Abstract: A digital electronic control unit that provides an efficient, miniature, reliable and cost-effective control mechanism for use in household and commercial appliances. It further is capable of real-time-based control, remote control and networking.

Abstract: The present invention provide the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of truncated RANTES (3-68) which has the same amino acid sequence as the wild-type RANTES, but with a serine/proline truncation at positions 1 and 2 from the N-terminus, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a system and method for optimization of contrast enhancement utilizing a bolus propagation model, a computerized predictor of the bolus position, and a real-time tomographic imaging system with an adaptive mechanism to move a patient and/or the imaging components. The system and method can be applied to X-ray CT angiography that relies on bolus peak prediction, real-time CT observation and adaptive table translation. In particular, the discrepancy between the bolus location predicted by a bolus propagation model and the real-time CT measurement is reconciled via a computerized predictor such as a linear extrpolator or a Kalman filter and fed into an adaptive table transport system to drive the table to chase the contrast bolus accordingly.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for spraying a molten thermoplastic polymer composition onto a substrate. The thermal spray apparatus of the present invention includes a source of pressurized molten polymer material, a source of pressurized hot gas, and a spray head which is in fluid communication with the source of pressurized molten polymer material and a source of pressurized hot gas. The pressurized hot gas forms a flowstream as it exits the spray head and acts to atomize and transport the molten polymer material, in a molten state, to the substrate so that the substrate is coated. The molten polymer is atomized into relatively uniform particulates of molten plastic which aids in applying a uniform coating to the subject substrate. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A medical gas utility stand for connection to at least one remote medical gas source, each medical gas source detachably connectable to a gas conduit line so that the gas conduit line is in fluid communication with one medical gas source. The gas utility stand includes a base connected to a substantially upright support member. The gas utility stand also includes a gas connection member having at least one gas conduit defining a gas passage extending between an input end and an output end, the gas connection member fixedly connected to the support member adjacent its top end. Additionally, the gas utility stand has at least one pair of identical gas fittings, each gas fitting defining a bore extending between an attachment end and a securing end, the securing ends of one pair of identical gas fittings detachably secured to the opposing input end and output end of one gas conduit so that the bores of the pair of identical gas fittings are in communication with the gas passage of the gas conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying cellular genes necessary for viral growth and cellular genes that function as tumor suppressors. Thus, the present invention provides nucleic acids related to and methods of reducing or preventing viral infection or cancer. The invention also provides methods of producing substantially virus-free cell cultures and methods for screening for additional such genes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fuel dispenser system and a system for managing dispenser systems. The system comprises of at least one fuel dispenser having a peripheral, a point of sale terminal for initiating dispensing transactions and for controlling the peripheral on the fuel dispenser and a processor connected between the point of sale terminal and the dispenser for translating commands between the point-of-sale terminal and the dispenser and for translating response between dispenser and the point-of sale terminal. The present invention also includes a managing processor communicating with each dispenser system for administering the activities of the dispenser system.

Abstract: A functional promoter for the chemokine receptor CCR5 is provided. The invention provides a nucleic acid sequence for the promoter and methods of reducing inflammation and susceptibility to HIV infection by suppressing the activity of the promoter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to simultaneous computer screen and voice monitoring from a remote location, and particularly relates to synchronized telephone and screen monitoring of a computer workstation from a remote location, by use of a multiple bounding rectangles technique. Such monitoring is useful for providing training and assistance to those using such workstations, especially in connection with telephone use, can also be useful for providing an audit trial of significant on-screen events, or can be used as a trigger to initiate other separate events. In one embodiment, graphics primitives are used to determine localized screen changes which are periodically copied from the monitored workstation desktop and sent over a network to a remote, monitoring, workstation. In another embodiment, localized screen changes are determined by full screen comparison, and sent over a network to a remote, monitoring, workstation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cost effective process for preparing a corrosion inhibitor/metal passivator additive for lubricant, grease and fuel applications from waste refinery streams, comprising reacting 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole either in powder form or in solution form in polar organic solvent, with disulphide oil obtained from Merox extraction/caustic wash of the refinery streams, in the presence or absence of redox agent.

Abstract: A container with a foldable holder for holding both a primary substance and a secondary substance. The container has a volume defined by a substantially upright sidewall and a bottom to receive the primary substance such as french fries therein. The container also has a lip extending from the upright sidewall upwardly. The lip has an opening and can be folded outwardly to form a holder for receiving a second container containing the secondary substance such as ketchup therein in the opening of the lip.

Abstract: An adaptive filter is provided featuring a speech spectrum estimator receiving as input an estimated spectral magnitude signal for a time frame of the input signal and generating an estimated speech spectral magnitude signal representing estimated spectral magnitude values for speech in a time frame. A spectral gain generator receives as input the estimated spectral magnitude signal and the estimated speech spectral magnitude signal and generates as output an initial spectral gain signal that yields an estimate of speech spectrum in a time frame of the input signal when the initial spectral gain signal is applied to the spectral signal. A spectral gain modifier receives as input the initial spectral gain signal and generates a modified gain signal by limiting a rate of change of the initial spectral gain signal with respect to the spectral gain over a number of previous time frames. The modified gain signal is then applied to the spectral signal, which is then converted to its time domain equivalent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a detachment type waist protecting belt wherein hook and loop fastener strips are attached to distal ends and heightwise middle portions of left and right bands, a pair of connecting plates made of a soft plastic material are secured to proximal ends of the left and right bands, connection rings are rotatably fastened to the connecting plates by pins to be spaced one from another in a longitudinal direction by a predetermined distance, both ends of a pair of pulling cords respectively pass zigzag from upper and lower ends of the connecting plates through the connection rings so as to be freed at heightwise middle portions of the connecting plates, and a pair of tightening bands are connected to the freed both ends of the pulling cords. The detachment type waist protecting belt includes a waist support which fits a contour of the waist of the human body. Guide projections are formed at both sides of an outer surface of the waist support.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of trifluoroethoxy benzoic acid derivatives, in particular Flecainide, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, starting with commercially available halobenzoic acids and involving the use of simple reagents and low cost solvents, to afford high overall yield of the product. The above object is achieved in accordance with the present invention which, in one aspect thereof, provides a process for preparing a compound of formula (A): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which process comprises the steps of: a) reacting a halobenzoic acid or a salt thereof of the formula [II ]  with 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol in the presence of a strong base and a copper containing material, if desired followed by acidification to obtain a compound of formula [I] b) converting the product obtained in step a) above into the compound of formula (A) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A smart card, smart card reader, and system for secure entry of a secret personal identification number (PIN) directly into the smart card while the card is presented to the reader. Because the user's PIN is entered directly into the smart card, authenticated directly by the smart card itself, and not propagated outside the smart card, the PIN cannot be covertly obtained through the use of a compromised reader or other device in the system. A PIN keypad on the smart card allows user entry of the PIN, and an authentication unit within the smart card verifies that the PIN is correct. The reader merely supplies electrical power for the smart card to take the PIN entry and perform the authentication, but does not handle the PIN itself in any way. The reader, however, is designed to allow access to the keypad on the smart card while the smart card is being presented. The smart card keypad may have identifying indicia, or alternatively may be not visible, so that photographs, logos, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to the genetics of viruses. In particular, the present invention provides methods of distinguishing between serotypes of avian infectious bronchitis virus based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms derived from the region of the S1 gene of IBV, peptides derived from the restriction fragments, related primers for polymerase chain reaction, and certain restriction length polymorphism patterns.