Abstract: A device for non-invasive measurement of blood pressure includes a blood pressure cuff, a plethysmographic electrode for acquiring an impedance plethysmogram distal to the cuff and a processing device to inflate and deflate the cuff generate the impedance plethysmogram and to determine the systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The device can be used to measure systolic or diastolic blood pressure or both. It can also be used to take ankle-brachial measurements. An autocorrelation technique can be used to correct noise.

Abstract: First, benchmark data are collected on two thin slices of an object to get measured k-space trajectories. To find delays on different physical gradients, the root mean square error between estimated and measured k-space trajectories is minimized for different delays. To reduce the error further, an eddy current compensation is introduced along each physical gradient axis. A more accurate estimation of the k-space trajectory can be obtained to image the object.

Abstract: An electrical connector that electrically connects a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board is disclosed, where the electrical connector in the preferred embodiment includes: (a) an insulative housing; (b) a plurality of signal conductors, with at least a portion of each of the plurality of signal conductors disposed within the insulative housing; (c) each of the plurality of signal conductors having a first contact end, a second contact end and an intermediate portion therebetween; and (d) a passive circuit element electrically connected to the intermediate portion of each of the plurality of signal conductors, where the passive circuit element is housed in an insulative package and includes at least a capacitor or an inductor.

Abstract: A fastener system for fixing hardened plates includes a fastener element having a frusto-conical head and a threaded shaft portion, wherein a smallest outer diameter of the frusto-conical head is adjacent the threaded shaft, and a largest outer width of the shaft is smaller than a smallest diameter of the head.

Abstract: A beam of coherent laser light with linear polarization oriented at 45 degrees to vertical is expanded, and passes through a quarter-wave plate with the fast axis oriented vertically, creating circularly polarized light. The light then passes through a non-polarizing 50/50 beamsplitter. A partial reflector then collinearly reflects a portion of the beam, which is used as the reference beam. The transmitted light passes through a linear polarizer oriented at 45 degrees to vertical, and is focused via a lens onto the sample of interest. Light scattered from this region is re-collimated by the lens and the directed through the linear 45 degree polarizer and through the partial reflector, where it recombines with the reference beam. One use of the invention is to detect microparticles in water.

Abstract: An electrical connector with a reference contact for improved shielding. The contact provides multiple points of contact between members in the ground structure of two mating connectors. The points of contact are arranged to provide desirable current flow in the signal paths and ground structures of the connectors. The contact is stamped from a shield plate and has multiple elongated members that provide spring force for adequate electrical connection. The elongated members are curved to position the points of contact with the desired orientation. Such a contact structure may be used alone or in combination with other compliant structures providing further points of contact.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing bisphosphonic acids and salts thereof. The process comprising reacting a carboxylic acid of Formula [I] with phosphorous acid and halophosphorus compound in the presence of a solvent selected from aliphatic hydrocarbon or water miscible cyclic ether. Further, the present invention also provides novel forms of bisphosphonic acids and process for preparation thereof.

Abstract: A dual polarization base station antenna producing a beam having 3 dB azimuth beamwidth of E(theta) within 5° of the 3 dB azimuth beamwidth of E(phi). The antenna also maintains E(theta) and E(phi) within 3 dB of each other over a wide beamwidth up to 120°, and over a wide bandwidth of 30% of the center frequency. The antenna achieves these performance characteristics through beam shaping structures connected to or located near the ground plane supporting the dipole antenna elements. By adjusting the locations and shapes of the beam shaping structures, specific antennas are designed to meet these design characteristics for different desired beamwidths, including 45°, 60°, 90° and 120°.

Abstract: In estimation of an aberration in propagation of an ultrasonic wave from an aperture through an aberration path, the aperture is modeled as a plurality of sources and receivers. The frequency-domain magnitude of the aberration is estimated by normalizing the scattered signal power spectrum. The frequency-domain phase of the aberration is estimated by a recursion using cross spectra of signals at neighboring receivers.

Abstract: A multichannel security system is disclosed, which system is for granting and denying access to a host computer in response to a demand from an access-seeking individual and computer. The access-seeker has a peripheral device operative within an authentication channel to communicate with the security system. The access-seeker initially presents identification and password data over an access channel which is intercepted and transmitted to the security computer. The security computer then communicates with the access-seeker. A biometric analyzer—a voice or fingerprint recognition device—operates upon instructions from the authentication program to analyze the monitored parameter of the individual. In the security computer, a comparator matches the biometric sample with stored data, and, upon obtaining a match, provides authentication. The security computer instructs the host computer to grant access and communicates the same to the access-seeker, whereupon access is initiated over the access channel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-burner gasification reactor for gasification of slurry or pulverized hydrocarbon feed materials and industry applications thereof. Burners are disposed on the periphery or top of a gasification reactor vessel, wherein the side burners are at a small downward angle relative to the horizontal plane, which can prolong the life of refractory bricks. The operating pressure of the gasification reactor is 0.1˜12 MPa, and the operating temperature thereof is 1350° C.˜1700° C. The gasification reactor is applicable to a hot-wall lining as well as a cold-wall lining. The notable advantages of the gasification reactor are carbon conversion is high and can reach 99%, and the effective gas content is high; specific coal consumption and specific oxygen consumption are low; and it is applicable to a large coal gasification plant that processes above 3000 tons of coal per day.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backshell coupling for connecting an electrical cable to an electrical component, the coupling comprising a first part having a cylindrical sleeve suitable for passing the cable, the sleeve having an end provided with a first pair of arms; and a second part having guide means for said cable and a second pair of arms, the free ends of the first arms facing the ends of the second arms, with one of the pairs of ends being disposed between the other pair of ends; means defining a pivot axis between the pairs of arms, the facing faces of said ends being provided with portions in relief for defining a plurality of relative angular positions between the two parts, the arms having their ends disposed between the ends of the other arms being elastically deformable; and means for temporarily deforming the arms.

Abstract: This invention relates to a shielded electrical connection arrangement with a plug-in contour which accommodates at least one plug-in contact with a plug-in region and a receiving region for receiving and holding the plug-in contact in an attachment section of the plug-in contact, a cover for attaching the attachment section in the receiving region of the plug-in contour, the cover and the receiving region having shields on their outside contour and electrically conductive connecting elements being provided for contact-making of the plug-in connections and mechanical connection of the cover to the plug-in contour.

Abstract: A portable astronomical telescope includes the cylinder body, on which three telescopic legs are hinged through a joint to form a tripod stand. The bottom of aforementioned cylinder body is fixed by means of connection element and mounted with part box. On the bottom end of this part box, a bottom cover is insert-mounted. On the upper end of the part box, limit connection elements of the connected telescopic leg are hinged. Within the aforementioned cylinder body, a guide bush is fixed and installed, inside of which telescope base is mounted. On the side of this telescope base, a guide pin is established. On the side of the guide sleeve, an L-shaped feed-through slot is established to accommodate the guide sleeve. On the tail end of the above feed-through slot, one guide pin residence slot is connected. The aforementioned telescope base is activated by the lug and mounted with bellows. This product can be used without need for separate assembly, and eliminates the need for a separate package.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a unique alias associated with an individual identified in a health care database such that health care data, and particularly pharmaceutical-related data, can be efficiently gathered and analyzed. The system has a first data store for storing at least one record where each record includes a plurality of identification fields which when concatenated uniquely identify an individual, and at least one health care field corresponding to health care data associated with the individual. The system also has a second data store, and a processor. The processor selects a record of the first data store, then selects a subset of the plurality of identification fields within the selected record, and concatenates the selected subset of identification fields. Then the processor stores the concatenated identification fields in a record in the second data store with the at least one health care field from the selected record of the first data store.

Abstract: A barrier for a vehicle that includes first and second substantially identical sections. The first and second sections are adapted to reside in a vehicle footwell between first and second vehicle seats. Each of the sections includes opposite first and second main panels, opposite first and second side panels extending between the first and second main panels, and opposite first and second end panels extending between the first and second main panels and between the first and second side panels. A thickness of each section is defined by the distance between the first and second main panels and the thickness is substantially equal to the shortest distance between the first and second seats. One of the first and second side panels includes a mating surface having a fastener for coupling the first and second sections.

Abstract: Novel additive systems for lead-free filled cable insulation are disclosed. These systems provide improved electrical and mechanical properties. The base polymer may be metallocene based, non metallocene based or combinations thereof. The additives may contain one or more hindered amine light stabilizers, mercapto compounds, and optionally, amine antioxidants.

Abstract: A dust separating apparatus for a vacuum cleaner which is compact in configuration and is capable of preventing dirt from piling up on an entrance channel is provided. The dust separating apparatus includes a dust collecting receptacle adapted to collect dirt, and a cyclone unit eccentrically disposed in the dust collecting receptacle and adapted to whirl air drawn in through an inflow channel thereof, and the inflow channel may have an inclined upper surface which slopes downward toward a bottom of the dust collecting receptacle by a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A cleaner having a handle assembly rotatable in all directions is disclosed, the handle assembly including a housing; a handle which is capable of being gripped by a user; a connection unit which connects the handle with the housing to rotate in all directions; and an elastic unit which elastically biases the handle to a neutral position. As the handle is capable of rotating in all directions, a user can clean a surface without feeling strain in his or her joints.