Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to a resistance bridge having two voltage measurements circuits that function in tandem. In one embodiment, a constant current source may be applied to two resistors coupled in series, in which the first resistor has a known resistance and the second resistor has a resistance to be determined or verified. A first measurement circuit may measure a first voltage across the first resistor and at substantially the same time a second measurement circuit measures a second voltage across the second resistor. The voltage of each resistor is converted to a ratio. Based on the ratio and the resistance of the first resistance, the resistance of the second resistor may be calculated.

Abstract: In one aspect, an improved nutritive media is provided that comprises from 10 g/L to 100 g/L of an adsorbent material, from 350 mg/L to 450 mg/L of NH4NO3, from 2000 mg/L to 3000 mg/L of KH2PO4, from 5 mg/L to 25 mg/L of FeSO4, from 600 mg/L to 1500 mg/L of MgSO4; and at least one component selected from the group consisting of: from 150 mg/L to 300 mg/L of Myo-inositol, from 1.5 mg/L to 3.0 mg/L of Thiamine-HCl, from 0.30 mg/L to 0.80 mg/L of Pyridoxine-HCl, from 1.5 mg/L to 3.0 mg/L of Nicotinic acid, from 0.15 mg/L to 0.30 mg/L of Riboflavin, from 0.75 mg/L to 2.0 mg/L of Ca-pantothenate, from 0.01 mg/L to 0.03 mg/L of Biotin and from 0.15 mg/L to 0.30 mg/L of Folic Acid. In another aspect, a manufactured seed is provided comprising the improved nutritive media.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing the head and/or torso of a child by way of a belt securing system is provided. Adjustable head and torso supporting portions can be attached to the seat of a lightweight vehicle, such as a bike trailer, or an airplane.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a system, apparatus, and method of controlling an intensity and spectrum of light emitted from a solid state lighting system. The solid state lighting has a first emitted spectrum at full intensity and at a selected temperature, with a first electrical biasing for the solid state lighting producing a first wavelength shift, and a second electrical biasing for the solid state lighting producing a second, opposing wavelength shift. Exemplary embodiments provide for receiving information designating a selected intensity level or a selected temperature; and providing a combined first electrical biasing and second electrical biasing to the solid state lighting to generate emitted light having the selected intensity level and having a second emitted spectrum within a predetermined variance of the first emitted spectrum over a predetermined range of temperatures.

Abstract: Representative embodiments of the disclosure provide a system, apparatus, and method of controlling an intensity and spectrum of light emitted from a solid state lighting system. The solid state lighting system has a first emitted spectrum at full intensity and at a selected temperature, with a first electrical biasing for the solid state lighting system producing a first wavelength shift, and a second electrical biasing for the solid state lighting system producing a second, opposing wavelength shift. Representative embodiments provide for receiving information designating a selected intensity level or a selected temperature and providing a combined first electrical biasing and second electrical biasing to the solid state lighting system to generate emitted light having the selected intensity level and having a second emitted spectrum within a predetermined variance of the first emitted spectrum over a predetermined range of temperatures.

Abstract: A ramp assembly provides a transition surface from a vehicle floor to an alighting surface. The ramp assembly includes a ramp portion that rotates between a stowed position and a deployed position. A panel is rotatably coupled to the ramp portion about a first axis. The ramp assembly further includes an actuator that provides a rotational force to the ramp portion that drives the ramp portion through a deployment motion. The deployment motion includes a first phase during which the rotational force rotates the ramp portion about the first axis. The deployment motion further includes a second phase during which the rotational force moves the first axis in a downward direction.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting Gram-negative bacterial pathogenesis, a method of screening for compounds that inhibit type III secretion in Gram-negative bacteria, and compounds that inhibit type III secretion in Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: A mobile waste processing system and method is disclosed for processing materials in a tank, typically an underground storage tank. A mobile fluid processing module is disposed adjacent to or over the tank, and sealingly connected to the tank through a tank riser. Support equipment, which may include an electric power module, a chiller module, a heating module, and a control and monitor module, are disposed a distance from the processing module, and connected thereto. A pump and optionally a dispersal nozzle are deployed from the processing module into the tank, and effluent is extracted for processing. The processing trailer includes effluent processing equipment such as an evaporator and demister, condenser, vacuum pump, and interim storage tank. The effluent is processed, and at least a portion is removed. Some of the processed effluent may be returned to the tank.

Abstract: Trading processes interact with each other through a market process. The trading processes and the market process all operate on a platform. When the market process determines that one of the trading processes is satisfying a condition, such as providing a best price for a side of the market, then the market process automatically notifies the trading process of a new contra-side best market price in advance of providing such notification to other trading processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressure testing a plumbing installation includes a flexible cylindrical body having a peripheral sidewall, a closed end and an open end. A positioning flange extends outwardly from the peripheral sidewall at the open end to facilitate positioning cylindrical body with an end of a pipe into which the cylindrical body has been inserted. An end wall is positioned at the closed end that is. The end wall is curved inwardly and has an inward cylindrical flow channel closed by a partially removable plug. A gripping strip is secured to the partially removable plug that closes an inward cylindrical plug and extends through and past the open end of the cylindrical body, such that upon a force being exerting upon the gripping strip the plug lifts to open the cylindrical flow channel and upon a force continuing to be exerted upon the gripping strip the cylindrical body rolls inside out thereby enabling the cylindrical body to be removed from the pipe.

Abstract: The invention provides novel dendritic cell-associated lectin-like (DCAL-1) molecules, compositions and therapeutic methods of use. In one aspect, the invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules that are capable of remaining hybridized to SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:3, including nucleic acid molecules that encode DCAL-1 polypeptides. In another aspect, the invention provides DCAL-1 polypeptides and portions thereof which are useful to stimulate T cell proliferation. In another aspect, the invention provides antibodies that specifically bind to DCAL-1 which are useful for promoting maturation of dendritic cells and for stimulating an immune response in vivo. In another aspect the invention provides methods of stimulating an immune response in an animal comprising introducing into the animal an anti-DCAL-1 antibody of the invention.

Abstract: A novel approach to determining PageRank for web pages views the problem as being comparable to solving for an electromagnetic field problem. This view of ranking web pages enables appropriate entries for a matrix G of the web (or a subset), so that fast-solver techniques can be employed to iterate G, solving for ranks, or a dominant eigenstructure, achieving an O(N log N) performance in time and memory requirements. The specific solver technique that is used can be, for example, a fast multi-pole method (FMM), or a multilevel low-rank compression method. Once the problem is correctly formulated, it is not necessary to create the matrix G. Local information can be queried on demand by the solver. This approach can also be used to determine different scores of web pages, such as TrustRank, which is indicative of their trustworthiness.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing a length of a pipe, the pipe including first and second pipe portions each having an interior, includes a cylinder having a first end wall and an open end, the cylinder being connectable to the first pipe portion. The apparatus also includes a piston having a second end wall, the piston being receivable in slidable and sealable engagement with the cylinder, the piston being connectable to the second pipe portion, wherein the cylinder and the second end wall define a chamber physically isolated from the interiors of the first and second pipe portions, the chamber being adapted to receive a control fluid for displacing the piston relative to the cylinder to vary a distance between the first and second pipe portions while permitting fluid communication between the first and second pipe portions, the chamber including a cushioning region in communication with the chamber.

Abstract: A brewing system (100) includes a brew group (130) having a cylindrical brewing chamber (132), a first actuator (146) attached to an upper piston assembly (140) that is movable to sealingly engage one end of the brewing chamber, a second actuator (156) attached to a lower piston assembly (150) that slidably engages the opposite end of the brewing chamber. The lower piston assembly includes a water supply tube (151) that engages a channel through the piston to supply heated water to the brewing chamber. The upper piston assembly includes a dispensing tube (141) that engages a channel through the piston to accommodate dispensing the brewed liquid. A sliding arm assembly is positioned to remove spent grounds from the brewing assembly. The current embodiment includes a controller (100), hopper (112), water heater (11) and grinder assembly (120). An optional flavoring dispenser may also be provided.

Abstract: An LED package with an extended top electrode and an extended bottom electrode is made from a single metal sheet, one manufacturing process embodiment includes: preparing a piece of single metal sheet, forming a first metal and a coplanar second metal, mounting an LED on an inner end of the first metal, wire-bonding top electrode to an inner end of the second metal, encapsulating at least the LED and the bonding wire with a protection glue, bending an outer end of the first metal upward twice 90 degrees to form a top flat as an extended top electrode of the package, and bending an outer end of the second metal downward twice 90 degrees to form a bottom flat as an extended bottom electrode of the package.

Abstract: A selective high intensity ultrasonic foaming technique is described to fabricate porous polymers for biomedical applications. Process variables, including ultrasound power, scanning speed, and gas concentration have an affect on pore size. Pore size can be controlled with the scanning speed of the ultrasound insonation and interconnected porous structures could be obtained using a partially saturated polymers. A gas concentration range of 3-5% by weight creates interconnected open-celled porous structures. The selective high intensity ultrasonic foaming method can be used on biocompatible polymers so as not to introduce any organic solvents. The method has use in cell related biomedical applications such as studying cell growth behaviors by providing a porous environment with varying topological features.

Abstract: Improvements to foaming methods and the interbimodal cellular structures of the foams made therefrom are disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetic storage medium is formed of magnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated within nanotubes (e.g., carbon nanotubes), which are arranged in a substrate to facilitate the reading and writing of information by a read/write head. The substrate may be flexible or rigid. Information is stored on the magnetic nanoparticles via the read/write head of a storage device. These magnetic nanoparticles are arranged into data tracks to store information through encapsulation within the carbon nanotubes. As carbon nanotubes are bendable, the carbon nanotubes may be arranged on flexible or rigid substrates, such as a polymer tape or disk for flexible media, or a glass substrate for rigid disk. A polymer may assist holding the nano-particle filled carbon-tubes to the substrate.