Abstract: An ultrasound scanner is equipped with one or more fuzzy control units that can perform adaptive system parameter optimization anywhere in the system. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system comprises a plurality of ultrasound image generating subsystems configured to generate an ultrasound image, the plurality of ultrasound image generating subsystems including a transmitter subsystem, a receiver subsystem, and an image processing subsystem; and a fuzzy logic controller communicatively coupled with at least one of the plurality of ultrasound imaging generating subsystems.

Abstract: Selected substituted piperazine compounds are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, such as obesity and the like. The invention encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and other maladies or conditions involving activation of the melanocortin receptor. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermediates useful in such processes.

Abstract: An ultrasound system that generates compound images from component frames having decorrelated speckle patterns. Successive sets of distinct, speckle-affecting parameters are used to generate successive component frames for compounding, and are selected such that the successive component frames have decorrelated speckle patterns. The speckle-affecting parameters that are changed from frame to frame may be selected from a wide variety of parameters, including transmit beamformer parameters, receive beamformer parameters, and demodulator parameters. According to a preferred embodiment, the successive sets of speckle-affecting parameters differ from each other by at least two speckle-affecting parameters.

Abstract: Methods for selectively separating at least one component from a multi-component fluidic sample are provided. In the subject methods, the fluidic sample is introduced into a micro-fluidic device that includes at least one micro-valve made up of a phase reversible material. The multi-component fluidic sample is then contacted with the microvalve in a microfluidic device under conditions sufficient for the at least one component to enter the microvalve, while the remaining constituents of the fluidic sample remain outside of the microvalve. Also provided are kits for use in practicing the subject methods, where the kits include at least a microfluidic device having a microvalve and instructional material (or means for obtaining the same) on how to use the device in the subject methods. The subject devices find use in a variety of applications, including sample desalting and concentration applications.

Abstract: Polyacrylamide gel filled silica capillaries of improved performance in electrophoresis are produced bya) leaching the capillary with a solution of a basic reagent;b) binding a substituted, double bond-containing silane to the silica surface of the capillary;c) binding an acrylamide to the treated surface and polymerizing the acrylamide to a linear polyacrylamide, eliminating electroosmotic flow and avoiding chemical bonding of the gel during its subsequent formation; andd) contacting the capillary with a solution of acrylamide/bisacrylamide and effecting crosslinking polymerization in the presence of a radical polymerization starter to form a gel.

Abstract: A clothes hanger of the type having two elongated flat plates which clamp an article of clothing between them. The clamping force coming from two W-shaped metal rods which are squeezed together by the hook which is used to hang the clothes hanger from a rod. The elongated flat plates of the hanger have a plurality of studs and a plurality of holes. The studs on one of the elongated flat plates are staggered with the studs on the other elongated plate. The studs of one elongated flat plate are aligned with the holes on the other elongated flat plate. The combining of the studs and the holes cause a very secure grip on an article of clothing which is placed in between the two flat plates before the flat plates are clamped together.

Abstract: A heat recovery system is provided for recovering heat from flue gases and the like and heating combustion air or the like in the form of a flue gas conduit receiving hot flue gas from a furnace or the like, a metallic recuperator receiving hot flue gas from said flue gas conduit, a ceramic regenerator selectively receiving at least a part of the hot flue gas leaving the metallic recuperator, by-pass means in parallel with the ceramic regenerator receiving any of the flue gas leaving the metallic recuperator which does not go through the ceramic regenerator, stack means receiving the flue gas from the by-pass means and the ceramic regenerator means for discharge to the atmosphere, means delivering air to be heated in parallel to the ceramic regenerator and the metallic recuperator, and conduit means receiving and combining heated air from the ceramic regenerator and the metallic recuperator for delivery to a point of use.

Abstract: A heat recovery system is provided for recovering heat from flue gases and the like and heating combustion air or the like in the form of a flue gas conduit receiving hot flue gas from a furnace or the like, a metallic recuperator receiving hot flue gas from said flue gas conduit, a ceramic regenerator selectively receiving at least a part of the hot flue gas leaving the metallic recuperator, by-pass means in parallel with the ceramic regenerator receiving any of the flue gas leaving the metallic recuperator which does not go through the ceramic regenerator, stack means receiving the flue gas from the by-pass means and the ceramic regenerator means for discharge to the atmosphere, means delivering air to be heated in parallel to the ceramic regenerator and the metallic recuperator, and conduit means receiving and combining heated air from the ceramic regenerator and the metallic recuperator for delivery to a point of use.

Abstract: A tube type recuperator is provided with a top manifold having a plurality of openings slidably receiving a plurality of ceramic tubes, a retainer ring fixed to each of said tubes within the top manifold and a flexible expansion compensator seal member sealingly engaging the top ends of the tubes within the retainer ring. Preferably the ceramic tubes are made up of inner and outer coaxial ceramic tubes each connecting to a separate top manifold.