Abstract: A nanoparticle comprising an inorganic core and a polymerizable outer coating. The inorganic core comprises a substantially crystalline inorganic material such as a superparamagnetic material. In one embodiment, the inorganic core comprises a single crystal mixed spinel ferrite comprising iron in a first oxidation state and at least one metal in a second oxidation state, wherein the second oxidation state is different from the first oxidation state.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and a method for controlling the idle speed of a powertrain. The possible idle speed control operating modes detailed are (1) engine-torque-control/motor-speed-control, (2) engine-off/motor-speed-control, and (3) engine-speed-control/motor-torque-control. The engine-off/motor-speed-control mode is used when all conditions to turn the engine off are met. The motor is run at a speed that is determined by the ancillary demands—subject to motor or engine constraints. The engine-torque-control/motor-speed-control operating mode is used when the engine is required to be on to provide torque to various mechanically driven ancillary loads, or to charge the batteries. The engine-speed-control/motor-torque-control operating mode is used when the engine is required to be on because of conditions not related to providing torque to other components.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one embodiment a method for controlling vehicle creep control. Measurements are received from a brake pedal sensor, where the measurements are indicative of a brake pedal travel. A target creep speed value is derived based on the measurements of creep speed and the brake pedal travel. A request for wheel torque is derived based on the target creep speed. There is a determination of the difference between a measurement of vehicle creep speed and the target creep speed value. The request for wheel torque is adjusted, if the target creep speed is not equivalent to the vehicle creep speed.

Abstract: A video input signal is sampled and characterized in two different color space definitions, such as a color-difference color space and a primary-color color space. Certain values that are legal in one of the color spaces, for example the color difference space, can produce primary color amplitudes that are out of legal color gamut range. Such gamut violations are indicated according to the invention using a polar plot in which phase angle corresponds to hue as in a vectorscope. The color difference and/or primary color values in either or both color spaces are depicted as ranges of radii in the polar plot, which are compared to circular limit lines that can represent the legal gamut limits. In color difference color space, the signal excursion is plotted as a function of hue phase angle, producing radially inner and outer values in a plot. The excursion is calculated or processed as luminance plus and minus saturation as a function of hue phase angle.

Abstract: In a process for the selection and isolation of predacious fungi for use in the biological control of parasitic nematodes in animals, compost and soil samples are subjected to a multi-step process consisting of 1) a primary stress selection step done in vitro; 2) a secondary stress selection step done in vivo, wherein the fungi which survived the in vitro stress selection step, are selected on the basis of their ability to pass through living animals and 3) isolation of the predacious fungi passing both selection steps and exhibiting a predacious capacity of at least 50% by dung pat assay. These fungi can than be subject to an optional field test experiment. The selected predacious fungi can be administered to the animals as a feed additive or in the form of a device, such as a lick stone or bolus. The selected fungi can also be used in a composition for veterinary treatment.