Abstract: A method for assigning a grade to a liquid hydrocarbon fuel in relation to the potential for a water or water-based phase to form in said fuel is provided, said method comprising sensing the electrical resistance of the fuel; sensing the capacitance of the fuel; determining the amount of water or water-soluble compounds in said fuel wherein the step of determining the amount of water or water-soluble compounds includes the step of comparing the electrical resistance of the fuel to a plurality pre-determined values of electrical resistance corresponding to a plurality of concentrations of water or water-soluble compounds in the fuel; identifying which water-soluble compound or compounds are present in said fuel wherein the step of identifying which compound or compounds are present includes the step of comparing the capacitance to a plurality of pre-determined values of capacitance corresponding to a water or a plurality of water-soluble compounds that may be present; sensing the temperature of said fuel, and

Abstract: An immersion thermocouple is described. The immersion thermocouple includes a heat resistant sheathing, the interior of which is substantially filled with a heat resistant cement, a first U-shaped tube enclosing a thermocouple fixed in the heat resistant cement, and a second U-shaped tube fixed in the heat resistant cement. The second U-shaped tube bridges the first U-shaped tube at an angle of approximately ninety degrees. The immersion thermocouple also includes a shield circumferentially surrounding the first and the second U-shaped tubes proximate to where the first and the second U-shaped tubes are fixed to the heat resistant cement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed methods for identifying compounds that have a tissue protective activity using a heteromultimer receptor complex that mediates the tissue protective activities. The complex consists of at least one EPO-R in complex with at least one ?c Receptor. These compounds used in the assays to identify tissue protective compounds include, but are not limited to, small molecules and biologics. The compounds identified using these assays can be used to treat or prevent various diseases, disorders, or conditions of the central and peripheral nervous systems as well as those of other erythropoietin-responsive or excitable cells, tissues, and organs.

Abstract: A vapor deposition reactor and associated method are disclosed that increase the lifetime and productivity of a filament-based resistive-heated vapor deposition system. The reactor and method provide for heating the filament while permitting the filament to move as it expands under the effect of increasing temperature while limiting the expanding movement of the filament to an amount that prevents the expanding movement of the filament from creating undesired contact with any portions of the reactor.

Abstract: Methods of packaging a semiconductor light emitting device include dispensing a first quantity of encapsulant material into a cavity including the light emitting device. The first quantity of encapsulant material in the cavity is treated to form a hardened upper surface thereof having a selected shape. A luminescent conversion element is provided on the upper surface of the treated first quantity of encapsulant material. The luminescent conversion element includes a wavelength conversion material and has a thickness at a middle region of the cavity greater than proximate a sidewall of the cavity.

Abstract: Methods of packaging a semiconductor light emitting device in a reflector having a moat positioned between a lower and an upper sidewall thereof, the upper and lower sidewall defining a reflective cavity, include dispensing encapsulant material into the reflective cavity including the light emitting device therein to cover the light emitting device and to form a convex meniscus of encapsulant material in the reflective cavity extending from an edge of the moat without contacting the upper sidewall of the reflector. The encapsulant material in the reflective cavity is cured. Packaged semiconductor light emitting devices and reflectors for the same are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of packaging a semiconductor light emitting device positioned in a reflective cavity are provided. A first quantity of encapsulant material is dispensed into the reflective cavity including the light emitting device therein and the first quantity of encapsulant in the reflective cavity is cured. A second quantity of encapsulant material is dispensed onto the cured first quantity of encapsulant material. A lens is positioned in the reflective cavity on the dispensed second quantity of encapsulant material. The dispensed second quantity of encapsulant material is cured to attach the lens in the reflective cavity.

Abstract: A super-enhanced aquatic floating island plant habitat that is adjustably buoyant and optionally biodegradable. The first embodiment is comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer, a mat, soil/flotation chambers, apertures, nutrient channels, buoyant waterscape options, and a tethering system. The floating island can include monitors that measure water and atmospheric conditions, dispensers for fish food or chemicals, and a water agitation/oxygenation device. Another embodiment comprises a positively buoyant soil matrix contained within a water-permeable bag. Another embodiment comprises a flotation collar, an outrigger, and one or more water-permeable bladders containing negatively or neutrally buoyant bedding soil. The present invention also covers an aquarium-scale floating island and submersible planter, a plant containment bag made out of thermoplastic elastomer, and several methods of adjusting the buoyancy of a floating island.

Abstract: A device is provided for measuring temperature in molten metals with an optical fiber. The optical fiber is connected directly or indirectly to a measurement instrument and is held by a carrier. The immersion end of the fiber is fed through a body that can be consumed in the metal melt. The consumable body exhibits a consumption rate of at most 10 cm/min, and the consumption rate is approximately equal to or greater than the rate at which the structure of the optical fiber is destroyed.

Abstract: A bendable tube which can be bent into any desired shape which is retained in the bent shape for pleasure as a toy. The tube can be filled with a delectable food product which is retained by a stopper on opposite ends of the tube.

Abstract: A computerized method for modifying an optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) network is described. The method includes providing an initial configuration of the optical WDM network. At least one parameter that represents a characteristic of a span in the optical WDM network as defined by the initial configuration is evaluated. The initial configuration of the optical WDM network is modified in response to the evaluation. The method can also include determining if a predetermined set of engineering rules are satisfied.

Abstract: An aqueous nasal spray formulation contains a vitamin component, a mineral component, a aloe vera in a water based solvent. The vitamin component contains Vitamin C, Rose Hips, Acerola, Lemon Bioflavanoids, Hesperidin, Rustin and Vitamin B.sub.6. The mineral component contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc and manganese. In the formulation, the vitamin component accounts for 25-40% by volume of the formulation, the mineral component is from 11-12% by volume and the aloe vera is from 8-12% by volume of the formulation.

Abstract: The improvement of a dental syringe includes the addition of a fluid control block. The fluid control block includes a barrel portion having a first connector for attachment to a syringe handle and a second connector for attachment to a delivery nozzle. The barrel portion defines an air flow passage and a separate water flow passage. A dial is rotatably mounted to the barrel portion and defines a plurality of differently sized flow orifices alignable one-at-a-time with one of the flow passages. Each of the flow orifices allows a predetermined level of fluid flow through the flow passage when aligned with the flow passage. The improved dental syringe can be employed to assess abfraction forces acting upon teeth, to assess the success or failure of an occlusal adjustment procedure, and to reduce splatter.

Abstract: The improvement of a dental syringe includes the addition of a fluid control block. The fluid control block includes a barrel portion having a first connector for attachment to a syringe handle and a second connector for attachment to a delivery nozzle. The barrel portion defines a flow passage. A dial is rotatably mounted to the barrel portion and defines a plurality of differently sized flow orifices alignable one-at-a-time with the flow passage. Each of the flow orifices allows a predetermined level of fluid flow through the flow passage when aligned with the flow passage. The improved dental syringe can be employed to assess abfraction forces acting upon teeth, to assess the success or failure of an occlusal adjustment procedure, and to reduce splatter.

Abstract: A shoulder brace having an elastic web that is anchored to provide tension to force and guide the humerus upward along its longitudinal axis into the glenoid fossa. The brace restricts elevation of the humerus and opposes both anterior and posterior rotation of the humerus. The brace provides a guided tension force to the humerus along its longitudinal axis, and that force is provided perpendicular to the medial (anterior/posterior) plane and circumferentially around (360.degree.) the humerus axis. Specifically, the elastic web comprises a sleeve region and a shoulder region connected to the sleeve region. In use, the anchors tense the shoulder region inferiorly and medially and tense the sleeve region longitudinally along the arm away from the shoulder.