Abstract: A medicament preparation system includes a water purification module and a medicament proportioning module that is interoperable with a replaceable fluid circuit. The fluid circuit includes a purified water inlet, a product medicament outlet, and a plurality of pumping tube segments. At least a first concentrate container is connected by at least a portion of the fluid circuit to the product medicament output and a first concentration measurement sensor station is positioned in a flow path. A controller is programmed to calculate iteratively a concentration of a first concentrate from the first concentrate container and the purified water from a signal generated by the first concentration measurement sensor station and to regulate one or both of a first pumping actuator engaged with the first pumping tube segment and a second pumping actuator engaged with the second pumping tube segment, responsively to the concentration of the first concentrate and water.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to extracorporeal blood processing or other processing of fluids. Volumetric fluid balance, a required element of many such processes, may be achieved with multiple pumps or other proportioning or balancing devices which are to some extent independent of each other. This need may arise in treatments that involve multiple fluids. Safe and secure mechanisms to ensure fluid balance in such systems are described.

Abstract: Large area graphene (LAG) sheets can be embedded in a polymer-based material as a mechanical reinforcement or to otherwise enhance the properties of the polymer-based material. The LAG sheets can be nanoperforated and/or functionalized to enhance interaction between the graphene and the polymer. Reactive functional groups can facilitate formation of covalent bonds between the graphene and the polymer so that the LAG sheets become an integral part of the cross-linked structure in curable polymer-based materials. Nanoperforations in the LAG sheets provide useful sites for the functional groups and can allow cross-links to form through the nanoperforations.

Abstract: A wire housing unit has a shell body including a rear wall and two substantially parallel side walls extending orthogonally from the rear wall, a top plate removably attached to the top or bottom portion of the shell body closing the top or bottom, a bottom plate removably attached to the bottom or top portion of the shell body closing the bottom or top, a nailing fin disposed on the outside surface of one of the vertical side walls the fin substantially parallel with the rear wall of the shell body, and a modular contact junction block having a contact plug receptacle and terminals connecting house wires to a plugin outlet or switch assembly. The junction block is removably mounted to the inside surface of the top or bottom plates and in a position to accept contact plug-in of the outlet or switch assembly.

Abstract: A wire housing unit has a shell body including a rear wall and two substantially parallel side walls extending orthogonally from the rear wall, a top plate removably attached to the top or bottom portion of the shell body closing the top or bottom, a bottom plate removably attached to the bottom or top portion of the shell body closing the bottom or top, a nailing fin disposed on the outside surface of one of the vertical side walls the fin substantially parallel with the rear wall of the shell body, and a modular contact junction block having a contact plug receptacle and terminals connecting house wires to a plugin outlet or switch assembly. The junction block is removably mounted to the inside surface of the top or bottom plates and in a position to accept contact plug-in of the outlet or switch assembly.

Abstract: Large area graphene (LAG) sheets can be embedded in a polymer-based material as a mechanical reinforcement or to otherwise enhance the properties of the polymer-based material. The LAG sheets can be nanoperforated and/or functionalized to enhance interaction between the graphene and the polymer. Reactive functional groups can facilitate formation of covalent bonds between the graphene and the polymer so that the LAG sheets become an integral part of the cross-linked structure in curable polymer-based materials. Nanoperforations in the LAG sheets provide useful sites for the functional groups and can allow cross-links to form through the nanoperforations.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and compositions for modifying the metabolsim of plants and of eucaryotic microbes, and for culturing them for the production of lipids with high concentrations of omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) suitable for human and animal consumption as food additives or for use in pharmaceutical and industrial products. The metabolic modifier is added to a fermentation or growth medium, and is selected from the group consisting essentially of a fatty acid metabolism inhibitor, glycolysis inhibitor, a bifunctional compound that links a fatty acid metabolism inhibitor to a glycolysis inhibitor, glucose, insulin, and a plant growth factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating inflammatory and proliferative diseases, and wounds, using as a pharmacon a UCP and/or Fas antibody or other inhibitor, or combination thereof, and a therapeutically acceptable amount of a fatty acid metabolism inhibitor and/or a therapeutically acceptable amount of a glucose metabolism inhibitor, optionally in combination with one or more chemotherpeutic agents. In preferred embodiments, the invention combines an antibody against UCP and/or Fas antigen with an oxirane carboxylic acid, represented by etomoxir, and/or with a 2-deoxyglucose compound, represented by 2-deoxy-D-glucose. The systems and methods of the invention can be used to treat drug-resistant or multi-drug resistant cancers.

Abstract: A calendar is provided for behavior modification as well as a method for using the same. The calendar has calendar sheets and informational sheets. The calendar has objectives sections, data collection sections, analysis sections, non-date pages and/or detachable pages for use by an individual. The calendar may be customized and/or pre-designed for an individual or by the individual. In use, the behavior information may be recorded on the calendar sheet. Information associated with daily, weekly, and/or monthly behavior may be recorded. The information may include weekly and/or monthly averages and/or summations, delta calculations, and/or minimum/maximum data. The calendar may be adapted to measure or track indicators, such as, for example, developmental progress, caloric intake, amount and type of exercise, amount of fat, sodium or sugar, amount of cigarettes smoked, blood pressure measurements, weight gain or the like. A bottom space may also be provided to record monthly goals and/or objectives.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating inflammatory and proliferative diseases, and wounds, using as a pharmacon a fatty acid metabolism inhibitor, a glycolytic inhibitor, and/or an agent able to alter cellular production of reactive oxygen, or combination thereof, optionally in combination with one or more chemotherpeutic agents. In preferred embodiments, the invention combines an oxirane carboxylic acid, represented by etomoxir, with a 2-deoxyglucose compound, represented by 2-deoxy-D-glucose, and/or an antibody against UCP and/or Fas antigen. The systems and methods of the invention can be used to treat drug-resistant or multi-drug resistant cancers.

Abstract: A calendar is provided for behavior modification as well as a method for using the same. The calendar has calendar sheets and informational sheets. The calendar has objectives sections, data collection sections, analysis sections, non-date pages and/or detachable pages for use by an individual. The calendar may be customized and/or pre-designed for an individual or by the individual. In use, the behavior information may be recorded on the calendar sheet. Information associated with daily, weekly, and/or monthly behavior may be recorded. The information may include weekly and/or monthly averages and/or summations, delta calculations, and/or minimum/maximum data. The calendar may be adapted to measure or track indicators, such as, for example, developmental progress, caloric intake, amount and type of exercise, amount of fat, sodium or sugar, amount of cigarettes smoked, blood pressure measurements, weight gain or the like. A bottom space may also be provided to record monthly goals and/or objectives.

Abstract: An improved conversion device for use with hand-held power tools having a rigid base portion firmly affixed to a work surface. An elongated arm is affixed to the base allowing the arm to slide longitudinally on the base and above the work surface for substantially the full length of the arm. A power tool is mounted to the distal end of the arm, the blade or other tool head of the power tool projecting downward through a hole in the arm. The arm can be adjusted and fixed in position to set the distance between the blade or other tool head and a side-facing guide surface on the base according to the dimension of a cut to be made in a work piece.

Abstract: An automotive locking system for an automotive vehicle has a latch with a locked and unlocked position, a switch having a first state and a second state and a timer. A controller is connected to the switch, the latch and the timer. The controller positions the latch of a door in the unlocked position if the duration the switch is in the first and second states corresponds to a valid switch signal rather than electrical noise or a shorted switch. The system may also control unlatching all the doors if the switch changes between the first and second states for predetermined durations of each state.

Abstract: An electrical discharge machine apparatus including a guide assembly for guiding a wire in cutting engagement with a workpiece and having a working end closest to the workpiece. The apparatus incorporates a bore-type or a barrel-type current pickup in sliding engagement with the wire for transferring current to or from the wire. A ring gear is provided on a flush cup coupled to gear teeth on the current pickup in a manner whereby turning of the flush cup causes turning of the pickup for exposing a new surface to the wire. A process is provided for indexing current pickups from the working end of the guide assembly. A process is also provided for removing and replacing guide assembly components from the working end of the guide assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring electrical current to or from a moving electrically conductive wire includes a rod-shaped electrically conductive member at an angle with a normal straight line of wire travel. The conductive member is received within a bore of a support body. A sleeve is located within the support body bore and between the rod-shaped conductive member and the bore wall. The sleeve includes a channel which is coplanar with the normal straight line of wire travel and communicating with the conductive member outer surface. The channel forms a wire passageway. The moving wire travels through the wire passageway and in contact with the conductive member circular outer surface. The conductive member is rotated about its longitudinal axis for exposing multiple surfaces to the wire and the sleeve is fixed to the support body to prevent movement thereof during such rotation of the conductive member. The sleeve can be made of a non-conductive material.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for placing current on a moving wire electrode traveling between two points and over a conductive member in the form of a rod. The rod is at an acute angle with respect to the normal straight line of wire travel and its circular outer surface is in contact with the moving wire. The improved apparatus provides a mechanism whereby the conductive member is turned about its longitudinal axis thereby exposing a plurality of different contact surfaces to the wire. An index mechanism is provided for stopping the conductive member at a plurality of positions. An indicator mechanism is also provided for indicating to an operator which contact surface is currently being used. The conductive member is loaded onto the support body from the working end.

Abstract: A current pickup assembly for placing electrical current on a moving wire electrode in an electrical discharge machine apparatus and having a normal straight line of travel. The current pickup assembly includes a current pickup having a bore therethrough for receiving the wire electrode. The bore longitudinal axis is at an angle with respect to the normal straight line of wire travel and the moving wire electrode contacts the bore contact wall therein. A pivot means is provided for selectively pivoting the carbide pickup longitudinal axis at an angle with respect to the straight line of wire travel. A rotation means rotates the current pickup about the bore longitudinal axis. In the alternative, the current pickup is supported on a gimball means for selectively pivoting the pickup about two mutually perpendicular and intersecting axes of rotation intersecting at a point.

Abstract: A guide assembly for guiding an electrical discharge machine apparatus moving wire electrode through a workpiece. The guide assembly includes first, second, and third guide members, each having a bore for receiving the moving wire electrode and a current pickup is located between the second and third guide members. The first guide member is closest to the workpiece. The first and second guide members are mounted on a guide body at respective first and second openings communicating with one another through a wire passageway through the guide body. The guide body includes a threaded portion and a nut member is used for engaging the threaded portion and attaching the guide body to the support assembly. The nut member includes a housing defining a fluid passageway and an outlet bore for creating a threading fluid stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a signal to extract selected information therefrom is provided. According to the method, an input signal is converted into a sequence of data samples, and these data samples are applied sequentially through a convolver having first and second sections, the output of the first section forming the input of the second section. A data sample in the second convolver section is then compared to each data sample in the first convolver section to produce an output signal of a plurality of data points, each of the data points representative of a midpoint position within the convolver between a pair of compared data samples. This comparison step is repeated for each data sample in the second convolver section and the output signals form a histogram from which the selected information is extracted. This method may be advantageously utilized in a speech recognition process for extracting various features from an input speech signal.

Abstract: A cylinder structure and method for rapidly evacuating a cylinder without contamination thereof. The structure comprises a hollow cylinder, a piston mounted in the cylinder for axial reciprocation, a hollow piston rod secured to the piston for movement therewith extending out of one end of the cylinder, a seal between the one end of the cylinder and the piston rod, and a radial opening through the hollow piston rod between the piston and seal for evacuating the space between the cylinder, piston, piston rod and seal during reciprocation of the piston within the cylinder. The method includes the step of evacuating the space between the cylinder, piston, piston rod and seal through the piston rod during reciprocation of the piston within the cylinder.