Abstract: The present invention provides a low clearance, compact guideway, train positioning system that can be installed in close quarters alongside an existing railroad track. The system is chain driven and features an improved over/under or vertical sprocket carriage drive system in which parts normally exposed to the elements are protected while, at the same time, horizontal space requirements alongside the track are reduced. The system employs a vertically oriented chain drive which employs enclosed vertically mounted drive and idler sprocket units and a chain tube enclosing the lower chain strand which further minimizes exposure of the mechanism chain to the elements by totally enclosing the lower chain path in the over/under arrangement.

Abstract: A grip for holding soft materials is described wherein the gripping surface of the grip is cooled by a thermo-electric cooler. The grip of the present invention includes grip members having opposed gripping surfaces that contact the soft material. The grip does not require use of cryogenic materials and is suitable for use in contact with fluids at body temperature. The temperature of the grip can be easily controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a &bgr;-form of a prion protein which preferably has more &bgr;-sheet than &agr;-helix structure and is soluble in the absence of a denaturant and/or is non-aggregated and exhibits partial resistance to digestion with proteinase K. The invention also relates to use of the &bgr;-form in medicine, especially for raising antibodies useful in the treatment and/or diagnosis of prion diseases. The invention also relates to methods of screening for compounds which are capable of inhibiting and/or reversing the conversion of the native &agr;-form of a prion protein to a &bgr;-form, and to uses of identified compounds in medicine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting optical errors, especially in refractive power, in large surface panels made of transparent material such as glass, by evaluating an observed image. The steps of the inventive method include: projection of a defined model consisting of regular sequences, whereby the sequences includes two varying light intensities and arrangement of the panel in the optical path of projection. The inventive method enables detection of optical errors in at least one dimension of a panel without a reference screen by projecting the model onto a camera, whereby a model sequence is respectively represented on a certain number of adjacent camera pixels and the number is an integral multiple of the sequence.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac rhythm management device operable in an autothreshold or autocapture verification mode, wherein the rhythm management device is capable of detecting noise that affects signal characteristics of a sensed intracardial evoked response electrogram signal. The device includes a noise detection circuit that determines whether a minimum peak timing occurs during a predetermined time following delivery of a stimulation pulse. If a minimum peak timing occurs during the predetermined time following delivery of the stimulation pulse, then significant amounts of noise affecting the signal characteristics of the electrocardiogram signal is assumed.

Abstract: A tailgate system is disclosed that relates generally to vehicles for collecting, transporting and unloading several sorted classes of materials, that may include recyclable materials, in which the truck body is in the form of a generally hollow container mounted on a truck chassis and having an internal volume partitioned into two or more horizontally extending compartments, each equipped to receive, store and discharge or eject materials. The tailgate system is a split system that enables totally separate operation of a tailgate door for each compartment, but which includes automatic latching and maintains a relatively low center of gravity with reference to the vehicle regardless of the position of the doors.

Abstract: A swing-frame auxiliary axle system for a work vehicle having a main frame including spaced chassis rails is disclosed which includes a pivot frame having a pair of spaced pivot arms connected by a common torque tube and each of which is pivotally mounted to a vehicle chassis rail, the spaced pivot arms including at least one tag axle and wheel and a cross member at the other end. An operating system is provided for moving the auxiliary axle assembly between a stowed and a support position. An independent modular arm pivot joint and attachment system pivotally mount each of the spaced pivot arms to a corresponding one chassis rails. The operating system also has a tag lever fixed to the torque tube and a hydraulic operating cylinder having a rod end journaled about an independent modular tag lever pivot joint and attachment system, connected between the rod end and the tag lever removably attaching the cylinder rod to operate the tag lever.

Abstract: A versatile system for seizing, tilting and dumping refuse containers is disclosed that includes a maneuverable, multi-position container grasping device attached to a refuse collection vehicle for handling curbside containers during collection efforts and emptying the containers at a plurality of positions relative to the vehicle charging hopper. A container grabbing mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to any improved telescoping display system unit for holding display panels, photomurals, banners, signs or the like in a variety of sizes. There is also depicted multi-unit systems consecutively joined by hinged and straight connectors to form any desired display configuration. Interchangeable snap or press fit connectors allow alternate assemblies.

Abstract: A connector has been designed that incorporates a ground EMI/RFI shield spacer in conjunction with an attached grounded multi-coplanar capacitor board to achieve an EMI/RFI tight grounded connection. The shield spacer may be provided with further RF suppression core members which surrounds all of the signal lines and power connections connected via the plug.

Abstract: The disclosure involves a method for calibrating a system for determining thermal conductivity, k, and specific heat, c.sub.p of a fluid of interest. A proximately positioned heater and sensor are in thermal communication through a fluid of interest, and determinations are based on transient and steady-state temperature responses of the sensor to energy input in the heater. Calibration of the precise relations for each such system are determined by derivation using species of known physical property values.

Abstract: Electrically conducting polymer complexes, prepared from N-substituted carbazoles, p-acetoxylbenzaldehyde, and protic acids, are soluble in polar organic solvents giving conductive polymer solutions processable to stable conductive films, coatings, and sponges.

Abstract: A detector for detecting, in images of camera scanned scenes, edges which extend generally parallel to the scanning lines. Accordingly, by comparing an undelayed signal to a first signal delayed by slightly more than one scan line, a differential can be obtained at a 45 degree angle going downward from the left to the right of the image. By delaying a second signal slightly less than one scan line, the differential becomes 45 degrees going downward from the right to the left of the image. These differentials are utilized to detect edges extending parallel to the scan lines.

Abstract: Macromolecules, including rigid chain or ladder polymers are solubilized in aprotic organic solvents by complex formation. The resultant polymer solutions are useful for producing films, coatings, fibers, sheets, and other forms of the macromolecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a neural network centering scheme for translation-invariant pattern recognition. The scheme involves the centering of a pattern about its centroid to prepare it for subsequent subjugation to an associative match. The scheme is utilized in a camera assembly of the type used for image acquisition. Movement of the camera assembly is controlled in accordance with the scheme to effect the centering of a pattern in the field of view window of the camera assembly.

Abstract: Organic vapor species ranging from polar to non-polar are removed from the ambient atmosphere by means of a thin microporous membrane medium in conjunction with a non-volatile collecting fluid having an affinity for the species of interest. The collecting fluid may be regenerated if desired.

Abstract: The application discloses drying oil binder materials for use in improving cathode adhesion to thin metal current collectors and methods of applying them.

Abstract: A controller and a related method that maintains thermal comfort in an occupied space at a user-defined level while simultaneously maximizing the efficiency of the space conditioning equipment. The controller determines the setting of heating/cooling capacity, indoor airflow rate, evaporator superheat and other system parameters such that a comfort constraint is satisfied. The comfort index may be any arbitrarily-defined relationship of measured or inferred quantities such as air temperature, relative humidity, air velocity, mean radiant temperature, CO.sub.2 concentration, etc. The controller ensures that the error between comfort index and the comfort setpoint is zero while the energy consumed by the space conditioning equipment is minimized.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body with a first surface having a predetermined orientation with respect to a crystalline structure in the semiconductor body. The semiconductor body has a depression formed into the first surface of the body. A layer of thin film material covers at least a portion of the first surface and includes an electric, thermal-to-electric, or electric-to-thermal element. The diaphragm apparatus forms a slotted diaphragm substantially covering the depression. The slotted diaphragm includes one or more slots sized and oriented so that, in the fabrication of the device, an anisotropic etch placed on the slot or slots will completely undercut the diaphragm and form the depression. The electric, thermal-to-electric, or electric-to-thermal element is substantially supported by the diaphragm and, therefore, is substantially thermally and physically isolated from the semiconductor body.

Abstract: An improved non-aqueous electrolyte solution for lithium cells is disclosed which utilizes an organic ester of methyl formate together with lithium salt and an amount of CO.sub.2 in the electrolyte solution. The active lithium anode may also be pretreated with CO.sub.2.