Abstract: The present disclosure provides converter 10 that comprises a plurality of wires 20 30 40, a transformer 80 which is connected to the electric panel 70 via wires 20 30 40, and optionally a capacitor 50 and a resistor 60.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide a local electronic device having a power supply coupled to a power main in wireless communication, via a wireless transceiver, to a remote device. The local electronic device includes a charging station to recharge a rechargeable power supply of the remote devices. The local electronic device detects when at least one remote device is being recharged by the charging station. Based on the detection, the local electronic device selectively enters a low-power mode by disabling one or more circuits to reduce power consumption.

Abstract: A computerized system and a method for interactively designing a room within a home. The system has a processor, a data storage device, a set of computer readable instructions and a user interface with a visual display for receiving design inputs and displaying design inquiries and outputs. The invention displays the design inquiries on the user interface, with at least one of the design inquiries regarding a location of the room in the home, receives from the user interface design inputs responsive to the design inquiries, determines design requirements for the room based on the design inputs, determines a room design for the room based on the design requirements, including populating the room design with at least one appliance based on the room location, and displays a graphical representation of the room design on the user interface.

Abstract: A housing system for aquatic animals has a shelf-like rack holding tiers of individual tanks or aquariums (aquaria), each removably suspended from structural members that engage flanges of the tanks. The tanks are tilted inwardly of the rack and have covers with fittings on the higher or outer side, that intercept flow between a supply and a drain to inlet water when the tank is in the rack and to recycle the water at any tank position that is unoccupied. The inside bottom of each tank is contoured, for example with a longitudinal trough, so sediment collects at a low spot on the lower or inner side, where a drain inlet is placed to provide a drainage outlet that opens at a velocity increasing restriction at which sediment is entrained. The drain has a spring biased valve that opens the drain only when the tank is fully inserted in the rack.

Abstract: A housing system for aquatic animals has a shelf-like rack holding tiers of individual tanks or aquariums (aquaria), each removably suspended from structural members that engage flanges of the tanks. The tanks are tilted inwardly of the rack and have covers with fittings on the higher or outer side, that intercept flow between a supply and a drain to inlet water when the tank is in the rack and to recycle the water at any tank position that is unoccupied. The inside bottom of each tank is contoured, for example with a longitudinal trough, so sediment collects at a low spot on the lower or inner side, where a drain inlet is placed to provide a drainage outlet that opens at a velocity increasing restriction at which sediment is entrained. The drain has a spring biased valve that opens the drain only when the tank is fully inserted in the rack.

Abstract: A housing system for aquatic animals has a shelf-like rack holding tiers of individual tanks or aquariums (aquaria), each removably suspended from structural members that engage flanges of the tanks. The tanks are tilted inwardly of the rack and have covers with fittings on the higher or outer side, that intercept flow between a supply and a drain to inlet water when the tank is in the rack and to recycle the water at any tank position that is unoccupied. The inside bottom of each tank is contoured, for example with a longitudinal trough, so sediment collects at a low spot on the lower or inner side, where a drain inlet is placed to provide a drainage outlet that opens at a velocity increasing restriction at which sediment is entrained. The drain has a spring biased valve that opens the drain only when the tank is fully inserted in the rack.

Abstract: A method for preparing a fibrinogen-containing composition derived from human plasma by separating a cryoprecipitate from the plasma, suspending the cryoprecipitate in a salt-containing buffer, treating the supernatant by affinity-chromatography on a lysine-bound solid matrix to allow plasminogen to adsorb thereon, collecting a fraction containing less than 10 .mu.g/ml plasminogen, and treating the fraction to reduce viral activity. The fibrinogen-containing composition recovered from this fraction is advantageous because it contains such a low amount of plasminogen that no addition of fibrinolysis inhibitor is needed.

Abstract: A rapidly hydratable konjac flour is disclosed which is distinguishable from native konjac flour in that it gains at least least 60% of its potential peak viscosity within 10 minutes after dispersal into water at 25.degree. C., at least 80% of its potential peak viscosity within 20 minutes after dispersal into water at 25.degree. C., and from 80 to 100% of its potential peak viscosity within 30 minutes after dispersal into water at 25.degree. C. Methods for manufacturing rapidly hydratable konjac flour and uses for the inventive flour also are disclosed.

Abstract: Substantially dry, rehydratable, water-dispersible, gel-forming, porous hydrocolloid micro-particulates containing internally or internally and externally at least one water-soluble, non-gelling, hydration enhancing hydrocolloid, processes and intermediates for their preparation, and their uses.

Abstract: A composition which, upon reacting with thrombin, functions as a fibrin sealant and is characterized as being free of detectable levels of lipid enveloped virus activity, free of prothrombin complex and active thrombin, and contains no protease inhibitors or other non-human proteins. Also, described is a method for producing the composition.

Abstract: A process for making gel bead having a mean diameter of less than 50 microns by adiabatically atomizing a hydrocolloid sol to droplet of less than 50 microns under conditions that lower the temperature of the hydrocolloid below its gel temperature.

Abstract: Substantially dry, rehydratable, water-dispersible, gel-forming, porous hydrocolloid microparticulates containing internally or internally and externally at least one water-soluble, non-gelling, hydration enhancing hydrocolloid, processes and intermediates for their preparation, and their uses.

Abstract: A rapidly hydratable konjac flour is disclosed which is distinguishable from native konjac flour in that it gains at least 60% of its potential peak viscosity within 10 minutes after dispersal into water at 25.degree. C., at least 80% of its potential peak viscosity within 20 minutes after dispersal into water at 25.degree. C., and from 80 to 100% of its potential peak viscosity within 30 minutes after dispersal into water at 25.degree. C. Methods for manufacturing rapidly hydratable konjac flour and uses for the inventive flour also are disclosed.

Abstract: Surgical procedures are conducted in a protected environment wherein a laminar flow of micro filtered air is passed from a top to a bottom of an enclosure with transparent panels defining a space for manual access of the surgeon's hands and arms. Air circulation is forced through a high performance HEPA filter between an inlet including the bottom of the enclosure and an outlet at the top, both including panels with an array of apertures for establishing substantially laminar flow. A duct along an endwall of the enclosure carries filtered air to the top. A positive pressure differential is maintained between the inside of the surgical compartment and the outside, to protect the patient operative site from contamination by airborne particles. The enclosure rests on top of a mobile cabinet and has access ports for connection lines and also for bringing the surgical subject into the enclosure. For experimental animals, an access port for cage boxes can be provided.

Abstract: A ventilated caging system of the type having ducted shelves with lower planar surfaces for box-like animal enclosures, the shelves having duct openings for powered supply and exhaust of air to the animal cages, has valved filter covers operable to isolate the animal enclosure from ingress and egress of airborne particles. The filter cover has a frame sealingly engaging a perimeter of the cage, the frame carrying a filter membrane with at least one opening. A support web integral with the frame extends inwardly of the perimeter within the frame to support a valve.

Abstract: After the etching away of copper to selectively expose surface areas of insulating material in a printed circuit process based upon copper foil-clad insulating substrate material, the exposed surface areas of insulating material are contacted with an aqueous alkaline permanganate solution to remove from the areas residual metal species associated therewith so as to improve the electrical resistance afforded by those areas in the printed circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus useful in forming a mold from a wax pattern in an investment casting process, the invention provides a loop element having arm elements which spiral downwardly from and inwardly of the loop element to a base element. Sprue pins mount wax patterns to the loop element in a casting process known as the "lost wax" technique, the apparatus of the invention being particularly useful in the environment of a dental laboratory for formation of crowns and the like of high density. The loop element and arm elements of the apparatus leave channels in the investment material on "burn out" which quickly accelerate a casting material, such as a metal alloy, into the formed mold or molds with a reduction of turbulence which results in fewer defective castings. The channel geometry provided by the apparatus provides benefits due to a lack of right angles or sharp corners which restrict the flow of casting material into the mold or molds.

Abstract: A process for preparing a defect-free dry coated flexible web, e.g., plastic film, paper, comprising transporting a web freshly coated on one side, in floating and substantially flutter-free condition through a setting/drying zone having a series of sections each section having at least one push-type and one draw-type gas discharge device, e.g., air bar and air foil, respectively, impinging the web on the side opposite to the freshly coated side at an angle, respectively, of substantially 90.degree. and 0.5.degree. to 5.degree. relative to the transport direction of the moving web whereby a wave form, e.g., a single wave form such as a sinusoidal wave, having a repeating cycle of about 10 to 60 inches (25.4 to 152.4 cm) is produced in the web. The set web coating can be subsequently dried in a web drying zone, if required. The defect-free film is useful as an x-ray film, industrial testing film, graphic arts film, photosensitive element, plastic coated film or paper.

Abstract: An animal housing and service system of the type having impervious cage boxes suspended on brackets from internally-ducted shelves is provided with flat foraminous filter panels disposed across the open tops of the cage boxes, the filter panels remaining in position when the boxes are mounted in the shelves. An independently-ventilated service enclosure is provided for receiving cage boxes, the service enclosure having air direction panels adapted to achieve a downward flow across the cages to be serviced. By keeping the filter panels in place on the cages except when the cage is in the service enclosure, the system achieves the powered ventilation benefits of integrally-ducted shelves and the positive isolation from pathogens of filter covers.