Abstract: An improved code reader for reading and displaying OBD II diagnostic codes. The code reader displays textual diagnosis descriptions corresponding to diagnostic codes. Although the code reader preferably has a display having fewer available display characters than the number of characters in the OBD II textual diagnosis descriptions, the code reader can display both an OBD II code and the textual diagnosis description corresponding to a selected OBD II code. This is accomplished using code giving the appearance that the textual diagnosis description corresponding to the selected OBD II code is either streaming on the display or scrolling on the display.

Abstract: This invention involves forward integration of the art paste extrusion process by adding a step to the processing sequence to change the uniaxially-oriented art form to a desirable planar biaxially-oriented form. This invention also involves the backward integration of the resin preparation to reduce the commercial coagulated dispersion resin particle size (average 500 micron) to the size range of colloidal size particles contained within the original 500 micron particle. In this small particulate form, the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin can be blended more homogeneously and extruded with less turbulence in the plug extrusion process, the rheological mechanism of this extrusion process. The size reduction makes processing of micron size fillers possible in up to 90 percent volume of the PTFE resin. This invention also provides a direct and simple method of producing planar biaxially-oriented sheet and a source of resin formulations for fabricating other forms and shapes.

Abstract: This invention involves forward integration of the art paste extrusion process by adding a step to the processing sequence to change the uniaxially-oriented art form to a desirable planar biaxially-oriented form. This invention also involves the backward integration of the resin preparation to reduce the commercial coagulated dispersion resin particle size (average 500 micron) to the size range of colloidal size particles contained within the original 500 micron particle. In this small particulate form, the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin can be blended more homogeneously and extruded with less turbulence in the plug extrusion process, the Theological mechanism of this extrusion process. The size reduction makes processing of micron size fillers possible in up to 90 percent volume of the PTFE resin. This invention also provides a direct and simple method of producing planar biaxially-oriented sheet and a source of resin formulations for fabricating other forms and shapes.

Abstract: An improved scan tool, e.g., for OBD II, for use with vehicle computer networks. The improved scan tool determines the proper protocol to use to communicate with a vehicle computer network. The proper protocol is determined by requesting information from the vehicle computer network using a plurality of protocols and selecting the protocol that returns the most pieces of information. In addition, the improved scan tool determines a communications drop-out with one or more modules and automatically recovers from a the communications drop-out.

Abstract: An improved scan tool, e.g., for OBD II, for use with vehicle computer networks. The improved scan tool determines the proper protocol to use to communicate with a vehicle computer network. The proper protocol is determined by requesting information from the vehicle computer network using a plurality of protocols and selecting the protocol that returns the most pieces of information. In addition, the improved scan tool determines a communications drop-out with one or more modules and automatically recovers from the communications drop-out.

Abstract: Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) are structurally related to the pepsins, thought to be restricted to the hoofed (ungulate) mammals and characterized by being expressed specifically in the outer epithelial cell layer (chorion/trophectoderm) of the placenta. By cloning expressed genes from ovine and bovine placental cDNA libraries, the inventors estimate that cattle, sheep, and most probably all ruminant Artiodactyla, possess possibly 100 or more PAG genes, many of which are placentally expressed. The PAGs are highly diverse in sequence, with regions of hypervariability confined largely to surface-exposed loops. Selected PAG that are products of the i0nvasive binucleate cells, expressed highly in early pregnancy at the time of trophoblast invasion and expressed weakly, if at all, in late gestation are useful in the early diagnosis of pregnancy. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to immunoassays for detecting these PAGs.

Abstract: A railway crossing has a plate with a pocket that defines a crossing angle for enabling one railway line to cross over another at virtually any angle. The pocket closely receives continuous long beams and divided beams. The pocket also has protrusions for restricting longitudinal horizontal movement of the beams. Each divided beam has three separate, discontinuous segments, including two outer segments and one inner segment. The segments are reversible such that the inner segments may be interchangeably positioned with each other, and the outer segments may be interchangeably positioned with each other. Fasteners secure the beams to the plate and resist both vertical movement and lateral horizontal movement. Each fastener has a wedge brace, a clip, and a wedge. The wedge prevents pull-apart of the plate and the beams due to thermal forces, mechanical forces, and surface discontinuities.

Abstract: An improved hand held starting/charging system tester. According to one aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester includes a connector to which various test cables can be removably connected to the tester. Detection circuitry within the tester determines which of several types of test cable is connected to the tester before testing. According to another aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester includes an improved user interface that permits a user to review test data from previously performed tests and further permits a user to either skip a previously performed test (thereby retaining the previously collected data for that test) or re-do the test (thereby collecting new data for that test). According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester that performs a more complete set of tests of the starting/charging system.

Abstract: A process for producing unmelted fibrous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin from which multi-directional planar oriented structures such as sheets and planar shapes can be readily fabricated. Unfilled forms as well as filled and reinforced products are achievable. Novel composite-plied structures or unsintered sheets can be built by layering two (2) or more sheets containing functional fillers or reinforcements and then sintering said layers to provide a homogenous bond between all layered sheets. True reinforcement of formed fluoropolymer structures can be produced with tensile properties, which exceed the strength of virgin products. Microporous asymmetric membranes, which have decreasing pore size in a series of plies can be readily fabricated.

Abstract: An improved hand held starting/charging system tester. According to one aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester includes a connector to which various test cables can be removably connected to the tester. Detection circuitry within the tester determines which of several types of test cable is connected to the tester before testing. According to another aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester includes an improved user interface that permits a user to review test data from previously performed tests and further permits a user to either skip a previously performed test (thereby retaining the previously collected data for that test) or re-do the test (thereby collecting new data for that test). According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester that performs a more complete set of tests of the starting/charging system.

Abstract: An improved scan tool, e.g., for OBD II, for use with vehicle computer networks. The improved scan tool determines the proper protocol to use to communicate with a vehicle computer network. The proper protocol is determined by requesting information from the vehicle computer network using a plurality of protocols and selecting the protocol that returns the most pieces of information. In addition, the improved scan tool determines a communications drop-out with one or more modules and automatically recovers from the communications drop-out.

Abstract: An improved code reader for reading and displaying OBD II diagnostic codes. The code reader displays textual diagnosis descriptions corresponding to diagnostic codes. The code reader can display both an OBD II code and the textual diagnosis description corresponding to a selected OBD II code by using multiple display rows for the display. The improved code reader also uses an improved user interface.

Abstract: An improved hand held starting/charging system tester. According to one aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester includes a connector to which various test cables can be removably connected to the tester. Detection circuitry within the tester determines which of several types of test cable is connected to the tester before testing. According to another aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester includes an improved user interface that permits a user to review test data from previously performed tests and further permits a user to either skip a previously performed test (thereby retaining the previously collected data for that test) or re-do the test (thereby collecting new data for that test). According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester that performs a more complete set of tests of the starting/charging system.

Abstract: An improved code reader for reading and displaying OBD II diagnostic codes. The code reader displays textual diagnosis descriptions corresponding to diagnostic codes. Although the code reader preferably has a display having fewer available display characters than the number of characters in the OBD II textual diagnosis descriptions, the code reader can display both an OBD II code and the textual diagnosis description corresponding to a selected OBD II code. This is accomplished using code giving the appearance that the textual diagnosis description corresponding to the selected OBD II code is either streaming on the display or scrolling on the display.

Abstract: An improved hand held starting/charging system tester. According to one aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester includes a connector to which various test cables can be removably connected to the tester. Detection circuitry within the tester determines which of several types of test cable is connected to the tester before testing. According to another aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester includes an improved user interface that permits a user to review test data from previously performed tests and further permits a user to either skip a previously performed test (thereby retaining the previously collected data for that test) or re-do the test (thereby collecting new data for that test). According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester that performs a more complete set of tests of the starting/charging system.

Abstract: An improved scan tool, e.g., for OBD II. According to one aspect of the present invention, the improved scan tool uses a novel method of determining the proper protocol to use to communicate with a vehicle computer network. According to another aspect of the present invention, the improved scan tool determines and automatically recovers from a communications drop-out.

Abstract: A method and system for providing personal travel advice to a user is provided. The method and system includes a profiling engine that prepares a personalized profile for a particular user by gathering user-specific data regarding an individual's likes, dislikes, lifestyle, interests, activities and budget for the vacation. Several profiles for members of a group travelling together can be combined to obtain recommendations for the group. An advice engine combines information from various expert knowledge bases to provide recommended travel destinations. The profiles may also be used to check a destination for its appropriateness, and to request a similar destination to one enjoyed previously by the individual or the group.

Abstract: Gene transfer vectors, especially adenoviral vectors, and synthetic vectors capable of emulating specific viral functions, that carry gene sequences capable of ameliorating or preventing the symptoms of cardiovascular disease are disclosed. Such methods can be used to treat restenosis, especially when incident to injury by angioplasty.