. The purified plasminogen is typically purified from a fraction obtained in the separation of immunoglobulin from Fraction II+III chromatographic process and eluted at a low pH. The reversibly inactive acidified plasmin may be used in the administration of a thrombolytic therapy.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool to facilitate installation of deck construction includes a main body portion having at least one structural feature that defines a plane. At least one flange is coupled to the main body portion and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane. The flange may be used to maintain consistent spacing between decking planks during assembly. The tool also may be used to strike lines, space fasteners, maintain baluster spacing, identify distances and angles, and indicate levels.

Abstract: A waveguide device having a plurality of waveguide members is provided. The waveguide device is of an integral cast construction and is configured so that the cross-sectional dimensions of each waveguide member decrease along an axis thereof from one end to the other end. Methods of forming the waveguide device are also provided.

Abstract: An improved process for the purification of antibodies from human plasma or other sources is disclosed. The process involves suspension of the antibodies at pH 3.8 to 4.5 followed by addition of caprylic acid and a pH shift to pH 5.0 to 5.2. A precipitate of contaminating proteins, lipids and caprylate forms and is removed, while the majority of the antibodies remain in solution. Sodium caprylate is again added to a final concentration of not less than about 15 mM. This solution is incubated for 1 hour at 25° C. to effect viral inactivation. A precipitate (mainly caprylate) is removed and the clear solution is diluted with purified water to reduce ionic strength. Anion exchange chromatography using two different resins is utilized to obtain an exceptionally pure IgG with subclass distribution similar to the starting distribution. The method maximizes yield and produces a gamma globulin with greater than 99% purity. The resin columns used to obtain a high yield of IgG retain IgM and IgA.

Abstract: A waveguide device having a plurality of waveguide members is provided. The waveguide device is of an integral cast construction and is configured so that the cross-sectional dimensions of each waveguide member decrease along an axis thereof from one end to the other end. Methods of forming the waveguide device are also provided.

Abstract: A multipurpose tool to facilitate installation of deck construction includes a main body portion having at least one structural feature that defines a plane. At least one flange is coupled to the main body portion and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane. The flange may be used to maintain consistent spacing between decking planks during assembly. The tool also may be used to strike lines, space fasteners, maintain baluster spacing, identify distances and angles, and indicate levels.

Abstract: A chip is described that incorporates a distributed bus architecture which enable packets of data to be communicated between multiple source/destination nodes. The chip can be designed such that each source/destination node monitors a connecting path (e.g., bus) for receipt of a packet of data. And, upon receiving a packet of data at one of the source/destination nodes, that source/destination node then determines whether the packet of data is addressed to that node. If the packet of data is addressed to that source/destination node, then that node takes the data from the packet of data. Otherwise, if the packet of data is not addressed to that source/destination node, then that node transmits the packet of data on the connecting path to a neighboring source/destination node. The source/destination nodes can also insert data into a packet of data addressed to another source/destination node. Also described are methods for making and using the chip.

Abstract: A telecommunications environment (10) includes a first network (12) that uses a first protocol to transport a first frame structure (14). The telecommunications environment (10) includes a second network (16) that uses a second protocol to transport a second frame structure (18). The first frame structure (14) includes a header portion (22) and a payload portion (24) that is transported across the first network (12). For transport through the second network (16), the header portion (22) and the payload portion (24) are placed in a payload portion (26) of the second frame structure (18). The first frame structure (14) is reconstituted with the overhead portion (22) and the payload portion (24) extracted from second frame structure (18) at a destination node (17) of the second network (16) for transfer to a third network (20) having the first protocol.