Abstract: Many public utilities companies employ meter data management systems (MDMSs) to manage the millions and sometimes billions of daily and interval meter read values that they collect during a single billing period. One problem with some MDMSs estimate missing daily reads based on average daily usage and these estimates do not match daily usage values determined from interval read data, causing sum check exceptions. Such exceptions are undesirable because they can lead to billing errors and lost consumer confidence in the utility, among other things. To address this, the present inventors devised an exemplary system that uses good and estimated interval read data to more accurately estimate the missing daily reads and thereby reduce occurrences of sum check exceptions. The exemplary system also estimates missing time of use and demand data based on interval read data.

Abstract: Artificial fishing lure which has a flexible resilient core (10) surrounded by an elongated flexible body (12). One or more hooks (18) are installed in the core (10) substantially perpendicular to core (10) by way of apertures (24a) and (24b). The core (10) provides longevity to the lure for small and large lures when cast from rod and reel or trolled. Large of heavy lures of this design can be cast with great distances. Grooves (14) in the elongated flexible body (12) and core (10) create a predetermined or erratic motion during retrieval through the water. This action can simulate that of any type of prey including a wounded prey.

Abstract: Apparatus for allowing nearly frictionless relative motion between bearing elements in prescribed directions while providing high stiffness against motion in other directions has a bearing guide with one or more bearing guide surfaces. A bearing carriage with one or more bearing lands is constructed and located so that the bearing lands are parallel to, in proximity to, and oppose the smooth surfaces of the bearing guide. The assembly of bearing carriage to bearing guide allows the bearing carriage to traverse along the length of, or rotate about the bearing guide while preserving the nominal bearing gap between bearing land and bearing guide surfaces. The bearing carriage has a number of recesses or bearing pockets, which oppose the bearing guide surfaces and are hydraulically connected to a shuttle body, which has an internal cavity which houses a shuttle.

Abstract: Artificial fishing lure which has a flexible resilient core (10) surrounded by an elongated flexible body (12). One or more hooks (18) are installed in the core (10). The core (10) provides longevity to the lure for small and large lures when cast from rod and reel or trolled. Large or heavy lures of this design can be cast with great distances. Grooves (14) in the elongated flexible body (12) and core (10) create a predetermined or erratic motion during retrieval through the water. This action can simulate that of any type of prey including a wounded prey.

Abstract: Apparatus for allowing nearly frictionless relative motion between bearing elements in prescribed directions while providing high stiffness against motion in other directions has a bearing guide with one or more bearing guide surfaces. A bearing carriage with one or more bearing lands is constructed and located so that the bearing lands are parallel to, in proximity to, and oppose the smooth surfaces of the bearing guide. The assembly of bearing carriage to bearing guide allows the bearing carriage to traverse along the length of, or rotate about the bearing guide while preserving the nominal bearing gap between bearing land and bearing guide surfaces. The bearing carriage has a number of recesses or bearing pockets, which oppose the bearing guide surfaces and are hydraulically connected to a shuttle body, which has an internal cavity which houses a shuttle.

Abstract: Apparatus for allowing nearly frictionless relative motion between bearing elements in prescribed directions while providing high stiffness against motion in other directions has a bearing guide with one or more smooth surfaces. A bearing carriage with one or more bearing lands is constructed and located so that the bearing lands are parallel to, in proximity to, and oppose the smooth surfaces of the bearing guide. The assembly of bearing carriage to bearing guide allows the bearing carriage to traverse along the length of, or rotate about the bearing guide while preserving the nominal gap between bearing land and bearing surfaces. The bearing carriage has a number of recesses or bearing pockets, which oppose the bearing surfaces and are hydraulically connected to a shuttle body, which has an internal cavity which houses a shuttle.

Abstract: A high pressure lamp bulb adapted to simultaneously emit distinct emission spectra of a desired wavelength, the lamp bulb comprising an envelope for containing a fill material under pressure and a fill material, the fill material including a material capable of forming at least two dissimilar excimer species in an amount to provide a total fill pressure no less than about 750 Torr at room temperature.

Abstract: An industrial robot has a mounting bracket and a servo motor secured to the mounting bracket for rotation relative thereto about a first axis offset from the vertical by 60.degree.. A sensor plate is mounted on one end of the motor, a position sensor is mounted on the bracket and interacts with the sensor plate to sense the rotational home and overtravel positions of the motor. A tool changer is coaxially mounted on the other end of the motor and has means for mounting a turret for coaxial rotation by the motor. A turret having a plurality of circumferentially-spaced tools is mounted on the tool changer for operation on a second axis offset 60.degree. from the first axis, such that each tool is rotatable about the first axis to a vertical working position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of predicting the onset of fetal membrane rupture in a gestative female comprising the step of assaying a tissue or fluid sample of fetal membrane origin obtained from the female for the presence of pro-metalloproteinase-9 (pro-mmd-9). The presence of pro-mmd-9 in the sample is a positive indication of the onset of fetal membrane rupture. Also disclosed is a method of delaying the onset of female membrane rupture in a gestative female comprising the step of administering to the female an MMP-9 inhibitor in an amount effective to delay fetal membrane rupture. Further disclosed is a method of inducing labor in a gestative female comprising the administration of an MMP-9 activator or MMP-9 itself in an amount effective to induce fetal membrane rupture, and thus facilitate the onset of labor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of predicting the onset of fetal membrane rupture in a gestative female comprising the step of assaying a tissue or fluid sample of fetal membrane origin obtained from the female for the presence of metalloproteinase-9 activity. The presence of such activity in the sample is a positive indication of the onset of fetal membrane rupture. Also disclosed is a method of delaying the onset of female membrane rupture in a gestative female comprising the step of administering to the female an MMP-9 inhibitor in an amount effective to delay fetal membrane rupture. Further disclosed is a method of inducing labor in a gestative female comprising the administration of an MMP-9 activator or MMP-9 itself in an amount effective to induce fetal membrane rupture, and thus facilitate the onset of labor.