Abstract: A screened gravity-fed water funnel or water funnel kit may be characterized in one aspect as including a substantially conically-shaped water-permeable mesh screen, a funnel releasably mounted or mountable to, and in fluid cooperation with, the screen, and a flexible tether mounted or mountable to the screen. An anchor or other means for embedding an upstream end of the tether immobile in the stream is mounted or mountable to the tether, opposite to the screen. That is, the anchor is mounted or mountable at an upstream end of the tether and an upstream narrow end of the screen is mounted or mountable to a downstream end of the tether, and wherein an upstream wide-end of the funnel is mounted to a downstream wide-end of the screen, and wherein a hose coupler is mounted or mountable to a downstream narrow end of the funnel.

Abstract: The new design has three primary features: (1) a rectangular collar having a centrally located circular cutout with sewn loops formed on the outer edges of the collar; (2) a filter bag having top edges attached to the rectangular collar along the periphery of the circular cutout so that the bag is inserted within the cutout and drops below the level of the collar; and (3) a heavy gauge steel wire inserted within the sewn loops of the rectangular collar forming a structural frame along the periphery of the rectangular collar. The structural frame is preferably formed with overlapping portions coupled together with a retaining means. The overlapping portions are slidably moved relative to one another to change the first and/or second dimension of the frame so that the filter can fit within catch basins openings of various measurements.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to the preparation and use of matrices having solid spaces, interstitial spaces and interstitial polymer networks. In particular, the interstitial polymer networks have utility in chemical and biochemical separations, solid phase synthesis, catalysis of chemical reactions, and immobilized enzyme reactors. The interstitial polymer networks in one embodiment comprise crosslinked polymers suspended in the interstitial spaces from and/or between solid particles. The matrices are characterized by high ligand and functional group density and by reversible high sorptive and binding capacity, and are substantially accompanied by a very low nonspecific adsorption or interaction with molecules such as proteins. Moreover, the matrices of the invention exhibit other characteristics highly desirable in chromatographic and catalytic applications, such as high physical rigidity, high ligand density, chemical stability, high ligand reactivity, and rapid exchange and reaction kinetics.

Abstract: A system for moving a filter or a retainer into or out of a fluid pathway without halting the movement of the fluid in the pathway. When acting as a filtering device, the system includes a filter frame and a drive mechanism for slidingly moving the filter frame on stationary rails that remain in the duct through which the fluid is transferred. When a retainer device, the system includes a retainer and a drive mechanism for slidingly moving retainer on stationary rails that remain in the chamber through which a fluid under treatment passes. The system includes isolation means permitting the filter frame or retainer to pass into or out of the duct or chamber without exhausting the fluid within the duct or chamber. The drive mechanism may be a guillotine damper gate drive, a spindled drive, a hydraulic actuator or other drive means. The filter or the retainer may include a plurality of bays that are rigidly, hingedly, or detachably connected together.

Abstract: An anti-microbial filter (105) for a micro-fluidic system (100) includes a silicon-based filter membrane (213) having holes (218) formed therein. The membrane (213) is formed on a substrate (211). One side of the filter membrane (213) has an anti-microbial coating (216) between the holes (218) on the filter membrane (213) and the other side can include filter supports formed from a silicon substrate. A method for making the anti-microbial filter (105) includes forming a filter membrane (213) on a substrate (211), forming holes (218) in the membrane (213) by providing a filter mask (215) and etching holes (218) through holes (222) in the mask (215). Then portions of the substrate (211) are removed from the filter membrane (213) using a masking and etching process to expose the holes (218). An anti-microbial coating is applied to the membrane (213) adjacent the holes (218).

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater sources such as sewer systems or those from pulp and paper mills which contain biomass waste involves adding white rot fungi in the presence of glucose. While glucose may be directly added to the wastewater source, it has been found to be more economical to reduce or substantially remove color from the wastewater by additionally adding brown rot fungi in the presence of cellulose and hemi-cellulose. The addition of bacteria has also been found helpful to improve the reduction in color, biological oxygen demand, as well as chemical oxygen demand in wastewater sludge reduction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system that separates first particles from second particles, or white blood cells from red blood cells, by sedimentation in a fluid chamber with debulking of one of the first or second particles or red blood cells through the inlet of the fluid chamber. The method and system further includes fractionation of the remaining particles or white blood cells into selected subsets. In one embodiment of the instant invention a blood product containing white blood cells is loaded in a separation chamber, a diluting or sedimenting agent is added to encourage rouleaux formation of any red blood cells, the cells are sedimented and the red blood cells are removed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a lamellar clarifier (1) comprising: a) a tank (3) for liquid to be clarified (5), b) means for conveying said liquid (5) into a lower zone (9) of said tank (3), c) means (11) for evacuating said liquid (5) from an upper zone (13) of the tank (3), and d) a plurality of settling plates (Di) arranged inside said tank (3), said plates (Di) being substantially parallel and uniformly spaced apart from one another so as to define a plurality of passages (IIi) extending between said lower (9) and upper (13) zones. Said clarifier is characterized in that it further comprises tubular members (Ti) integral with said plates (Di), and oscillating fixing means (?i) interposed between said tubular members (Ti) and said tank (3).

Abstract: According to the present invention, since the concavo-convex pattern of the embossing form is formed by electrical discharge machining, the peaks on the surface of the resultant embossing form are all of the same level or height, which enables the enhancement of the service life of the embossing form. Further, since the concavo-convex pattern of the embossing form is formed by electrical discharge machining, even a complicated and minute concavo-convex pattern can be formed. Accordingly, when applying the method of the present invention to, for example, the production of a substrate for a lithographic plate, an aluminum substrate for a lithographic plate which excels in plate wear, sensitivity and resistance to stains can be produced. And when applying the same to the production of an aluminum decorative laminate, an aluminum decorative laminate which excel in glossiness and paint adhesion can be produced.

Abstract: An etching processing apparatus 1 has a transfer chamber 2, a plurality of processing chambers 3 and 4, and a plurality of cassette chambers 7 and 8. Inside the transfer chamber 2, a transfer mechanism 14 is provided. A control device 17 pauses the operation of the vacuum pump 16 after closing an opening/closing valve 15 of a vacuum evacuating mechanism, which vacuum evacuates the transfer chamber 2 in which the transfer mechanism 14 is provided, when the operation of the transfer mechanism 14 is paused for a predetermined time or longer. Accordingly, conservation of energy becomes possible without causing decrease of productivity.

Abstract: A method for eliminating eruptions, impurities, and/or damage in a crystal lattice by selectively etching silicon elements of surface-plated and sawn-out parts of a silicon wafer. At least areas of the silicon elements are brought into contact with a gaseous etching medium that etches silicon selectively in a chemical reaction, and gaseous reaction products are produced during etching. An interhalogen or fluorine-noble gas compound that is in a gaseous state or was converted to the gaseous phase may be used as the etching medium. The method is believed to be suitable for producing power diodes sawn from a wafer or for overetching fully mounted individual diodes.

Abstract: A method for making a forming structure for use in an apparatus for making formed polymeric film. The method comprises a multiple step process of applying a photoresist polymer to a metal base sheet, curing the polymer, acid etching the portions of the metal base sheet not covered by cured polymer to form a protrusion having an upper surface and a side wall (or walls), washing the base sheet with caustic and repeating the process as necessary, each time covering the upper surface and side wall of the protrusion with cured polymer.

Abstract: The present application relates to the use of active compound combinations containing phenolic active compounds and fungicidal active compounds for preserving animal hides and leather.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluorobutane refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions further comprising fluoroether, which are useful in refrigerain or air conditioning apparatus or as heat transfer fluids. The compositions of the present invention are also useful in centrifugal compressor apparatus that employ two-stage compressors or single slab single pass heat exchangers.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and kits for purifying and clarifying and/or nutrifying contaminated drinking water and which comprise a primary coagulant material, a microbiocidal disinfectant and an oxidant system. Highly preferred compositions also contain one or more of a bridging flocculent material, the levels and ratios of coagulant to flocculent preferably falling within certain ranges, a cationic coagulant aid, especially chitosan, a water-soluble alkali, a water-insoluble silicate, and a food additive or nutrient source. The purified water remains free of discoloration for extended periods of storage.

Abstract: A conductive additive for the positive nickel electrode for electrochemical cells which provides increased performance by suppressing an oxygen evolution reaction occurring parallel to the oxidation of nickel hydroxide, increasing conductivity of the electrode and/or consuming oxygen produced as a result of the oxygen evolution reaction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluorescent substance comprising an alkaline earth metal silicate having a composition represented by the following general formula (1): (Sr1-x-y-zBaxCayEuz)2SiwO2+2w ??(1) where x, y, z and w fall within the ranges of: 0?x?0.97; 0?y?0.97; 0.03?z?0.20; 1.00<w 1.10.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a hole transport layer of an organic EL display, comprising: a material including one of a PEDOT which is a mixture of a poly (3,4)-ethylenedioxythiophene and a polystyrenesulfonate, a PANI which is a mixture of a polyaniline and a polystyrenesulfonate, and an aromatic amine derivative; and an organic compound derivative having the general structure, R1R2MR3R4, where “M” denotes one metal selected from a group consisting of Ti, Pt and one metal among elements belonging to groups 3A and 4A of periods 3 to 5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a hydrolytically stable polyamide membrane having an open-pored, microporous and sponge-like support-layer structure, using a process involving thermally induced liquid-liquid phase separation. A solution of an aliphatic polyamide in a solvent system, comprising preferably a solvent and a non-solvent for the polyamide, is extruded to form a shaped object. After leaving the die, the shaped object is cooled by means of a cooling medium until phase separation occurs and the polymer-rich phase solidifies to form the membrane structure. The solution of the polyamide in the solvent system contains an antioxidant agent as a stabiliser for the polyamide which, together with the solvent system, is selected in a way that the antioxidant agent is essentially insoluble in the solvent system at the phase separation temperature.

Abstract: To produce a large-size item using the RTM technique, only two reservoirs (16a, 16b) are used which are alternately connected to the mould (10). When one of the reservoirs is empty, it is replaced by another reservoir full of resin while the resin contained in the other reservoir is injected into mould (10).

Abstract: A ball body is formed with a mold having upper and lower mold half. Dimples 16 having a shape inverted from the shape of the pimples of the mold are formed on the ball body. The dimples 16 in the vicinity of the equatorial line have a size in the meridional direction D1 being greater than a size in the latitudinal direction D2. The difference between the size in the meridional direction D1 and the size in the latitudinal direction D2 is 0.01 mm or greater and 0.50 mm or less. By grinding the ball body in the vicinity of the equatorial line, a flash generated on the seam resulting form the mold is removed. According to the grinding, the size in the meridional direction of the dimple 16 is reduced, and thus, plane shape of the dimple becomes closer to a perfect circle.

Abstract: This describes a procedure for replicative fabrication and packaging of at least one microstructured molded part as one magazine/molded part composite as well as a magazine with at least one microstructured molded part as one magazine/molded part composite. The first step covers fabrication of at least one microstructured molded part using an initially closed tool which consists of at least one first and one second tool half. In the second step, both tool halves are opened, whereby the molded part remains in the first tool half. In the third step, at least the second tool half is replaced with at least one additional tool half. In the fourth step, the replicative fabrication of the magazine is carried out using the first tool half containing the molded part and the additional tool half. Finally in the fifth step, magazine and molded part are demolded simultaneously as one magazine/molded part composite.

Abstract: The cycle time for a rotomolding process is improved through the use of a molding material comprising a blend of at least two polyethylenes having narrow molecular weight distributions and homogeneous comonomer distributions. Alternatively, the molding temperature may be reduced to conserve energy and reduce energy costs. The polyethylene blend also has a narrow molecular weight distribution of less than 3 and a density of from 0.930 to 0.950 g/cc. Rotomolded parts prepared from the blend composition have excellent impact resistance and are also resistant to warpage. A preferred process employs a blend composition which contains a blend component having a higher molecular weight and a lower density than another blend component—this blend may be used to prepare rotomolded parts with warpage resistance and improved environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR). A highly preferred process uses a blend composition which further contains a minor amount (from 0.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating foam cored items in which the foam core is tightly encased by an outer shell. The foam core is compressed, reducing a characteristic dimension, thereby facilitating installation and/or removal of the foam. The foam is then allowed to expand to the desired size. The methods are particularly suited for fabricating foam collars that are located above the chine of a boat and extend longitudinally along the sides of the boat to provide stabilization for the boat during high performance maneuvering and/or provide a fendering system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding a reproducible uniform concrete test cylinder. Concrete is poured into a concrete test cylinder mold. A cap having at least one excretion hole is placed on the top portion of the concrete test cylinder mold. The cap is pressed against the top portion of the concrete test cylinder mold thereby excreting excess concrete through the excretion hole in the cap. After the cap is separated from the poured concrete, the poured concrete is allowed to cure within the concrete test cylinder mold for a predetermined time. Then, the cured concrete is removed from the concrete test cylinder mold thereby producing a uniform and reproducible concrete test cylinder.

Abstract: A method includes a first, a second and a third step, and a circuit member is installed in a resin-molded panel simultaneously when this resin-molded panel is vacuum formed. In the first step, the circuit member to be installed is placed on an upper surface of a circuit member-installing portion formed on and projecting from a front surface of a base mold. In the second step, a heated and softened panel material is laid on the front surface of the base mold. In the third step, the air between the panel material and the base mold is drawn via notch spaces and air-drawing holes.

Abstract: A direct smelting plant for producing molten metal from a metalliferous feed material is disclosed. The plant includes a fixed smelting vessel to hold a molten bath of metal and slag and a gas space above the bath. The plant also includes means for supplying solids and gas feed materials to the vessel and for tapping molten material from the vessel. The plant also includes at least two platforms for supporting plant operators at different heights of the vessel. The metal tapping means and the slag tapping means are located so as to be accessible by plant operators on a cast house platform and the end metal tapping means and the end slag tapping means are located to be accessible by plant operators on an end tap platform that is at a lower height than the cast house platform.

Abstract: A chemical vapor sterilization process is enhanced by controlling the temperature of a diffusion path between a vaporizer and a sterilization chamber so as to condense and then re-vaporize at least a portion of the vapor.

Abstract: A disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit employed during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery performs gas exchange, heat transfer, and microemboli filtering functions in a way as to conserve volume, to reduce setup and change out times, to eliminate a venous blood reservoir, and to substantially reduce blood-air interface. Blood from the patient or prime solution is routed through an air removal device that is equipped with air sensors for detection of air. An active air removal controller removes detected air from blood in the air removal device. A disposable circuit support module is used to mount the components of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit in close proximity and in a desirable spatial relationship to optimize priming and use of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit. A reusable circuit holder supports the disposable circuit support module in relation to a prime solution source, the active air removal controller and other components.

Abstract: A test strip having the capability of separating blood cells from whole blood, wherein it has a porous reagent layer comprising beads, an inorganic gel and a reagent that causes a detectable reaction with a substance to be detected, and a substrate that supports the reagent layer, wherein the beads are adhered to each other with the inorganic gel, and interstices are formed between the beads to trap a solid. The test strip can thus be used for separating blood cells from a whole blood including blood cells and plasma and detecting a substance to be detected, such as glucose, contained in plasma. The use of the test strip allows the measurement of a substance to be detected even by measurement of a transmitted light, the exhibition of good oxygen permeability, and thus can be used for measuring a substance to be detected with improved accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for the in vivo determination of the presence and/or concentration of biological and/or chemical substances in body lumens. The system of the invention comprises a solid support, the support being inserted into a body lumen and having immobilized thereon at least one reactant capable of reacting with the substance resulting in an optical change; and a detecting unit, in communication with the support, capable of detecting a reaction resulting in an optical change between the reactant and the substance.

Abstract: A device includes a first substrate having a channel formed on front and rear surfaces of the first substrate, and an information recording layer forming an optical recording medium on at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the first substrate.

Abstract: A system for quickly and automatically extracting and analysing residual solvents is realised for operating directly in the premises where the packing materials are being manufactured, printed and/or laminated. The system provides for a single unit equipped with a display and a keyboard, and comprises an extraction (desorption) chamber (1), an analysis chamber with valves and separating columns, a detection system (17), and a data processing system (19). The extracting or desorption chamber comprises a desorption cell (1) for receiving a vial (36; 37) containing said sample, and means are provided to keep the inside of said cell (1) at a pressure higher that that of the surrounding environment until a new sample has been introduced into the cell, thus accomplishing a “washing” of cell for eliminating polluting solvents coming from the desorption of a preceding sample and/or solvents present in the surrounding environment.

Abstract: A flow cell and flow cytometer in which a nozzle at the end of a flow channel is disposed on a removable substrate held at a registered location on a flow cell. Other elements including illumination optics, light collection optics, and the flow cell may then be positioned at fixed locations and would not require subsequent periodic adjustment. The registered location for positioning the nozzle allows removal and replacement of the nozzle key with the nozzle subsequently positioned in the identical location.

Abstract: Ion-detecting sensors for detecting a target ion in a sample are provided. The sensor comprises a plasticizer-free copolymer comprised of polymerized units of methacrylate monomers having pendent alkyl groups of different length and a functionalized ionophore of said ion, wherein at least a portion of the functionalized ionophore is grafted into the copolymer through covalent linkages. Sensors may comprise ionophores such as hydrophilic crown ethers or functionalized derivative of 3-oxapentandiaminde-type ionophores. This invention further provides sensors for detecting target ions in a sample, comprising plasticizer-free molecularly imprinted polymers, wherein the polymers comprise polymerized units of methacrylate monomers having pendent alkyl groups of different length and a functionalized ionophore of said ion. In particular, a magnesium ion sensor comprising a functionalized derivative of a 3-oxapentandiaminde-type calcium ion-selective ionophore is provided.

Abstract: A device for detecting sulfuryl fluoride, in which the gas specimen to be examined is subjected to pyrolysis with ensuing detection of a pyrolysis product, is to be improved for the sake of achieving a mobile, economical structure. To attain this object, in a preliminary tube (1) for pyrolysis, there is a chemical layer (5) of pyrophoric iron, and as an indicator system for the pyrolysis product, a test tube (2) for hydrogen fluoride is used.

Abstract: Aerosol particle analyzer (APA) for measuring an analyte in airborne particle is described. Airborne particles are first given an electrical charge and then drawn in air past an oppositely charged volume of an analysis liquid that exposed to the air at a small hole in a container, such as a capillary, that holds that analysis liquid. Electrostatic forces enhance the rate that the airborne particles collide with the small exposed volume of the analysis liquid in the hole. If the particles that collide with the analysis liquid contain the analyte, an optical property of the analysis liquid, such as the fluorescence, varies according to the amount of the analyte in the particles. This optical property is measured and the amount of analyte in the particles is determined from the measured optical property.

Abstract: An aerosol-into-liquid collector (ALC) for collecting gas-borne particles from a large volume of gas such as air into a small volume of liquid is described. The ALC uses a linear quadrupole to concentrate particles flowing in a gas and to help direct these concentrated particles toward a small volume of collection liquid so that these particles tend to combine with a small volume of collection liquid that can then be drawn from the ACL for further analysis. The particles in the gas are typically given a charge that is opposite to that of the charge imparted to the volume of collection liquid so that electrostatic forces help draw particles from the flowing gas into the small volume of liquid. The linear quadrupole focuses toward it axis particles that have the charge, mass and mobility to be stable in the linear quadrupole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample dispenser, for the application of liquid samples on to a sample absorbing area, with a sample dispenser body (1) having at its end a sample pick-up surface (5) bounded by a continuous edge (6), wherein the sample pick-up surface (5) is provided with a recess (7) such that, when the sample pick-up surface (5) is dipped into a sample reservoir, a droplet of liquid sample of predetermined size adheres to the sample pick-up surface (5) and by placing of the sample pick-up surface (5) on the sample absorbing area is completely dispensed, and wherein the recess (7) is in the form of a flat recess (7), that is to say, it has a depth which is less than its width. The sample dispenser according to the invention is of very simple design. In using it, the desired sample amount to be transferred is determined by the flat recess of the sample pick-up surface and can be reproduced very precisely.

Abstract: A combination is provided that includes a microfluidic device and a pivoting actuator. Methods of using the combination are also provided. The microfluidic device can include deformable valves that can be opened, for example, by the pivoting actuator.

Abstract: In the field of transformation of material there is a device for producing a plasma, a method for ionizing material using the device, uses of the inventive method and production processes using the device. The device includes a resonant chamber, an acoustic chamber provided with an acoustic device and a soliton chamber for receiving the treated material coming from the resonant chamber while simultaneously generating a recycling of outside air. The soliton chamber defines, with a pulsating suction member adjacent to the output of the soliton chamber, a space producing ionized material.

Abstract: A catalytic reactor comprises a plurality of sheets defining flow channels between them. Within each flow channel is a foil of corrugated material whose surfaces are coated with catalytic material. Flow channels for a first gas extend in oblique directions relative to the flow channels for a second gas. The reactor incorporates header chambers to supply gas mixtures to the flow channels, the headers communicating with adjacent channels being separate. The reactor enables different gas mixtures to be supplied to adjacent channels, which may be at different pressures, and the corresponding chemical reactions are also different. Where one of the reactions is endothermic while the other reaction is exothermic, heat is transferred through the sheets separating the endothermic reaction. When the catalyst in one set of flow channels becomes spent, it can be replaced by removing a header.

Abstract: An improved process, such as a microbiological or enzymatic process, and apparatus, such as an apparatus for producing a cellular product, comprising introducing a gaseous feed stream of at least one gas of low solubility into an aqueous medium containing a microorganism capable of converting said gaseous feed stream to a cellular product, entraining the gas in the aqueous medium, stirring the gas-entrained aqueous medium so that the gas is retained within the reactor for a time sufficient for the microorganism to convert the majority of the gas to product.

Abstract: Methods for the removal of lead from a metal silicate during the process of manufacturing of such a material are provided. With the reliance upon lower cost starting silicon dioxide starting materials that are known to exhibit elevated amounts of heavy metal therein for the purpose of producing metal silicates (such as sodium silicate, as one example), it has been realized that removal of significant amounts of such heavy metals is necessary to comply with certain regulatory requirements in order to provide a finished material that exhibits the same low level of heavy metal contamination as compared with finished materials that are made from more expensive, purer starting silicon dioxides. Two general methods may be followed for such decontamination purposes. One entails the introduction of a calcium phosphate material, such as dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate, and/or hydroxyapatite, to a formed metal silicate solution but prior to filtering.

Abstract: Synthetic monocrystalline diamond compositions having one or more monocrystalline diamond layers formed by chemical vapor deposition, the layers including one or more layers having an increased concentration of one or more impurities (such as boron and/or isotopes of carbon), as compared to other layers or comparable layers without such impurities. Such compositions provide an improved combination of properties, including color, strength, velocity of sound, electrical conductivity, and control of defects. A related method for preparing such a composition is also described., as well as a system for use in performing such a method, and articles incorporating such a composition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for growing carbon nanotubes using a catalyst system that preferentially promotes the growth of single- and double-wall carbon nanotubes, rather than larger multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Ropes of the carbon nanotubes are formed that comprise single-wall and/or double-wall carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The present invention provides silver oxide particles having an average diameter of less than or equal to 100 nm that are stable and can be transported in dry powder form. The surface of the silver oxide particles is coated with an extremely thin layer of a surfactant such as fatty acid. Nanosized silver oxide particles according to the invention are preferably formed via the addition of a strong base to a mixture including an aqueous silver salt solution and a surfactant dissolved in an organic solvent that is at least partially water miscible. The strong base causes silver oxide to precipitate from the mixture as nanosized particles, which are immediately encapsulated by the surfactant and thus protected from further crystal growth and Ostwald ripening. The nanosized surfactant coated particles of silver oxide can be washed and dried and then transported in dry form.

Abstract: A fuel reforming method includes the step of supplying carbon-containing fuel and steam to a reactor filled with a fuel reforming catalyst and a CO2 absorbent and discharging CO2, and setting the absorbent at an absorption temperature, thereby converting the carbon-containing fuel into reformed fuel, and separating CO2 from the reformed fuel, the step of obtaining a product gas by oxidizing a portion of the reformed fuel and/or the carbon-containing fuel with an oxidizer, and heating the absorbent with this product gas to a regeneration temperature, thereby regenerating the absorbent and storing heat in this absorbent, and the step of supplying the carbon-containing fuel and steam to the reactor, thereby cooling, to the absorption temperature, the absorbent heated to the regeneration temperature, and converting the carbon-containing fuel into reformed fuel by heat energy stored in the CO2 absorbent. An apparatus for the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for close-range intraoperative, endoscopic and intravascular detection and treatment of lesions, including tumors and non-malignant lesions. The methods use antibody fragments or subfragments labeled with isotopic and non-isotopic agents. Also provided are methods for detection and treatment of lesions with photodynamic agents and methods of treating lesions with a protein conjugated to an agent capable of being activated to emit Auger electron or other ionizing radiation. Compositions and kits useful in the above methods are also provided.

Abstract: A coated preparation for the detection of a H. pylori infection according to a urea breath test protocol which comprises a core composition containing at least an isotope C-labeled urea, an excipient and a lubricant in defined proportions and covered with 0.1˜10 weight % of a coating agent based on 100 weight % of the core composition. With this preparation, the influence of the urease-producing bacteria resident in organs other than the stomach, such as the mouth and throat, is excluded to enable a diagnosis of H. pylori infection without the risk for a false-positive test and with reasonable rapidity.