Abstract: A tape drive for use in for example a transfer printing apparatus to drive a printer ribbon. The printer ribbon is mounted on two spools each of which is driven by a respective stepper motor. A controller controls the energization of the motor such that the ribbon is transported in at least one direction between spools mounted on the spool support. The controller is operative to energize both motors to drive the spools of ribbon in the direction of ribbon transport to achieve push-pull operations. Ribbon tension is monitored to enable accurate control of ribbon supply and ribbon take-up, the ribbon tension being monitored, for example, by monitoring power supply to the two stepper motors.

Abstract: A pest control material (11), such as mosquito netting, has a surface (12) with abrasive/absorptive microprojections (13). Insect pests such as mosquitoes suffer damage to their cuticle, resulting in dehydration and/or invasion by microbial pathogens. The material is made by coating a fabric with abrasive and/or absorptive materials.

Abstract: A method and system of determining tuning parameters for use in tuning a controller used in a process control loop for a motor and associated load. The method includes providing tuning parameters, applying an excitation test signal, receiving frequency response data to determine phase and gain margins, creating an instability region defined by a bounded area that connects the phase and gain margins with a boundary on a gain vs. phase plot, assigning and applying cost functions, and computing stability determinations.

Abstract: A method of inducing latency in Mycobacterium permits preparation of an in vitro model system of latent mycobacterial infection. Latency is induced in a pure culture of Mycobacterium by exposing it to multiple stress conditions, including a low nutrient culture medium without glycerol, a low pH, a relatively high level of carbon dioxide and a relatively low gas phase oxygen level. An in vitro model of mycobacterial infection employs macrophages induced from THP1 cells which are then infected with Mycobacterium. The infected macrophages are grown under hypoxic conditions to induce latency in the mycobacteria. The in vitro model of infection is useful in evaluating compounds for activity against latent mycobacteria.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting of a hangboard includes first and second brackets each having first and second opposing end regions and a first elongate member having first and second spaced apart connection points configured for attachment to the first end regions of the first and second brackets. A second elongate member has third and fourth spaced apart connection points configured for simultaneous attachment to the first and second brackets. The second elongate member has a third connection point configured for attachment at a point along a portion of the first bracket between the first and second end regions thereof; and the fourth connection point configured for attachment at a point along a portion of the second bracket between the first and second end regions thereof. When the first and second members are so attached the assembly can be suspended within a wall opening.

Abstract: According to one embodiment a removable assembly provides for mounting of a hangboard including a first unit and at least a first bracket for connecting the hangboard to the first unit. The first unit may include a first member configured to be placed over a door opening on a first side of a wall and a second member which can be positioned across the opening and against a second side of the wall. A third member is configured for attachment to the second member such that when the first member is placed over the opening and the second member is positioned against the second side of the wall, at least a portion of the third member is positioned above the second member. A related method provides a removable assembly for mounting of a hangboard. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for accessing multiple similar key-face images and associated electronic data by providing an image containing a face, the system including a means for capturing an image containing a face, a means for transmitting said image to a facial image recognition search engine. The engine includes a means to receive said image, a means of extracting a facial image from the captured image, a web crawler or spider configured to seek “best-fit” matching facial images disposed on the internet, a means to access said facial image's “best-fit” matching facial images and associated electronic data with each “best-fit” image, a means to transmit said “best-fit” matching facial images and associated data to a display unit, and a mirror imaging device configured to superimpose at least one “best-fit” image on an other facial image, wherein at least one of the images is semi-transparent such that both can be seen superimposed simultaneously.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system and method for printing comprising a printhead having two columns of nozzles, and the printhead is in fluid communication with an ink source and in electrical communication with a controller. In response to the print control signals transmitted from the controller, the printhead ejects ink from the two columns in alternating succession to print images having a checkerboard pattern.

Abstract: A Styrofoam densification machine for melting used Expanded Polystyrene (Styrofoam) products. It includes a hopper for holding the disposed Styrofoam and a hopper discharge area for melting the used Styrofoam. The Hopper discharge area contains a heated tray compartment which holds a receiving tray for collection of melted Styrofoam. The compartment shall have two or less access area doors for the retrieval of the collection tray. The discharge and compartment tray areas have silicone heating pads on the outside of the panels for heat. The hopper is surrounded by a paneled cabinet which includes up to two inches of installation. The machine is loaded by way of mechanical hopper lid(s) which includes up to two lid panels, high temperature seals, hinges and handles for ease of opening. The machine sits on up to four (4) casters along with anchoring plates. The machine operates on 120 volts, 208 volts and 240 volts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for camera-based fingertip tracking are disclosed. One such method includes identifying at least one location of a fingertip in at least one of the video frames, and mapping the location to a user input based on the location of the fingertip relative to a virtual user input device.

Abstract: A core-in-a-core casting method and hybrid core (40) for use in the method. An inner core (42) formed of process-inert particles disposed in a binder material is used as a mold for casting an outer core ((44) formed of particles that will sinter during a subsequent firing step. The inner core provides mechanical support for the outer core during the firing step, and during which the inner core devolves into compacted but unbonded particles that can be removed conveniently from the outer core following the firing step to reveal the fired hollow outer core (44).

Abstract: This invention provides methods for preparing novel mammalian multipotent stem cells (MSCs), compositions thereof, and methods of preparing and administering the cells.

Abstract: In a geolocation system for determining a geolocation of a target emitter, a method for determining the geolocation. The method comprises receiving a signal transmitted from the target emitter at each one of a plurality of sensors; determining whether signals received at n sensors, from among the plurality of sensors, satisfy one or more threshold values related to a condition of the received signals; if signals received at n sensors satisfy the threshold value, commanding m of the n sensors to transmit the signal received thereat or information related to the signal received thereat to a processor; at the processor, determining time difference estimates for the m received signals and determining the geolocation of the target emitter from the time difference estimates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and materials for producing a more developmentally potent cell from a less developmentally potent cell. Specifically exemplified herein are methods that comprise introducing an expressible dedifferentiating polynucleotide sequence into a less developmentally potent cell, wherein the transfected less developmentally potent cell becomes a more developmentally potent cell capable of differentiating to a less developmentally potent cell of its lineage of origin or a different lineage.

Abstract: An audio system responsive to a source of audio programming. The audio system comprising a master amplifier connected to the source of audio programming, the master amplifier providing channelized amplified audio signals at each one of a plurality of channel output connectors and a signal splitter connected to at least one of the plurality of channel output connectors for splitting the channelized amplified audio signal at a selected one of the plurality of channel output connectors into an audio channel signal and a power signal. The audio system further comprising a channel transmit module responsive to the audio channel signal and the power signal for transmitting the audio channel signal, a channel receiver responsive to an intended audio channel signal, a channel amplifier connected to an associated channel receiver for amplifying the intended audio channel signal and a sound reproducing device connected to the channel amplifier for aurally reproducing the intended audio channel signal.

Abstract: A biocompatible composite includes a solid biocompatible material and a plurality of living human progenitor or living stem cells attached thereto. The composition resulting in accelerated repair to damaged bones and tissues.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for anchoring a modular or manufactured building. The system includes at least one concrete pad formed in at least one hole in the ground. The building is coupled to and supported on the ground by the at least one concrete pad. Additionally, the system includes at least one ground anchor buried in the at least one hole below the at least one concrete pad. The system further includes a connector having a first end affixed to the ground anchor and a second end embedded within the concrete pad, for resisting an upward force to the building by high winds.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing an aqueous solution, as may be implemented with a hand-held portable electronic device (10) and test element (16). A test pad (32) of the test element responsive in color to a characteristic of an aqueous solution is interrogated by the device by measuring intensity values of an interrogating test light as reflected off of the test pad. The test pad may be supported on an opaque and non-reflective substrate (28) that cooperates with an opaque edge portion (14E) of a test element placement member (14B) and associated side walls (14W) of the device to minimize the impingement of ambient light onto the test pad during interrogation.

Abstract: A cabinet drawer support beam is provided, and may include on an upper part of such beam, a rail or longitudinal sliding mechanism. An alignment mechanism may be fastened to the rail or longitudinal mechanism. The alignment mechanism may include a pinion that runs in the rack of the lower part of the support beam, and the support beam may be fastened to the cabinet wall by way of barrels and/or fasteners. At least two beams per cabinet may be included.

Abstract: A direct digital frequency synthesizer and a synthesizing method thereof. The direct digital frequency synthesizer uses a hybrid digital to analog converter, which matches output data of a phase accumulator to a sine wave amplitude using a hybrid DAC, including a non-linear DAC and a linear DAC. The non-linear DAC outputs a direct base point current using some bits of output data of a phase accumulator, causing the linear DAC to output a gradient current based on gradient information generated using other bits of the output data of the phase accumulator. These currents are summed for the analog output.