Abstract: An analyzer system for in vitro diagnostics includes a sample handler module having a robot arm that delivers samples from drawers into carriers on a linear synchronous motor automation track. Samples are delivered via the automation track to individual track sections associated with individual analyzer modules. Analyzer modules aspirate sample portions directly from the sample carriers and perform analysis thereon.

Abstract: A plant and process for performing thermolysis of cellulose uses a thermolysis reactor which comprises a reactor duct having a longitudinal axis, and an eductor at one end of the reactor duct. The eductor has an entry chamber and a venturi-shaped exit channel, a nozzle, a sloping deflector plate above the nozzle, and an inlet port through which particulate material may be fed onto the deflector plate and into the entry chamber. The nozzle and the venturi-shaped exit channel are aligned with the longitudinal axis. A superheater provides superheated steam at a temperature above 450° C. to flow through the nozzle. The particulate matter is entrained in the flowing steam, and undergoes thermolysis. This may be combined with a pre-treatment to hydrolyse hemicellulose, so that lignocellulosic biomass can be processed.

Abstract: A method, a false start detection system, and a false start detection sensor for determining whether an athlete has performed a false start in an event. Force data is received representing the force exerted by at least one upper appendage of the athlete on a surface when in a starting position (S701). The force data is processed to determine an athlete start time (S702), and the athlete start time is compared to an event start time to determine whether a false start has occurred (S703).

Abstract: A method, a false start detection system, and a false start detection sensor for determining whether an athlete has performed a false start in an event. Force data is received representing the force exerted by at least one upper appendage of the athlete on a surface when in a starting position (S701). The force data is processed to determine an athlete start time (S702), and the athlete start time is compared to an event start time to determine whether a false start has occurred (S703).

Abstract: A flat panel television console and support kit allows the consumer to employ any of three modes of support, namely stand mount, console mount, and wall mount. The console assembly has upper and lower shelves on upper and lower shelf supports, which are supported between a pair of legs. A bridge receptacle is located on the upper end of each leg. A bridging structure has ends that can be received in the bridge receptacles. A vertical column having a lower end is detachably secured to the bridging structure at a joint so that the vertical column extends upwardly from the bridging structure, providing an elevated support for a flat panel television. A cap structure can be received in the bridge receptacles when the bridging structure is not used, and a flat panel television may be mounted on a stand on the console or on a wall mount.

Abstract: A flat panel television console and support kit allows the consumer to employ any of three modes of support, namely stand mount, console mount, and wall mount. The console assembly has upper and lower shelves, and a vertical column is secured to the console at a joint. A base plate can be fastened to the upper shelf of the console so that a flange on the base plate extends upwardly to support a vertical column that supports a TV mounting frame over the console. Alternatively, when the consumer wishes to mount the TV on the wall or on the console, the base plate can be fastened to the upper shelf in an inverted position so that the upper surface of the upper shelf is substantially flat.

Abstract: A labeled bottle comprises an outer surface having at least one substantially flat face portion, and a label. The label includes a permanent label portion and at least one hinged leaf portion. The is configured to overlie at least a portion of the outer surface of the permanent label portion substantially adjacent to the at least one substantially flat face portion of the bottle. The bottle further comprises a re-sealable agent disposed between an inner surface of the at least one leaf portion and the outer surface of the permanent label portion in such manner as to re-sealably attach the leaf portion to the permanent label portion.

Abstract: A decoy mounting and movement system for mounting a hollow animal species decoy and for simulating life-like movement of the animal species between a rest position and a vertically pivoted position which simulates feeding by the animal species having a decoy mounting stake formed of an elongate upper stake section and an elongate lower stake section interconnected via an elongate vertical return spring capable of bending along its length to create an angle between the upper and lower stake sections, the upper stake section dimensioned for insertion into the hollow of the decoy through an opening in its underside in communication with the hollow of the decoy, wherein the fulcrum for vertical pivoting of the decoy is positioned at the lower end of the upper stake section and the ratio D?/D is less than 0.25, wherein D? is the distance between the underside of the decoy and the fulcrum for vertical pivoting, and D is the length of the upper stake section.

Abstract: A decoy mounting and movement system for mounting a hollow animal species decoy and for simulating life-like movement of the animal species between a rest position and a vertically pivoted position which simulates feeding by the animal species having a decoy mounting stake formed of an elongate upper stake section and an elongate lower stake section interconnected via an elongate vertical return spring capable of bending along its length to create an angle between the upper and lower stake sections, the upper stake section dimensioned for insertion into the hollow of the decoy through an opening in its underside in communication with the hollow of the decoy, wherein the fulcrum for vertical pivoting of the decoy is positioned at the lower end of the upper stake section and the ratio D?/D is less than 0.25, wherein D? is the distance between the underside of the decoy and the fulcrum for vertical pivoting, and D is the length of the upper stake section.

Abstract: Novel walk-in coolers and other enclosures, which employ novel elongate extruded, generally non-insulating corner moldings which receive thereinto wall panels of the enclosures. The elongate corner moldings have elongate first and second channels which extend toward an outer corner of the molding, and extend toward each other along intersecting, non-parallel paths. The channels are defined at least in part by the inner and outer walls of the molding. Each channel is defined by an end wall, and first and second side walls. A web provides a connection between the inner and outer walls. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating enclosures.

Abstract: An integrated circuit apparatus for facilitating the interconnection of one or more circuitry manufacture includes a carrier substrate defining a top surface and a bottom surface. Carrier substrate vias penetrate from the top surface to the bottom surface of the carrier substrate and define interior via surfaces. Carrier substrate cavities are formed on the top and/or bottom surfaces of the carrier substrate and define interior cavity surfaces. The carrier substrate is configured to receive one or more circuitry manufacture on the top and bottom surfaces, the interior via surfaces, and the interior cavity surfaces.

Abstract: A split-server architecture for processing a search query provided by a user, and identifying and retrieving documents from a database corresponding to the search query. A session server is provided for receiving the search query from the user. The session server has at least a first processor coupled to the user over a communications channel. A query server is coupled to the session server. The query server has at least a second processor coupled to a first database having records representative of the documents to be searched. The query server includes the ability to receive the search query from the session server, the ability to search the first database to identify documents responsive to the search query; and the ability to send search results information representative of the documents identified by the first database search from the query server to the session server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying textual documents and multi-media files corresponding to a search topic. A plurality of document records, each of which is representative of at least one textual document, are stored, and a plurality of multi-media records, each of which is representative of at least one of multi-media file, are also stored. The document records have text information fields associated therewith, each of the text information fields representing text from one of the plurality of textual documents. The multi-media records have multi-media information fields for representing only digital video or audio information and associated text fields, each of the associated text fields representing text associated with one of the multi-media information fields. A single search query corresponding to the search topic is received. The single search query is preferably in a natural language format.

Abstract: A locking device for preventing relative rotation of pretorqued compression nuts used in face seal mechanical fittings includes an inner member having a cavity sized to slide onto and non-rotatably enclose the male or first nut of the fitting, an outer member having a first cavity sized to rotatably receive the inner member and a second cavity sized to slide onto and non-rotatably enclose the female or second nut of the fitting, and at least one set screw projecting inwardly through a threaded borehole in the outer member to non-rotatably engage and lock the inner member.

Abstract: A new mid-infrared laser in hydrogen which produces an output when excited by a high voltage pulse discharge in a long, low loss cavity to produce laser action in three or more lines as output pulses with lengths varying from less than 1 microsecond to over 6 microseconds with wavelengths in the 3 .mu.m band including 3.71 .mu.m, 3.77 .mu.m, and 3.84 .mu.m.

Abstract: A cryogenic infrared laser in deuterium in which an output is produced by exciting the deuterium after it has been cooled to cryogenic temperature with a high voltage pulse discharge to produce laser action in three or more lines as output pulses with varying lengths and with wavelengths in the 4 .mu.m band and including 4.52 .mu.m, 4.60 .mu.m, and 4.71 .mu.m.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting particulate material from a depository surface, such as a roadway, including a front-end collecting vehicle having a front-to-rear extending passageway. Mounted within the passageway is a first or front rotary rake member, a second rotary rake member behind the first rotary rake member, and a rotary brush member behind the second rotary rake member. Preferably mounted behind the vehicle frame is a conveyor mechanism for removing debris from the vehicular frame. Both rotary rake members include a plurality of interdigitating tines which are driven to move in the same forward direction so that the tines moving beneath the rotary axes are moving and collecting the debris rearwardly within the passageway. The rotary brush member is driven in the opposite rotary direction from the rake members to pick up the debris collected by the rake members and to force the debris rearwardly upon the conveyor mechanism.

Abstract: An output coupler, for laser cavities with totally reflecting mirrors, hag a beam splitter and a mirror mounted so that the direction of the output beam of the laser is invariant to changes in the output coupling coefficients. The percentage of the laser's energy which is coupled out into an external beam can be continuously varied or varied to obtain the optimum output coupling coefficient and then left set on this value. This device can also be used as a variable beam splitter with an invariant direction for the reflected beam when used external to the cavity of any laser.