Abstract: Representative 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 a full intensity level 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. 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 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: Methods and systems for three-dimensionally imaging an apical dome located at the cotyledon end of a plant embryo are provided. Three-dimensional information of an apical dome can be obtained by scanning the apical dome at varying focal planes along an axis of the embryo, or by using multiple cameras arranged in a confocal manner to image the apical dome. It can also be obtained by irradiating the apical dome with polychromatic light, wherein light beams of multiple wavelengths are focused at multiple focal planes along the axis of the embryo so that the dome's height information can be obtained based on the wavelength of the light precisely focused and reflected at each surface point of the dome. The three-dimensional information is used to ascertain various morphological features (e.g., size, shape, texture, etc.) of the apical dome, which are in turn used to assess the embryo's germinant vigor.

Abstract: An optical disk drive for driving an out-of-specification disk such as a CCCD. When the out-of-specification disk, such as a CCCD (Copy-Controlled CD), is loaded in the optical disk drive, a system controller of the optical disk drive reads TOC data in a first session and TOC data in a second session. When a contradiction exists between the TOC data in the second session and the TOC data in the first session, the system controller deems the disk to be not a within-specification disk but an out-of-specification disk, thereby diminishing the number of retry operations for reading data or a retry time, and reading data by means of generating a synchronization bit SYNC through use of an internal counter.

Abstract: A pump assembly (100) having a pump housing (206 and 208) and a rotor (222) rotatingly disposed within the housing, the rotor having a plurality of slots (226). The pump assembly includes a plurality of vanes (224), each vane moveably disposed in one of the plurality of slots, and an input shaft (228) coupled to the rotor for applying a torque to the rotor. The pump assembly (100) also includes a prime mover (400) for generating a torque and a magnetic coupling unit (300) for magnetically transferring the torque generated by the prime mover to the input shaft. The vanes may have a leg (256) which extends radially inward from a blade (254). The rotor and input shaft may be integrally formed.

Abstract: A seal assembly includes a first body and a second body. A primary seal is disposed between the first body and the second body. A secondary seal is disposed between the first body and the second body in spaced relation to the primary seal. A pressure port extends through one of the first body and the second body between the primary seal and the secondary seal. A pressure sensor is provided for detecting a pressure increase within the pressure port, thereby indicating a failure of the primary seal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for providing and integrating high-performance message queues. “Contexts” are provided that allow independent worlds to be created and execute in parallel. A context is created with one or more threads. Each object is created with context affinity, allowing any thread inside the context to modify the object or process pending messages. Threads in a different context are unable to modify the object or process pending messages for that context. To help achieve scalability and context affinity, both global and thread-local data is often moved into the context. Remaining global data has independent locks, providing synchronized access for multiple contexts. Each context has multiple message queues to create a priority queue. There are default queues for sent messages and posted messages, carry-overs from legacy window managers, with the ability to add new queues on demand. A queue bridge is also provided for actually processing the messages.

Abstract: A method of reducing ground disturbance during freeze-thaw cycles. The steps include excavating soil from an area affected by ground disturbance due to subsurface flow and subsequent freezing of water. A subsurface layer of thermal insulation is then laid over the affected area, thereby thermally insulating the affected area from freezing. The subsurface layer of thermal insulation has a top surface and a bottom surface. A subsurface layer of wick material capable of drawing water away from the affected area by capillary action is also laid parallel to one of the top surface or the bottom surface of the subsurface layer of thermal insulation positioned in a path of the subsurface flow of water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a electroosmotic fluidic device and method for delivering analytes to an analyzer to obtain structural information for the analyte. The device and method are useful in identifying proteins by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A two-way quick connector for connecting a power drill to a working tool having a working end and a shank end having a circumferential groove. The connector having a drive shaft with a polygonal-shaped chuck end to be received by the chuck of a power drill, and a cylindrically-shaped opposite end having an axial bore for receiving the shank end of the working tool. The connector further having a ball detent and a two-piece slidable sleeve mounted on the drive shaft, which sleeve may be manipulated in either of two directions to manipulate the ball detent into the circumferential groove of the working tool.

Abstract: A bubble generating device is to be used with a water tank which has a water receiving chamber, and includes a bubble emission member adapted to be disposed in the water receiving chamber and formed with bubble emission holes, an air pump for providing pressurized air, a first air passage tube with a first end connected to the air pump and an opposite second end, and a second air passage tube with a first end connected to the bubble emission member and an opposite second end. The control unit includes a cam wheel, a valve seat formed with an air chamber which communicates fluidly the second ends of the first and second air passage tubes, and a spring-loaded piston rod with a first end portion in contact with a peripheral cam surface of the cam wheel and a second end portion extending into the air chamber and provided with a valve piece.

Abstract: A method and system for orienting diamagnetic liquids in a container in a low gravity environment includes at least one magnet. The magnet or magnets are placed at the end of the container opposite a desired location for the diamagnetic liquid. The magnetic field generated by the magnet creates a diamagnetic force that repels the diamagnetic liquid away from the magnet and toward the desired location.

Abstract: A computer-based system and method of retrieving information pertaining to Web documents on a computer network is disclosed. The method includes maintaining an address map that associates primary addresses with secondary addresses. A primary address includes a network retrieval protocol and a network address. The secondary address may include a different retrieval protocol or a different network address from the primary document address. A Web crawler retrieves a Web document using the primary document address, and determines whether the address map contains a secondary document address prefix corresponding to the primary document address prefix. If a secondary document address prefix exists, the Web crawler creates a secondary address, retrieves additional information pertaining to the Web document, and combines the additional information with the data retrieved from the Web document. The combined data may be stored in an index, and subsequently used to perform a document search.

Abstract: A sealing device (20) for an airplane (22). The airplane having a wing (24) and a first engine nacelle (26) attached to the wing. The wing having a wing root, a wing tip, a leading edge, a trailing edge and at least a first flap (30b) operatively connected to the leading edge. The flap being actuatable between a retracted position and an extended position. The flap in the extended position defining a gap between the flap and engine nacelle. The sealing device includes a body attached to the engine nacelle. The body having a forward portion (54), a center portion (56) and an aft portion (58). The body being positioned on the engine nacelle to contact the flap when the flap is in the extended position and forming a seal between the flap and nacelle to improve aerodynamic efficiency of the wing. The seal is formed by the flap being nested within the center portion of the body when the flap is in the extended position.

Abstract: A bicycle (10) including a novel suspension system (30) for supporting a bicycle seat (32). The suspension system (30) includes an elongate beam (34) rotatably attached at one end to the down tube (26) of the bicycle (10) and extending upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. The seat (32) is attached to the distal end of the elongate beam (34). A slider (36) is attached to the down tube (26) at a location below the attachment of the elongate beam (34) to the down tube. The slider (36) includes a sleeve (38) that extends around the elongate beam (34). A shock absorber (40) is juxtaposed between the sleeve (38) and the elongate beam (34). By pressing downward on the seat (32), elongate beam (34) and the slider (36) rotate along their respective attachments to the down tube (26) and the sleeve (38) slides along the elongate beam (34). The shock absorber (40) slows and controls this sliding motion so that a shock absorber is created for the seat (32).

Abstract: The voltages V of storage batteries Sa, Sb, . . . Sn are detected, and the voltage E of the battery unit 10 is detected. A defect in each storage battery is detected in accordance with the voltage V detected. An abnormal voltage of the battery unit 10 is detected in accordance with the voltage E detected. Further, the temperature T of the battery unit 10 is detected, on the basis of which the expiration of each storage battery is determined. The defect detected, the abnormal voltage detected, and the expiration determined are informed.

Abstract: In a method of analyzing a body fluid sample for the presence of analyte indicative of a physiological condition, comprising the steps of contacting the body fluid sample with an immunological binding partner which binds to the analyte, detecting binding of the immunological binding partner to the analyte, and correlating any detected binding to the physiological condition, the improvement comprising contacting the body fluid sample with an immunological binding partner which binds to(Gln)-(Tyr)-(Ser)-(Tyr)-(Asp)-(Val)-Hyl- .vertline. (Gln)-(Tyr)-(Ser)-(Tyr)-(Asp)-(Val)-Hyl- .vertline. (Gly)-Ile-Hyl- -Ser-Gly-Val-Ala-Val-Gly-Gly -Ser-Gly-Val-Ala-Val-Gly-Gly -Gly-His-Argwherein the cross-linking residue depicted as Hyl-Hyl-Hyl is hydroxylysyl pyridinoline and the parentheses indicate optional amino acid residues, and correlating any detected binding to degradation of type III collagen in vivo.

Abstract: Peptides synthesized to match the human .alpha.1(I) and .alpha.2(I) telopeptide sequences of the type I collagen metabolites, preferably selected from among Asp-Glu-Lys-Ser-Thr-Gly-Gly (SEQ ID NO:5), Gln-Tyr-Asp-Gly-Lys-Gly-Val-Gly (SEQ ID NO:6), and Glu-Lys-Ala-His-Asp-Gly-Gly-Arg (SEQ ID NO:7). Useful as calibrators and antigens in immunoassays for detecting type I collagen degradation products in body fluids.

Abstract: Method of monitoring a patient's response to an anti-resorptive therapy such as estrogen, by contacting a body fluid sample of the patient with an immunological binding partner specific for a cross-linked telopeptide having a sequence identical to that of a cross-linked amino-terminal or carboxy-terminal telopeptide produced in vivo upon degradation of type I collagen, detecting any binding of the immunological binding partner in the body fluid sample, and correlating the detected binding to the rate of bone resorption in the patient.