Abstract: A silicon carbide ceramic body having a high degree of lubricity as a result of large graphite inclusions in the body. The graphite inclusions have an average size of at least about 100 micrometers. The graphite-loaded silicon carbide component is preferably formed by spray drying graphite particles independent of the silicon carbide, blending the graphite agglomerates and silicon carbide to form a raw batch, forming the raw batch into a green body, and sintering the green body to produce a graphite-loaded silicon carbide ceramic body having good density and good strength.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for making determinations related to the heat cycle in a cow. The system includes an electronic patch attached to the cow. A transmitter module for transmitting heat mount data is contained in a pouch of the electronic patch. A removable and disposable battery is also contained in the pouch for powering the transmitter module. The heat mount data from the transmitter module is sent to a repeater module to maintain the quality of the transmitted heat mount data signal. The heat mount data is re-transmitted by the repeater module to a central receiver module which includes a memory for storing heat mount data. The heat mount data is downloaded to a computer upon request using software that is also used to analyze the heat mount data. Analysis of the heat mount data results in determining a value that is useful in deciding on the optimal time to breed the cow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to solid pyrotechnic propellant compositions useful in automotive inflatable safety systems for generating gas to inflate air/safety bags. The propellant compositions produce surprisingly high gas volume to weight ratios when combusted and substantially little to no production of smoke, particulate matter and toxic gases. These propellant compositions include a complex or coordination compound, preferably, a complex of hydrazine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for the efficient recycling of components involved in removing water insoluble contaminants from the surface of articles. A physically emulsified terpene-containing composition is applied to the surface of articles to effectively remove water insoluble contaminants. Following application, the physically emulsified composition quickly separates, releasing the contaminants and terpene from the water. The water, terpene and contaminants are separated for reuse in accordance with the present process. The physically emulsified composition includes between about 2 weight percent and about 40 weight percent of a terpene in water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Trichinella vaccines that include at least one tyvelose-containing oligosaccharide or functional equivalent thereof, to Trichinella vaccines that include at least one fucose-containing oligosaccharide or functional equivalent thereof, and to the use of such vaccines to protect animals from Trichinella infections, and particularly from trichinosis caused by Trichinella spiralis infection. Such vaccines can also be used to produce antibodies that are capable of protecting an animal from Trichinella infections and of diagnosing such infections. The present invention also relates to Trichinella diagnostic reagents that include at least one tyvelose-containing oligosaccharide, or functional equivalent thereof, and use of such reagents to detect Trichinella, and particularly Trichinella spiralis infections.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for the simultaneous transmission of video information and audio information in substantially real time over an ordinary voice grade telephone line having limited bandwidth in the range of about 300-3400 Hz. Because of the limited bandwidth of the ordinary telephone line, the video and audio information are compressed before transmission thereof. Each of the video information and audio information is separately compressed, mixed together and then further compressed. After the further compression, a composite signal, which includes the mixture of video and audio information, is asynchronously transmitted over the same bandwidth of the ordinary telephone line. Upon reception, the compressed information is expanded and separate video information and audio information are reproduced for viewing and hearing by the receiving party. To reduce the size of the apparatus, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) are employed.

Abstract: A container comprising a multiplicity of panels, a multiplicity of retaining clips adapted to secure the panels when the container is erect and a multiplicity of storage clips, each storage clip comprising two legs, a first leg having a first foot arranged to be received beneath the panels when the latter is stacked and a second leg having a second foot adapted to be received in a recess in a top panel of the stack. The length of the first leg is arranged so that the top panel of the stack can be stacked with the internal face directed towards the adjacent panel with a restraining force being applied by the storage clip to the stack to restrain separation of the panels.

Abstract: Provided is a process for treating refractory precious metal-containing ores, particularly gold-bearing ores, which are refractory due to the presence of organic carbon, to reduce the ability of organic carbon to interfere with recovery of the precious metal. The ore may also contain sulfide materials with which the gold is associated and from which the gold is difficult to separate. The ore is comminuted to a size at which at least about 80 weight percent of the ore is smaller than about 40 microns in size. The comminuted ore is then slurried and subjected to pressure oxidation at severe operating conditions. The treating temperature is greater than about 190.degree. C. When sulfide minerals are present, substantially all of the sulfide sulfur must first be oxidized prior to obtaining significant benefit from the treatment of the organic carbon. Greater than about 96% of the sulfide sulfur must be oxidized.

Abstract: A method and system for real-time tracking of objects is disclosed. A region is repeatedly scanned providing a plurality of images or data sets having points corresponding to objects in the region to be tracked. Given a previously determined track for each object in the region, an M-dimensional combinatorial optimization assignment problem is formulated using the points from M-1 of the images or data sets, wherein each point is preferably used in extending at most one track. The M-dimensional problem is subsequently solved for an optimal or near-optimal assignment of the points to the tracks, extending the tracking of the objects so that a response to each object can be initiated by the system in real-time. Speed and accuracy is provided by an iterative Lagrangian Relaxation technique wherein a plurality of constraint dimensions are relaxed simultaneously to yield a reduced dimensional optimization problem whose solution is used to formulate an assignment problem of dimensionality less than M.

Abstract: The present invention is a method to remove metals from solutions by precipitating the metals and adding cellulosic fiber to the solution. The precipitates attach to the cellulosic fibers to form products. The products may be removed from the solution by gravity separation techniques or by filtration. The removed products may be dewatered and incinerated. The method provides a simple and effective technique for removing low concentrations of metals from high volume solution streams.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting cytological samples is provided for suctioning material into a fixative container containing a sufficient amount of fixative so that collected cytological material is fixed substantially immediately after dislodgement. The sampling device includes a means for dislodging cytological material from the cervix uteri, a means for suctioning uterine cervical tissue under negative pressure, and a means for fixing collected cytological material. The sampling method and device is particularly useful for collecting cytological samples for morphological analysis and for collecting potentially HIV-infected cytological material without significant exposure to the healthcare worker.

Abstract: A squeeze pump has an elastic tube disposed between an inlet and an outlet of a cylindrical drum and extends along an inner peripheral surface of the drum. A pair of pressing rollers spaced by 180 degrees are arranged to press the tube. The tube is deformed into a flat shape with two bent portions to transfer a slurry within the tube. The tube has a large diameter in the inlet and a small diameter in the outlet. Each pressing roller has a large diameter formed at the middle and a small diameter at both ends. A support member extends along the inner peripheral surface of drum to support at least one of the bent portions of tube when the tube is pressed by the pressing roller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injector which requires preferably no more than about 10 pounds-force to open the fuel injector, regardless of the pressure downstream of the injector and interfacing with the injector when closed prior to injection. For instance, this low actuation force may be utilized for each and every discharge pressure within the range from a vacuum to about 1,000 psi. Principally, for a given inlet pressure (e.g., the pressure within the fuel injector when closed prior to injection) and a given discharge pressure (e.g., the pressure downstream of the discharge port when closed and interfacing with the fuel injector), at least two surface areas are jointly selected to allow for the use of this reduced actuation force. One of these surface areas is exposed to the inlet pressure and exerts a force which is generally directed to close the discharge port.

Abstract: A cellular telephone is interconnected to a host assembly via a cable. The cable contains both appropriate interdisciplinary connections for attachment to the telephone at one end and to the host assembly at the other end via a universal connector. The identity of the particular cellular telephone can be provided to the host assembly by a number of different protocols including the downloading of function-related parameters to the host assembly that are unique to the particular telephone. Accordingly the host assembly can function with any one of a variety of cellular telephones having differently configured cable connections. In one embodiment, a pocket adapter holds the cellular telephone and includes the universal connector.

Abstract: A structural product fabricated from waste materials and a method for making the product. The product includes fly ash, cellulose-based material and an adhesive binder. The product advantageously has good strength with light weight, can be sawed or hammered like wood and is substantially resistant to fire. The composition is particularly useful for forming structural products such as bricks, panels, roof shingles, studs and the like.

Abstract: A unitary, insulated panel is provided for use in sectional doors and walls. The panel comprises opposed, spaced apart, parallel, inner and outer metal skins. The skins are mechanically interlocked along their top and bottom ends by integral, inwardly projecting flanges having mutually engaged, hook-shaped terminal portions. The opposed flanges at each end are coplanar. The engaged hook-shaped terminal portions combine to form a longitudinally extending slot. The mouth of the slot is narrow relative to its bulbous inner portion. A strip of weather seal can be inserted longitudinally into the slot, for sealing purposes. Foamed polyurethane is formed in situ in the space between the skins. The polyurethane bonds to the skins. A rigid, strong panel unit is obtained by the combination of mechanically interlocking the skins and bonding them with the core.

Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for enhancing the display or print of greys in a two-tone digitized image consisting of storing a portion of a binary image map including a central bit under examination to be displayed and in testing if the said central bit is representative of an isolated dot or whether in a region around the said central bit in one of a plurality of predetermined directions there is an isolated dot at a predetermined distance from the said central bit, to display the central bit as a dot of reduced dimensions in such a way as to convert the display of an isolated dot in the display into a plurality of smaller dots with aggregate areas equivalent to the isolated dot and distributed around the location of the isolated dot identified from the image map.

Abstract: A control system employing a sample and early-off hold function implements the hold function in such a way as to effectively create a filter function. Instead of holding a constant value for the duration of a sample period, the control system turns the held sample value on and off multiple times during the sampling period. The notch filter is tunable by adjustment of the number, time and duration of the held sample intervals.

Abstract: A snowshoe binding (304) which provides improved foot stability is disclosed. The binding (304) includes a heel stabilizing extension (308) and a flexible footwrap assembly (310) which cooperate to stabilize the wearer's foot (316). A motion limiter for limiting the range of pivotal movement of the binding (304) with respect to the snowshoe flotation plate (318) is also disclosed. The motion limiter comprises a protrusion (300) which extends from at least one of the snowshoe traction bars (212) to contact a pivot arm (302) of crampon (214) when a limit angle (A) is reached.

Abstract: An ejector mechanism is provided for use in any system which uses photographic film, such as cameras, film development equipment and any other systems designed for film cartridges. One embodiment of the ejector mechanism includes an ejector slide, an ejector slide spring, a trigger lever, a trigger lever spring, a cover plate and a loading chamber. The ejector slide includes a spring hook, a first guide pin, a second guide pin, a trigger lever tab, a trigger lever notch and a film cartridge pin. The trigger lever includes a trigger lever spring attachment, a trigger lever slot, a pawl, a trigger lever head and a trigger control tab. The cover plate includes a ejector spring attachment, a trigger spring hook, a first guide slot and a trigger control ramp. The first guide slot engages the first guide pin attached to the ejector slide to support first guide pin movement along the first guide slot. The first guide slot further includes a latch tab and a latch slot.